Baseball Season Preview: Outfield

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University baseball team opens its 2022 season on Friday, February 18 in Greenville, North Carolina. BryantBulldogs.com previews the 2022 team leading up to Opening Day.

Position: Outfielders
Returners: Matt Woods, Shane Kelly, Derek Smith, James Myler
Newcomers: Matt Smith, Sam Parks

The Breakdown

Bryant returns three veterans in Woods, Kelly and Smith, but will need to replace the offensive production that James Ciliento provided the last five years. 

The trio is more than capable of filling the void, having combined for 34 extra-base hits a season ago. Smith was an All-NEC First Team and NEC All-Tournament selection a year ago. After finishing the COVID-shortended 2020 season with a bang, Smith kept it rolling in 2021, slashing .321/.404/479 with 12 doubles, four home runs and 39 RBI. Woods was an ultra utility player a season ago, seeing time at nearly every position. He hit .314, had a .407 OBP, stole nine bases and tied for the team lead with 46 runs scored.

Kelly is back for his fifth year and has been productive when not battling injuries. He's appeared in 124 career games, posting 24 doubles, 13 home runs and 66 RBI. Bryant's final returner in the outfield is James Myler, a sophomore from Middle Island, N.Y. Myler did not play in a game last season for the Bulldogs but has looked strong in the fall and winter.

Bryant will welcome Matt Smith as a transfer and Sam Parks as a true freshman. Smith is a JUCO transfer, while Parks played at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts.