Season pReview Moore. But just like the rotation, the cupboard is not bare for Corbin and Associate Head Coach/Pitching Coach Derek Johnson.
Junior Sam Selman is slated to be part of the Commodores’ rotation in 2012.
A pair of lefties in Keenan Kolinsky and Steven Rice will be counted on to get outs on a regular basis for the first time in their young careers. The duo combined to pitch in just five games last season. Nevin Wilson, another southpaw, could emerge to soak up innings along with fellow freshman Adam Ravenelle. Both were 44th round selections in last summer’s draft.
“Keenan Kolinsky and Steven Rice are now in a position to possibly hold sufficient roles out of the bullpen,” Corbin says. “Wilson and Ravenelle’s development during the spring will determine the roles that they will fill.” The closer role will also have a new face with the departure of the aforementioned Moore, who matched the school record with 11 saves last season. VerHagen is expected to get first crack at the job with freshmen Philip Pfeifer and Brian Miller in the mix along with Clinard.
Senior Drew Fann leads a talented but young group behind the plate.
CATCHING Replacing the departed Curt Casali behind the plate will not be easy for the Commodores in 2012. Casali started 63 games a year ago, including 58 at catcher leaving just six starts for Drew Fann and two for Spencer Navin. Fann returns for his fifth year in the program this season and will be counted on as a leader for the young squad. Navin is expected to open the season atop the depth chart despite being slowed down by a hand injury in the fall. Freshman Chris Harvey joins the group a year earlier than expected. Harvey graduated high school a year early and enrolled at Vanderbilt last fall, adding a powerful bat to the Dores’ roster. “Catching is a position that we feel pretty good about. When you have a kid that has caught in your program for five years like Drew Fann, it is like adding another coach to your staff,” Corbin says. “Drew understands Coach Johnson and our pitchers very well. He is a valuable resource to the pitchers as well as Navin and Harvey. Both Spencer and Chris possess overriding catcher tools that will make each kid very effective in time – they just need reps at this point.” Another freshman, Will Cooper, is expected to receive reps behind the plate as well.
Junior Will Clinard earned the win that sent the Commodores to Omaha last season and will be counted on heavily this season.
Sophomore Spencer Navin figures prominently into Vanderbilt’s plans behind the plate.
Fact Book
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