Positional Previews: Catchers

MACON – After spending the previous two days going over Mercer's pitching staff, we take a look at the other half of the battery where we see four newcomers and a returning Eli Stephens filling out the Bears' catching unit.

Eli Stephens
Sophomore | L/R | 6'2" 215 | Catcher/Outfielder

Stephens marks the only returning backstop from last year's roster. The Warner Robins, Georgia, native made 29 appearances and 18 starts last season for the Bears. Stephens began his collegiate career with a bang when he mashed a two-run home run against Georgia Tech last year. The Houston County High School product finished his freshman season with a .267 batting average across 60 at-bats with 11 RBI, three home runs and two doubles.

Head Coach Craig Gibson on Stephens – "Eli has improved drastically for us behind the plate this offseason. He's athletic and versatile which gives us an avenue to use him in a corner outfield spot as well."

Dylan LaPointe
Junior | R/R | 6'1" 2015 | Catcher

LaPointe begins his first season at Mercer after spending the previous two years at FAU. Throughout his tenure as an Owl, LaPointe made 62 appearances (44 starts) and racked up eight home runs, seven doubles and 24 RBI. The Valrico, Florida, native has tremendous power and will enter the season as the Bears' starting catcher.

Coach Gibson on LaPointe – "Dylan brings a lot to the table. He's going to be a major bat in the heart of our order. He brings a lot of strength and physicality with him and he will be our anchor behind the plate."

Luca Perriello
Sophomore | S/R | 6'0" 200 | Catcher

Perriello began his collegiate career at Virginia Tech where he made four appearances for the Hokies. Although Perriello did not see many at-bats, the Sharon, Pennsylvania, native mashed his first official collegiate at-bat over the fence for a grand slam against Bucknell last year (how can you not be romantic about baseball?). Perriello played high school ball at Augusta Christian School where he received South Carolina Independent School Association (SCISA) 4A All-State honors while lifting the state championship in both his junior and senior years.

Coach Gibson on Perriello – "We were glad that we were able to bring Luca a little closer to home. He's had a strong start to the spring and if he can stay healthy, I believe he could really contribute for us."

Nathan Rowland
Freshman | R/R | 6'1" 200 | Catcher/Outfielder

Before enrolling at Mercer, Rowland concluded an impressive high school career at North Paulding High School. The Acworth, Georgia, native maintained a .317 batting average while throwing out 70% of runners attempting to steal on him while behind the dish his senior year. In his final high school season, Rowland received Georgia Dugout Club Senior All-State honors while leading the Wolfpack to the elite eight. Rowland, listed as both a catcher and as an outfielder ahead of his inaugural collegiate season, is expected to primarily see action as a corner outfielder.

Coach Gibson on Rowland – "The arm talent on Nathan is electric and he's extremely powerful. We believe he could be very valuable for us in the outfield but he has the ability to catch and we are not abandoning that."

Gabe Gonzalez
Freshman | R/R | 6'4" 200 | Catcher

Gonzalez, a top-100 recruit from the state of Florida, brings a variety of tools behind the plate. Listed at 6-foot-4, Gonzalez' towering frame generates a lot of arm strength and power in the batters' box. Gonzalez played high school ball at The Bolles School where he won a district championship his junior year, and he also played travel ball for the East Cobb Astros under head coach Josh Burress.

Coach Gibson on Gonzalez – "Gabe is an extremely talented true freshman that will be one of the building blocks that our team will be built around the next few years. He reminds me of Collin Price, who is currently in AAA with the Astros, and I believe Gonzo has what it takes to reach the next level."

Players Mentioned

Gabe Gonzalez

Dylan LaPointe

Luca Perriello

Nathan Rowland

Eli Stephens

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