The Hoptown Hoppers continue to add to their roster as the start of the 2018 Ohio Valley League summer wooden bat season is just six weeks away. The Hoppers will open their season at Fulton on May 31, with their first game June 2 at Christian County High School.
Here is where the Hopper roster stands by position:
PITCHER
RHP – Jaxon Herchenbach (Austin Peay), Downer’s Grove, Illinois. “He is a mid-upper 80s arm with a big- time breaking ball that can keep hitters at bay,” said Hoppers manager Brock Moss.
RHP – Cody Spurgeon (Austin Peay), Clarksville, Tennessee. “He will have a huge role for us as he is a guy who throws multiple pitches for a strike. He also throws a mid-upper 80s fastball,” said Hoppers manager Brock Moss.
LHP – Brian Coffey (New Mexico), Las Vegas, Nevada. “Brian is a big physical left hander. His arm slot creates life and movement on the fastball. He can run the fastball into the upper 80s” – Hoppers manager Brock Moss.
LHP – Jose Fernandez (Alcorn State), San Juan, Puerto Rico. “He is a tenacious mid-upper 80s left hander that pounds the zone with all his pitches. He had a good Junior College career and will throw against some of the best programs in the country this season as a weekend starter for Alcorn.” – manager Brock Moss. Jose pitched for the Madisonville Miners in 2016.
RHP – Ryan Traylor (Averitt University), Chesterfield, Virginia. “We feel that he may be, arguably, the most talented player at the NCAA DIII level. He has an upper 80s arm with a big-time hammer on the mound.” – Brock Moss.
RHP – Parker Briggs (Montevallo), Helena, Alabama. “He has really good stuff when healthy and can absolutely pitch. He consistently will sit in the upper 80’s and will be a guy who can fill multiple roles for us.” – Brock Moss.
RHP – Grayson Wakefield (Montevallo), Decatur, Alabama. “Grayson is a guy who can fill multiple roles for us and have a big impact in each role. He is a mid to upper 80s arm that commands the zone with multiple pitches.” – Brock Moss.
RHP – Trey Fortner (Jacksonville State), Gloucester, Virginia. “Trey is a big presence on the mound. At 6-3 and long armed, the guy can really get a downhill plane. He has been up to 90 mph and has more to come as he adds strength his frame.” – Brock Moss.
RHP – Christian Edwards (Jacksonville State), Hartselle, Alabama. “He is a 6-3 physical monster and he has the fastball to back up his presence. He may arguably have one of the best pitches in the OVL this summer, if not the best.” – Brock Moss.
LHP – Shane Burns (Murray State), Princeton, Kentucky. “Shane will be our lone incoming college player on the team. I think this speaks volumes to the amount of talent that he has. Shane has a power arm from the left side. He’s arguably one of the better high school pitchers in Western Kentucky.” – Brock Moss.
LHP – Nate Pianto (Murray State), Hendersonville, Tennessee. “Nate is a rarity in college baseball because of how he throws. He’s a left-hander who throws from down-under. The submariner will be a very tough arm out of the bullpen, especially on left-handed hitters.” – Brock Moss.
CATCHER
C – Drew Marrufo (New Mexico), Santa Teresa, New Mexico. “Drew may be one of the more exciting players to see in the league in terms of tools. Drew also is going to see time on the mound for us the summer. He may feature one of the better fastballs in the league that runs into the low-mid 90s,” – Hoppers manager Brock Moss.
C – Matt Keane (VMI), Williamsburg, Virginia. “Matt will provide a veteran presence and leadership for our younger guys, especially from the catching position.” – manager Brock Moss.
C – John Keane (Old Dominion), Williamsburg, Virginia. John is the brother of Matt Keane. “He is another defensive minded guy who will excel in helping our pitching staff with his framing and overall catching ability.” – manager Brock Moss.
INFIELDERS
1B – Dixon Craft (Rend Lake College), Hopkinsville, Kentucky “On the mound for Rend Lake, he averaged nearly a strikeout per inning and will help the Hoppers when called to toe the rubber.” – Brock Moss. Craft played for the Paducah Chiefs last year.
2B – Tyler Graham (Union College), Hopkinsville, Kentucky. “Tyler was a platoon player at Union and saw time on the mound.” – Brock Moss. Graham is the lone returning Hopper from 2017.
SS – Cole Cummings (New Mexico), Corona, California. “He is a guy who will bring high energy. He has a presence and attacks the game. Cole has a slick glove and is a smooth defender at a premium position, shortstop.” – Brock Moss.
2B/SS – Willie Ward (Southern), Monroe, Louisiana. “Willie is guy who we believe will be a really solid all-around player. He has had a strong junior college career. He can run a little bit and plays a solid defense.” – Brock Moss.
INF – Cody Hartness (Western Kentucky), Greeneville, Tennessee. “Cody was one of the first guys we signed when we got this job. He matched very well with the profile we wanted and should be a middle of the order bat for us and offer a lot of raw power out of the bat.” – Brock Moss.
INF – Duncan McKinnon (Pepperdine), Manhattan Beach, California. “Duncan keeps the Pepperdine pipeline going for the Hoppers,” Moss said. “He played for Purdue as a freshman and saw action in 37 games. We fully expect him to be the next in line of successful Hoppers to come from the West Coast.” – Brock Moss.
OUTFIELDERS
OF – Joe De Fina (New Mexico), La Verne, California. “He is a physical left-handed hitter that could be a big part of the top of our lineup. He has a short compact stroke that is repeatable and he can just flat out hit.” – Brock Moss
OF – John Michael Reed (Montevallo), Jasper, Alabama. “He had a very successful junior college career and was an every day starter for two seasons. He is another guy who will provide a constant presence at the top of the lineup.” – Brock Moss.
OF – Davis Keller (Wofford), Spartanburg, South Carolina. “He is a big physical presence with speed and power tools. Davis can play all three outfield spots and is also one our older players that can help mentor our younger guys.” – Brock Moss
UTILTY
IF/OF – Jacob McFadden (New Orleans), Seminole, Florida. “He’s a big physical presence and is coming off a monster junior college season that saw him hit eight homeruns and produce 82 offensive runs in 45 games played.” – Brock Moss.
