The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
2018 Baseball Season Preview: The Infield
2/12/2018 8:58:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With Opening Day set for February 16 at Regions Field, each week we will take a look at the Blazers. This week we focus on the infield.
"The infield has always been a strength for us," head coach Brian Shoop said. "Two years ago we were third in America in double plays, that is a combination of a pitching staff that sinks a baseball and knows how to induce a ground ball and an infield that is very good and I think we can do that again with lots of options. Antonio Ralat is back, Price Visintainer, Tyler Tolbert, Carter Pharis are all back and we have got others competing for those spots as well. Blake Johnson, Justin Wiley and whatever combination we can come up with I think we will have really good infield defense and to me that is the way a mid-major can compete with the SEC and ACC which we absolutely can do and have done. You compete with them by having a good combination of being good on the mound and being good in the infield. If you are good at both spots you are in every game. I think we can and that will keep us in every game and then it comes down to a fine line and who gets a big hit here and who gets a key play there."
Antonio Ralat | Infield | Jr. | San Juan, P.R.
Ralat found himself as a mainstay in the lineup in his first season on campus starting in 54 games. He finished fifth on the team in batting average hitting .265 with 26 runs and three homeruns. He added 21 RBI, 66 total bases, 11 walks and was a perfect 6-of-6 on stolen base attempts.
Shoop on Ralat:
"Antonio is an infielder from Puerto Rico that started the majority of games for us at shortstop. He played in the Cape Cod League over the summer. He played short for us in the majority of our games last year but can play anywhere in the infield. We are looking for the best combination of pieces for our team and I think it will take some time to do that. Antonio could be really good at the plate too."
Tyler Tolbert | Utility | So. | Trussville, Ala.
Tolbert appeared in 40 games with 31 starts as a freshman on campus. His biggest impact was on the bases as he picked up 11 stolen bases on 12 attempts. He spent his summer with the Lima Locos where he was tabbed an All-Star in the Great Lakes Summer League.
Shoop on Tolbert:
"Tyler was the 2016 7A High School Player of the Year out of Trussville. He started a lot of games as a freshman and like many freshmen he found the transition from high school to college as a challenging one, lost some confidence and struggled the majority of the time. He regained his confidence playing in the Great Lakes league, was voted the fourth best pro prospect in the league, there is not a team in Conference USA that would not want Tyler Tolbert on their team. He is electric, a game changer with his speed and the energy his plays with. He could play almost anywhere on the field for us but will probably either be in centerfield or left field."
Carter Pharis | Infield | Jr. | Trussville, Ala.
Pharis started in 54 games as a sophomore proving himself to be a mainstay in the lineup. He led the team in hits (62), doubles (15) and putouts (33). Additionally, he ranked in the top-three in batting average (.305), runs (32), home runs (three), RBI (30), total bases (86), on-base percentage (.381) and stolen bases (8-for-8).
Shoop on Pharis:
"Carter has been a two-year starter for us starting at third, first and DH. I think he is one of the outstanding players in our league. I think he will hit right in the middle of our lineup, still not sure where he will play but he could play second, first or third but he will be in there in some capacity hitting in the middle of the lineup. He was in the Cape Cod League this summer and competed very well in that premier league. Now he is a junior in our program transitioning into one of our leaders."
Blake Johnson | Infield | RS-Jr. | Phenix City, Ala.
Johnson was a versatile infielder in 2017 making appearances at second base, third base and shortstop over the course of 30 games last season. He finished the season with eight hits, five runs, five RBI and seven walks. Some of his biggest contributions at the plate came with bases loaded as he was one of two players to have multiple hits with bases stacked.
Shoop on Johnson
"Blake could play in the infield or outfield. I think I would describe Blake as just a player, just a tough, hardnosed, hard worker in the weight room, show up every day and goes to work. He is such a valuable person to have on our team."
Brett Blackwood | Infield | RS-Jr. | Hartselle, Ala.
