Part 1: Infielders
Part 2: Outfielders
Part 3: Pitchers, Monday, Feb. 6
Part 4: Catchers, Wednesday, Feb. 8

Baseball season is right around the corner with the home opener slated for February 17th at 2 p.m. against Northern Colorado. With that in mind, it's time to start previewing the 2017 Diamond Dons. Next up, the outfielders.

"This has to be one of the most versatile groups we've had," said associate head coach Troy Nakamura. "They refer to themselves as the 'Shark Tank' for their aggressive predatory nature to go get the ball. More than anything, they love to work and they work very well together. Not to mention that it gives us the ability to match up very well vs. right and left handed pitching."

When discussing the outfield it is only fitting the start with the Dons lead-off hitter, Matt Sinatro. The senior from Sammamish, Washington will be looking to build on a strong junior campaign in which he hit .305 (third on the team), while leading the squad in runs (40), walks (34) and steals (26). Those 26 steals lead the West Coast Conference and were good for 28th in the nation.

"He's got speed, he's got arm strength, he's got instincts," head coach Nino Giarratano said. "He's got toughness and tenacity that you'll see when he goes after the ball. He's a good player."

Starting in left field and slated to bat seventh is fifth-year senior Harrison Bruce. He offers a great deal of experience as the only player left on the roster who has played in an NCAA regional. Last year, Bruce hit .260 while driving in 14 runs and stealing 12 bases (t-7th in the WCC). 

"He's a guy who's got great speed and great tools and we're looking for him to have a big year," Giarratano said.

"Bruce will lead this team with his aggressive style of play and competitive intensity," Nakamura added.

Rounding out the starting outfield is junior Brady Bate. Last season Bate was the team's leading home run hitter with six, while hitting .230, driving in 18 runs and stealing seven bases. To highlight Bate's dynamic attributes, his 13 combined homers and stolen bases was the second highest total for the Dons in 2016. 

"He played part-time last year," Giarratano said of Bate. "If we can get him 200 at-bats maybe he can hit closer to 10 home runs. He's got great bat speed and he's a guy that can come into his own this year."

Bate will also be a weapon in the renovated Benedetti Diamond. "With the unique dimensions of the new stadium, Brady has mastered the short porch to give us a definite home field advantage," Nakamura explained.

Backing up Sinatro in center field will be an electric freshman, Tyler Villaroman (San Mateo, CA/Serra High School). 

"Villaroman has to be one of the most electric young players in this conference," Nakamura said. "He brings a very special set of tools to the yard, highlighted by his game changing speed. He'll back up Sinatro in center to start the year, but will be called upon every game to make a difference in one way or another."

Providing depth in the corners will be Dan James (left field) and Aaron Ping (right field). James, who has also seen time at third base and will spend a great deal of time as the designated hitter, represents a strong left-handed hitting option. last year he hit .257 with three home runs and 23 RBI. Ping, who will also see time at second base, also hit .257 last year with eight doubles and will provide a right-handed bat and athleticism to the depth chart. 

"Both James and Ping provide two true utility options in right or left field and give us an opportunity to match up well late in games," Nakamura said.

Add in transfer Gabe Gomez (Tulsa, OK/Allen County CC) and the outfield suddenly offers incredible depth and options for Giarratano to call on. 

"We go seven deep in the outfield," Giarratano said. "We feel really fortunate with the guys we have out there. We have speed, we have strength, we have arm strength, and some real defensive ability. When you look at his team, the infielders and the outfielders, the defense really stands out as a strength of the team."

2017 PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

1. CF Matt Sinatro    .305 BA / 40 R / 26 steals
2. SS Nico Giarratano    .251 BA / 28 RBI / 34 R
3. 3B Allen Smoot    .321 BA / 14 2B / 33 RBI
4. C Dominic Miroglio*    .340 BA / 11 2B / 38 RBI
5. 1B Ross Puskarich    .331 BA / 5 HR / 29 RBI
6. DH Dan James     .257 BA / 3 HR / 23 RBI
    Manny Ramirez Jr.    .145 BA / 2 2B / 2 RBI
7. LF Harrison Bruce    .260 BA / 8 2B / 12 steals
8. 2B Michael Perri^    .219 BA / 4 R / 1 3B
9. RF Brady Bate    .230 BA / 6 HR / 18 RBI
*2015 stats
^2014 stats at Pepperdine

Tickets are available for USF's Hall of Fame dinner to be held on Feb. 3 at the McLaren Conference Center on campus. Former pitching standout Patrick McGuigan '06 joins Eduardo Rangel '66 (men's soccer), Tami Adkins '93 (women's basketball), James Hardy '78 (men's basketball), and Dr. Sandee Hill (special category) as the 2017 class of inductees into the Father Hubert "Hub" Flynn Hall of Fame. Click here to purchase your tickets today. 

And don't forget, before the season starts, there will be the 15th Annual Monsignor Moran Lead-off Dinner on February 11th. The evening will feature a cocktail hour beginning at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. and an auction while introducing the 2017 Diamond Dons. You can purchase a ticket to the event by clicking here.