2020 Preseason Preview: Bellarmine Bells

TEAM:

Bellarmine Bells

HEAD COACH (years at school):

Mike Rodriguez (12)

OFFICIAL TWITTER:

@bellsbaseball

CIF SECTION & DIVISION:

Central Coast Section, Division 1

CONFERENCE/LEAGUE NAME:

West Catholic Athletic League

LAST YEAR’S RECORD:

16-14

PLAYOFF RUN:

Division 1 Semi-Finalist

# OF RETURNING STARTERS:

4

# OF RETURNING PITCHERS:

3

OUTLOOK:

2019 was an up and down season for Bellarmine finishing with a strong playoff run seeing the Bells just missing out on the Central Coast Division 1 Title Game. Coach Rodriguez expects his team to return to their prominence in the West Catholic League in 2020 as he returns a strong group of regulars while bringing up youth talent that could catapult the Bells back up to the top of the Conference. With Pitching and Defense being the carrying tools, the Bells will be prepared for the regularly stiff competition of League and a deep Non-Conference schedule. If the youth talent makes leaps with the veteran experience, the Bells could be playing at San Jose Municipal late in the season. 

TOP RETURNING PLAYERS:

2020 INF Joey Cerrito - 6-1, R/R - Cal Lutheran Commit 

Rangy MIF moves over from 2B to SS and showing defensive skills to stick at 6-spot. Leadoff type of bat. 

2020 RHP Samuel Kim - 5-10, R/R - Westmont Commit

Good feel for offspeed pitches and ability to pound the zone with FB. Pitched out of back end in 2019 with stuff to be a regular starter for Bells.

2020 C/INF Garrett Arnold - 5-9, R/R

Smaller frame but consistent defensive skills behind the plate; arm regularly puts balls on the bag and shows strong blocking skills.

2020 INF/OF Aidan Kelly - 6-3, R/R

Physical corner bat that flashes bat speed to produce deep gap power; multi-year Varsity player and should hit in the middle of the lineup.

2020 RHP/1B Ethan Tanti - 6-2, R/R

2020 OF/1B Tyler Pearson - 6-1, R/R

Strong framed middle of the order bat fits corner OF/1B profile. Flashes some lift in swing and should be a run producer. 

2021 RHP Wonny Kwak - 6-2, R/R

2021 LHP/1B Will Gnibus - 6-2, L/L

Strong up and coming 2021 LHP that should have a big 2020 season. Stuff has chance to make jumps and be front of the rotation stuff. 

THE FUTURE:

2022 RHP/INF Austin Turkington

Very talented two-way player who should come in and impact lineup multiple ways.

2022 Enzo Mastrodicassa

2022 Kyler Bacosa

2023 Thomas Trombatore