New Look FIU Baseball Ready for 2022

Miami, Florida – It’s almost here, the start of college baseball is nearly upon us and there’s a reason to be excited for FIU in 2022. For those who didn’t follow, Florida International narrowly missed making the C-USA Baseball Tournament fighting all the way until the last weekend of the season against Middle Tennessee. However, even if they did claw their way in, 2021 was a very disappointing year finishing 20-31.

The Panthers stunk at the plate ending up in the back end of a lot of categories including being tied for dead last in home runs. They were one of the worst in Conference USA when it came to the pitching too.

Nearly every pitcher be it a starter or reliever was above an ERA of 5.00. Angel Tiburcio, Garrett Rukes, and Steven Casey were the exceptions. Only Tiburcio remains. Whether in conference play, on the road, or at home, FIU baseball was not consistent. They found no success against their crosstown rivals either.

The Miami Hurricanes obliterated them at home 21-1 and lost 8-3 when they traveled to The Light. Very little went right but the good news is that’s history. Coach Mervyl Melendez is back and he’s got two new faces in his staff including a huge name likely very familiar to folks if you’re a Marlins fan.

Spent the day with @FIUBaseball and Former @Marlins Mr.Marlin Jeff Conine The newest @FIUBaseball Coach This Sunday night at 11:30 @7SportsXtra @wsvn pic.twitter.com/IKIBX5YhuV

— Mike DiPasquale (@mdipasquale7) February 17, 2022

That’s right guys, Mr. Marlin himself Jeff Conine was hired to be an associate head coach. His duties include being the hitting coach and guiding player development. The two-time World Series champion brings a ton of experience that may vastly improve the program.

Which leads me to another known individual.

After five seasons Derek Cartaya has completed his college career returning to the program as a volunteer assistant coach. I find this to be absolutely awesome since he was the face of the team. If not, certainly the heart and soul.

So with the new season and new staff, it’s time to look at some of the players to watch for 2022.

4️⃣8️⃣ hours. Time to get the vibes right. #PawsUp 🐾 | #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/Qcl2nEsUiN

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) February 17, 2022

Returning Players

Adrian Figueroa

This is hands down the best player when it comes to FIU’s hitting. Only two Panthers started all 51 games in 2021: Adrian Figueroa and Steven Ondina (more on him later). Figueroa was the team’s first baseman hitting .324 with a pair of dingers and 32 RBIs. Essentially a pure contact hitter. With a .397 OBP he led the team in a few categories including hits (59), multi-hit games (15), batting average, and doubles (12).

🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Congratulations to Adrian Figueroa on being named Freshman All-American by @CBNewspaper!#PawsUp 🐾 | #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/fYIFlL9wdz

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) June 9, 2021

He was second in slugging (.423), RBIs, run scored (36), and total bases (77). The now sophomore also had a 12-game hitting streak during 2021, the longest by a Panther freshman since Brandon Gomez in 2014. Gomez was swinging the hot bat for 15 straight. Figueroa became the first freshman since Edwin Rios in 2013 to lead the Panthers in batting. In need of accolades? He was named to the C-USA All-Freshman team and named Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball.

Steven Ondina

Appearing in every game last season, Steven Ondina was the regular starter at shortstop. Hitting .265 with one home run (the first of his career versus FAU) and 21 RBIs, Ondina had a .337 OBP drawing 16 walks and six steals. Recording nine multi-hit games, the sophomore ended the year on a 17-game hitting streak. That’s fairly impressive. Another interesting stat is Ondina was tied for the fourth most triples (3) by a freshman in FIU history. The Panthers are hoping he has an even better 2022.

Ready for a treat? Here’s Puerto Rican Steven Ondina showing off the defensive tools at short. 2020 Draft eligible. pic.twitter.com/5TNbCuu02M

— Prospects Live (@ProspectsLive) July 22, 2019

Dante Girardi

His first year was a forgettable one hitting .215 with one homer (a career first at Miami no less) and 17 runs batted in. Dante Girardi’s best game of the season was arguably at Florida Atlantic going 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. Speaking of, Girardi had six multi-RBI games but much improvement is expected in year two.

With his dad in the stands, Dante Girardi notched 3 hits and 2 RBIs in today's @USABaseball #NHSI18 quarterfinal victory for @SportsCalvary: https://t.co/OEgd1M5gHT pic.twitter.com/vRLYVJutSh

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 29, 2018

Jan Figueroa

With 14 appearances and one start, Jan Figueroa closed out 2021 3-3 with a 5.72 ERA. The reliever tossed 28 and a third innings allowing 18 earned runs with 25 punchouts. Opposing hitters did not have much difficulty against him batting .306. Figueroa’s only save was against Marshall and his sole start at Charlotte. The team’s pitching was a weakness and Figueroa was no exception. His best season so far was his sophomore year posting a 4.03 ERA with 24 appearances. In 2019, he led the Panthers in saves (5) as opponents hit .261 at the plate. If the righty can return to this sort of performance, it would be a boon for the bullpen looking to improve.

