NEWS

A speedy, base-stealing centerfielder, a “perfect” power pitching righty, and a trio of power-hitting catchers will highlight the 2014 Charles Town Cannons roster.

The Cannons, now in their second year in Charles Town, reached the playoffs last season after finishing second in the North region last year with a 23-21 record.

President and head coach Brett Fuller (WVU ’87) purchased the team with his father Don in 2012, moving them to Charles Town, W. Va., from Luray. Fuller also currently serves as head baseball coach of Middleburg Academy in Middleburg.

The Cannons will have a true lead-off threat in senior Justin Harris (Emporia State University/Tulsa, Okla.). Harris hit .329 with 11 doubles and 44 RBI in 60 games this spring. However, it’s what happens when Harris is on the base path that makes him so special. Although he only walked 12 times in 234 at-bats this spring with a .368 on base percentage, he was credited for stealing 44 bases in 52 attempts.

Charles Town will also bring in three other capable hitters in Mathew Gandy (Chapman University/Vero Beach, Fla.), Greg Brodzinski (Barry University/Miami, Fla.), and Ryan Akins (Berea College/Lexington, Ky.).

Gandy hit .333 with 9 HR and a .441 on-base percentage this spring. Brodzinski is a University of South Carolina transfer who hit .309 with 13 doubles and 40 RBI, while Akins’s .441 batting average, .714 slugging percentage, and 42 RBI were near the top of the NAIA baseball leaderboards.

All three are starting catchers for the respective schools and listed as catchers on the 2014 roster. However, Fuller expects each one to fill starting roles for the Cannons at catcher, first base, and designated hitter because of their offensive capabilities.

Other projected starters for the Cannons are infielders Justin Esquerra (Siena College/San Diego, Ca.), Stephen Kerr (Florida Atlantic University/Margate, Fla.), and Charlie Pal (Volunteer St. C.C./Deerfield Beach, Fla.) and outfielder Bryant Munoz (Bethune-Cookman University/Tucson, Az.).

On the mound, Adam Parks (Liberty University/St. Michaels, Md.) proved to be fellow North Division rival Woodstock’s kryptonite last season. Parks pitched a seven-inning perfect game in 2013 against the North Division regular season champions, striking out 13 batters in the process. Parks, who sports a fastball that tops out in the 90s, also allowed one earned run in a pair of split decisions against the River Bandits in late July. He is also the only returning player from last year’s squad, and should see significant innings as a starter while also coming out of the bullpen as the Cannon’s closer.

Fuller also expects to see big things from sophomore Trevor Otey (Hampden-Sydney College/Williamsburg, Va.), who went 5-2 with a 3.86 ERA this spring. The six-foot-five left-hander is projected to be the Cannons’ ace for 2014.

Rounding out the starting rotation are sophomore left-hander Karl Cragie (Ranger C.C./Pflugerville, Texas and sophomore right-hander Blake Winfrey (Ranger C.C./Round Rock, Texas).

Another notable pitcher for the Cannons is six-foot-ten sophomore right-hander Forrest Arnold (Coker College/West Columbia, S.C.). Fuller believes that Arnold, who went 4-3 with a 4.54 ERA in 16 appearances this spring, could have big potential as a reliever.

The Charles Town Cannons will open up their 2013 season at home May 30 against the Winchester Royals.

 

—Brian Reese

 

Photo by Stephen Coleman/The Emporia Gazette