73. CANISIUS

2008 RECORD. Overall: 41-13 (Advanced to NCAA regional). Conference: 19-5 / 1^st in Metro Atlantic Conference.

Coach: Mike McRae (88-122, 5^th season at Canisius; 153-208 in 7 seasons).

First Game, 2009: Feb. 20 at Gardner-Webb.

 

OVERVIEW: Possibly the best rags-to-riches story in college baseball, Canisius shattered the school record for wins in 2008, with 41. In 2004, the year before Mike McRae took over the program, the Golden Griffins won just four times. Canisius is the second western New York program that McRae, the only Canadian coach in Division I baseball, has turned around. Prior to taking the job at Canisius, McRae led Niagara to school records for wins in both of his final two years. McRae has tapped extensively into his Canadian coaching connections, and has 15 players from north of the border on his roster. The Griffs are almost intact from a year ago, and the nucleus of the team is decidedly Canadian. Every starting outfielder is from Canada , as is senior 2B Kevin Mailloux, the team’s leading hitter. Sophomore LHP Shane Davis, who led the staff in wins and ERA, heads up an all-Canadian rotation.

 

PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP

C: Paul Panik, Jr. (.294-3-11).

1B: Connor Burke, Sr. (.270-5-23).

2B: Kevin Mailloux, Sr. (*.377-*12-*53).

3B: Kevin Mahoney, Sr. (.369-*12-52).

SS: Alec Cabello, Sr. (.321-0-35, *16 SB).

LF: Ian Choy, Jr. (.290-2-23).

CF: Branson Joseph, Sr. (.312-11-43).

RF: Shayne Willson, Jr. (.404-7-36 at Iowa Western CC).

DH: Brian Burton, So. (.277-2-32).

1/Starter: Shane Davis, So. (*12-1, *2.42, 89 IP/47 SO).

2/Starter: Alex McKenzie, Sr. (7-3, 2.85, *95 IP/*56 SO).

3/Starter: Mike Goemans, Jr. (7-2, 5.07, 76 IP/37 SO).

Closer: Ryan McGorman, Sr. (7-3, 2.85, *7 SV, 41 IP/41 SO).

 

BEST TOOLS

Best Athlete: Branson Joseph.

Best Overall Hitter: Kevin Mailloux.

Best Power Hitter: Kevin Mahoney.

Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Ian Choy.

Fastest Base Runner (60 time): Will Chomicki (6.7 seconds).

Best Base Runner: Alec Cabello.

Best Defender: Branson Joseph.

Best Infield Arm: Steve McQuail.

Best Outfield Arm: Shayne Willson.

Best Fastball (velocity): Alex McKenizie (93mph).

Best Breaking Ball: Benson Merritt.

Best Changeup: Ryan McGorman.

Best Command: Shane Davis.

 

TOP FRESHMAN PROSPECT: Benson Merritt, rhp. A 46^th-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds out of an Ontario high school, Merritt starts the year without a defined role on a veteran pitching staff. But it should be only a matter of time as the easy-throwing Merritt already brings his fastball in the low 90s, has the best breaking ball on the staff and continues to get better with each outing. He has plenty of room to grow and get stronger.

TOP SOPHOMORE PROSPECT: Shane Davis, lhp. Davis won more games than any freshman in the nation a year ago, but struck out only 47 in 89 innings in the process. His success stems more from finesse, feel and pitchability than raw stuff. He can dominate hitters with a fastball in the 85-88 mph range because it has plenty of life and he commands it precisely to both sides of the plate, especially at the knees. He also spots his slider and changeup with uncanny accuracy, and can throw any pitch in any count. One of the most efficient pitchers in the country, Davis rarely goes deep into his pitch-count, and completed 10 of 13 starts a year ago.

TOP JUNIOR PROSPECT: Shayne Willson, of. Equal parts hitter and pitcher when the Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 16^th round out of a Bristish Columbia high school in 2006, Willson spent two years at Iowa Western CC and concentrated more on swinging the bat, though his arm is still a significant tool from right field. Willson has an unorthodox approach to hitting, but is rarely fooled at the plate and has above-average power.

TOP SENIOR PROSPECT: Kevin Mahoney, 3b / Kevin Mailloux, 2b. On paper, there was little to separate the two Kevins in 2008. Mailloux hit .372-12-53 for the surprising Golden Griffins, Mahoney .369-12-52. And it would be almost redundant to point out that each had eight stolen bases and committed nine errors. Neither was drafted, but went on to enjoy solid—and somewhat identical—seasons in the Coastal Plain League, though Mahoney was a little more dominant and was selected the league’s offensive player of the year after topping the circuit in home runs. He has a balanced, mature approach at the plate and can drive the ball with power to all parts of the park. Mahoney’s defensive tools at third base are considered playable. Mailloux has a strong, pro-style body and creates excellent bat spin on all his swings. While his defense is adequate by college standards, he might be a step slow for second base at the next level and could become either a utility player or corner player due to his power bat.

--ALLAN SIMPSON