From The Booth #5: Big Red Baseball Predictions

Junior Chris Cruz

This is the fourth post in a series featuring the Cornell At Bat broadcasting team. These posts will appear throughout the Fall and Spring semesters. For part one of the series, click here. For part two, click here. For part three, click here. For part four, click here. 

The beauty of college baseball is that from one year to the next, any player has the chance to step into a vacated role left behind by a graduating senior to make a name for himself and become an integral contributor to his team’s success. It also gives players who only had a few games to show off their skills a chance to step up to the plate and prove that they are indeed worthy of playing an important role on his team.

With the departure of the Class of 2012 and vacancies at many key positions (Brandon Lee leaving catcher, Frank Hager leaving first base, Marshall Yanzick leaving shortstop, and Brian Billigen leaving center field), the Big Red baseball players have the opportunity to compete for starting spots at arguably the most important positions on the diamond. However, it is not just positions that need to be filled, but leadership roles as well. After the jump, read my predictions regarding who will take advantage of their new opportunities and who will thrive on a team with many new mainstays.

Most Valuable Player: Chris Cruz

Cruz’s role at this point in time is pretty well defined: depending on how pre-season competition for positions and starting spots plays out, we can be sure that Cruz will be batting in the third spot or in the cleanup role. Becoming Cornell’s single-season leader in home runs (12) in just his sophomore year, Cruz has set the bar incredibly high for himself. But based on his confidence coming out of wood-bat play in the “Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League,” (league leader with 8 home runs,second in the league with a .569 slugging percentage, third in the league with 40 RBIs), there is no doubt that Cruz expects to continue showcasing his sheer power while cutting down on his strikeouts.

He also has a cannon for an arm out in right field, which will make opposing third base coaches cautious about sending runners around third to try and score. Cruz will undoubtedly have to make an adjustment at the plate, as his status as “the man” in the Big Red lineup might force pitchers to pitch around Cruz and have him chase pitches out of the zone. Just don’t make a mistake, or else Chris will be shifting into “Cruz control” as he rounds the bases.

To read the rest of Jesse Sherman's article, check at the Cornell At Bat blog!.

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