Outfield Options Aplenty

As we gear up for the 2021 University of Houston Baseball season, we take a closer look at the team in our four-part positional preview series featuring Cougar pitching (Feb. 1), catching (Feb. 4), infield (Feb. 8) and outfield (Feb. 11).

HOUSTON – There is no shortage of talented options in the outfield for Houston heading into the 2021 season highlighted by returners Tyler Bielamowicz and Steven Rivas.

Bielamowicz, a .274 career hitter, has played in 151 games and made 122 starts for the Cougars. The Cypress, Texas, native ranked third in the American Athletic Conference with eight stolen bases in 2020 and posted a team-best 12 walks and .456 on-base percentage.

Rivas, a middle-of-the-order-type bat, has shown elite-level power during his time at Houston. Like Bielamowicz, Rivas contributed nine RBIs and 13 hits a season ago. The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native struck three homers in 14 games in 2020.

"He'll hit balls sometimes and you'll just say 'wow, that ball was really hit hard,'" head coach Todd Whitting said of Rivas. "Line drives go over the fence for him. He has the ability to hit a little bit too. He's definitely going to be in the mix for us."

Sophomore transfer Brandon Uhse had a standout fall in his first semester with the program. The Mansfield, Texas, native led the junior college ranks with 28 stolen bases at Weatherford College in 2020 one season after pacing Stephen F. Austin in hits (59) and runs (33).

After missing the 2020 season, sophomore Andrew Papantonis put his power on display during the fall and could contribute in the outfielder or at designated hitter. Second-year freshman Rey Mendoza totaled five RBIs in nine games during 2020. Sophomore Johnathon Thomas is back for his third year with the program after contributing off the bench in 2019 and 2020.

"Papantonis has done a great job competing in the outfield," Whitting said. "He had some arm issues he's coming off of so you may see him in the DH role but he led our team in home runs in the fall. Brandon Uhse and Johnathon Thomas have had great competition in center field. It's been fun watching them push each other. You can go on and on with the amount of depth we have out there."

Redshirt sophomore Cole Turney, who spent his freshman season at Arkansas, was a key contributor at San Jacinto the last two seasons including batting .300 alongside a team-best eight doubles in 2020.

Sophomore Derek Abeln comes to Houston after two seasons and a .341 career average at Johnson County. Freshman Samuel Benjamin was tabbed Texas' No. 25 outfielder in high class by Perfect Game and was a two-time team captain at Katy's Seven Lakes High School. Senior Ryne Edmondson brings a wealth of experience after spending two seasons at Houston Baptist, one at Cisco College and another at Utah Valley where he helped the program to a WAC title and NCAA Tournament appearance.

Freshman Evan Maldonado, freshman Samuel Tormos and sophomore Hayden Winters are all considered individuals that could make an impact at multiple positions across the field. Maldonado was a career .393 hitter at Sharyland Pioneer High School, Tormos was a district offensive MVP as a senior at Van Alstyne High School and Winters batted .371 in 2020 at Cypress College.

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Tyler Bielamowicz

Rey Mendoza

Andrew Papantonis

Steven Rivas

Johnathon Thomas

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