2015 Baseball Preview: Infield/Catchers

With the 2015 baseball season opening on Friday, TroyTrojans.com will take a position-by-position look at this year's team.

OUTFIELD | PITCHERS

Troy will look to replace starters at first base (Matthew Howard), second base (Garrett Pitts) and shortstop (Tyler Vaughn). Head coach Bobby Pierce says he is happy with the transition so far despite a few position changes.

Third base: Bert Givens was a two-time All-Panhandle Conference selection at Chipola College and has fit in nicely at the hot corner. Givens batted .361 with 31 RBIs his freshman year and .304 with 42 RBIs in his sophomore campaign. His offensive ability will give the Trojans another capable bat in what should be a threatening lineup from top to bottom. TJ Binder has taken the majority of his defensive reps at first base but remains a viable option at third. Marcus Sigmon is an Indian River State College transfer can also play either spot on the left side of the infield.

Pierce on Givens: "He reminds me a lot of Logan (Pierce). He's not a great range type third baseball but he is a solid, trustworthy defender and be a middle-of-the-order type offensive player."

Shortstop: Freshman Matt Sanders is the leading candidate to replace Tyler Vaughn at shortstop. At 5-8, 175 pounds, Sanders plays the part physically but is advanced enough as a frosh to step directly into a starting role. Peyton Fuller returns for his junior season and has the ability to play both middle infield spots as well as third. Fuller has also served as a pinch hitter but will be battling for a starting role.

Pierce on Sanders: "He has shown steady play at short and is a potential leadoff candidate. He came in a little more advanced in some areas than most freshman and that will certainly help him as the season progresses."

Second base: Nick Masonia make the transition from third to second this season to replace All-Sun Belt second teamer Garrett Pitts. Masonia showed flashes of excellence last year as he slugged six home runs and 29 RBIs. Lee Gibson is a solid freshman infielder with a valuable left-handed bat and will see time behind Masonia.

Pierce on Masonia: "I think he'll play a solid second base. His offensive output has gone up over the offseason and he has set himself up to have a solid 2015 season."

First base: Trevin Hall was recruited as a first baseman and has returned after spending the vast majority of last season in left field. Hall batted .263 last year with seven home runs and 30 RBIs. TJ Binder will also see action at first.

Pierce on Hall: "He's a very good athlete that should be primed and ready to give a good performance this year."

Catcher: Three players will see action behind the plate in 2015. Adam Tewksbury played in 42 games including 28 starts after injuries plagued the position last season. Returning from injury is Tripp Calhoun after playing in just one game in 2015. Freshman Brody Binder has impressed the coaching staff offensively and will see extended playing time.

Pierce on Calhoun: "He is a good defensive catcher that has worked very hard to come back from injury. Tripp has set himself up for a very productive season offensively and defensively."

Troy University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Brody Binder

TJ Binder

Tripp Calhoun

Peyton Fuller

Lee Gibson

Bert Givens

Trevin Hall

Matthew Howard

Nick Masonia

Garrett Pitts

Matt Sanders

Marcus Sigmon

Adam Tewksbury

Tyler Vaughn

Related Videos