CSN primed to defend No. 1 JUCO preseason ranking
LAS VEGAS (BVM) – The College of Southern Nevada’s baseball team doesn’t look like your typical junior college roster, and that’s because it isn’t.
Due to unique circumstances caused by Covid-19, the Coyotes this season will suit up players with connections to multiple Division I programs. The early result of this veteran-laden squad is a No. 1 ranking in Perfect Game’s Preseason JUCO Top 25.
CSN head coach Nick Garritano, in a recent interview with Perfect Game, puts into perspective just how unique this roster is.
“This is a very experienced, veteran club. We’re very old,” Garritano told Perfect Game. “Our catcher is a COVID-sophomore, he was at UNLV two years ago starting as a true freshman. Justin Olson is a transfer from Kentucky, he’s a two-year guy, he’s 20, 21 years old… Dax Fellows will play either third or short for us, it’s his third year here. He’s committed to Oregon, he’s a 20, 21-year-old. Damiano Palmegiani, our third baseman, is a third-year bounce back guy out of Cal State Northridge…There’s a lot of older, experienced guys that we’re going to depend on to carry the load.”
The Coyotes’ lineup is littered with Division I talent and Palmegiani’s recent commitment to the University of Arizona further cements that notion.
But this collection of talent didn’t come together completely by design. Every collegiate player being awarded an extra year of eligibility after the 2020 season was taken away due to Covid-19 which means many of the bodies Garritano has relied on in the past have returned. The 2020 MLB Draft was also shortened to just five rounds which led to an influx of high-end talent at the JUCO ranks. A myriad of high school players who would have likely signed professional contracts last year have instead chosen the JUCO route to stay draft-eligible in 2021.
It’s why Josh Swales will be a part of CSN’s ultra-talented rotation this season. Originally committed to play for Arizona, the No. 7 overall JUCO prospect for this year’s draft according to Perfect Game flipped to CSN when the draft was shortened.
Swales, Kris Bow (No. 5 overall JUCO prospect) and Johnny Cuevas (No. 20 overall JUCO prospect) will make up one of the most talented pitching staffs in the country.
“Josh Swales is a guy who if the draft is longer than five rounds there’s no doubt in my mind he goes on the second day,” Garritano told Perfect Game. “Without it going out to 10 rounds or anything, we end up with a 94-96 MPH arm that’s got great pitchability and physical makeup. Johnny Cuevas, a kid we had here last year, if they have a normal draft, there’s not a chance Johnny Cuevas is back here with us.”
CSN’s lineup has the same kind of pop.
Cole Schaefer returns after leading the club with a .377 average through 23 games last season and so too does Joey Walls who was second with a .354 average. Both Schaefer and Walls have been with the Coyotes for three years now. Palmegiani (No. 24 overall JUCO prospect), Fellows (No. 40 prospect) and Austin Plante (No. 55 prospect) each bring explosive bats to a deep lineup.
There’s no denying the talent on this CSN squad, and there’s also no hiding from the heavy expectations that come with it.
“Everyone’s ultimate goal is to wind up in Grand Junction, Colorado and hoist a trophy at the end of the year,” Garritano told Perfect Game. “With that being said, we feel like this is as talented a pitching staff as we’ve had since we’ve been here. It’s as athletic in the lineup as we’ve been, it’s as potent on offense as we’ve been since 2011, and we’re just hoping that everything falls into place.”
Of course, there will have to be cooperation from the ongoing pandemic, as CSN still plans to play a full 56-game slate. The Coyotes open their season as a host to Salt Lake City Community College on Saturday before welcoming Southern Idaho on Sunday. But the CSN athletic department announced that baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball and soccer will begin the 2021 season without fans.
Who is in the stands doesn’t matter nearly as much as who is on the field for CSN, and Garritano knows his guys stack up well against just about anyone else.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Garritano said. “We feel like this is going to be a year that we can take advantage of a very legitimate roster.”