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2016 Troy Baseball Preview: The Outfield
2/16/2016 1:49:00 PM | Baseball
With the 2016 baseball season opening on Friday, TroyTrojans.com will take a position-by-position look at this year's team over the next four days.
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LEFT FIELD
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Reid Long holds down the left field position. The returning starter played 48 games as a true freshman and was named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. The Marianna, Fla., native hit .275 last season with nine doubles, six triples and eight home runs. He also scored 35 runs and drove in 30. Long is a very athletic and explosive player who can change the game with his glove on or with the bat in his hand.
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Backing up Long is Cameron Sanders, a very good defender, who can run and is a good option offensively. Sanders played in 34 games in 2015. The Gordo, Ala., native hit three doubles, scored seven runs and had five RBIs in just 37 plate appearances.
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A couple of other guys that can play left field are seniors, Windham Jackson and Hoke Granger. Jackson played 11 games and started two in 2015, while Granger saw action in 10 games and started four.
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CENTER FIELD
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There are two primary options in center field that are very similar in Shaw Pinnell and Steven Whitaker. Pinnell is a returning player that played 37 games in the outfield, and started in 11. The switch-hitter has made great strides offensively this year and covers a lot of ground as a defender.
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Whitaker, a first year transfer, is an equally explosive defender who can make that game-changing play. The Alpharetta, Ga., native might get some action in late-game scenarios due to a better arm. He, along with Pinnell can run and steal bases, which is much needed from a center fielder.
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RIGHT FIELD
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The leading candidate in right field is junior college transfer, Trevor Davis. He has been a very consistent player throughout the preseason. The Fort Mitchell, Ala., native is a good player in every phase of the game and will also contribute some in left field.
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Joey Denison has transitioned well in the outfield. The Troy, Ala., native can make the routine play and is a guy who will play the outfield some because of his offensive ability. Denison is a utility player who can also play a few positions in the infield.
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Jackson, Sanders and Granger are all candidates to play right field.
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Smartt's Thoughts: There's about three or four guys with center field ability that can play at any position in the outfield, which is pleasing. We will be more athletic and will be able to take a few hits away because of that athleticism. When we have our three best throwing arms in left, center and right field; it may be the three best positions we've had here in some years defensively.
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Smartt's Overall Team Thoughts: There is depth at every position of the field. There are also guys that can play multiple positions. Overall, this is a very athletic team in areas that we might not have been as athletic in, in the past. This team will cover more ground defensively and make more plays defensively. The main concern is the youth of the team and the lack of Division I experience. Until the newcomers get in the Division I concept and understand the intensity, those are the main issues.
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LEFT FIELD
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Reid Long holds down the left field position. The returning starter played 48 games as a true freshman and was named Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American. The Marianna, Fla., native hit .275 last season with nine doubles, six triples and eight home runs. He also scored 35 runs and drove in 30. Long is a very athletic and explosive player who can change the game with his glove on or with the bat in his hand.
Â
Backing up Long is Cameron Sanders, a very good defender, who can run and is a good option offensively. Sanders played in 34 games in 2015. The Gordo, Ala., native hit three doubles, scored seven runs and had five RBIs in just 37 plate appearances.
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A couple of other guys that can play left field are seniors, Windham Jackson and Hoke Granger. Jackson played 11 games and started two in 2015, while Granger saw action in 10 games and started four.
Â
CENTER FIELD
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There are two primary options in center field that are very similar in Shaw Pinnell and Steven Whitaker. Pinnell is a returning player that played 37 games in the outfield, and started in 11. The switch-hitter has made great strides offensively this year and covers a lot of ground as a defender.
Â
Whitaker, a first year transfer, is an equally explosive defender who can make that game-changing play. The Alpharetta, Ga., native might get some action in late-game scenarios due to a better arm. He, along with Pinnell can run and steal bases, which is much needed from a center fielder.
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RIGHT FIELD
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The leading candidate in right field is junior college transfer, Trevor Davis. He has been a very consistent player throughout the preseason. The Fort Mitchell, Ala., native is a good player in every phase of the game and will also contribute some in left field.
Â
Joey Denison has transitioned well in the outfield. The Troy, Ala., native can make the routine play and is a guy who will play the outfield some because of his offensive ability. Denison is a utility player who can also play a few positions in the infield.
Â
Jackson, Sanders and Granger are all candidates to play right field.
Â
Smartt's Thoughts: There's about three or four guys with center field ability that can play at any position in the outfield, which is pleasing. We will be more athletic and will be able to take a few hits away because of that athleticism. When we have our three best throwing arms in left, center and right field; it may be the three best positions we've had here in some years defensively.
Â
Smartt's Overall Team Thoughts: There is depth at every position of the field. There are also guys that can play multiple positions. Overall, this is a very athletic team in areas that we might not have been as athletic in, in the past. This team will cover more ground defensively and make more plays defensively. The main concern is the youth of the team and the lack of Division I experience. Until the newcomers get in the Division I concept and understand the intensity, those are the main issues.
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