2016 Troy Baseball Preview: The Infield

With the 2016 baseball season opening on Friday, TroyTrojans.com will take a position-by-position look at this year's team.

FIRST BASE

This year's first base unit is unique since there are no returning players at the position. However, there are three primary players who will get playing time at the first base.

Joey Denison is one of the better hitters and will be in the lineup as a run producer. He's someone who can play in the outfield too. The junior college transfer hit .399 with 43 RBIs, 16 doubles, four triples and two home runs last year and was named conference player of the year.

A left-handed option, Justin Friend, is showing signs that he can hit for power. He can also get on base due to a .441 on-base percentage in his last season at Calhoun Community College.

Austin Hulsey, the transfer from Alabama A&M, has the most experience of any of the players at this position. Hulsey is the third best defender of the three. Hulsey, was named All-SWAC three times at Alabama A&M. The Haleyville, Ala., native hit .320 in 2015, with nine doubles and 29 RBIs as a Bulldog.

All three guys will play a significant role offensively and have the ability to be a designated hitter.

SECOND BASE

Two primary guys are leading candidates for second base in Brandon Lockridge and Peyton Fuller.

True freshman, Lockridge, has been a real talented addition to the roster. He will get the bulk of the playing time early. The Pensacola, Fla., native has a chance to hit at the top of the lineup and can run well, swing the bat and is an exciting player to watch.

Fuller is one of the most experienced guys on the roster as a fifth year senior. The Fairhope, Ala., native has played in 80 career games. He has been a role player for most of his career and will begin the 2016 season the same. Fuller has some versatility and experience at the shortstop position and could play there.

SHORTSTOP

Led by returning starter Matt Sanders, the shortstop position has two guys that will play there primarily for the 2016 season.

Sanders has improved in every area of the game. He's a player that can bring some consistency day in and day out on offense and defense. The Madison, Ala., native played 48 games last year and started 46 at shortstop. He finished his freshman campaign with a .247 batting average 21 RBIs and nine doubles.

Newcomer, Frederic, will be the back up to Sanders. The Niceville, Fla., native has really good skill level and is improving each day. Frederic, who can also play second base and should fit well in some back up roles. He has a chance to be a great player in the future.

THIRD BASE

There are several guys who can play third. There is no indication who will get the nod at the hot corner on opening night or who will be the long term primary fit.

Bert Givens and TJ Binder saw a lot of action at third base last year. Givens struggled some offensively; only recording 11 hits, three of them being doubles. However, the Tallahassee, Fla., native is the best defender in the group.

Binder is a little more consistent offensively and can play third base adequately. The Ooltewah, Tenn., native played 42 games last year and started 17 at third base. He is the team's returning leader in batting average hitting .283 in 2015. He hit six doubles and drove in 11 RBIs.

Hunter Mercer is a freshman that has the potential to be a really good hitter throughout his career. As a freshman, Mercer might not get many opportunities at third base, but could see some time as a designated hitter.

A couple of players that can play third base in a pinch are Chase Smartt, a primary catcher and Trevor Davis, a primary outfielder.

Smartt's Thoughts: Third base is going to be a factor early, to see who settles in and plays the good defense required. The middle of the infield will be young with Sanders and Lockridge playing quite a bit, along with a fifth-year senior and a freshman in the back-up role. First base has three first year Troy players, which is a good group, but there is still a question mark with a rotating group. The players are very talented, but we need to have our best defensive option at the position.

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.

Troy University Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

TJ Binder

Trevor Davis

Joey Denison

Justin Friend

Peyton Fuller

Bert Givens

Austin Hulsey

Brandon Lockridge

Hunter Mercer

Matt Sanders

Chase Smartt

Related Videos