BEAUMONT, Texas - 11 days remain on the calendar before the 2019 Opening Day for Lamar University baseball, and that leaves just enough time for the final position preview story - the catchers. A junior college transfer, a returning sophomore, and a freshman make up this year's slate behind the plate.
RETURNING CATCHER
RHETT McCALL – SO. – C – MONT BELIEU, TEXAS – BARBERS HILL HS
Rhett McCall is the lone returning catcher from 2018, which was his freshman season. The Mont Belvieu, Texas, native appeared in 18 games for Lamar with 11 starts at catcher or as the designated hitter. He had a three-game hit streak in 2018 and was named Freshman of the Year by the Texas Collegiate League after hitting .361 for the Acadiana Cane Cutters with 56 hits in 155 at-bats. He finished second in the NCAA-sanctioned wooden bat league in batting average and fifth in RBIs. McCall came to Lamar after leading his high school to the playoffs in each of his varsity seasons. He was a two-sport athlete that lettered in football and baseball and an All-District and Academic All-District honoree.
"Rhett really turned the corner this summer with his development," said head coach
Will Davis. "Coming off his freshman year we wanted him to play a lot and he accomplished that, while also playing at a high level. He returned to campus this fall a much more confident player."
NEWCOMERS
Jorge Gutierrez comes to Lamar after a season at Texas A&M and another at Alvin Community College, and
Brennan Lambert joins the Cards out of Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La.
JORGE GUTIERREZ – JR. – C – FORT BEND, TEXAS – ALVIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE / TEXAS A&M (KEMPNER HS)
Gutierrez played in 37 games for Texas A&M in 2017, including 22 starts, and he hit .214 with 13 runs, three doubles, one triple, and four home runs. He collected 16 RBIs with two stolen bases and registered a .337 OBP and .417 slugging percentage. Gutierrez was especially dangerous with runners in scoring position, hitting .333 on the year.
In his 42 games at Alvin CC Gutierrez hit .295 / .614 / .391 with 39 hits including seven doubles, one triple, and 11 homers. He scored 25 runs and drove in another 40, and he drew 21 walks. As a catcher he fielded at .979 in 233 total chances with a 25.8 caught stealing percentage, picking off eight runners.
"Getting Jorge on campus will be huge for this program," said Davis. "He already has Division I experience at the highest level, played in the SEC, helped his team reach an NCAA Super Regional, and went to Omaha. He fills two immediate needs in being able to come in and catch and hit in the middle of our order with power from both sides of the plate."
BRENNAN LAMBERT – FR. – C – BATON ROUGE, LA. – CATHOLIC HS
Lambert accrued an 87-25 record as three seasons as a starter at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, La., including three 5-5A District Championships, two semi-final appearances, and a runner-up finish in the state tournament. As a sophomore he hit .280with 18 RBIs, a 29.6 caught stealing percentage, and was named 2nd Team All-District. As a junior he hit .353 in 2017 with two home runs, 32 RBIs, an 18.3 percent caught stealing percentage, and earned 1st Team All-District honors as well as a District 5-5A Golden Glove. His 2017 season also earned 1st Team All-Metro, Louisiana Sportswriters Association 5A All-State, Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association 5A All-State, and Honorable Mention Rawlings-Perfect Game All-American honors. His senior season was his best though with a .358 batting average, driving in 29 RBIs. He was named District 5-5A MVP, 1st Team All-District, 1st Team All-Metro, Louisiana Sportswriters Association 5A All-State, Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association 5A All-State, and Honorable Mention Rawlings-Perfect Game All-Southeast Region in 2018.
The 2019 season starts on Feb. 15 with the first of three games against LIU Brooklyn.