Blackwood was a common contributor at the plate in a pinch-hitting role, leading the team with 13 pinch-hit at bats in 2017. He played in 27 games making 11 starts, all as the designated hitter, batting .255 with one double, three runs and eight RBI.
Shoop on Blackwood:
"Brett was, I think, what people thought as the best hitter in the state of Alabama his senior year and in his first collegiate at bat he hit one way out of Regions Field, it was a really neat moment. If he can stay healthy he would be a shot in the arm to our offense because he has got power and is such a great kid and everybody is rooting for him to be healthy enough to contribute. I think time will tell, but we are better if he can contribute."
Justin Wiley | Infield | Fr. | Birmingham, Ala.
Wiley is a local product from Birmingham playing at Ramsay High School. He was tabbed as the number 99 overall prospect in Alabama and number 19 shortstop according to Perfect Game.
Shoop on Wiley:
"Justin is a freshman out of Ramsay High School and he is just an incredible athlete. He is a younger version of Tyler Tolbert to me, a great athlete who plays with energy and confidence. He has a big future here, whether it is his freshman year I am not sure. He could play a significant role this year, maybe his future is down the road, time will tell but I just cannot imagine him not being an everyday player here at some point. He just brings so much to the table from speed, to energy to being a good defender."
Price Visintainer | Infield | Sr. | Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Visintainer made an immediate impact appearing in 53 games with 45 starts primarily at third base. He hit .288, the third highest average on the team including going on a team-best 10-game hitting streak in C-USA play.
Shoop on Visintainer:
"Price is one of the key components returning to our team. He started almost every game last year as a junior. He would play third base, second, could play in the outfield but he is going to play. He is tough, plays with energy, a tough out at the plate, leads by example, he is just a ball player and we are better because of him. He made the All-Star Team in the California League last summer so he was one of the better players out there and he was at the top of the league in batting average. His batting coach in California said, 'Please send us another!' Price is going to be huge for us."
Thomas Johns | Infield | So. | Pinson, Ala.
Johns appeared in 40 games with 33 starts, the most among UAB freshmen, in 2017. He hit a superb .241 with 15 runs, seven doubles, two home runs, eight BRI, 12 walks and was one of two freshmen with multiple home runs.
Shoop on Johns:
"Thomas is a first baseman and a designated hitter. Big, strong, physical, left-handed hitter and has the potential to hit for power for us. It is hard to hit for power at Regions Field and Young Memorial, UAB is never going to lead the league in homeruns due to the parks we play in, but he has homerun power. He is an exciting guy to watch and if we can get it translated into games he can play a big role for us."
Colton Schultz | Infield/Outfield | So. | Huntsville, Ala.
Scultz made 29 starts as a freshman to go along with 41 appearances. He was superb with runners on, batting a team-best .370 (17-of-46). He led the team with nine doubles in C-USA play and ranked fourth on the team throughout the season in slugging percentage hitting .404.
Shoop on Schultz:
"Colton, we so need to get healthy. He came here from Brewer's high school and Coach Sharp said that Brewer and Colton were the two best hitters that he has ever had. When I think of our lineup, I think of Colton hitting in the middle of it. He can hit, hit for power, can run, can play first, outfield, DH but he has to be healthy to do any of it."
"Offensively what we are going to be able to do is be able to put nine competitive bats in the lineup," Shoop said. "We are going to be able to move the chains so to speak and put a lot of pressure on an opposing team. I have always felt like you want a balanced offense – you want some power, you would love some speed, some grinders, some strike zone discipline guys, some guys that can bunt. You cannot build an offense on one component you would like to be balanced and I think we have a chance to do that.
So much of the success of our team is that we have to get to the point where we were in 2012-15 where our kids really believed that we could and we were going to win. I am hoping we can get off to a fast start where our kids can see what they are capable of. Our coaching staff knows what they are capable of and they are capable of a lot. If we can get to that right level of mentality and toughness when we enter the year we are very hopeful of what this group can do."
