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30 Responses to “The D3baseball.com All-American team”

1. Ralph Turner Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 12:39 am

   Jim, the addition of a reliever is a big improvement over last year’s team.

   Thanks for adding that.

2. Spence Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 12:54 am

   Boy, how good does Ryan Kulik have to be to get on the first team?

   I know the choices were tough for pitcher of the year (which I still think Kulik should have won), but to not even be first team? Wow.

3. AG Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 8:35 am

   I appreciate the hard work and thought that went into the selections. The only omission I see is JOE DEVLIN of Lynhcburg. Devlin was 9-0 with 3 saves, 1.04 ERA for the Hornets, and a .232 BA against. Very solid number which I thought would have been at least 3rd team worthy.

4. dixon Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 11:19 am

   I just one more player was added it would be Joe Devlin or maybe Dan Valentine or maybe…. I was just looking at who would compose a fifth, sixth and seventh team and wow. It is filled with players having equally great seasons. The bottom line is where do you stop. About 240 players received at least one vote which means about 75% of players that one can say “yeah he could be an All-American” does not make the final cut.

   Another relief pitcher “casualty” of just missing the cut is Jeremey Reubens, UW-Oshkosh.

5. AG Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 11:34 am

   Obviously, the line has to be drawn somewhere…much like the bubble teams there are bubble players.

6. SCHMEGMA Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 5:45 pm

   Jim,
   As a fan of Salisbury I am a little surprised by the omission of Ryan Bennick, He had the best number on the team and did not appear on the list. The creators of this list dropped the ball on this one, some should consider following a different sport. Ping Pong(Table Tennis) probably needs some uninformed supporters. Considering some of the stats for some of the members of your list, you should be sending out apologies to at least a dozen or so players who were omitted through biased favoritism and complete stupidity!
   The SCHMEGG

7. Spence Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 6:12 pm

   Having gotten more time to look at the whole list, I think there’s a lack of consideration for level of competition.

   At C, Coe’s numbers are almost as good as Price’s and I don’t think anyone would argue against the WIAC being a stronger conference.

   Have no argument at first with either Acevedo or Hedman or 3rd (duh). SS I think Bailey is probably the better player but Kolb hit .527, pretty tough to argue with that.

   2B — Clay Baker’s already signed a pro contract and had similar numbers to Mease with a markedly better fielding average.

   OF — I’d be inclined to put Weber-Shapiro, Owen, Bullis and Smith ahead of just about all of the first team.

   The BIG issues I have though are with pitchers and utility guys.

   The insistence on a relief pitcher to me is annoying enough (give me any starter on the list over a guy that threw 32 innings in the season), but then it was the wrong reliever? Dimitroff has everything over Matre except ERA, but Dimitroff played better teams, threw more innings, figured in more than double the amount of wins.

   I don’t get Wolf, who was good but not great as a pitcher and outfielder, and Ken Carroll whose pitching would be nowhere near good enough over Yacko. Yacko figured in 20 outcomes as a pitcher without a loss and was flat out filthy in doing so. Heck forget making him a UTL and just put him on as a pitcher over Matre if you have to. He was *the* best reliever in D-III, with very little argument.

   And how Kulik is third team is beyond me. I’d take Wolf off first team and add Kulik as another pitcher and not have a first-team UTL.

   After all, if this is supposed to be a functional team, there’s no position 11 — UTL — on the field.

   Devlin fits into this category as well, but didn’t face the same competition Kulik did.

   And Matt Tone, the ace from a Cortland State team that justified the hype, getting snubbed for third team by two stat-inflated players from Wooster and Salisbury, which didn’t.

8. dixon Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 6:45 pm

   Spence writes:
   The insistence on a relief pitcher to me is annoying enough…

   Your statement is justification enough when you write “give me any starter on the list over a guy that threw 32 innings in the season”.

   It would be difficult for anyone to get on an AA team if they were a reliever. I think you saw it last year and probably this year since starter’s have the sexy stats – wins, strikeouts, etc. Initially (2007) I thought that the utility position would pick up the relievers but this leaves out the pitcher who fills a niche.

   Like it or not, having a top knock reliever is an important piece of any team.

   I guess it should be pointed out that Wooster’s Miller played no role in which team Matt Tone ended in.

9. Spence Says:
   May 21st, 2008 at 8:24 pm

   I disagree that having a top notch reliever is an important piece of anything. I really fail to understand the concept. D-III used to play a good many more games and very few teams had designated closers. Kean’s save leader last year had 4. Marietta’s leader in 2006 had 4 and seven different pitchers had saves, including all 4 regular starting pitchers. Whitewater’s save leader in 05 had 3 and threw 6.2 IP. I didn’t go back any further but I don’t remember any “closers” anchoring national championship teams either. In D-III, I think it makes your staff worse unless you’re using a #5 or 6 pitcher as your ‘closer’.

