(Photo: Bobby Kraus/WCSN)
You could say the future is now when referring to Arizona State baseball, which can be both a blessing and a curse from a coach’s perspective.
Tracy Smith and his Sun Devils got their 2018 season underway Saturday with a doubleheader against the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, with Smith running out four freshman and three sophomores in both contests.
The three sophomores in each game, third baseman Carter Aldrete, center fielder Hunter Bishop and catcher Lyle Lin, have all proven to be capable players at the college level. Aldrete led the team in RBI (31) last season, Bishop finished tied for second in home runs (5), and Lin finished second on the team in hits (61).
Having four freshmen in a collegiate starting lineup certainly isn’t status quo, with the potential of success just as high as the potential of growing pains. With one day of the 2018 season in the books for Arizona State, let’s take a look at the collegiate debuts for the five total freshman given the nod by Smith.
Drew Swift-INF, Chandler, AZ (Hamilton HS)
Touted as a top-15 player in the state of Arizona by Perfect Game USA, Swift has been viewed as a starter seemingly from the moment he stepped on campus. Starting both games at shortstop, Swift went 3-6 with one RBI, which came on a beautifully placed bunt single in the sixth inning of game two. He was caught stealing in a crucial spot in game one, having singled with two outs in the seventh inning following a Jeremy McCuin sacrifice fly that cut the RedHawk lead to one.
Alika Williams-INF, San Diego, CA (Rancho Bernardo HS)
When talking about Arizona State baseball this season, it seems like it’ll be hard to not mention Alika Williams when mentioning Swift, and vice versa. With both players having solid hands and footwork on defense, both possessing the ability to play either middle infield position, and both having hit over .350 for their high school careers, Smith might have found his middle infield of the next three seasons. Williams went 0-4 with a walk and a strikeout over the two games while playing second base, and was pinch-hit for in the eighth inning of game one.
Spencer Torkelson-INF/DH, Petaluma, CA (Casa Grande HS)
Arizona State has not been known for producing high power numbers since moving back to Phoenix Municipal Stadium in 2015, but Spencer Torkelson might be the player to break that mold. Boasting a high school career average of .430 with 99 RBI, Torkelson started his Sun Devil career with authority. After an 0-4 performance in game one, Smith’s designated hitter blasted two home runs in his first two at-bats, adding a single to left field later on. If Torkelson is only expected to take four at-bats per game, he could add a much-needed dimension to the Sun Devil lineup.
Trevor Hauver-OF, Chandler, AZ (Perry HS)
Left field has been the position with the most uncertainty over the three-plus seasons with Smith leading Arizona State. Hauver was given the first opportunity to potentially win the job, but turned in an 0-4 performance. Smith has reiterated that offensive production will be the determining factor in who wins the spot, but one game certainly doesn’t remove Hauver from consideration.
Scott Mehan-OF, Scottsdale, AZ (Cactus Shadows HS)
Mehan was given the second opportunity to win the left field job as he started game two against the RedHawks, producing a 1-3 night with a walk and a run. Despite being ranked as the number two overall third baseman in Arizona by Perfect Game USA, Mehan is trying to crack the lineup in the outfield with Carter Aldrete entrenched at third base.
Nothing can be determined in a college baseball season after one day and two games, but one thing is for certain when discussing Arizona State baseball: The amount of success for their underclassmen will determine how far this team can go, with so much responsibility seemingly being placed on their shoulders.
