Nate Stocum

From being a walk-on with no guarantees to a First-Team All-SOCON outfielder, I have learned what it takes to work hard and help players reach their highest potential. My playing career wasn't filled with immediate success, there was a lot of work combined with research looking for ways to get better. With a lot of trial and error I finally started learning what worked for me while learning what had worked for other successful players. These skills have helped me impact our hitters and develop individualized plans to help them be the player they were recruited to be.

I played 3 years under Bobby Moranda who holds the record for the most wins in Western Carolina Baseball history, and 2 under Alan Beck who had a winning record at home in his first year for just the second time in 8 years. These coaches taught me the game in ways most haven't thought about, which gave me a strategic coaches mindset even when I played. Their guidance has equipped me to coach at a high level and build relationships with players while creating a winning culture.

Summer ball was one of my favorite parts of college baseball. Meeting like-minded players and coaches combined with competing and development is the best way any ballplayer can spend their summer. I had incredible experiences in the CVCL, the Valley League, and the New England Colligate League which has shown me how much coaches can impact a players summer in a positive way. I plan on enhancing every players experience if given this opportunity to coach for the Honeycrisps.

Given this opportunity, my recruiting strategy would be to bring a good bit of rising Freshmen in Division 1 baseball, a majority of them who are coming to Western Carolina, and combining them with veteran Division 2 studs and Junior College guys who have been there and done that. I played summer ball going into my freshman year, and the guidance I received from older veterans helped me mature at a much quicker rate to where I was one step ahead of the rest in my class when I got to school. 

On the offensive side, I will be looking for run scorers and run producers. The run scorers will be guys that get on base at a high rate, and that can steal bases and get into scoring position. Our producers will be guys who have the ability to slug, yet do not chase so they also take their walks when they're getting pitched around. When we combine the two, we will have a dynamic offense that can score not only when we are hitting well, but on off days when our guys aren't producing at the rate they should. 

Defensively we will be recruiting the combination of speed and power in the outfield, and getting consistently good defenders in the infield. If given the job, I will hire Gavin Mortenson as my assistant who works with our pitchers and infielders. Gavin is a perfectionist in the infield, and he keeps his teaching very simple and focused. Our infielders have started taking pride in their defensive work following Gavin's leadership, and he builds great relationships with our guys so they trust him when he gives them advice. I will work with our outfielders, and my focus will be very simple. Catch the ball in the air, and make the right throw! These things will be worked on daily in early work and BP. Outfielder's get their best reps in BP, so they will power shag weekly depending on how their bodies feel throughout the season. 

On the pitching side, we will recruit dependable strike throwers who have at least a good two pitch mix. Especially in summer ball, the fans and players love when their staff competes in the zone. It keeps the defense locked in and gets us back in the dugout quicker to hit. I will also be in communication with Bob to see what kind of players he wants to work with.

As of lineups and in-game adjustments, I do not plan on making very many subs. I've played under summer ball coaches who have played matchups and haven't let guys finish games they start, and it hurts players confidence and causes guys to leave. The players would have more freedom on the yard and the comfort level knowing they will continue to play helps them play better in the long run.

All in all, the opportunity to impact players lives and careers alone would be incredible, and doing it at a place like Hendersonville where our players talk highly of all the time would be my dream job. I'm very excited to be considered for this position!

2024 First team All-SOCON Outfielder

2024 WCU Player-Voted Captain

2023 Pre-Season Second-Team All-SOCON

2022 Valley League All-Star

2021 CVCL All-Star