Featured photo by Ryan Loftis
Story by Conner Smith
With the MTSU baseball season less than a month away, the final decisions for who will suit up for the Blue Raiders this spring are upon us.
The Blue Raiders lost several key pieces from the 2023 team that nearly won the CUSA title. However, it has some key pieces that will be called upon to step up in 2024. Here is a list of the top five MTSU players primed to make a major leap this year.
- Ollie Akens
Akens is entering his sophomore year with the Blue Raiders where he saw a decent amount of action.
The righty out of Sweetwater, TN was used mainly as a platoon pitcher. He came out of the bullpen for long relief, was used in spot starts and even closed out some games.
After his freshman season, Akens threw 34.1 innings and was off and on throughout the year. He compiled a 4.50 ERA, 21 strikeouts, one save and a 2-0 record in his first year.
At the end of the season, he was named to the CUSA All-Conference Freshman team.
With Akens in his second year in the system, along with getting to work with first-year pitching coach Adam Wisniewski, Akens could push for a top spot in the starting rotation or bullpen.
- Matt Schepel
Schepel comes to MTSU via Western Carolina with two years of eligibility remaining.
The 6 feet 5 inch righty has plenty of upsides, especially being able to work with head coach Jerry Meyers and Wisniewski.
In his final season at WCU, Schepel compiled a 4.75 ERA, struck out 28 batters through 30.1 innings and only four walks as he compiled a 2-1 on the year.
Schepel has plenty of physical attributes, especially his increased velocity.
One of his main issues last year was the lack of speed on his pitches. With his training, he now sits low to mid-90s.
He flashed his potential last year, and now with the development from MTSU, Schepel could turn out to be MTSU’s ace this season.
- James Sells
Sells was the true workhorse of the Blue Raider pitching staff last year, ranking second on the team with 65.1 innings pitched. Sells’ ERA rose significantly in the last month of the season when he pitched through some injuries.
Beyond that, Sells has an impressive K/9 at 7.3, while collecting six saves.
During that rough stretch, he walked 19 batters, ending in more runs allowed.
That has been a big focal point this offseason and with the work he has put in, Sells should be back to his dominant self.
- Patrick Johnson
Johnson was the second-best starter last season behind Jaden Hamm. Now, it is his time to take that ace spot.
Johnson caught fire the second he stepped on the mound. His first two starts were wins over FIU and WKU where he allowed just two runs through 12.2 innings.
He then hit some difficulties as all freshmen do but finished with a good first season. He even got experience in some big-time games in the CUSA tournament.
At the end of the year Johnson was named to the CUSA All-Conference Freshman team after his efforts.
Building off that and another year in the system and Johnson is the true ace for this staff until someone takes it from him. Look for the righty from Chattanooga to make a big leap.
1.Clay Badylak
Badylak comes in at number one for top breakout players due to his success at the JUCO level.
The middle infielder transferred this year from Frontier Community College in Fairfield, IL, and is amazing at the plate. Although he lacks power as he did not hit a home run last year, he gets on base at an astonishing rate.
Badylak boasted a .355 batting average and .486 on-base percentage while driving in 16 runs. Badylak comes from an offense that does not get many base runners on so his RBI numbers are deceivingly low.
With a new team that is constantly giving him opportunities to drive runs in and being able to work with hitting coach Kevin Nichols, Badylak could be what Jeremiah Boyd was for the Blue Raiders.
Conner Smith is a sportswriter for MTSU Sidelines. If you have information for a story, you can contact him at cws4t@mtmail.mtsu.edu. For more news, visit www.mtsusidelines.com. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @mtsusidelines, or on X @MTSUSidelines.
