Series Preview: No. 10 Texas A&M vs. Rhode Island
Who: University of Rhode Island (31-22, 17-6 Atlantic-10)
Where: Olsen Field @ Blue Bell Park — College Station, TX
When: Friday 6:30 p.m. CT (SEC+)
Saturday 1:00 p.m. CT (SEC+)
Sunday 12:00 p.m. CT (SEC+)
Pitching matchups
Friday: Stephen Kolek (RHP, 4-5, 3.79) vs. Tyler Wilson (LHP, 1-1, 5.82)
Saturday: Chandler Joswiak (LHP, 0-0, 0.00) vs. Matt Murphy (RHP, 5-4, 3.96)
Sunday: Mitchell Kilkenny (RHP, 3-3, 3.67) vs. Vitaly Jangols (RHP, 7-1, 2.23)
Scouting Rhode Island
The Rams are a quality Atlantic-10 program predicted to finish in the top three of the conference, two spots ahead of 2017 Super Regional opponent Davidson. This is the sixth time in seven seasons Rhode island has been selected to finish third or higher in a very competitive Atlantic-10 Conference. Thus, Rhode Island is a team with a history of success. In fact, the Rams shut out Arkansas last season 3-0 along with taking down No. 6 North Carolina State on the road. In addition, they beat SEC powerhouse South Carolina 5-4 in 2016. This team is capable of beating a ranked team, especially early in the year when performances can be inconsistent.
Last year's squad finished 31-22 with a 17-6 conference record with balanced pitching and hitting. The Rams' team ERA in 2017 was a solid 3.65 to go along with a team batting average of .272 and 51 home runs. Most of the offensive numbers were generated by a quartet of seniors in the middle of the order who accounted for 41 of those 51 homers, and that's where the Rams look to struggle early. Almost 70% of their offensive production graduated after 2017. Only one returning starter hit over .250 last season. Senior centerfielder Jordan Powell had a stellar offensive campaign in 2017, hitting .352 with an on-base percentage over .400. He puts the ball in play and will be the hardest out in the Rhode Island lineup, although he's not a big power guy. At this point, it's a mystery as to who will bring the power supply to the Ram offense, and head coach Rafael Cerrato will be hoping some newcomers are ready to deliver against nationally-ranked Texas A&M this weekend. Texas Aggie pitching should have a significant advantage in this early season match-up as the Rams look for answers on the offensive side.
It's a completely different scenario on the mound. In fact, it's like night and day. The Rams return its top nine pitchers from 2017, and all 53 starts from a year ago. And if that didn't raise an eyebrow, the team's best pitcher was hurt most of last season and saw very limited playing time in 2017. He'll also be the Friday night starter, and for good reason. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound left-hander Tyler Wilson may be the best pitcher in Rhode Island history. He may be one of the best hurlers of all-time from the Atlantic-10. Wilson won back-to-back Atlantic-10 Pitcher of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016 with a combined 19-4 record and 2.22 ERA. The most impressive stat just may be his 110 hits allowed in 190 innings. Those are All-American numbers. And if you want to discount his success in the Atlantic-10, go to any draft service and you'll see Wilson as a Top 75 prospect. He's going to be a pretty high draft pick in June. The question with Wilson is how sharp he will be in mid-February in his first action for Rhode Island in nearly a year. But make no mistake, this long lefty will be a challenge for A&M hitters.
But the pitching doesn't stop there. The Rams bring back two other successful weekend starters from 2017, Matt Murphy and Vitaly Jangols. As a freshman, the right-handed Jangols was extremely impressive, notching a 7-1 record with a clean 2.23 ERA.
The Rams also boast the program's all-time saves leader. Closer Tyler Barss picked up 11 saves in 2017 to run his career total to 26, which is the most of any Ram pitcher in history. He also sported a very salty 1.38 ERA, so the senior reliever has late-inning situations under control.
But there is more than Barss in the bullpen. All nine returning pitchers have a hits-to-innings pitched ratio under 1.00. That is phenomenal for any staff regardless of competition. This team can pitch, and they can throw a lot of different arms at the Aggies this weekend. The Rams staff shouldn't be taken lightly.
Texas A&M storylines to watch
The biggest storyline will be the performance of the Texas A&M bats against a surprisingly talented and experienced Rhode Island pitching staff. If the Aggies are productive offensively in this cold and rainy weather against quality Ram pitching, that bodes very well for the season going forward.
Specifically, all eyes will be on the middle of the order. If hitters No. 4,5,6 are logging quality at-bats and driving in runs, this offense will be salty. We know the top of the order with Braden Shewmake and Michael Helman will be productive. There's too much history of success to think otherwise. If the hitters behind them are also getting it done at the plate, it's hard to see opposing pitching surviving for long under that arsenal attack.
On the mound, the Stephen Kolek vs. Tyler Wilson match-up will be SEC-esque. The key to Kolek's success as a Friday night starter will be the effectiveness of his new slider. As a freshman and sophomore, Kolek was strictly a change-up, fastball pitcher who typically started to struggle the second or third time through a lineup. If Kolek's slider is effective and under control, the junior could be a different caliber hurler in 2018.
The other big story on the mound will be the performance of freshman Chandler Joswiak. If he captures the moment and shows he belongs in the weekend rotation long-term, that provides a huge boost to the depth of what is already a pretty deep pitching staff. It also keeps senior Kaylor Chafin in the bullpen, who could serve the valuable all-purpose role that Andrew Vinson served a couple of seasons ago.
And finally, is Cason Sherrod ready to assume the closer role as a senior? In his career, he's had the velocity and wipeout breaking pitch to be a great closer, but control issues have always held him back. Sherrod finally started to overcome those control problems late in 2017. If he can show this weekend that he can come in, throw strikes, and take down the Rams late in the game, then this pitching staff will start to look pretty special.
As always, team defense will be a key area to follow. The Aggies look to be very strong on the left side of the infield with Braden Shewmake and George Janca. The key will be on the right side of the infield with Michael Helman and either Chris Andritsos or Hunter Coleman. Another storyline to watch will be the defense of the outfield. Nick Choruby spoiled A&M fans for three seasons with his speed in centerfield. The Aggies will be asking freshman Zach Deloach to take over, and there will be some transition out there. Logan Foster, Will Frizzell, Baine Schoenvogel and Aaron Walters aren't known for their outfield defense, so it will be interesting how they perform when the Olsen Field lights come on this Friday.
What's at stake this weekend
As with the start of any new sports season, Aggie baseball wants to get off to a good start. Not just in wins on the season ledger, but also in how the team plays on a consistent basis. Granted, these games aren't as important on the season resume in regard to postseason scenarios as an SEC weekend series in April, but good habits and success form from the first inning of action on February 16. The team will begin molding its chemistry and makeup in these first games in February. The staff uses these first 2-3 weeks to solidify the lineup and watch as the cream rises to the top on which newcomers will be contributors.
Hey, it's opening weekend. It's a fresh start for every player and every team. Heck, it's a fresh start for the Olsen Field fans.
