Spring 2021 Baseball Season Preview
After the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID the Titans, among many other players all over the country, have had to deal with having their seasons taken away. There have been a mix of emotions related to that cancellation as they have had to wait until they received word on what would come next. Fast forward to a little over a year later since that cancelled season and the Titans look to take the field again on April 3rd. The Titans will play a 30 game season, limited to West Region play only, and no postseason. While many would be unhappy with the reduction of games after last season's cancellation, Head Coach Ryan Mummert is trying to see the good out of the situation.
"All we care about is playing baseball," states Mummert. "25 games or 50 games is better than having to sit home in April and May again. I was heart-broken for our guys last year. After going through everything they have gone through I'm just excited they get the opportunity to get back out there. This team has really shown an appreciation after last year and have been a joy to be around as we prepare for the season. It's a competitive group and I know they can't wait for April 3rd as well."
2021 TEAM BREAKDOWN
Players Returning: 17
Pos. Players - Returning Starters: 4
Pitchers w/Significant Innings Returning: 3
Newcomers: 13 (11 high school players; 2 transfers)
Outfield
The Titans return almost every OF in 2021, with the exception of Thomas Wheeler (Old Dominion), to go along with some talented newcomers.
Leading the returners is 3rd year Soph Josh Trujillo (Spanaway, WA / Spanaway Lake HS). Trujillo, also an Old Dominion commit, is a 6.6 runner and shows Gold Glove capabilities. He has made strides with the bat and looks to lock down centerfield. Wesley Robinson(Puyallup, WA / Emerald Ridge HS) was limited last year after recovering from an arm injury but is now healthy and has shown a jump at the plate. Donovan Yelle (Maple Valley, WA / Tahoma HS) is a switch hitting OF that shows good tools and could play either corner OF position. Garrett KollarGarret Kollar (Enumclaw, WA / Kennedy Catholic HS) is a physical and athletic presence that plays the game with great effort. Kollar has the ability to play multiple outfield spots
A pair of left-handed hitting Freshman also look to make an impact this Spring in Zach Smith (Eatonville, WA / Eatonville HS) and Ethan Flodstrom(Port Angeles, WA / Port Angeles HS). Smith, a former three sport athlete in high school, is a converted shortstop with a strong hit tool. Smith shows good speed and can play all three OF spots. Flodstrom possesses middle of the order type power. He can play either corner OF position and looks to impact the game most with his bat.
"We really like this group," stated Coach Mummert. "We have speed. We have some power. We have options from both sides of the plate. This group really gives us multiple options and we look forward to watching them this Spring."
Infield
There is a lot to like with the majority of the infield returning from the shortened COVID season last year to go along with some talented newcomers.
Mason Fritsch (Maple Valley, WA / Tahoma HS) has good athleticism to go with a very projectable left handed bat. Fritsch is a plus defender that looks to make an impact at 3B this Spring. Joe Flanigan (Buckley, WA / White River HS) brings a great work ethic and could impact a game with his bat. He has the versatility to play multiple infield positions and could even see time in the outfield. Jake Stoner (Puyallup, WA / Emerald Ridge) is another player that could add great depth. After recovering from injury in 2020, Stoner is healthy and looks to be in the mix for playing time in the middle. At first base, Hunter Jenkins (Maple Valley, WA / Tahoma HS) provides and impact bat from the left side of the plate with some power potential. Jenkins could hit in the middle of the line-up this Spring. Jared Engman ( Covington, WA / Kentlake HS) will compete for playing time in the middle as well as pitch for the Titans.
Multiple newcomers will look to contribute early in the Spring. Following in the footsteps of his brother Justin, a former JC All-American for the Titans in 2019, Jackson Vandebrake (Yakima, WA / West Valley HS) looks to leave his own legacy. VanDeBrake is a polished defender with great athleticism that shows flashes with the bat. He will look to lock down the Shortstop position in the Spring. Connor Ellingson (Federal Way, WA / Puyallup HS) is plus runner that can play various positions. He will start in the infield and as he continues to get stronger, he is expected to have a bright future. Austin Grondahl(Sumner, WA / Sumner HS) joins TCC from Yakima CC. Grondahl brings a projectable left-handed bat and will challenge for time at 1B.
"This could be as talented of a group as we have had in my time here", says Mummert. "We have various options and these guys are constantly competing with each other to get better. We are excited about this group."
Catchers
The Titans return 2 catchers from a year ago and add a talented bat to the position in 2021.
