OCC Baseball Preview: Color the Pirates ready

That Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli chose to model one set of new uniforms this season after the University of Virginia was not merely a matter of color coordination.

Perhaps winning the 2015 College World Series helped the orange-and-blue-clad Cavaliers create an aura of success that the 24-year OCC head man, who has guided the Pirates to back-to-back state championships, a mythical national crown in 2014, three state titles in the last seven years and four in the last 11, deemed worthy of imitation.

Despite losing nearly 75% of its run production and more than 80% of its innings pitched from the 2014 squad that finished 30-17 and ranked No. 11 in the Perfect Game national poll, the Pirates, ranked No. 1 in the Southern California preseason poll in 2016 , are poised for yet another run at a third straight culminating dogpile.

“We don’t talk about a state championship, per se,” said Altobelli, whose team is 2-2 after a loss to Cuesta on Thursday. “It’s more about letting our players know that if they want to be a championship caliber team, like teams have done in the last few years, it’s the little things that make the big difference down the road. You have to practice hard every day, go to class, get in the weight room and do the little things right. Our focus is more about the process than the final outcome.”

There has been a lot to process already for a roster that includes just six players who saw playing time as Pirates last season.

“We have a lot of new people who have had to learn the Coast way of doing things,” Altobelli said. “For the most part, they are buying in and getting it. It’s a good group to be around and hopefully we can make another good charge this year.”

Foremost among the returners is sophomore first baseman J.T. McLellan, who hit .305 with four home runs and 29 runs batted in as a freshman last spring.

Sophomore infielder Nick Grimes, who started at third base last season, earned second-team All-Orange Empire Conference recognition, as did returning center fielder Chris Prescott.

Other than McLellan, who had one win, one save and a 3.60 earned-run average in 15 relief innings in 2015, the only two pitchers with experience at OCC are sophomores Casey Costello and Jack Pabich.

McLellan, who had four hits, including two doubles, and a team-best five RBIs in the first three games, is set to anchor the batting order in the No. 3 spot, Altobelli said.

Grimes, who hit .304 with 15 RBIs in 135 at-bats last season, played the first three games at third, but may shift to second base.

Prescott rode a hot streak in conference play to a .321 freshman average. He had eight RBIs and scored 14 times in 84 at-bats.

Costello, who won the season-opener and was slated to start again Thursday, was 3-4 with a 2.16 ERA in 33 1/3 innings last season, split between the starting rotation and the bullpen.

Pabich, whose fourth save came in the state semifinal last season, recorded a 2.01 ERA in 22 1/3 innings as a freshman.

Pitching depth is a strength this season, said Altobelli, who will rely on said depth early with his top two starters — Aaron Dominguez and Sean Trimble — out until conference play with injuries.

Dominguez, a freshman who redshirted at Mississippi State last season, is recovering from a sore arm, while Trimble, a bounce-back from Long Beach State, broke his ankle in the fall.

“It’s disappointing they aren’t ready now, but with the depth that we have, we can afford to have these injury issues now and not in the middle or the end of the season,” Altobelli said. “Hopefully, we can have [Dominguez and Trimble] at the start of conference and we can make another strong run.”

Costello has assumed the No. 1 starting role, while freshman lefty Michael Giacone is slated to be the No. 2 starter.

Colin Ashworth, a bounce-back from Arizona State, is 1-0 after starting and winning OCC’s third game on Tuesday.

Freshmen Nicko Cottone, a left-hander, and Alex Hernandez are additional candidates to start on the bump, while Pabich anchors a bullpen that has a number of promising arms.

Altobelli cited 6-foot-7 freshman Ryan Randel, sophomores Parker Manahan and Josh Walker, a bounce-back from Grand Canyon University, as well as freshmen Austin Moore, Tyler Armour and Sam Eggenburg as those who figure to contribute in relief.

McLellan, freshman right fielder John Balliet, a bounce-back from Long Beach State, and sophomore Jaiden France, who was 2-1 in 41 innings last season at Grambling State, are position players who can also pitch, Altobelli said.

“It’s a matter of spreading out the innings to see who is going to be consistent and who we can count on,” Altobelli said. “We’ll use the nonconference season to figure that out. But no matter who we go to, we know we have a good quality arm coming in who is going to battle and compete.”

Freshman JT Navarro, who hit .522 at Fountain Valley High to earn first-team All-Sunset League and All-Orange County laurels in 2015, is starting at shortstop.

“Everyone who watches us loves the way [Navarro] plays,” Altobelli said. “He plays the game the right way, with savvy, and he plays it hard. He does all the little things you are looking for in a baseball player. He could play at a place like Cal State Fullerton or Long Beach State if he gets his academics squared away.”

Freshman Thomas Waldenberger opened the season in left field, while sophomore Mondesi Gutierrez, who hit .243 with eight RBIs in 37 at-bats last season, opened the year at second base. Altobelli said Gutierrez will need to produce to stay in the lineup.

Altobelli said France, who hit .272 with six RBIs in 81 at-bats at Grambling, could crack the lineup at third base, or perhaps the outfield.

The catching role is still a battle between freshmen Billy Haysom, Andrew Garcia and Robert Teel, Altobelli said. Garcia, two for two with two RBIs in pinch-hitting appearances over the first three games, earned his first start Thursday, after Haysom and Teel started previously.

Eric Wagaman had four hits and three RBIs the first three games at designated hitter, where Altobelli will count upon the 6-4, 210-pound freshman to remain productive.

France could also see time at DH, where freshman Daniel Hawkins is another prospect,” Altobelli said.

Freshmen Jacob White (outfield), Nolan Powers (utility), and Jake Scott (outfield) may also contribute, Altobelli said.

OCC opens conference play March 5 with the first of seven three-game series against OEC rivals. OCC’s first three conference games are against Cypress, before battling defending champion Golden West (March 12, 15 and 17).