NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The Yale baseball team won back-to-back Ivy League titles in 2017 and 2018, adding a pair of NCAA Tournament wins in 2017. After a third-place league finish in 2019, the Bulldogs now seek a return to the top of the Ivy standings as the 2020 season begins.
 
The Bulldogs finished 12-8 in Ivy League play in 2019, losing a handful of close games along the way. The team lost a heartbreaker at Brown in late March before losing three consecutive one-run or extra-inning games in April. The Elis bounced back to finish the season on a 7-2 run, and a reversal in their fortune in close games could have them poised to continue that success in 2020.
 
After graduating a class of seniors which contained four MLB draftees, Yale is projected by the Ivy League 2020 Preseason Poll to finish fourth in the division. The Bulldogs, however, have the experience and the talent to exceed these expectations. Coach John Stuper is returning for his 28th season with the team, and the Bulldogs also have three returning 2019 All-Ivy players. 
 
The excitement around the team's new core was palpable in a statement made by coach John Stuper. "The guys have been getting after it and my optimism runs high," Stuper said. "We just lost an incredibly talented class that led us to the best record in the league over the past four years, but the current group is ready to write their own story."
 
Here is a team breakdown of the 2020 Bulldogs:
 
The Rotation:
The Bulldogs' starting staff is headlined by 2019 first team All-Ivy senior Alex Stiegler. After splitting time as an infielder and a reliever with an occasional start during his first two seasons, Stiegler blossomed on the mound in 2019. He proved himself as an electric starter and a workhorse, finishing seventh in the league in ERA (3.52), second in wins (6), and racking up 76 strikeouts in 76.2 innings. Yale's ace touches 91-92 MPH, and will also play the infield when he's not on the mound.
 
First-year Michael Walsh and sophomore Ben Gibbs look like they will get the first shots to slot in behind Stiegler in the rotation. Coach Stuper referred to Walsh as a "future pro" that "could be dominant," and the rookie certainly has the stuff to show for it. The La Grange, Illinois, native boasts a fastball that already touches 92, and complements his heater with a plus curveball and changeup. Gibbs sported a 3.06 ERA in 17.2 innings last year, holding opposing hitters to only a .226 batting average. The 6-5 righty has increased his velocity in 2020, and has the "best college changeup" that Coach Stuper has ever seen.
 
Two seniors, Tyler Sapsford and Thomas Espig, will also have a chance to the rotation this year. Sapsford can do anything from start to close, and has the ability to throw all four of his pitches for strikes. Espig, like Sapsford, may also find himself splitting time as a starter and a reliever.
 
The Bullpen:
 
Sophomore Rohan Handa ended the season as the Bulldogs' closer, and is poised to enter the 2020 season in the same position. The lefty reliever closed out 10 games in 2019 (fourth in the Ivy League), and has the ability to throw strikes, field his position, and control the running game.
 
Fellow southpaw Matt Erickson may find himself working the late innings to start the season. The junior finished 2019 with a 5.73 ERA, but struck out 16 batters in only 11 innings pitched. Senior Bobby Cecere will also make many appearances out of the bullpen. After an utterly dominant sophomore season, Cecere suffered a down-year in 2019. This off-season, he has developed a cutter to add to his fastball and slider and should be a key late-inning man for the Bulldogs.
 
Juniors Jackson Bandow and Cole Shelton, and sophomore Quinn Cleary, are also important returning bullpen pieces for Yale. Cleary and Bandow made 11 and nine appearances, respectively, last year, and both should see more action in 2020. While both relievers utilize big breaking balls, Cleary is a submarine pitcher who comes at hitters from a low angle, and Bandow is a hard thrower who will look to attack the top of the zone. Shelton, who also has a great breaking ball, will be used both as a reliever and in the field.
 
The Bulldogs' pitching staff has two key pieces that appear to be fully healthy heading in 2020. Senior Justin Ager, who has spent the past few seasons recovering from surgery, is a high spin-rate righty who could be an important part of the Bulldogs' bullpen. Sophomore Grant Kipp, who pitched only 2.2 inning last year, is coming off a more recent surgery. The 6-6 righty has the ability to touch 90 and will be eased back into the Bulldogs' relief rotation in 2020.
 
