2020 Baseball Preview: Catchers

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University baseball team opens its 2020 season on Friday, February 14 in Wilmington, North Carolina. BryantBulldogs.com previews the 2020 team leading up to Opening Day.

Position: Catchers
Returners: Gaby Cruz (Miami, Fla.)
Newcomers: Alex Lane (Andover, Mass.), Brandon Taylor (North Smithfield, R.I.), Sam Sinisgalli (Milford, Conn.)

The Breakdown

Bryant's primary DH last season, Cruz takes over as the Bulldogs starting catcher this spring. Cruz has proven himself to be one of the premier hitters in the Northeast, collecting ABCA All-Northeast and NEIBA All-New England First Team honors last spring. He batted .354 with six doubles, nine home runs, 37 RBI and a .449 OBP on the year, setting career-highs in home runs, RBI and runs scored.

Cruz has started 46 games behind the plate in his Bulldog career and owns a .990 career fielding percentage. He's also controlled the running game, throwing out over 30 percent of base runners in each of the last two seasons. Last spring, Cruz threw out a career-high nine and committed just two errors in 160 total chances.

The 6-foot-5 Lane brings a power bat to the position. He led St. John's Prep to three state championship appearances and was a two-time Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic selection.

Taylor joins the Bulldogs after transferring from Monmouth University. A native of North Smithfield, Taylor played primarily in the infield for the Hawks but could see time behind the plate this spring. Taylor went 12-for-55 with three doubles, six RBI and 13 runs scored in 22 games for the Hawks last spring.

Sinisgalli made the team as a walk-on in the fall after a successful prep career at Foran High School in Connecticut. He was a member of the 2017 Connecticut State Championship team.