   That said, I have no problem with Dimitroff or Yacko being on the all-american teams as relief pitchers and I don’t think very many people would. They figured in a ton of results, pitched more than just the 9th inning and ended up with nearly as many innings as many starters. They enabled their teams to prosper with shorter staffs by being able to eat up innings on the back end almost every game. Yacko also played a critical defensive position, or I have no doubt he’d have pitched more. And I still think Piedmont was better off starting Dimitroff against Hopkins.

   I’d rather have the guy that’s a cornerstone of the staff than the guy that “fills a niche.” The best pitchers in the country have great stats EVERY year because any coach with a brain puts the ball in their hands as often as is reasonable. If I’ve got a great pitcher, you better believe I want him throwing 90 innings as opposed to 30.

   Hrm this might be a good new contrarian indicator to try out.

   Other than Yacko, the leader in saves in the Series has 7 in 17 innings.

10. dukes Says:
    May 21st, 2008 at 8:30 pm

    Spence, I can agree with you that I dont think its that important to have a “reliever” on this team. While I think it is an important role in baseball in general, in D3 most of the good starting pitchers can finish the job for the CG. In my opinion, a guy who is just a reliever is probably not a better pitcher than the starter, or why would you have him in relief? The exception obviously is the UTL guys, who are crucial two way players who are needed to field there position and then come in at the end to close the door.

    After being disappointed with the poor representation of Midwest players, I realize that it is impossible to take all of the factors into consideration for this. These AA teams are based purely on numbers, and they dont take into account the level of competition, the fields they play on, the weather and so on. I congratulate these players with their numbers, but if you would take one of those southern players and make them play the majority of their games in sub 40 or 50 degree weather, crunched into a month long season with a few extra games at the Metrodome, or other large parks around the Midwest, the numbers would be different. But I realize that the voters are voting on who had the best statistical season, not the best players.

11. ducemup6 Says:
    May 21st, 2008 at 11:11 pm

    Can I get an explanation for this Wolf guy? How is he listed as a utility and a pitcher. THere has to be near 200 guys in the country who hit .321…that is certainly not special. His pitching numbers are pretty good, but come on he’s not even the best pitcher on his team. Who does he know to get on this team? Also check out a guy by the name of Kaufman on Juniata…led the nation in on base percentage hitting .417 with like 15 homers and was walked 55 times for an on base of .640…and hes not on here…guess ya gotta know the right people

12. Major Texan Says:
    May 21st, 2008 at 11:22 pm

    Dukes, I take exception to your statement that the southern players play in 40 and 50 degree + weather on a consistent basis. Our seasons start at the end of January or the first part of February. We don’t stop taking wool coats, gloves and blankets to the game until after the end of March – sometimes April. I sat at the SCAC Divisional Tournament at Millington USA Stadium with thermals under my “sweat” pants, wool socks, long sleeved sweater under another shirt and my wool coat plus gloves, hat pulled down over my ears and a scarf wrapped around my head, ears and neck, and I was still chilly. You may have to just trust me here…. temperatures between 28 and 38 are NORMAL for the first few weeks of a college baseball season in MY part of the South anyway !! Even if it’s a day game and the sun is shining. And we get a lot of wind in my part of the world, too. Probably, in all fairness, our winters aren’t as cold as they are up North, but they’re plenty cold enough for us, thank you very much !!

13. sbuPitch Says:
    May 21st, 2008 at 11:31 pm

    I like the inclusion of relief pitchers. I can personally attest to the value of Bzozowski. There is a reason Catholic was 21-0 when leading or tied after 6 innings and he is it. It is happening now at all levels of college baseball, having a guy that can lock down a lead is just as important as having a guy that can give you one.

    I agree with Ducemup6, Kaufman is a big omission. He would have easily hit 20 home runs with some protection in the lineup. The kid drew 50 walks this season, there was no reason to pitch to him with runners on base. He would see one strike per game and still hammer that. Teams planned their pitching strategies around him. Not only that but he played a perfect first base this year too.
    Not to take away from the other players, who did all have spectacular seasons, but Kaufman was the single best player I saw this year.

14. sbuPitch Says:
    May 21st, 2008 at 11:49 pm

    Dukes and Spence,

    The value of a dedicated relief pitcher is that he can throw in 25+ games over the course of the season. He can be your stopper in the middle of a game in a tight spot, or he can come in and slam the door in a tight game and then do it again the next day. He can have a direct impact on more games than a guy who is starting and maybe throwing once in relief in between starts.

