FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Sophomore Steven Brooks
The Deacs return two starters in the outfield, as senior captain Evan Ocheltree returns to play right field, while sophomore Steven Brooks enters the season as the projected starter in center field. Wake Forest will have to replace departed senior Ben Terry, who started all 56 games in 2008, hit .257 on the season and led the team with 18 stolen bases.
A three-year starter in the outfield, Ocheltree will see the majority of playing time in right field, though he could also be used at first base if needed. Ocheltree, who spent the summer of 2008 with the Chatham A’s of the prestigious Cape Cod Collegiate Baseball League, hit .278 during the 2008 season with five home runs and 30 RBIs. Ocheltree also led the team in triples with four.
“I think Evan’s our best defensive player in the outfield,” Rembielak said. “He plays right field really well. He covers a lot of ground. He gets great reads on balls. He doesn’t make too many mistakes. I think other guys on the team will look to him to lead because of his experience. He’s also improved each year offensively. We want him to hit somewhere around the middle of the order and we want him to be consistent. It’s going to be important for him to put the ball in play and have some good swings.”
After playing in 40 games with 31 starts in 2008, Brooks is expected to be the full-time starter in center field in 2009. A terror on the base paths, Brooks leads all returning players with 15 stolen bases during the 2008 season. Expected to hit in the leadoff spot in 2009, Brooks hit .186 with two home runs and 17 RBIs in 2008. He spent the summer of 2008 with the Sanford Mainers of the New England Summer Baseball League.
“Steven is a guy that can put a spark in a team very quickly,” Rembielak said. “When he gets on base, he likes to run. I think he’s learning how to be a leadoff type of hitter. I want him to utilize his speed. We want him to get on base to set the table for everyone else. It’s very easy for him to end up on third base with a walk. We like the assets that he brings. He’ll hit the ball hard and he’ll show power.”
While Tyler Smith will be used to backup at first and third base in the infield, he will spend the majority of his time patrolling left field. Smith started 29 games during 2008, most of them in the infield, but will move to the outfield for 2009.
Other players expected to battle for playing time in the outfield are redshirt sophomore Ryan Semeniuk and freshman Micah Jarrett. Freshman Austin Stadler could also see time in the outfield when not on the mound or playing at first base. Considered one of the most athletic players on the team, Semeniuk saw time in nine games in 2008 and made three starts. He spent the past summer with the North Adams Steeplecats of the New England Summer Baseball League.
“Ryan is gaining more confidence every day,” Rembielak said. “The thing that will end up putting him in the lineup is his consistency at the plate. If he swings the bat with consistency, he brings a lot because he can run very well and he does have some power when he swings.”
Jarrett is another true freshman expected to see some playing time during the 2009 season. A four-year letterwinner at East Rowan High School, Jarrett was a three-time all-county selection and was named All-Piedmont in 2008. He was named an Under Armour Preseason All-American twice during his high school career.
While Stadler will see most of his time at first base or as a starting pitcher, he can also move to the outfield if needed. The 2008 Virginia Player of the Year, Stadler was ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the state of Virginia. He was a 40th round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants in the 2008 MLB Draft and finished the fall of 2008 with a .396 batting average, 12 runs scored and 16 RBIs.