For more information on the UAB baseball team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball) or on Instagram (UAB_Baseball).
"The infield has always been a strength for us," head coach Brian Shoop said. "Two years ago we were third in America in double plays, that is a combination of a pitching staff that sinks a baseball and knows how to induce a ground ball and an infield that is very good and I think we can do that again with lots of options. Antonio Ralat is back, Price Visintainer, Tyler Tolbert, Carter Pharis are all back and we have got others competing for those spots as well. Blake Johnson, Justin Wiley and whatever combination we can come up with I think we will have really good infield defense and to me that is the way a mid-major can compete with the SEC and ACC which we absolutely can do and have done. You compete with them by having a good combination of being good on the mound and being good in the infield. If you are good at both spots you are in every game. I think we can and that will keep us in every game and then it comes down to a fine line and who gets a big hit here and who gets a key play there."
Antonio Ralat | Infield | Jr. | San Juan, P.R.
Ralat found himself as a mainstay in the lineup in his first season on campus starting in 54 games. He finished fifth on the team in batting average hitting .265 with 26 runs and three homeruns. He added 21 RBI, 66 total bases, 11 walks and was a perfect 6-of-6 on stolen base attempts.
Shoop on Ralat:
"Antonio is an infielder from Puerto Rico that started the majority of games for us at shortstop. He played in the Cape Cod League over the summer. He played short for us in the majority of our games last year but can play anywhere in the infield. We are looking for the best combination of pieces for our team and I think it will take some time to do that. Antonio could be really good at the plate too."
Tyler Tolbert | Utility | So. | Trussville, Ala.
Tolbert appeared in 40 games with 31 starts as a freshman on campus. His biggest impact was on the bases as he picked up 11 stolen bases on 12 attempts. He spent his summer with the Lima Locos where he was tabbed an All-Star in the Great Lakes Summer League.
Shoop on Tolbert:
"Tyler was the 2016 7A High School Player of the Year out of Trussville. He started a lot of games as a freshman and like many freshmen he found the transition from high school to college as a challenging one, lost some confidence and struggled the majority of the time. He regained his confidence playing in the Great Lakes league, was voted the fourth best pro prospect in the league, there is not a team in Conference USA that would not want Tyler Tolbert on their team. He is electric, a game changer with his speed and the energy his plays with. He could play almost anywhere on the field for us but will probably either be in centerfield or left field."
Carter Pharis | Infield | Jr. | Trussville, Ala.
Pharis started in 54 games as a sophomore proving himself to be a mainstay in the lineup. He led the team in hits (62), doubles (15) and putouts (33). Additionally, he ranked in the top-three in batting average (.305), runs (32), home runs (three), RBI (30), total bases (86), on-base percentage (.381) and stolen bases (8-for-8).
Shoop on Pharis:
"Carter has been a two-year starter for us starting at third, first and DH. I think he is one of the outstanding players in our league. I think he will hit right in the middle of our lineup, still not sure where he will play but he could play second, first or third but he will be in there in some capacity hitting in the middle of the lineup. He was in the Cape Cod League this summer and competed very well in that premier league. Now he is a junior in our program transitioning into one of our leaders."
Blake Johnson | Infield | RS-Jr. | Phenix City, Ala.
Johnson was a versatile infielder in 2017 making appearances at second base, third base and shortstop over the course of 30 games last season. He finished the season with eight hits, five runs, five RBI and seven walks. Some of his biggest contributions at the plate came with bases loaded as he was one of two players to have multiple hits with bases stacked.
Shoop on Johnson
"Blake could play in the infield or outfield. I think I would describe Blake as just a player, just a tough, hardnosed, hard worker in the weight room, show up every day and goes to work. He is such a valuable person to have on our team."
Brett Blackwood | Infield | RS-Jr. | Hartselle, Ala.
Blackwood was a common contributor at the plate in a pinch-hitting role, leading the team with 13 pinch-hit at bats in 2017. He played in 27 games making 11 starts, all as the designated hitter, batting .255 with one double, three runs and eight RBI.
