September 9, 1998

There is somewhat of a different feeling to the Missouri baseball program heading into fall practice in 1998. Off of the field, there is the excitement of a new and improved Simmons Field, something that could happen as soon as the 1999 season closes. There is also the change in the NCAA Tournament format where the field has been expanded from 48 to 64 teams.

Yes, there is a refreshing feeling in Tiger camp this fall. Besides all of the changes that are effecting the Missouri baseball program off of the field, fans can expect some changes on the field as well. Over the past three seasons, the Tigers have put together a 106-64 record. Much of that could be contributed to one of the nation's top high-powered offenses led by names like Ryan Fry, Aaron Jaworowski, Griffin Moore and Matt Nivens.

The year 1999 could be a little different, and if it is, you can bet the Tigers are going to have another very successful season. The focus will be on the pitching staff in 1999, a staff that returns two All-Big 12 selections and an honorable mention Freshman All-American. Add to that a numbers of talented arms from the junior-college and high school ranks, the Tigers are very well armed.

The offense hasn't lost all of it's luster from the past few seasons. Of the Tigers' school-record 110 home runs last season, 45 of those long-balls are back in 1999. Three starters return that all hit over .315 for the season. Mizzou has also added some pop in this year's recruiting class. Several of those recruits will see the field in 1999.

Pitching

Head Coach Tim Jamieson makes no bones about it, his goal to have the deepest pitching staff in the Big 12 conference and to have a starting rotation that can match any rotation that they will face in conference play in 1999. This fall, Jamieson will have 19 pitchers to evaluate, most of whom have the talent to compete with the big boys of the Big 12.

There is little question at this point to who will be in the starting rotation come February. Second Team All-Big 12 perfomer Justin Stine heads the talented staff. The senior lefthander was selected in the 19th round of the June Amateur Draft by the Anaheim Angels, but an agreement on a contract could not be reached. Darned the luck. In Stine, the Tigers return a pitcher that posted a 3.11 ERA vs. Big 12 opponents in 1998. He has a career 19-13 record and is in the top 10 in school history in career innings pitched and strikeouts. Stine should be one of elite pitchers in the conference in 1999.

Also returning the MU rotation is junior Ryan Jamison, the owner of eight victories last season. Jamison went 8-2 in 1998 and had an incredible first half of the season. He led the club in strikeouts with 87. After a couple of rough outings midway through the season, Jamison lost some confidence and struggled to keep the ball down during the second half of season. There is no denying how good Jamison can be. One only needs to look back at his performance at Big 12 Champion Texas A&M last year where hurled a two-hit shutout through seven innings last season. If Jamison is on, he has as good of stuff as any pitcher in the conference.

Sophomore Logan Dale made his mark out of the bullpen last year making him an honorable mention Freshman All-American. Like Jamison, Dale proved his dominance at times, including a span where he retired 25 consecutive batters in three appearances. Dale fanned 45 hitters last year to 15 walks. He very well could be a fixture in Tigers' starting rotation this season.

The fourth member of that rotation could be junior-college transfer Jody Harris, a talented lefthander from Hutchinson Community College. In two seasons, Harris put together an 18-7 record with an ERA under 3.00. Despite being small in stature, Harris proved in junior-college that he is a strikeout pitcher as wracked up 89 strike outs in 91 innings two years ago.

First Team All-Big 12 closer Chris George returns for his senior season following an outstanding junior campaign. George put together a 6-1 record with a team-best 2.83 ERA last year with four saves. He blew just two save opportunities in 1998. George recorded 47 strikeouts while walking just 12 batters. Opponents hit just .184 against him. Jamieson has not ruled out the possibility of using George as a starter. George proved that he could endure long innings when he hurled 6 1/3 innings at the Big 12 Tournament last year vs. Oklahoma State where he allowed just one run on three hits.

In what Jamieson terms the next tier of pitchers, there is a load of talent. Sophomore Mitch Kiler saw plenty of mound time last season including a spot-start vs. Oklahoma when he earned his first career victory. The left-handed Kiler will once again be a fixture in middle relief in 1999. Sophomore's Jeremy Hale, Ralph McCasland and Mike Weiss all saw very little time on the mound last year, but enough to get their feet wet. All three should figure on time out of the bullpen in 1999. The Tigers will also be taking long looks at senior Seth Wright and freshmen Brian Ackerson and Matt Hobbs. Ackerson was selected in the late rounds of the June Amateur Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays. Hobbs, a California native, was a late signee who began drawing attention from many of the schools out west during the summer.

Jamieson has a number of other young pitchers who will be battling for mound time come the spring. Juniors Pete Sansone and John Gamble both redshirted last season after transferring to MU. Meade Smith, another JUCO transfer, is somewhat of an unknown at this point and could emerge during the fall. Freshman Brad Garrett, P.J. McGinnis, and Ryan Stegall will also get a chance this fall. McGinnis is a talented right-hander who is battling tendinitis heading into the fall.

Catcher

The Tigers will be looking for a catcher to take the place of two-year starter Nick Schwieder. The top two candidates heading into the fall are sophomore Jon Williams and JUCO transfer Ryan Pickett. Both of their games are very similar. They are the same size and both possess the same strength, solid bat control and good hands. The only real difference is that Williams hits from the left side while Pickett is a right-hander.

