Speed critical for Wichita State baseball’s offense in post-Gillaspie era

Wichita State baseball coach Todd Butler likes to play fast on offense, with running and stealing and bunts mixed in. Sometimes, it was hard to tell last season because the Shockers lacked speed and nobody wanted to mess up before first baseman Casey Gillaspie hit.

“We couldn’t bunt or steal in front of him, because then they would walk him,” Butler said. “I think you’ll see more aggressive decisions. This year, we’re going to run more in front of our, probably, three-, four-, and five-hole-type hitters.”

WSU, which opens the season Friday at Sam Houston State, won’t enjoy the intimidating presence of Gillaspie, a first-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Rays, in the lineup. The plan is for increased speed, familiarity with Butler’s system and a deeper order to compensate. Gillaspie led WSU with a .389 batting average, 15 doubles and 15 home runs.

“Casey, he was unreal,” left fielder Daniel Kihle said. “He could do anything he wanted. We really don’t have that big power bat in the lineup. But we have a lot more speed. I bet our first seven guys could steal a bag whenever he wanted. We had catchers running the other day and stealing bags.”

Butler’s lineup is fairly set as opening day nears. He likes junior Tanner Dearman hitting leadoff, but a high ankle sprain will sideline him during the opening series. Dearman led WSU with 20 steals last season and the Shockers totaled 63, their lowest total since the program resumed in 1978.

Until Dearman returns, Butler sees center fielder Michael Burns, right fielder Mikel Mucha and Kihle at the top of the order. Junior transfer Sam Hilliard, who plays first base and pitches, will hit in the middle of the order with third baseman Chase Rader and catcher Ryan Tinkham. Outfielder Zach Reding is another option in the outfield and can also DH and play first. Willie Schwanke, also a starting pitcher, will play first base, as well.

WSU hit .270 last season, also a post-1978 low, with 38 home runs. Kihle, who hit .313 with 12 doubles, is the top returning hitter. Departed shortstop Dayne Parker hit .300, the only other Shocker to do so.

“We’re going to have steal bags,” shortstop Tanner Kirk said. “We’re going to be more aggressive. We got faster, bigger and stronger.”

Tewes takes the ball — Sophomore Sam Tewes will start Friday’s opener, followed by newcomers Isaac Anderson and Schwanke. Hilliard, the lone lefty in the group, is expected to start on Feb. 17 when WSU stops at Oral Roberts on its way back from Texas.

“Isaac Anderson has been very consistent,” Butler said. “The thing I like about the four starters is that they are very solid, confident and stable. Whether things go great or poorly, they’re very solid people. They’re trustworthy on the mound.”

Freshman Tyler Jones and junior Jon Ferrendelli are also possible starters. Hilliard and Schwanke will play a position, meaning Butler will monitor their practice load to keep their arms fresh.

“Hilliard could very easily be our weekend starter,” Butler said. “Maybe late in the year, he might move into the rotation on the weekend. He might pitch against the big boys in the middle of the week.”

Tewes went 8-3 with a 3.27 ERA last season. He started all seven Missouri Valley Conference weekends and went 3-2 with a 4.66 ERA.

Arens on call — Butler loves senior Bob Arens’ defensive skills and knowledge of the game. He is expected to start at catcher in the opener.

Tinkham will likely start one of the games to give Butler another chance to judge his arm strength. Tinkham, a junior transfer, had shoulder surgery in the spring after dislocating the shoulder sliding into a base. His recent progress is encouraging.

“I have to see with Sam Houston, how much they run,” Butler said. “Tinkham has thrown average and his arm is coming back. I am pleased with him this week. I think the fear of being comfortable to throw is a big thing for him, and I think he’s past that.”

Arens has played in 27 games and started seven in three seasons at WSU.

Worth noting — Sophomore Wes Phillips, who started six games last season, transferred to Cisco (Texas) College, where former volunteer assistant Jon Coyne is an assistant. … WSU will have two games on ESPNU, April 4 against Indiana State and April 28 against Oklahoma. … WSU is picked third in the MVC. … WSU’s final count on newcomers is 24, with 10 of them transfers. … Illinois State infielder Paul DeJong and Dallas Baptist closer Brandon Koch (second team) and Missouri State outfielder Tate Matheny (third team) were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association preseason All-American team on Friday.

This story was originally published February 6, 2015 at 6:39 PM with the headline "Speed critical for Wichita State baseball’s offense in post-Gillaspie era."