Page 80 - DBU Baseball 25 Media Guide

2025 POSITION OUTLOOK
INFIELD
transferring to McLennan Community College, where he played a pivotal role in leading the team to the NJCAA Division I World Series last season.
The Patriots also add offensive firepower with Jake Bennett, a versatile transfer from San Jacinto College who can contribute both behind the plate and in the outfield. Bennett was a JUCO All-American in 2024 after slashing .337 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs, making him one of the most productive hitters at his level. Tyler Ness rounds out DBU’s transfer class, bringing an elite bat from Tyler Junior College, where he hit .372 and was named the Conference Player of the Year last season.
Hudson Ellis, Colton Roquemore, and Brooks Sartain are three highly touted freshmen looking to make their mark on the Patriot roster in 2025. Ellis, a standout from Round Rock, Texas, was named District Offensive MVP in 2023 and showcased his elite hitting ability throughout his high school career. Recognized as one of the top infield prospects in the state, Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 13 shortstop in Texas. Roquemore is a utility player that helped guide Argyle High School to a pair of state championship appearances and holds the school’s record for hits. He was also ranked the No. 22 shortstop in the state of Texas by Perfect Game. Sartain, a Fort Worth native, brings an impressive resume to DBU after earning All-Conference honors in all four seasons at Trinity Valley School. His talent was further validated by Perfect Game, which ranked him as the No. 39 overall prospect in Texas.
OUTFIELD
DBU’s outfield is stacked with talent heading into the 2025 season, featuring a formidable mix of experience, power, and elite defense. With the return of veterans Tom Poole, Nathan Humphreys, and Joey Nerat, along with the emergence of redshirt freshman Dylan Schlaegel and a trio of promising newcomers, the Patriots are primed for a dynamic year in the outfield.
Tom Poole transitions to the outfield after serving as DBU’s primary designated hitter last season. The senior from Calgary, Alberta, was an offensive force in 2024, earning All-Region honors after launching 13 home runs—12 of which came in a scorching 19-game stretch during the Patriots’ postseason push. Poole also led Conference USA in on-base percentage (.488) while ranking third in slugging percentage (.704) and fifth in batting average (.352).
Anchoring center field is Nathan Humphreys, one of the most decorated defensive players in DBU history. A former CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, Humphreys brings elite glove work and speed to the lineup. Over three seasons, he has started 152 games and looks to regain his offensive form after hitting .351 two years ago. His presence on the base paths is a game- changer, as his 37 career stolen bases rank sixth all-time in program history.
Joey Nerat enters his junior campaign with significant power potential. In 2024, he made 22
starts, belting five home runs and seven doubles while driving in 17 runs. With another year of development, Nerat could be poised for a breakout season.
A player to watch in 2025 is redshirt freshman Dylan Schlaegel, a 17th-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 2023 MLB Draft pick, who took a year to develop and refine his game. This past summer, Schlaegel showcased his skills in the West Coast League, where he was named to the league’s All-Star Team.
DBU also welcomes three highly touted freshmen who could push for playing time, including Park Prater, Colton Roquemore, and Bryan Williams Jr. Prater and Roquemore both come to DBU from an Argyle High School program that reached the state championship in 2022 and 2023. Prater is a two-way player who was ranked the No. 49 overall prospect from the state of Texas by Perfect Game, while Roquemore was a First Team All-State selection as a junior and holds the school’s record for hits. Williams is from Midwest City, Oklahoma, where he garnered First Team All-State honors last year and was rated the No. 2 outfielder from the state of Oklahoma by Perfect Game. He gained valuable experience last summer playing with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers in the MLB Draft League.
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