Missouri should have some depth at the catcher position. Junior Jake Epstein came to MU as a catcher and has spent most of his first two years working at first base or as the designated-hitter. Freshmen Matt Meinert and Wes Fewell will also spend some time behind the plate this fall.

First Base

First base is without out a doubt the best offensive position on the club. Junior Mike Rallo started 52 of the Tigers 54 games last year at first base. He hit .336 with 13 HR and 43 RBI in 1997 while connecting for 18 doubles. Even more impressive was Rallo's defense as he committed just two errors on the year.

As Jake Epstein improves defensively, he will get his chances at first base as well. Epstein had a monsterous second half last year, good enough to be tabbed honorable mention All-Big 12. He hit .319 with 15 HR and 52 RBI. All of those numbers coming in 39 games played.

Rallo and Epstein should be the heart and soul of the offense in 1999. Both will find their way into the everyday lineup, no matter what position they are playing.

Second Base

The incumbudant Torre Tyson has moved on into the professional ranks. Whoever takes over that position will have some big shoes to fill.

The odds on favorite in junior-college transfer Dustin Barnes. Barnes comes from Cuesta College, the same JUCO as former MU great Griffin Moore. Barnes is an excellent athlete who has experienced success in a very competitive league out in California. Barnes is a solid defensive player who has very good offensive tools.

Barnes' competition will come from a pair of freshman, Luke Cassis and Mick Weiss. Cassis is a very good defensive infielder who get better at the plate with experience. Weiss is not as solid defensively, but he is a switch-hitter who handles the bat very well. Freshman walk-on Joe Rooney is another possibility at second base. He is a local product (Columbia Hickman) who is a tireless worker.

Shortstop

The shortstop job is one position that is wide open heading into the fall. The Tigers were counting on Freshman All-American Jason Williams, but Williams decided to go back home and play for the University of California.

Shortstop should not be termed a weakness by any means despite the fact that it will be three freshmen that battle for the everyday job. Ryan Stegall comes in regarded as a very good athlete and solid both offensively and defensively. Luke Cassis and Wes Fewell, previously mentioned, will also battle for the starting job. Fewell is ahead of Stegall and Cassis from an offensive stand point while Stegall and Cassis may have the edge defensively. Which ever youngster has the best fall will go into the spring as the No. 1 shortstop candidate.

One of other name to throw in the mix is sophomore Kurt Propst. Propst, also a backup quarterback on the football team, enters the season with many questions. Propst suffered a broken leg in spring practice and is still rehabilitating his injury. His status with the football team as well as his health will determine how much he participates with the baseball team this spring.

Third Base

Senior Aaron Wilson had a solid year in 1998, but he will be asked to put up big numbers offensively in 1999. Wilson hit .318 with 6 HR and 38 RBI last season. He is more than capable of putting up double-digit home run numbers and driving in 70 runs. Wilson's defensive presence is also a key. He split time between third base and left field last season, something that probably will happen again in 1999.

When Wilson is not at third, the Tigers once again will be calling on the freshmen. Weiss, Stegall and Fewell are all possibilities at third base. Who plays that position will depend on their offensive production as well as the situation at shortstop.

Outfield

The Outfield is loaded with experience and depth, even with the departure of all-everything Ryan Fry. Senior center fielder Mike Ketelsen returns to everyday lineup in 1999. The former walk-on has made great strides the past two seasons and will be looked upon to produce a little bit more offensively. Sophomore's J. R. Warner, Nick Wilfongand Mitch Kiler all gained valuable experience as freshmen last year. Warner and Wilfong are tremendous athletes who will give the Tigers more production offensively this year now that they have a year under their belt. Kiler appeared at the plate 32 times last year and connected for five home runs and eight RBI. His time will increase in the outfield this year when he is not on the mound.

Aaron Wilson will see time in the outfield when he is not at third base, as could freshman Mike Thompson, an athletic outfielder from Davenport, Ia. who has already impressed the coaching staff with his work ethic. Weiss and Fewell could also see some time in the outfield as could redshirt freshman Matt Bremehr and Paul Couleur.

TIGERS BY THE NUMBERS . . .

Career Numbers of Missouri Returning Hitters:

Name	AVG.	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	YRS.
Mike Rallo	.313	85	113	32	2	21	81	46	2 yr.
Jake Epstein	.270	30	49	11	0	15	53	22	2 yr.
Aaron Wilson	.318	39	48	14	0	6	38	31	1 yr.
Mike Ketelsen	.273	42	40	4	2	1	18	23	3 yr.
Nick Wilfong	.269	29	29	4	1	3	21	16	1 yr.
J.R. Warner	.212	19	18	5	1	1	13	11	1 yr.
Mitch Kiler	.375	14	12	2	0	5	8	8	1 yr.
Jon Williams	.208	6	11	2	0	1	5	15	1 yr.

Career Numbers of Missouri Returning Pitchers:

Name	G-GS	IP	H	R-ER	BB	K	W-L	ERA	YRS.
Justin Stine	60-30	260.0	329	169-146	90	195	19-13	5.05	3 yrs.
Ryan Jamison	46-13	123.0	131	89-83	58	134	13-5	6.07	2 yrs.
Chris George	24-0	35.0	23	11-11	12	47	6-1	2.83	1 yr.
Logan Dale	21-2	39.1	40	24-23	15	45	2-2	5.26	1 yr.
Mitch Kiler	14-1	29.0	31	25-24	18	20	1-1	7.45	1 yr.