DANVILLE — In his 11 previous seasons on the field, Danville Dans manager Eric Coleman has seen approximately 500 players wear the team’s colors.
Over that time, Danville has won 344 games, making Coleman the all-time winningest manager in Prospect League history.
But, this year might be a first for Coleman.
When the Dans opened practice on Sunday at Danville Stadium, Coleman had 22 players on the field.
“We have a lot more players here on time this season,’’ said Coleman, who once played a playoff game with multiple pitchers in the field. “I’ve never really started a year like this. Usually, we are needing 10-15 temps (temporary players) to fill out the roster for the opening game.’’
According to new Prospect League rules, each team is limited to a total of 10 temporary players all season.
So, is that why the Dans have more players in town?
“I think it’s more because of the different rules in college baseball,’’ Coleman said. “These schools want these freshman getting out and playing and the college ranks have limited rosters for the postseason. They are no longer allowed to travel with every player on their roster.
“We’ve also had some of our schools get knocked out early in the postseason this year. The main thing, I’m seeing is there are a lot more kids hungry to play and compete — which is what I like.’’
Coleman also likes speed and pitching.
So, once again, he has built this Dans team to be aggressive on the basepaths but his main focus was power arms.
“On paper, we look good, but there are no paper champions,’’ Coleman said. “We have to go out and compete from game 1.
“Big-time arms win in this league and the success that we’ve had can be attributed to those type of pitchers.’’
Coleman pointed out guys like former Seeger standout Khal Stephen, who was recently promoted by the Toronto Blue Jays, former Mattoon and Eastern Illinois standout Hayden Birdsong, a part of the San Francisco Giants rotation, Tyler Fay, a Friday-night starter for Alabama and Josh Leerseen, the 2022 Prospect League Pitcher of the Year, as just a few of those big-time pitchers.
“I’m a firm believer that good pitching always beats good hitting,’’ Coleman said.
So, who are a few of the names to watch this summer for Danville on the mound, according to Coleman.
Jack Gleason, a 6-foot-1 right-hander from Mississippi State; Jacob Kinsley, a 6-4 righty from Florida Southern and Anthony Pesci, a 6-4 right from Alabama are already in town, while guys like CJ Sturiale, a 5-10 lefty from Louisiana Tech; Gavin McLendon, a 5-10 lefty from Folsom Lake College; Keisen Hayden, a 6-3 lefty from Folsom Kale College; and McCray Jacobs, a 5-10 lefty from LSU Eunice will be arriving in the next few weeks.
“McLendon is getting recruited by UCLA,’’ Coleman said. “Jacobs threw 30-40 innings at LSU Eunice and that’s the same program that sent us Ben Braymer, who pitched for the Washington Nationals.’’
On the offensive side of things, Coleman is excited to have Rives Reynolds, an outfield from Mississippi State; Conner Barth, an infielder from Folsom Lake College, who committed to Mississippi State out of high school; Asa Martinez, a catcher from Folsom Lake College; Kyle Campbell, an outfield from Louisville; and Josh Martin, an infielder from Santa Rosa Junior College.
“Martinez started every game for Folsom lake and he reminds me of a right-hander Nate Vargas,’’ said Coleman, comparing him to a former Danville Dan that batted .290 with 1 homer and 22 RBIs during the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The opening day roster for the Danville Dans also feature a pair of players with local ties.
Former Oakwood standout Dalton Hobick, a utility player from Kankakee Community College, will be part of the team in first few weeks while left-handed pitcher Nolan Decker, a freshman from Troy University, is the son of former Post 210 manager Adam Decker.
The 2025 season opens tonight with a 6:30 p.m. contest against the Terre Haute Rex at Danville Stadium.
It will be first Cheap Seat Tuesday with $3 admission, $3 hot dogs, $3 sodas and $2 Busch Lights. Tom Wagner of Country Financial is also sponsoring the home opener and the first 250 fans will receive a 2025 magnet Danville Dans schedule.
Regular admission price this season is $8 while children 10 and under are free.
New for 2025 is the “217 Night” where for $17, fans can get two tickets, and 2 Busch Lights.
Friday Night Happy Hours returns with $1 off all beers from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Sundays are Family Day with $2 off all adult tickets.
For more information on special nights and Danville Dans baseball camps, visit their website at www.danvilledans.com or follow them on social media @DanvilleDans.