With the 2016 Dutchmen season drawing closer, the team is bolstering the pitching staff with the addition of three young pitchers that will arrive in Albany with loads of upside. Each of these players is connected with a high-level program, and the Dutchmen are pleased to welcome Jack Owens (Bryant), Michael Maul (Trinity University) and Nick Silber (Rice).
Jack Owens comes to the Dutchmen from the nationally ranked Bryant Bulldogs, who check in at No. 18 in the newest Perfect Game poll, and sit at 36-9. The pitcher's father is Steve Owens, the longtime coach of Bryant. Owens has not played in 2016 for the Bulldogs, and signed with Bryant after an accomplished prep career. At Scituate High School, the righthander was a two-time All-Division pick, and played in the Rhode Island All-Star Game as a senior. He also helped propel Scituate to the state final four in 2013, and was a two year captain. Owens will be the second Bryant pitcher to don the Dutchmen uniform, joining 2013 pitcher Jimmy Davitt, who is one of Bryant's weekend starters.
A pipeline from Division III's number one team is extended with Maul, who joins Trinity teammates Nick Jewett, Taylor Hoesen, and Dylan McGee as players who will have spent time in Albany. Maul has not pitched in 2016, but made nine appearances last season for the Tigers. In those nine outings as a freshman, Maul recorded a 2.13 ERA in 12.2 innings, striking out eight hitters with five walks. As a senior, the Houston native was an Honorable Mention All-District selection, and he excelled both at the plate and in the field. Maul brings a solid lefthanded arm to the Dutchmen bullpen, and will look to follow in the footsteps of his teammates who have turned in great summers in the Capital City.
The addition of Silber continues a Dutchmen tradition of bringing in talented high school seniors from New York, including Ernie Clement (Virginia) and Jack Weiller (Virginia). Silber is finishing his final season at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, where he has been stellar for the Big Red. In his most recent start on Monday, Silber threw a no-hitter with seven strikeouts. Perfect Game named Silber as one of the top ten players in the state of the New York, as well as one of the five best righthanded pitchers. The New York City native was honored as a Rawlings-Perfect Game Honorable Mention All-American, and was twice named an Underclass Honorable Mention selection. Next season, Silber joins the Owls, who are currently ranked No. 20 in the nation by Perfect Game and boast two former Dutchmen- infielder Grayson Lewis and catcher Dominic DiCaprio.
The three younger pitchers give the Dutchmen some youth and versatility in the pitching staff, and the upside of this group will be intriguing to watch for Dutchmen fans. The organization is happy to welcome this group of pitchers, each of which will attempt to emulate the success their collegiate teammates have experienced in the PGCBL.