    Sometimes guys become comfortable in a role and excell there, and you don’t mess with that success. Its the same reason Mo Rivera didn’t go back into the rotation in the mid 90s and the same reason Joba should stay in the bullpen. The last 9 outs are always the toughest to get, and sometimes its better to have your best guy fresh for those outs, especially if they thrive in that setting.

15. Spence Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 1:58 am

    sbuPitch:

    I don’t care if he throws in 25 games if that’s only 25-30 innings, then that’s not as much of a contribution than a starter that throws 90IP. If the reliever throws 60-70IP, then that’s starting to get a little different.

    If you were to throw your best pitcher 30 innings, you’d be hurting yourself because other teams are getting more innings out of their best. In most if not all cases, that’s not what is happening (again, Yacko is a very understandable exception). Miller’s not Wooster’s best. Maier’s not MSJ’s. Dimitroff might be Piedmont’s 2nd best but he threw almost enough innings to be a starter. Linfield’s closer is not their best or close. Real college coaches haven’t fooled themselves into thinking that there’s something sacred about being a relief pitcher.

16. Bostonian Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 10:53 am

    In the 10 years I’ve followed D III ball, I can only think of a handful of staffs that were led by its closer. Methodist’s Blake Maxwell, Brandeis’ Chris Lambert, and Tufts’ Aaron Narva (pre-injury) come to mind, but there must have been others. I do agree with Spence that almost all D III staffs will have their top pitcher starting on a weekend and that the “closer” spot is rarely filled by someone who is more talented than the 1 or 2.

    With that said, I don’t mind seeing a relief guy on the All America lists because I appreciate the lists looking like a complete team and honoring the value of having a lights out finisher.

17. oshdude Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 3:43 pm

    The closer at Oshkosh is important. See: Brian Gerl, 2007; Jeremy Rubens, 2008.

    I think it’s fair to say those two guys were not No. 3 pitchers on their respective teams.

18. dukes Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 4:00 pm

    I am not trying to say it is not important, but just probably not as important as a starter. Your point for Oshkosh is true, but then if you say that Rubens was their top pitcher, fine, but they went 2 and barbecue in the regional without using him for an inning. If he is my best, I would want him in a big game. Of course it is a major role in baseball, but like has been said by others, I have a hard time giving AA honors to a dude who throws 30-40 innings in a season as opposed to someone who is a better pitcher throwing 80 innings while starting. To me it is like if you have a great pinch hitter, who hits .600 with good overall numbers, but only gets a total of 60 at bats in a season because that is his “niche”.

    Major Texan: My apologies for the weather, and I respect you freezing to watch games too (although I think Texas freezing is different than Minnesota freezing ). I just know that about the time all the teams in the Midwest seem to take a trip south to get to warm weather, in March, they come back and have to play in sub 50 degrees through April. And when you guys get to start playing outside in January and February, the midwest has snow drifts on the fields until April. Im not blaming you, just a statement. I think its my fault I live here!!!

19. Ralph Turner Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    

    Hey, Dukes! why don’t you Minnesota teams come on down to Texas on your spring trip. After all, we are “in-region” games!

20. Spence Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 6:02 pm

    Dukes, you’ll have the laugh on the rest of us in July when you’re in Minnesota and we’re not.

    Having the Minnesota teams down at the Abilene Classic would certain revolutionize that event.

    Though what would help it most is the introduction of an ocean and a tourist industry. If somehow the event could be moved to Corpus Christi, teams would be lining up to come down.

21. dukes Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 9:41 pm

    Interesting idea. What do you mean you are “in region” games? I guess I didnt know that, because I cant believe you wualify in-region based on distance!

    And it might be a hard leave the oceans of Florida for the middle of Texas. That would be like leaving Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes, and going to South Dakota…and nobody wants to do that!! (sorry to any SD residents out there!!) I think it would be great to make a trip to Texas and play the “big boys” down there, but as I am sure it is for you guys, teams have been going certain places for years and change is hard. Besides, I do not know what year to year contracts schools here have. Finally, I have no say, but it would be GREAT to watch some good baseball. Maybe you Texas people will show some hospitality and foot the bill to make the trip, then I am sure it would be a done deal! And dont worry Major Texan, we have plenty of clothes “in da’ Nort!