New Guys, New Hope

Jayden Melendez

Guys, I’d like you to meet Jayden Melendez. The son of head coach Mervyl Melendez, he’s not only been named Preseason C-USA Freshman of the Year but is also a potential draft pick. The athletic catcher has a good build complemented by strength. Melendez is very quick behind the plate with a strong, accurate arm. According to scouts the rising backstop also has good flexibility allowing him to find success at blocking the ball. Offensively he’s a right-handed contact hitter able to find the gaps although sometimes late in pulling the trigger. Not only is Jayden quick with his hands but is also a speedster on the base paths. Certainly, one of the interesting stories to follow in 2022. He replaces Ben Rozenblum who transferred to South Florida.

Video of 2021 Jayden Melendez (FL) going deep today at PG Junior National pic.twitter.com/pyCO3m5j7Z

— Perfect Game USA (@PerfectGameUSA) June 12, 2018

Patrick Pridgen

Time to highlight a transfer from Oregon. Patrick Pridgen spent three seasons at North Iowa Area Community College and while that may not sound impressive he put up good numbers. Appearing in 19 games Pridgen made 16 starts finishing his career 8-4 producing a 3.40 ERA. For specifics, the hurler allowed 33 earned runs (43 total) striking out 97 in 87.1 innings pitched. Pridgen issued 29 free passes making it a 3.3 K/BB ratio. He also averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings. Whether as a starter (preferably) or a reliever, the righty is a welcomed addition.

NIL Athlete Patrick Pridgen throwing 🔥!

🔥 FB sitting 95-96
📈Up to 19” V Break / 12” H Break@FIUBaseball pic.twitter.com/oy0N5a09kp

— Kevin J. Walsh (@Kevin_Walsh025) January 7, 2022

Ryan Cabarcas

Another transfer this time from the Florida Gators. Ryan Cabarcas made 12 appearances out of the bullpen tossing a little over nine innings achieving a 6.75 ERA. Cabarcas had one save against Ole Miss. The southpaw is definitely a work in progress but scouts say he is athletically built with a long arm able to sync everything when he sets his pitch working in the zone. Cabarcas wields an 87-90 mph fastball alongside a slider and changeup. If he improves his stuff oh man will he light it up.

#Gators LHP Ryan Cabarcas announces his transfer to FIU pic.twitter.com/P9MAezRnjr

— Nick de la Torre (@delatorre) August 18, 2021

Carlos Anziani

Originally a Michigan commit, Carlos Anziani has four pitches to call on. The big guy uses his fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup on the mound giving him plenty of starter potential. Using his strength Anziani can almost reach the mid-90s with his curveball being one of his best showing depth and an average spin speed. Anziani’s changeup can fool hitters into swings and misses making him a potentially nasty thrower.

Looking at the schedule

Two non-conference matchups stick out early in the season. St. Thomas makes for an interesting opening weekend opponent. According to D1 Baseball, the Tommies were so good in athletics they jumped to Division I from D3 joining the Summit League for the 2022 season. Coming off their best year, they have a strong pitching staff that posted a cumulative 2.68 ERA returning two key starters. Their lineup doesn’t have a lot of power but they’re patient and hit for contact. Four of the team’s top five hitters are back carrying enough speed to challenge Jayden Melendez’s arm.

Michigan is the following weekend (and Seton Hall) bringing in another good rotation starring Cam Weston, a Big Ten Pitcher of the Year candidate assisted on offense by Clark Elliot and Ted Burton. In the second weekend of conference play, they’ll be on the road in late March against C-USA Baseball Championship runner-up Louisiana Tech, one of the teams that advanced to the regionals.

After that, they have another tough opponent hosting Old Dominion to kick off April. They’ll also host conference powerhouse Southern Miss later in the month. Fortunately, they close out the season facing Middle Tennessee (home), UAB (away), and Rice (home).

Let’s not forget the home-and-home series versus UM!

Prediction

Florida International will finally have a winning season finishing 28-22, at the very least standing at .500, earning themselves a spot in the C-USA championship. We should see a visible improvement on the pitching side comprised of Patrick Pridgen, Christian Santana, Kevin Martin, and Ryan Cabarcas. The bullpen will be anchored by the duo Jan Figueroa and Angel Tiburcio. Seemingly solid in these areas, the real question is can the hitting do the same? They certainly have the tools for it and will likely be in the thick of it.

.@d1baseball & @BaseballAmerica Preseason C-USA Freshman of the Year?

Our guy, @Jmldz19 💪#PawsUp 🐾 | #PantherPride pic.twitter.com/YoSADjAA2a

— FIU Baseball (@FIUBaseball) February 10, 2022

Beyond the conference postseason, there is little else expected. I really want to see the performances of the new guys on the team and how much they contribute to the squad’s success. If they find success. With a new season comes renewed hope and it seems Merv and company are poised to get back on track.