Stanford’s baseball team showcased their potential in its inaugural fall ball game of the season on Saturday, securing a 7–4 victory over San José State University. After a disappointing 2024 season that saw the team win only 40% of its games and miss out on the NCAA tournament, the Cardinal is optimistic about reversing their fortunes as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 season. In this first exhibition match, the squad demonstrated flashes of impressive pitching talent and offensive prowess, but also highlighted several areas that require improvement before the official season commences.
Stellar opening from pitcher Matt Scott
Coach David Esquer limited his emerging star, junior pitcher Matt Scott, to just three innings on the mound—but Scott maximized the opportunity with an exceptional performance. Showcasing his versatility, Scott adeptly alternated between three pitches: a fastball hitting a consistent speed of 93 mph, an elusive changeup clocking in at around 82 mph, and a sinking slider that left batters swinging at air for strikeouts. By the conclusion of his three innings, he had yielded no hits and issued just a single walk, forcing San José to wait until the fifth inning for their first run.
Having declined a 20th-round MLB draft opportunity from the Texas Rangers straight out of high school, the junior pitcher began his collegiate journey as a relief pitcher. Now, he is positioned to lead Stanford’s rotation this season as the ace. If his performance on Saturday is any indication, Scott is ready to step into this crucial role with confidence and skill.
Cardinal offense keeps the line moving
Fans who followed Stanford baseball in 2023, a memorable season that culminated in a run to the College World Series and an impressive win rate of nearly 70%, will recall the team’s relentless, mechanical style of offense. Scoring opportunities would often lead to a cascade of hits—each single or double fueling the next, creating lopsided scorelines. With nine key players drafted into the MLB since last season, this offensive continuity was notably absent in 2024, leaving fans yearning for that high-scoring magic.
However, in Saturday’s game, the Cardinal offense revived memories of its dynamic performance from 2023, particularly during the electric third inning. After sophomore outfielder Brady Reynolds drew a walk, junior designated hitter Jimmy Nati followed with a single that advanced Reynolds to third base. Junior first baseman Brandon Larson then drove him home with a solid single, and senior catcher Charlie Saum added to the score with an infield single of his own. With Larson and Saum advancing to second and third bases on a wild pitch, senior shortstop Trevor Haskins capped off the inning with a decisive double that brought both home, resulting in four runs despite the Cardinal already having two outs. The momentum was thrilling, echoing the offensive juggernaut of the previous season.
Sloppy base-running produces unnecessary outs
While the game saw success, it also underscored critical areas needing refinement, particularly base-running. The Cardinal committed three avoidable outs throughout the contest, much to the frustration of the coaching staff. The first occurred in the third inning, prior to the offensive explosion, when sophomore third baseman Sebastian David hit a lead-off single but was caught attempting to steal second base. Had he remained on base, Stanford’s run tally for that inning could have been higher than just four.
In the seventh inning, two more base-running mistakes further marred an otherwise competitive performance. After Reynolds singled with only one out, he was caught off guard trying to advance on a ball that San José’s catcher dug out of the dirt and accurately threw to second base. Moments later, Nati secured a two-out walk only to find himself trapped in a rundown, straying too far from first base. Stanford was fortunate that San José only managed to score four runs; in a tighter contest, these three unforced errors could easily have changed the outcome of the game.
Other notes
- Batting Order: Temo Becerra 2B, Brady Reynolds OF, Jimmy Nati DH, Brandon Larson 1B, Charlie Saum C, Trevor Haskins SS, Saborn Campbell OF, Ethan Hott OF, Sebastian David 3B
- Notably absent from this game was freshman phenom Rintaro Sasaki, whom Stanford recruited last February. Sasaki holds the record for the most high school home runs in his home country of Japan, creating significant anticipation for his eventual debut.
- Aside from base-running mishaps, the Cardinal offense hit into three double plays, which is excessive for a single game. These occurred with Brady Reynolds in the first inning, Saborn Campbell in the second, and Brandon Larson in the fifth, suggesting a need for improved situational hitting tactics instructed by Coach Esquer.
- The most challenging moment for Stanford’s defense arrived in the seventh inning. Shortstop Trevor Haskins misplayed a grounder, allowing San José runners to reach first and second base. Both would later score on a powerful double to left off of Cardinal relief pitcher Ben Reimers, adding stress to the Cardinal’s defensive game.
- The only home run of the game was by Stanford catcher Charlie Saum, who launched a two-run blast in the eighth inning, scoring Brandon Larson from first base. Saum’s timely homer provided the Cardinal with two crucial insurance runs as they headed into the ninth, where closing pitcher Trevor Moore secured the win by effectively shutting down San José’s offense.
**Interview with Stanford Baseball Coach David Esquer**
**Interviewer:** Coach Esquer, congratulations on the team’s victory over San José State in their inaugural fall ball game! How does it feel to see the team back on the field after a challenging 2024 season?
**David Esquer:** Thank you! It feels great to be back out there. I think the players really needed this game to shake off any rust and to remind themselves of the potential they have. We’ve faced some ups and downs in the recent past, and this win is definitely a step in the right direction.
**Interviewer:** One of the standout performances came from junior pitcher Matt Scott, who did not allow a hit and recorded a remarkable three innings. Can you speak about his development and what made this outing particularly impressive?
**David Esquer:** Matt has really worked hard to transform his game. He declined the MLB draft because he wanted to develop his skills further, and it’s paying off. His ability to control his pitches and switch between his fastball, changeup, and slider has made him a real asset. Limiting him to three innings was strategic, but what he delivered in that time was nothing short of exceptional.
**Interviewer:** The offense seemed to have a resurgence, especially in that third inning where the team scored four runs. How important is it for you to see the offense clicking again, especially after losing several key players to the MLB draft?
**David Esquer:** Absolutely! That inning was reminiscent of our 2023 season when we had that relentless offensive style. It’s critical for the team to find that rhythm again, especially with the new roster dynamics. Seeing players like Brady Reynolds, Jimmy Nati, and others stepping up gives us hope for the upcoming season.
**Interviewer:** Despite the win, there were a few base-running errors that you mentioned during the game. How do you plan to address those before the season starts?
**David Esquer:** Those mistakes are tough, especially when they’re avoidable. We’ll be emphasizing base-running drills in practice. It’s important for the players to understand when to be aggressive and when to exercise caution. These little mistakes can cost us in closer games, so we need to refine that aspect of our play.
**Interviewer:** With the season approaching, what are your main goals for the team heading into 2025?
**David Esquer:** The main goal is to build on this foundation and create a cohesive unit that plays smart and tough baseball. We want to reclaim our competitive edge and get back to the postseason. It starts with maximizing our potential in practice and believing in what we can achieve.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Esquer! Best of luck as you prepare for the upcoming season.
**David Esquer:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and can’t wait to show everyone what we can do.
