Southern Miss brings in 18 new faces for the highly anticipated 2023 season. The Golden Eagles will add a slew of new faces to the pitching staff but will also feature new names in the lineup as well.
Tate Parker
The Pearl River CC transfer’s accolades speak for themselves, as he garnered several junior college All-American honors and was named the National Player of the Year for the Wildcats’ national championship run.
Parker batted .450, drove in 65 runs, hit 19 home runs and stole 18 bases. It’s to be seen if Parker will beat out former PRCC teammate Reece Ewing in left field. Southern Miss coach Scott Berry has said that the lineup will change based on whether it’s a left-hander or right-hander pitcher.
However, Parker’s bat is likely too potent to leave out of the lineup, as he could likely move into the designated hitter spot if needed.
Matthew Etzel
Etzel was rated by D1Baseball.com as the top junior college transfer in the country. At Panola College, Etzel posted a .433 batting average, hit seven home runs, seven triples, 19 doubles, drove in 49 runs and stole 20 bases.
Etzel quickly secured the starting job as centerfielder and will be the leadoff hitter for the lineup. Etzel is a five-tool player as he has speed, power, fielding, and hitting, with his weakest being throwing, and that’s being picky.
Etzel will add not only more power to the lineup but speed around the bases that the Golden Eagles definitely missed last year.
It’s safe to assume that Etzel will be a one-year wonder for USM, as he will likely be a hot commodity for the MLB Draft.
“He has won the center field job,” Southern Miss coach Scott Berry said. “He really excited us in the fall. He is a really nice player. He’ll probably hit in the leadoff, certainly at the top of the order. He’s a big strong left-hander hitter. He plays the outfield really easy. He’s one of the best centerfielders, having played this fall compared to what we have had in the past. He makes it look really easy.”
Tyler Martin
Martin is a transfer pitcher from Nebraska who was dismissed from the program last May due to violating a team rule.
Whatever the case, the 6-foot-2 left-hander will be a go-to arm out of the bullpen as he brings four years of experience. Martin holds a career ERA of 5.29 across 49.1 innings and 43 appearances.
Last season, Martin had a team high of 20 appearances as he posted a 4.32 ERA, struck out 24 batters and walked 11.
Billy Oldham
Oldham, a Brookfield, CT native, helped lead Eastern Connecticut to the Division III national championship this past year. Eastern’s national championship win was its first in 20 years and it’s fifth in program history. On the mound, the right-handed pitcher put up a 2.53 ERA, struck out 120 batters, and walked just 24 in 96 innings pitched. In his 16 starts, Oldham recorded a 12-2 record and a 1.04 WHIP.
Oldham will likely begin pitching as a midweek starter. Oldham has had highs and lows in the fall and spring scrimmages, with the biggest adjustment being facing Division I hitters. However, Oldham, who tops out at 92 mph, has several dependable secondary pitches, including an elite breaking ball.
JB Middleton
Middleton is one of several freshmen that will see the mound this season. However, Middleton has gained some noticeable attention as he brings one of the most potent arms in the bullpen, as he has touched 97 mph several times during the fall and spring. Middleton compliments his fastball with a strong slider. Middleton could assume the role of closer later in the season, but without question, he will be a regular arm out of the bullpen.
The Benton Academy product recorded a 1.37 ERA, struck out 91 batters and walked 24 in 41 innings pitched.
Nick Monistere
Monistere comes into the Southern Miss program as one of the most decorated true freshmen. Monistere was named the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year and the state’s SBlive Player of the Year in his senior season at Northwest Rankin, where he helped guide the Cougars to a 6A state title.
Monistere will be a two-way player for Southern Miss as he will see time at second base if Gabe Lacey, a Tennessee Tech transfer, struggles. However, he will be another option out of the bullpen.
Monistere posted great numbers for the second straight season as a pitcher, helping lead the Cougars to the 6A State Championship with a 34-3 record and a No. 5 national ranking by Baseball America. He was 11-1 with a 1.53 era.
In 73 innings of work, he struck out 115 batters with 22 walks. Opponents hit just .188 against him. At the plate, Monistere hit .422 with eight home runs, 37 RBI, and 33 runs scored. He had 13 doubles and three triples with 18 stolen bases.
“I really feel his presence will be felt more on the mound than as a position player,” Berry said. “He’s got an electric arm. He has real pitch ability as does JB Middleton. Middleton has been very exciting to watch this past fall. He has a really good breaking ball and has a great presence on the mound. It’s one that’s much older than his age appears. They have a lot that they can bring to the table for us.”
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