Yale also has three first years joining the bullpen this year. Pittsburgh, Pa., native Alex Frey is a lefty who has a high 80s fastball and a good breaking ball, and Burbank, Calif., native Carter Kessinger is a strike-thrower who can attack hitters early in the count. Josh Richardson delivers a nasty sinker and slider with his unique sidewinding motion, and will look to begin the season healthy after having shoulder problems in the past.
 
Catchers:
 
Junior Cal Christofori may steal more strikes than any collegiate catcher in the nation. The Bulldog staff loves throwing to Christofori, who plays a clean game behind the dish and will catch most of Yale's games. The third-year player also has some pop and solid OBP skills, as he reached base at a .330 clip in 2019. 
 
Sophomore Jake Gehri is the only other returning catcher on the roster. However, with Christofori poised to make most of Yale's starts behind the dish, Gehri may find himself as the designated hitter for most games. As a rookie, Gehri slashed a ridiculous .309/.382/.530, hitting seven home runs, seven doubles, and driving in 35 runs. The sky's the limit for Gehri's big bat, which yielded him All-Ivy honors in 2019 and will have him sitting in the middle of Yale's everyday lineup in 2020.
 
The Bulldogs are also adding two rookie catchers in 2020: first-years Jamis DeKay and Dylan Kim will provide much-needed depth for the game's most demanding position. The switch-hitting DeKay is currently recovering from surgery, but should provide some power from behind the plate when called upon. Kim is an excellent blocker with soft hands.
 
Infield:
 
Sophomore Mason LaPlante's sensational rookie season has Coach Stuper praising him in 2020 as "the best all-around player in our league." The 2019 second team All-Ivy player slashed .326/.423/.404 last season, knocking in 18 runs, scoring 29 himself, and stealing 28 bases on 30 attempts. LaPlante will hit somewhere in the top third of the lineup and has the glove skills to play both positions on the left side of the infield. He played third base last year, but will slide over to shortstop this season with the departure of former captain Simon Whiteman '19.
 
The middle infield is led defensively by second baseman Dai Dai Otaka. The senior has been nothing short of spectacular in the field during his first three seasons: he led the league in double plays turned in 2019 (41 – tied with Simon Whiteman '19), and finished third in assists (118). Otaka is poised again to start every game for Yale, and will look to complement his defense with a good year with the bat.
 
Fellow senior Brian Ronai spent most of his time in the outfield last year, but is in line to start at first base for the Bulldogs in 2020. After starting the year scorching hot, Ronai cooled off in the second half of 2019, but still finished with a respectable .227/.314/.426 slash line. Ronai proved himself as a true five-tool player, slugging four homers, stealing nine bases, and throwing out six runners from the outfield.
 
First year Carson Swank currently has the inside edge on filling out the Bulldogs' Opening Day infield. With LaPlante heading over to shortstop, Swank will man the hot corner. Like LaPlante, Swank has great plate discipline and the speed to be a threat on the basepaths.
 
Outfield:
 
The Bulldog outfield is led by juniors Harry Hegeman and Teddy Hague. The two lefties fit a similar profile, as they are both on-base machines with great defense, bunting skills, and the speed to swipe a few bags. Hegeman got on base at a .347 clip in 2019, stealing eight bases and leading the league with seven sacrifice bunts. Hague had only 36 at-bats in 2019, but slashed .361/.400/.444 when he was in the lineup. Both players' health is key to Yale's success this year: Hague had his season cut short due to surgery last year, while Hegeman has battled injuries of his own.
 
Fellow junior Jonathon Boulaphinh and sophomore Pierce Blohowiak will also compete for playing time in the outfield. Blohowiak played regularly as a first year, hitting .241 and stealing seven bases in 30 games played. He is one of the fastest players on the team, and could steal even more often this year. Boulaphinh has not played often during his first two seasons, but his serious power potential at the plate may afford him more at-bats in 2020.
 
Two rookies round out the Bulldogs' outfielders. First-year AJ Gaich is a speedy player who came in as a second baseman, but will spend most of the time in the outfield. The switch-hitting Medina, Ohio, native has the plate discipline and the bunting skills to hit at either the top or bottom of the Bulldogs' lineup. New York, N.Y. native Ben Metzler is another outfielder with good speed, and his glove will provide great depth for the Yale outfield.
 
Opening Day:
 
The Bulldogs begin their season on Feb. 21 with a three-game series against The Citadel in Charleston, S.C.  It is the earliest season opener in the history of John Stuper's 28-year Yale career. It also marks a return to the place where Stuper started his pro playing career, as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.