72.
NEW MEXICO
2008 RECORD. Overall: 34-25.
Conference: 16-8 / 2nd in Mountain West
Conference.
Coach: Ray Birmingham (34-25,
2nd season).
First Game, 2009: Feb.
20 vs.
Texas
A&M-Corpus Christi.
OVERVIEW: Second-year coach
Ray Birmingham built a junior-college powerhouse at New Mexico JC, and has liberally
tapped into his junior-college connections. The Lobos will field a veteran lineup
in 2009, with seniors and juniors filling almost every position on the field and
in the rotation. Five regulars return, all of whom hit .323 or better, including
team triple-crown winner Brian Cavazos-Galvez (.367-11-55). JC transfers will fill
the other four starting positions in the lineup and will be an important component
on the pitching staff. Junior CF Cameron Monger, who led the nation in stolen bases
a year ago at Howard (Texas)
JC, is an above-average athlete with impact speed on the bases and in center field.
RHP Travis Dirk, another Texas JC transfer, could be the key to the pitching staff
if he can develop better feel for his off-speed pitches.
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
C: Rafael Neda, So. (.323-6-45).
1B: Kevin Atkinson (3),
Sr. (.333-9-51).
2B: Mike Brownstein (1),
Sr. (.350-2-37, *20 SB).
3B: Dan Hayduk, Jr. (.400-4-44,
38 SB at
Burlington, N.J.
, CC).
SS: Daniel Gonzalez, Jr.
(.405-8-59 at
El Paso, Texas
, CC).
LF: Max Willett, Jr. (.348-1-9).
CF: Cameron Monger, Jr.
(.446-12-55, 58 SB at
Howard, Texas
, CC).
RF: Brian Cavazos-Galvez
(4), Sr. (*.367-*11-*55).
DH: Cameron Smith, Jr.
(.235-4-45 at
Salt Lake, Utah
, CC).
1/Starter: Ryan Escarcega,
Jr. (1-2, 9.56, 16 IP/8 SO).
2/Starter: Travis Dirk,
Jr. (Transfer—Navarro, Texas,
JC).
3/Starter: Edwin Carl,
Jr. (Transfer--Eastern
Arizona
CC).
Closer:
Clinton
Cox, Sr. (3-1, *3.86, * 4 SV, 44 IP/31
SO).
BEST TOOLS
Best Athlete: Cameron Monger.
Best Overall Hitter: Brian
Cavazos-Galvez.
Best Power Hitter: Brian
Cavazos-Galvez.
Best Strike-Zone Discipline:
Mike Brownstein.
Fastest Base Runner (60 time):
Cameron Monger (6.4 seconds).
Best Base Runner: Cameron
Monger.
Best Defender: Rafael Neda.
Best Infield Arm: Daniel
Gonzalez.
Best Outfield Arm: Cameron
Monger.
Best Fastball (velocity):
Travis Dirk (94 mph).
Best Breaking Ball:
Clinton
Cox.
Best Changeup: Ryan Escarcega.
Best Command: Ryan Escarcega.
TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT:
Ben Woodchick, ss-rhp. No freshman is
scheduled to get much playing time, but Woodchick has the tools to step in at any
point. He’s a high-energy player with good speed and surprising power for a 5-foot-10
middle infielder. Woodchick might also see action out of the bullpen as a mid-to-upper
80s reliever.
TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT:
Rafael Neda, c. Neda, a native of Mexico
who attended high school in Arizona, came to New Mexico with a reputation as a top
defensive catcher with a quick release and mobile actions, and lived up to it as
a freshman—though he broke the tip of a finger on his left hand late in the season.
His offensive production was a pleasant surprise, and he has the quick hands to
build on his power production this spring.
TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Travis Dirk, rhp.
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Dirk worked out of the bullpen for two years at Navarro
JC but will be counted on to be a starter for the Lobos. He is primarily a fastball
pitcher who can touch 94 mph with heavy sinking action, but his secondary stuff
is still in the developing stages.
TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Brian Cavazos-Galvez, of. Cavazos-Galvez
has always impressed scouts with his raw power and arm strength, though he’s never
been drafted in the four times he has been eligible—mainly because of his long swing
and lack of plate discipline. He has always hit, though: .517-9-66 as a freshman
and .480-11-87 as a sophomore at New Mexico JC, prior to his seamless transition
at the plate as a junior for the Lobos. His biological father, Balvino Galvez, is
a Dominican native who pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1986.
--DAVID RAWNSLEY