Both Brady Hinkle (Puyallup, WA / Puyallup HS) and Will Mulflur (Mercer Island, WA / Mercer Island HS) saw action a year ago and are leading the charge this Spring. Hinkle possesses strong receiving skills and is the best defender of the group. His presence behind the plate makes the pitching staff better. Mulflur has showed great progress since last year and has the ability to impact a game with his bat. He will provide quality depth and be in the mix for innings. The lone newcomer is Cade Crist (Springfield, OR / Thurston HS). Crist brings a power bat to the catching position and could see time at DH and 1B as well.
"All 3 catchers bring something different," expressed Mummert. "Brady and Will give us comfort knowing they are veteran guys. Experience is valuable so we will lean on those two for stability. Cade might be our most offensive guy at this position so he will be right in the mix as well. The competition in this group should allow for growth as the season goes."
PRIMARY POSITION PLAYERS RETURNING
Player Pos. Cl.-Exp. B/T Notable
Mason Fritsch INF FR L/R
Hunter Jenkins 1B FR L/R
Josh Trujillo OF SO L/L Signed Old Dominion University
TOP NEWCOMERS-POSITION PLAYERS
Player Pos. Cl. B/T Hometown (Previous School)
Jackson VanDeBrake INF FR R/R Yakima, WA (West Valley HS)
Zach Smith OF FR L/R Eatonville, WA (Eatonville HS)
Ethan Flodstrom, OF FR L/R Port Angeles. WA (Port Angeles HS)
Pitchers
The Titans return the core of its staff from a year ago and welcome many new faces that are expected to contribute on the mound this Spring
Heading the returners is 3rd year Soph Dyson Johnson (Covington, WA / Kentwood HS). Johnson has a live arm with a plus breaking ball and has made strides with command. Johnson looks to be a candidate for one of the openings in the rotation. Sam Lauderdale (Vancouver, WA / Kings Way HS) returns after starting 3 games a year ago. He was 2-0 in those starts and is in the mix for a rotation spot again this year. Kyle Dunning (Enumclaw, WA / Enumclaw HS) has made a velo jump and really developed his secondary pitches. The slinger is expected to be in the rotation. Other returners expected to contribute include Jacob Selander(Buckley, WA / White River HS) and Ben Wallen (Blaine, WA / Blaine HS). Both can eat up innings in bunches and look to add great depth out of the bullpen. Also returning is Kazuya Kojima (Japan), who was the top reliever a year ago. Kojima has pinpoint command and will impact the game either in the rotation or out of the bullpen. Engman has made big strides on the mound after coming in primarily as an infielder. He will look to lockdown the closer spot this Spring.
Many Freshman and a transfer will be expected to contribute significantly on the hill this Spring for the Titans. Seti Manase (Puyallup, WA / Graham-Kapowsin HS) is a big, physical presence with plus command. He'll sit in the mid 80's with more velo coming as he gets stronger and is in the running for one of the rotation spots. Levi Kiuchi (Puyallup, WA / Puyallup HS) comes from powerhouse Puyallup HS and continues a long history of Viks turned Titans. He possesses a loose arm with quality secondary pitches and will be a key arm whether it be in the rotation or out of the bullpen.Brady Houston (Federal Way, WA / Decatur HS) shows great competiveness with life on the fastball. Houston has a great work ethic and will have an impact out of the bullpen this Spring. Trent Buchanan (Gig Harbor, WA / Peninsula HS) and Josh Spencer (Woodinville, WA / Woodinville HS) both look to provide quality depth to the pitching staff. Buchanan was the SSC Pitcher of the Year in 2019 before COVID hit last year while Spencer shows life on the fastball with a good slider. James Spickelmier (Covington, WA / Kentwood HS) is getting healthier as he recovers from Tommy John surgery a little over a year ago. As he gains strength back he could challenge for innings. The lone transfer is Evan Kingma (Bellingham, WA / Sehome HS) from Western Oregon University. Kingma shows flashes of dominance and looks to provide depth to back end of the bullpen.
"The pitching staff will be led by our group of returners," says Mummert. "We have some good newcomers but there is never a substitute for experience in this conference, especially on the mound. With no preseason this year being able to lean on guys with that experience early is key to success as the newcomers get acclimated to college baseball."
PRIMARY PITCHERS RETURNING
Player R/L Cl.-Exp.
Dyson Johnson RHP SO
Kyle Dunning RHP FR
Kazuya Kojima RHP FR
TOP NEWCOMERS-PITCHERS
Player R/L Cl. Hometown (Previous School)
Seti Manase RHP FR Puyallup, WA (Graham-Kapowsin HS)
Levi Kiuchi RHP FR Puyallup, WA (Puyallup HS)