The 2019 Arizona Wildcats will be younger. They might be more talented. Will they be better?
That’s an impossible question to answer today. But the results of the 2018 MLB draft provide a snapshot of what the ’19 roster will look like, and UA coach Jay Johnson is intrigued by the possibilities.
“I feel good about increasing the talent level,” Johnson said. “It’s really the first benefit we got from the (2016) College World Series – the ’18, ’19 classes were the ones most positively affected by that.
“The returners have gotta improve. The newcomers have gotta acclimate. And we need to put it together the best we can. I’m very excited for the challenge of doing that.”
Although the roster isn’t finalized yet, Arizona might have only two seniors next year: left-hander Avery Weems and pitcher-first baseman Cameron Haskell, who played sparingly after transferring from Palomar College. Meanwhile, about half the roster could consist of newcomers, most of whom are freshmen.
Johnson knew left-hander Matthew Liberatore and infielder Nolan Gorman wouldn’t be part of that group. Both were projected as first-round selections, and they went 16th and 19th, respectively.
“It was hard to ever picture them being here,” Johnson said. “We had ample time to plan for that.”
The player Johnson wasn’t sure about was catcher Austin Wells of Las Vegas — a key recruit given the departures of veteran catchers Cesar Salazar and Ryan Haug.
Wells was Arizona’s highest-ranked signee after Liberatore and Gorman. MLB.com ranked Wells 170th overall entering this week’s draft; Baseball American had him 206th.
It appears Wells is coming to Tucson. He was drafted, but not until the 35th round.
“Getting Austin Wells to campus was a big, big deal,” Johnson said.
Wells was limited to mostly DH duty as a senior at Bishop Gorman High School because of an elbow injury. Johnson said Wells is on the mend and was able to participate in workouts for MLB teams. Wells, a left-handed hitter, is expected to share the catching duties with Matt Dyer, a transfer from Oregon who redshirted this past season.
“We think Austin has a chance to be a great hitter and then some,” Johnson said. “Matt is one of the best athletes on our team. Both are really good behind the plate.”
Johnson has had great success with recruits from the Las Vegas area, including Kris Bryant at the University of San Diego and Nick Quintana on the current UA roster.
Wells was one of six UA signees taken between Rounds 32 and 39. Four of the others were high school players: outfielder Ryan Holgate (32nd round) and pitchers George Arias Jr. (34th), Ian Mejia (35th) and Bryce Collins (39th). One was a junior college transfer, left-hander Andrew Nardi (39th).
“There’s no certainty with the draft, but where they were drafted is an indication how strong their commitment to Arizona is,” Johnson said. “Otherwise, they all would have been drafted a lot higher.”
The expectation is that all of those players will be Wildcats next season. Sometimes MLB teams take college-bound players with late picks to begin building a rapport with them.
Arizona is likely to lose transfer Michael Berglund. The Tampa Bay Rays selected Berglund in the eighth round, and he told the Caller-Times of Corpus Christi, Texas, that he is leaning toward signing with them. The left-handed-hitting corner infielder/catcher began his college career at Texas Tech and played for Cisco College this past season.
Arizona must replace a ton of production after having eight players drafted, the most in the Pac-12. They include lineup regulars Salazar, Alfonso Rivas III and Cal Stevenson, plus No. 1 starter Cody Deason.
“None of them were drafted out of high school,” Johnson said. “Their development trend here at Arizona was significant.
“I was very proud of them for that accomplishment. They’re all very deserving. They’re all physically and mentally ready for that step.”
Deason was one of three UA pitchers drafted, along with fellow right-handers Michael Flynn and Tylor Megill. Arizona also loses senior righties Juan Aguilera and Zach Stone, who combined to go 9-2.
Upgrading the pitching staff remains Johnson’s biggest and most challenging long-term goal. The returning nucleus, led by veteran left-hander Randy Labaut, is promising. But Johnson believes the 2018 class will elevate the staff’s talent level, with more enticing arms to come in ’19.
“You’re going to see more upside potential with more pitchers,” Johnson said. “Some guys are going to have to have a fast learning curve, because they’re going to find themselves on the mound. But the influx of talent is exciting. Now we have to help them grow, and do that as quickly as we can.”
Although next year’s team will skew young, Arizona brings back five position players who have ample college experience. The group is led by third baseman Quintana and middle infielder Cameron Cannon. The two earned All-Pac-12 recognition after combining for 22 home runs and 105 RBIs as sophomores. Both are playing in the Cape Cod League this summer, along with classmate Matt Fraizer.
“I like that five or six guys got significant playing time this year,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, they will use that experience to be better a year from now.”
