FIU wraps up fall baseball with 50th anniversary season just two months away

When the 2023 college baseball year opens in February, it will mark the 50^th anniversary of FIU’s first season.

FIU, called the Sunblazers at the time before later changing to Golden Panthers and now Panthers, didn’t have an on-campus baseball field during that inaugural season.

The leading FIU hitter that year was Danny Price, who batted .350 and had the first hit in program history. Price went on to become FIU’s all-time wins leader as its head coach (1,033-604 in 27 years).

Fast forward a half-century, and new coach Rich Witten has 16 newcomers among his 40-player roster.

Witten, hired on June 23, inherits a 16-34 team that hasn’t made an NCAA regional since 2015. Aside from a 10-5 record in the COVID-interrupted 2020 season, the Panthers haven’t had a winning year since 2014.

Given the abundance of baseball talent at South Florida high schools, FIU’s lack of recent success is confounding.

With fall baseball camp having recently concluded, here are five takeaways regarding the program:

1. STRENGTH AND WEAKNESS

Center fielder Alec Sanchez is FIU’s best overall player.

Sanchez, a lefty hitter, started all 50 of FIU’s games last season, leading the team in hitting (.274), doubles (10), triples (five), homers (10), runs (36), RBIs (36), slugging percentage (.528) and OPS (.885). He also stole nine bases in 12 attempts, and he did not make an error.

The team’s weakness could be a lot of things considering the Panthers won just 16 games. Certainly, pitching is a major question. The other glaring weakness, on paper, is finding a catcher who can hit consistently among the three who are competing for the starting job: Brendan Rooney, Ronnie Medina and Craig Palidar.

2. PITCHING UNCERTAINTY

Witten said the roles on the pitching staff have not yet been defined.

But the guess here is that the weekend rotation will feature lefty Ryan Cabarcas, who was FIU’s best pitcher this fall; sixth-year senior Christian Santana, who has a live fastball but has been injured almost his entire career; and Angel Tiburcio, who was a reliever last season.

“Ryan has a great combination of competitiveness and good stuff,” Witten said of Cabarcas, who started his career with the Florida Gators. “He’s undersized (5-foot-10), but he doesn’t throw anything straight.”

The midweek starter could be Orlando Hernandez, son of former MLB star “El Duque.” Orlando has the best changeup on the staff.

“He gives you a lot of tough looks,” Witten said. “He has a true four-pitch mix. He will also vary his arm angles. You rarely see the same pitch from the same slot.”

3. CLOSER NEEDED

Pitt transfer C.J. McKennitt (0-0, 7.24 in 21 appearances) and VCU transfer Evan Chenier (2-0, 4.80, 19 appearances) are candidates for the back end of the bullpen.

McKennitt has a 95-96-mph fastball and a hard, sweeping slider. Chenier doesn’t throw as hard (89-91 mph), but he pounds the strike zone.

4. SOLID INFIELD

The starters set up as lefty-swinging first baseman Adrian Figueroa; second baseman Dante Girardi, who had the best fall of any FIU hitter; shortstop Steven Ondina, who is the Panthers’ fastest player and the non-pitcher with the strongest arm; and third baseman Marcus O’Malley, a lefty hitter who made the Atlantic 10’s All-Freshman team last season while playing for VCU.

Noel Perez is also a candidate at third base, and Miami Hurricanes transfer Henry Wallen could compete for time. Both are lefty hitters.

5. OUTFIELD CORNERS

Hurricanes transfer Mike Rosario, a fifth-year collegiate player who has battled injuries, will hit and pitch for FIU. The lefty hitter/pitcher will likely line up in right field.

“Mike can hit, defend and pitch,” Witten said. “He can also juggle, play pickleball, and I’m sure he’s probably a great dancer, too. Everything comes easy to him.”

Robert Sotolongo, a fourth-year player, is the frontrunner in left field.

“(Sotolongo) is a fiery guy,” Witten said. “He crowds the plate. He gets hit by pitches. He draws walks. He gets great reads on balls in the dirt. “He may not have one standout tool, but he’s a throwback.”