A Non-Comprehensive Guide to Former Mountaineers

Wake Forest right-hander Rayne Supple had a strong season with the Mountaineers, and looks to build
off his success in his sophomore year. (WF image)

Wow, college baseball is less than a week away. Mired in blizzard-like conditions in New England, it sure doesn't feel like players will start their seasons shortly, but it's a welcome sight. One of my favorite things going into the season is to keep tabs on former Mountaineer alumni, and several will have key roles this season. Here's a list of former Vermont players looking to build off summer success, embrace larger roles, or continue to thrive in the spring.

Devin Hairston, SS - Jr., Louisville — 2016: .361/.415/.478, 56 R: A preseason All-American on a top-10 team in the country, Hairston is easily the most talented player on this list. The right-handed hitting shortstop enjoyed a stellar sophomore season and earned an invite to the USA Collegiate National Team. Expected to hit at the top of a strong Cardinals lineup, Hairston looks to continue to establish himself as one of the top talents in the country.

Colin Lyman, RF - Sr., Louisville — 2016: .301/.364/.392, 30 RBI: Lyman stepped into a bigger role last year, starting 47 games and hitting over .300 for the Cardinals. After two years on the Cape following his time in Vermont, Lyman is a talented defensive outfielder who'll figure to be a key part of Louisville's lineup this season. He had 10 extra base hits last year, including four triples, and drove in 30 runs while scoring 31.

Rayne Supple, RHP - So., Wake Forest — 2016: 23.1 IP, 0.55 K/BB, 8.49 ERA: Command issues plagued the Vermont native in his first season with the Deacons, but a strong summer with the Mountaineers has him poised to improve. Expected to slot into a middle innings role this spring, Supple has the potential to work his way into the weekend rotation or a more high-leverage position. He struck out 27 in in 24 2/3 innings this summer, and dazzled in his last start, striking out five over six shutout innings.

Teddy Rodliff, LHP - Jr., Stony Brook – 2016: 39.1 IP, 8.67 K/BB, 3.20 ERA: It should come to no surprise to Mountaineers fans that Rodliff flourished last summer in the Cape. The southpaw struck out 13 and allowed just four earned runs over 27 innings, a lights-out relief option for the Harwich Mariners. This is a guy who can be overpowering on the mound and exceptional at protecting leads, so when the Seawolves are in tight games – he'll be the guy they turn to.

Laren Eustace, OF - Jr., Indiana — 2016: .248/.365/.381, 6 SB: Eustace started 26 games as a sophomore, and will challenge for a bigger role this year. The junior outfielder had an All-Star-caliber summer in the Northwoods League, hitting over .330 for the Green Bay Bullfrogs. The Hoosiers missed the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012 last year after a 3-7 start, and a strong offensive push is needed to help them return.

Michael Osinski, SS - Jr., Longwood — 2016: .305/.374/.391, 17 2B: The anchor for the Mountaineers this past summer, Osinski enters his junior season after an impressive year in Montpelier. He played in 41 games, hit .351, and was an All-Star starter in the NECBL. One of the top talents in the Big South conference, Osinski will be a key contributor in the middle of the lineup.

Tom Cosgrove, LHP - Jr., Manhattan — 2016: 90 IP, 2.58 K/BB, 3.70 ERA
Joe Jacques, LHP - Sr., Manhattan — 2016: 75.1 IP, 1.85 K/BB, 4.30 ERA
Joey Rocchietti, RHP - Sr., Manhattan — 2016: 88.1 IP, 2.57 K/BB, 3.87 ERA: Baseball America's top prospect in the MAAC, Cosgrove is a southpaw who led the Jaspers a season ago in wins (5), innings (90), and ERA (3.70). He'll be a key member of the rotation alongside two other Mountaineer alums in Jacques and Rocchietti. Jacques is another lefthander who was lights out with Vermont last summer, while Rocchietti turned in six strong starts.

Troy Scocca, OF - Sr., Fairfield — 2016: .283/.377/.434, 17 XBH: A key contributor in Vermont's lineup this past summer, Scocca is a preseason All-MAAC selection and one of the leading reasons the Stags are favorites to win the conference again. Scocca had five home runs last spring as a member of the MAAC's No. 1 scoring team, and is a talented outfielder as well.

Mikael Mogues, 1B - Sr., Seton Hall — 2016: .251/.385/.403, 10 2B: Mogues is another player on this list who can take a step forward and really drive a team. He had a strong junior season, but really stepped it up last summer in Vermont, hitting .313 and driving in 25 runs in 40 games. If the left-handed hitting first basemen can build on that, expect a big senior season from the slugger.

Joe Tietjen, OF - Sr., UNC-Asheville — 2016: .344/.416/.553, 10 HR: A preseason All-Big South selection, Tietjen is looking to cap off a stellar career. He's improved each spring, and enjoyed a strong season with the Mountaineers last summer, hitting .280 with 17 extra-base hits and 12 stolen bases. A power and speed threat, Tietjen is a talented outfielder who'll no doubt be a leader for the Bulldogs.

Sam Delaplane, RHP - Sr., Eastern Michigan — 2016: 50 IP, 1.75 K/BB, 4.50 ERA: The NECBL Reliever of the Year and a major reason why Vermont won the championship in 2015, Delaplane enters his senior year with the Eagles. He led Eastern Michigan with 24 appearances last spring, and will shoulder a big load again this year. Delaplane is coming off another championship summer, as he won a Cape Cod League title with the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.