Auston Bousfield (9) hits the ball during an NCAA college baseball game at home. (Photo by: Thomas Graning)
Opening day for Ole Miss baseball is exactly two weeks away. The Rebels open up the 2016 campaign with a three game home series against Florida International beginning on Feb.19. Here is what the Rebels’ outfield could look like in 2016:
Center field: J.B. Woodman
Woodman was one of two Rebels to start all 58 games for the team last year, and the workload will be the same this year as he anchors the the outfield in center. Woodman finished second on the team in hits (58) and home runs (7) as well as runs (39). He hit .274 a year ago and will likely be relied on to carry an even bigger offensive load in 2016. Woodman made 29 starts in right field for the 2014 team, which went to Omaha, as a freshman, and was a part of arguably the fastest outfield in college baseball that season. Woodman also has 17 career steals and is a weapon on the base paths.
Right Field: Cam Dishon
Truth be told, Woodman is really the only starter considered a lock for 2016. Cam Dishon will most likely get the bulk of the action in right field. Dishon started 57 of the 58 games in 2015 with 52 starts in right field and five in center field. Dishon is another guy with a lot of speed, and Bianco likes what he brings on defense. The biggest uncertainty with Dishon is his offensive production. He hit just well enough to stay in the lineup last year hitting .251 with 42 hits and 14 RBI. Dishon stole 24 bases last year which lead the team. If he can carry a little more weight offensively, it will be a great help for Ole Miss in 2016.
Left Field: Connor Cloyd, Kyle Watson, Holt Perdzock.
This might be the most intriguing position on the field for Ole Miss. Kyle Watson and Connor Cloyd split most of the starts in 2015. Watson Started 37 games and Cloyd got the nod in 17. Watson looked as if he had the position locked up through the first month and a half of the season, but Cloyd hit so well down the stretch that coach Mike Bianco couldn’t keep him out of the lineup. Cloyd was also sidelined for the early part of the season with a hamstring injury. Whoever hits most consistently will likely win this job, and I would give a very slight edge to Cloyd. Watson came to Ole Miss as an infielder, and really can be used all across the diamond for Ole Miss. Both will be key contributors for the Rebels in 2016.
Two dark horse candidates for this job are Holt Perdzock and Nick Fortes. Perdzock is a senior with a decent amount of game experience off of the bench— he made 12 starts at designed hitter. Fortes is a freshman catcher by trade, but his offensive production could land him a few starts at left field or designed hitter.
First pitch against Florida International is set for 4 p.m. on Feb. 19.
