Today we look at a pair of Mustangs who were on the periphery in 2017. Both should have a chance to play a much larger role next season. 

Craig Colen

Season Synopsis

Craig Colen will be pitching for the SLO Blues this summer. By Owen Main

We’ll start with the pitcher here. This season, Colen appeared in 14 games — all in relief. Colen finished with a 4.30 ERA, but his control of the strike zone seemed decent. The sophomore from San Francisco struck out 16 batters in 14 innings while walking just four. Despite this, hitters managed a .305 batting average against him. 

A righty out of the pen

If Austin Dondanville moves to a starting role next season, something that could be possible, look for Craig Colen as a candidate to step into the longer relief role from the right hand side as a junior in 2018. Colen will spend his summer in San Luis Obispo playing for the Blues.

Colby Barrick

Season Synopsis

Barrick was a local (Santa Ynez) kid from a local junior college who saw some success in his first year as a Mustang. In his junior season, Barrick, a junior from Hancock College in Santa Maria, put up good numbers in limited appearances. Despite being one of four Mustangs to hit over .300, Barrick was playing a little less as the Big West season wound down. Presumably the left-handed hitter will be a favorite to start at a corner outfield position in 2018 — Kevin Morgan and Josh George both graduated. 

Barrick’s 89 at-bats were 10th-most on the Mustangs this year. One thing that could help him be a more effective everyday player might be getting his strikeout rate down. It was nearly 30% last year. Of Barrick’s 27 hits, five were for extra bases and he drove in 14 runs. Him getting a little better at everything would make him a really valuable weapon for Larry Lee in 2018. 

Barrick will spend the summer in Bellingham, Washington, with the Bellingham Bells.