The advent of the transfer portal has fundamentally reshaped the roster-building process across the NCAA landscape and the Michigan baseball team is no exception. Plugging in graduates across the field in the form of Benny Casillas at shortstop, Matt Spear at catcher and Jeter Ybarra at first base, the Wolverines sought to maximize experience throughout their lineup.
And yet, Michigan also sought to invest in their future, giving two true freshman playing time to develop: utility player Tyler Inge and outfielder Brayden Jefferis.
“We actually said, ‘You know what, we’ve got really good freshman infielders coming in, but boy, wouldn’t it be nice if we could go get some middle guys that have some experience to allow these guys to progress into the role at a pace that maybe is more appropriate for them,’ ” said Wolverines Coach Tracy Smith said Feb 7.
For Inge, this middle guy was Casillas. As Casillas is currently amounting to one of the top shortstops in the country, the freshman has accordingly amassed most of his starts in midweek contests. Out of these 14 starts, Inge has been plugged all throughout the field, making most of his plays at shortstop or third base.
While being groomed to take Casillas’ starting spot, Inge has held his own. Errorless on the season, he’s made all the routine plays expected for him. Offensively, Inge posts a modest .229 batting average. Although, he’s shown up in big moments, most recently against Central Michigan where he swung aggressively on an 0-2 count for two RBIs and the lead.
Inge has also been Smith’s go-to guy whenever a member of the infield falls to an injury. Against the Chippewas, Inge replaced senior third baseman Cole Caruso after Caruso was injured fielding a ground ball. Against Ohio State, Inge was called up to pinch run for Casillas to try to preserve Michigan’s fragile 1-0 lead. Even though he’s being primed for shortstop, these live reps — however they come about — are integral in creating an infielder who understands where his role starts and where others begin.
While Inge is still on his way to become a starter, Jefferis has cemented his place in the lineup.
Jefferis earned his first start against Penn State, where he went four-for-five, while generating four runs. Since then, he’s moved up to the two-hole, now batting .310. This has complimented Casillas’ high on-base percentage and regularly generates scoring opportunities early in the order.
Most recently, this duo helped will Michigan over the Buckeyes in Game 2. Both Jefferis and Casillas earned two doubles while scoring three runs each. Jefferis’ aggressive approach on the plate and base paths not only puts him regularly in positions to get hit in, but also elevates his most consistent teammate.
And alongside putting runs on the board for Michigan, Casillas’ has taken on a mentoring role for Jefferis.
“I love (Jefferis),” Casillas said postgame. “I look at him like a little brother and then we stood back-to-back in the lineup, so that’s pretty cool. I like to get on base for him and he’s been doing a hell of a job in that two hole for us.”
But beyond the staggering hits, Jefferis has had clear development in the outfield. Listed as an infielder, Jefferis has all but forgone that plot, starting Michigan’s last eight contests in the outfield. Jefferis has put his athleticism on clear display, snagging all-but-uncatchable balls for flashy outs. He’s been so adept in the outfield that Smith opted to shift him and junior left fielder Jonathan Kim for one at-bat in Game 2 of the Ohio State series simply because a left-handed batter was at the plate.
“The first and second inning had two balls out in right field — a position that (Jefferis is) just learning by the way — and he went out and made two awesome plays out there,” said Wolverines assistant coach Brock Huntzinger postgame.
With a fair bit of Michigan’s lineup aging out of college baseball, there will be clear holes to fill in the offseason. While the transfer portal will inevitably still bring needed talent to the Ray Fisher Stadium, home-grown talents like Inge and Jefferis are sure to contribute to winning baseball as well.