Shoop on Blackwood:
"Brett was, I think, what people thought as the best hitter in the state of Alabama his senior year and in his first collegiate at bat he hit one way out of Regions Field, it was a really neat moment. If he can stay healthy he would be a shot in the arm to our offense because he has got power and is such a great kid and everybody is rooting for him to be healthy enough to contribute. I think time will tell, but we are better if he can contribute."
Justin Wiley | Infield | Fr. | Birmingham, Ala.
Wiley is a local product from Birmingham playing at Ramsay High School. He was tabbed as the number 99 overall prospect in Alabama and number 19 shortstop according to Perfect Game.
Shoop on Wiley:
"Justin is a freshman out of Ramsay High School and he is just an incredible athlete. He is a younger version of Tyler Tolbert to me, a great athlete who plays with energy and confidence. He has a big future here, whether it is his freshman year I am not sure. He could play a significant role this year, maybe his future is down the road, time will tell but I just cannot imagine him not being an everyday player here at some point. He just brings so much to the table from speed, to energy to being a good defender."
Price Visintainer | Infield | Sr. | Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Visintainer made an immediate impact appearing in 53 games with 45 starts primarily at third base. He hit .288, the third highest average on the team including going on a team-best 10-game hitting streak in C-USA play.
Shoop on Visintainer:
"Price is one of the key components returning to our team. He started almost every game last year as a junior. He would play third base, second, could play in the outfield but he is going to play. He is tough, plays with energy, a tough out at the plate, leads by example, he is just a ball player and we are better because of him. He made the All-Star Team in the California League last summer so he was one of the better players out there and he was at the top of the league in batting average. His batting coach in California said, 'Please send us another!' Price is going to be huge for us."
Thomas Johns | Infield | So. | Pinson, Ala.
Johns appeared in 40 games with 33 starts, the most among UAB freshmen, in 2017. He hit a superb .241 with 15 runs, seven doubles, two home runs, eight BRI, 12 walks and was one of two freshmen with multiple home runs.
Shoop on Johns:
"Thomas is a first baseman and a designated hitter. Big, strong, physical, left-handed hitter and has the potential to hit for power for us. It is hard to hit for power at Regions Field and Young Memorial, UAB is never going to lead the league in homeruns due to the parks we play in, but he has homerun power. He is an exciting guy to watch and if we can get it translated into games he can play a big role for us."
Colton Schultz | Infield/Outfield | So. | Huntsville, Ala.
Scultz made 29 starts as a freshman to go along with 41 appearances. He was superb with runners on, batting a team-best .370 (17-of-46). He led the team with nine doubles in C-USA play and ranked fourth on the team throughout the season in slugging percentage hitting .404.
Shoop on Schultz:
"Colton, we so need to get healthy. He came here from Brewer's high school and Coach Sharp said that Brewer and Colton were the two best hitters that he has ever had. When I think of our lineup, I think of Colton hitting in the middle of it. He can hit, hit for power, can run, can play first, outfield, DH but he has to be healthy to do any of it."
"Offensively what we are going to be able to do is be able to put nine competitive bats in the lineup," Shoop said. "We are going to be able to move the chains so to speak and put a lot of pressure on an opposing team. I have always felt like you want a balanced offense – you want some power, you would love some speed, some grinders, some strike zone discipline guys, some guys that can bunt. You cannot build an offense on one component you would like to be balanced and I think we have a chance to do that.
So much of the success of our team is that we have to get to the point where we were in 2012-15 where our kids really believed that we could and we were going to win. I am hoping we can get off to a fast start where our kids can see what they are capable of. Our coaching staff knows what they are capable of and they are capable of a lot. If we can get to that right level of mentality and toughness when we enter the year we are very hopeful of what this group can do."
For more information on the UAB baseball team follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball) or on Instagram (UAB_Baseball).
Players Mentioned
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