22. Ralph Turner Says:
    May 22nd, 2008 at 10:18 pm

    FAQ on in-region games

    http://www.d3baseball.com/faq/category/NCAA+Tournament

    Question #5

23. Major Texan Says:
    May 23rd, 2008 at 1:07 am

    Yes… I’m quite sure you do have the clothes. Living in Minnesota, you may be familiar with the North Stars hockey team – you know, the one that moved to Texas and became the Dallas Stars? Complete with Mike Modano? Yes, they’re the ones. Now, when they get to play on their home ice during the playoffs, both teams complain about what the humidity does to the ice conditions. The connection between that explanation and baseball is this… we don’t have very much humidity to help us melt our “ice” on baseball diamonds in February and March, so we play on. (And yes, it’s true that San Antonio being further South and closer to the Gulf provides a few degrees of warmer air, and a little more humidity, but it still gets cold there.) And as far as the ocean not being in San Antonio – they have a terrific Riverwalk with some of the best food in the world. Ya’ll come, as we say in the deep south.

24. Ralph Turner Says:
    May 23rd, 2008 at 8:33 am

    dukes, here is the definition of “in-region”.

    http://www.d3baseball.com/faq/category/NCAA+Tournament

    See Question #5

25. Ralph Turner Says:
    May 23rd, 2008 at 8:34 am

    Dukes, the FAQ on the front page under National Tournament gives the definition of “in-region”.

26. d3baseballfan Says:
    May 23rd, 2008 at 11:58 am

    I agree with sbuPitch on Kaufman (Juniata) not being on the list. I saw him play several times this spring. On multiple occasions, he was intentionally walked with no one on base and no outs to start an inning. On several occasions, his team was leading by 8+ runs when he issued the IBB. That is a new form of respect or coaches trying to keep their jobs. Hopefully, the ABCA will not make the same error of omission.

27. BaseballFan Says:
    May 23rd, 2008 at 2:38 pm

    I think its funny the talk about weather, i dont doubt the “chilly” temps in Texas I dont think they compare to Minnesota. Average high in Abilene, texas in January low 50/60s, in April high 80s. In Minnesota in January you hope to see double digits, in April you hope to get out of the 50s.

    I typed in Duluth MN into trusty weather.com On april 1st it was 43 degrees, may 1st it was 40.

    Abilene TX 66 degrees on april 1st, may 1st 91 degrees
    I agree it might be feel cold in Texas, just dont think it compares to Minnesota weather and its pretty hard to hit a homerun in 30 degree weather, cant feel your fingers and the ball doesnt not fly

28. d3reader Says:
    May 23rd, 2008 at 6:07 pm

    This team isn’t legitimate. Who selects this? Is there a group in each region that evaluates and forwards names to a selection committee? Or are a bunch of un-identified web guys trying to follow all of D-III baseball (Ha! – there’s only about 360 of ‘em, and I’m sure you’re doing a thorough job…) then getting getting together over a beer to pick their own All-America team? There are guys on this team who were not even all-conference at those positions!!!
    The “d3baseball.com all-america team” is a joke. And not even a very funny one.

29. admin Says:
    May 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 pm

    Reader:

    Similar to the process we use for D3football.com and D3hoops.com All-Americans, which are very well received. There are about 240 football teams, 395 men’s basketball teams and 425 women’s basketball teams.

    It’s nice to see the Juniata contingent here. Wish we heard from you year-round and not just when you feel someone’s been wronged. That’s how we’re going to grow the D3baseball community the way the others have grown.

30. Spence Says:
    May 24th, 2008 at 1:53 am

    Not to try to overshadow the d3 list, but the ABCA team has been selected.

    http://www.titans.uwosh.edu/NCAAChampionship/2008/BaseHits/AllAmericans.html

    David is POY.

    Of the guys noted here…
    Coe 1st team
    Yacko 1st team
    Kulik 1st team
    Devlin 2nd team
    Tone 2nd team
    Dimitroff 2nd team
    No one from Juniata.
    No one from Mount St. Joseph.

    No duplicates at any position on the first team except UT.

    Trinity had three guys that pitch for them selected in the 1st 2 teams. The last time I can find record of that happening was in 1992 with Huffman, Mettler and Frafjord at Marietta, the ONLY other time it’s ever happened. Huffman was the only first teamer of the MC trio in 92, making Trinity the first to ever place 2 on the first team and one on the 2nd.

    Chapman had 2 pitchers on the first team for the 3rd straight year and a pitcher on the first team for the 4th straight year.

    The last time a national champion did not have a 1st team ABCA all-american pitcher was in 2001 and 2002. Before that the last time was 1997. Between 92 and 96, no champion had one. Don’t know if that’s meaningless trivia or indicative of a paradigm shift in which a top end pitcher is essential.

    If it’s the latter, then Trinity and Chapman are on a collision course.

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