Birmingham’s veteran squad opens drills
Lobo coach: ‘There’s a different energy around the program’
UNM’s baseball reboot is officially underway. University of New Mexico baseball coach Ray Birmingham and a host of familiar players hit the Santa Ana Star Field turf Tuesday for the season’s first full practice. There’s plenty to do before the Lobos open the season next month against defending national champion Oregon State but, surprisingly enough, there aren’t a lot of holes to fill.
UNM could have as many as nine returning players in the lineup for its Feb. 15 opener in Surprise, Ariz., with just one outfield spot manned by a newcomer.
“We were so young last year,” Birmingham said, “and injuries forced us to play a lot of young guys more than we wanted to. We’ve actually got more experience now but there’s a different energy around the program. We needed a reboot and I think that’s what’s happening.”
Birmingham’s reboot started when he replaced his coaching staff after UNM struggled to a 20-33-1 record last season. The newcomers — pitching coach Brandon Higelin, infield coach Jon Coyne and catching coach Nate Causey — have brought with them a new enthusiasm, Birmingham said.
In addition, Birmingham is starting the season with a three-year contract extension in place. That stability was lacking throughout 2018, when there was even talk of possibly dropping the baseball program for budgetary reasons.
“We didn’t talk about it a lot but that was definitely a source of distraction,” senior outfielder Jared Mang said. “Last year was just rough and I think everyone’s happy it’s over. We’re ready for a fresh start.”
The Lobos won’t be starting from scratch. Returnees Derek Marshall and Jeff Deimling are battling to start at first base and could join veterans Justin Watari (second base), Hayden Schilling (shortstop) and Connor Mang (third base) around the infield.
Returnees Jared Mang and Brayden Merritt and junior college transfer Tanner Baker are favorites to start in the outfield. Junior Robby Campillo and junior transfer Reese O’Farrell figure to share the catching duties.
“If everyone stays healthy we should be solid,” said Jared Mang, whose 2018 season was derailed by injuries. “I think we’ll hit a lot, too.”
Unfortunately for the Lobos, injury already has had an impact the pitching rotation. Junior righthander Cody Dye, UNM’s Sunday starter last season, will undergo elbow surgery in February and miss the upcoming campaign, Birmingham said.
There are experienced starters available, however, including right-handers Justin Slaten, Nathaniel Garley and Drew Gillespie. Righty Malachi Emond, who worked exclusively in relief last season, may move into the rotation in 2019.
UNM will have young arms in the bullpen around returners Chad Smith (RH) and Brian Coffey (LH), but Birmingham likes what he’s seen from freshman right-handers Tristen Lively (Las Cruces), Jack Murano (Cleveland) and Trevor Riley (Poway, Calif.).
“We have a solid core and our work ethic and attention to detail are back where they should be,” Birmingham said. “We have to be a blue-collar team that outworks people and I think we’re all on that same page now.”
BREGMAN BATTLE POSTPONED: The planned head-to-head preseason showdown between brothers Alex and AJ Bregman will have to wait for 2020. Both players are now in rehab.
Alex, the Houston Astros’ star third baseman, underwent elbow surgery to remove bone chips last week and has returned to Houston. AJ, a freshman left-handed pitcher for the Lobos, recently had surgery on his right wrist and is sporting a cast.
The younger Bregman said he broke a bone in the wrist during his senior season at Albuquerque Academy and it did not heal correctly. He had a bone graft from his hip surgically screwed in place.
“It was either fix it now or have pain for the rest of my life,” AJ Bregman said.
The lefty expects to begin rehab in roughly six weeks but will sit out this season as a redshirt. He hopes to revive the challenge of getting his older brother out head to head at Santa Ana Star Field next preseason.
“I guess we’ll just have to build the anticipation a little longer,” he said.