Photo by: DJ Shafer
Bearkat Baseball 2020 Preview: Catchers
1/31/2020 2:50:00 PM | Baseball
Returners: Gavin Johnson
Newcomers:Â Trent Touchet, Wes Folse
Â
HUNTSVILLE – The rigors of a 56-game baseball season often test the depth of a team, but rarely does it affect one position on the diamond more than behind the plate.
Â
The Bearkats boasted a three-headed monster behind the plate in 2019 with Gavin Johnson and Jordan Cannon carrying the bulk of the load, combining to catch 48 games. This year, Johnson is the lone backstop still on the roster from 2019, but with the additions of junior college transfer Trent Touchet and freshman Wes Folse, the Kats feel good about their trio of catchers heading into the season opener on February 14 against Saint Mary's.
Â
Johnson will be one of the top returning catchers in the SLC going into the 2020 season after earning honorable mention all-SLC honors a year ago. A left-handed bat with power, the San Antonio native put together a .291/.328/.456 slash line in 2019, totaling 35 RBI to go with 17 extra-base hits.
Â
He started 44 games for the season at both catcher and designated hitter, 27 of which were behind the plate, while also possessing a propensity for delivering clutch swings throughout the season. His 3-run homer tied the game early in the season against Louisiana propelled the Kats to a sweep of the Ragin' Cajuns, while his first triple of the year tied the game and set up the winning run in a win over Baylor.
Â
Along with Johnson, Touchet and Folse should give the Kats a formidable group of backstops. Touchet comes to Huntsville after two years at Panola College where he earned all-Region XIV honors for the Ponies. He had nine home runs and drove in 35 last year and in addition to providing solid defense, he should give the Kats a reliable right-handed bat that can be used in multiple situations.
Â
Folse, meanwhile, was one of the prizes of last year's signing class and should see playing time very early. A native of Sweeny, he helped lead the Bulldogs to the Texas Class 4A state title game each of the past two seasons and spent all four of his high school years on the varsity squad, earning all-state honors as a senior in 2019. A right-handed bat with some pop, Folse's immediate impact will likely be felt on the defensive side where his skills should be on display in handling the Bearkat pitching staff.
Newcomers:Â Trent Touchet, Wes Folse
Â
HUNTSVILLE – The rigors of a 56-game baseball season often test the depth of a team, but rarely does it affect one position on the diamond more than behind the plate.
Â
The Bearkats boasted a three-headed monster behind the plate in 2019 with Gavin Johnson and Jordan Cannon carrying the bulk of the load, combining to catch 48 games. This year, Johnson is the lone backstop still on the roster from 2019, but with the additions of junior college transfer Trent Touchet and freshman Wes Folse, the Kats feel good about their trio of catchers heading into the season opener on February 14 against Saint Mary's.
Â
Johnson will be one of the top returning catchers in the SLC going into the 2020 season after earning honorable mention all-SLC honors a year ago. A left-handed bat with power, the San Antonio native put together a .291/.328/.456 slash line in 2019, totaling 35 RBI to go with 17 extra-base hits.
Â
He started 44 games for the season at both catcher and designated hitter, 27 of which were behind the plate, while also possessing a propensity for delivering clutch swings throughout the season. His 3-run homer tied the game early in the season against Louisiana propelled the Kats to a sweep of the Ragin' Cajuns, while his first triple of the year tied the game and set up the winning run in a win over Baylor.
Â
Along with Johnson, Touchet and Folse should give the Kats a formidable group of backstops. Touchet comes to Huntsville after two years at Panola College where he earned all-Region XIV honors for the Ponies. He had nine home runs and drove in 35 last year and in addition to providing solid defense, he should give the Kats a reliable right-handed bat that can be used in multiple situations.
Â
Folse, meanwhile, was one of the prizes of last year's signing class and should see playing time very early. A native of Sweeny, he helped lead the Bulldogs to the Texas Class 4A state title game each of the past two seasons and spent all four of his high school years on the varsity squad, earning all-state honors as a senior in 2019. A right-handed bat with some pop, Folse's immediate impact will likely be felt on the defensive side where his skills should be on display in handling the Bearkat pitching staff.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, May 20
Wednesday, May 20
Wednesday, May 20
Tuesday, March 03
