The recent history of the Joliet Admirals has not featured favorable on-the-field results, but with new manager Tom Barry comes hope that a resurgence is on the horizon.
The Admirals are coming off an 11-30 season that saw them finish 17 games behind first-place Southland and 12 back of Lexington for the final playoff spot in the Midwest Collegiate League. The 2014 season marked the team’s first year as the Admirals after previously being known as the Rockford Foresters.
The franchise hasn’t had a winning season since 2011, but there is a history of success as Rockford won the league in 2010 and finished as the runner-up in 2011. Barry, an assistant coach at Division-I Chicago State, plans to waste no time in guiding Joliet to a postseason return.
“My plan is to really change the atmosphere of the Admirals and bring a winning culture,” he said. “Our goal is to make the playoffs, and beyond that win a championship. I have all the confidence in the world that we’ll be able to do that. I want to put together the best experience I can for these guys.”
Barry is in his third season as a member of the Cougars staff under head coach Steve Joslyn. During his playing career, the southpaw pitched at Northern Illinois after graduating from Providence Catholic High School.
Barry played summer ball with the VeePak Hawks of the Chicago Suburban Baseball League, the Quincy Gems of the Prospect League and the San Luis Obispo Blues of the California Collegiate League.
“Summer ball is a great thing,” Barry said. “It gives guys an opportunity to step outside of their comfort zone and play with players from all over the country. They get to come together and meet new guys. It helps that there’s no class or school going on, the only thing that these guys have to worry about is baseball.”
Five members of last year’s Joliet team are back for this summer. Pitchers Quinn Ahern (North Iowa Area CC / Chicago State), Ryan Van Volkenburg (Maryville), Steve Waldrop (College of DuPage) and Brendan Miller (SIU Edwardsville) all return from a pitching staff that was the strength of last year’s team. The only position player back is outfielder / catcher Justin Kovalsky, a junior at Benedictine.
Ahern has seen a spike in his velocity this season after leading Joliet with a 2.89 ERA in eight starts a year ago and earning a Midwest Collegiate League All-Star appearance in the process. Barry expects him to be a key member of the Admirals pitching rotation.
Joliet will also feature two players from No. 15 Iowa as catcher JT Sole and LHP/OF/1B Nick Allgeyer will both play for the Admirals. Allgeyer owns a 2-0 record and 3.48 earned run average in 10 games on the mound as a freshman. He has issued six walks and recorded six strikeouts. Sole hasn’t receive immediate playing time, but the Iowa staff has big plans for the freshman’s future.
“They’re coming from an Iowa program that is receiving top-25 votes, so they know how to win,” Barry said. “I want to bring in guys that know how to win, so I’m excited about those two.”
University of Minnesota infielder Micah Coffey was the first player to sign with the Admirals this offseason. Coffey, a left-handed batting freshman, is another player to watch this summer, along with power-hitting first baseman Anthony Bragg (Elgin CC).
High school seniors Tyler Paulsen (Illinois State commit) and Steven Skolarz (uncommitted) will both pitch for Joliet.
“I’m excited about those two young guys coming in so that they can head off in the fall with all the confidence in the world, knowing they can compete at the Division-I level,” Barry said.
Barry plans to utilize structure that will include a pregame routine, organized batting practice and a throwing schedule for pitchers.
“My goal is to win every game and make these guys better ballplayers,” he said. “I’m hoping they show up every day ready to do that. I’m looking forward to this season and winning a championship this year.”
To view the full 2015 Admirals roster, click download attachment.