Tyler Stovall can hit. But he can pick it, too—behind the dish, in the outfield and on Wall Street

To catch or not to catch – that was the conundrum Central Michigan University head coach Steve Jaska had to face when Tyler Stovall first arrived on campus. One thing was certain, though: Stovall’s big stick was going to be in the Chippewas’ lineup one way or another.

“Just his hitting talents alone are key to having him on the squad,” Jaska said. “He is a talented kid, and we figured out last year what he could do. It gives us flexibility to move him around if we need to, or we can rest one of our catchers or move them somewhere else, while we move Tyler to another spot.”

After spending his freshman and sophomore seasons primarily behind the plate, Jaska experimented with moving Stovall to the outfield in the fall before the 2007 campaign. The move worked out as Stovall led the Mid-American Conference in batting average (.391), hits (88) and RBIs (59) while tying for the lead in runs (58). He also was second in steals (20), third in on-base percentage (.462) and total bases (127), and was fourth in slugging percentage (.564). His season included a 21-game hitting streak, as well, as the Chippewas finished season 35-21 overall and 21-6 in MAC play.

In December, Stovall was earned 2008 Louisville Slugger preseason third-team All-America honors and also is on the 2008 Wallace Award preseason watch list.

Stovall’s move to the outfield certainly wasn’t because of poor performance behind the plate. Jaska raved about Stovall’s accurate arm and his work with the pitching staff when he was behind the plate.

“He is so bright, and he is very good with our pitching coach each individual pitcher’s game plan,” Jaska said. “He also gives you input with regards to exactly how that particular pitcher is throwing that day. If he sees something, he is good at letting us know what it is, and we make adjustments for the game plan for that particular game.”

If Stovall had to choose, he said he would prefer catching on a regular basis, where he has played since fifth grade. He likes being in charge but also understands what the position can do to him physically.

“I really like the control you have over the game,” he said. “But at the same time it takes a toll on your body over the years.”

Jaska has yet to hear a complaint from his star hitter, who moved seamlessly into rightfield and occasionally mans center. He believes being adept at more than one position will only help Stovall’s chances of moving on to the next level.

“I think he got so comfortable understanding that it is whatever it is to help the team,” Jaska said. “Let’s face it—for every young man who wants to play professional baseball, there is nothing to think about. If he puts up the same numbers as he did last year, and obviously he can do it at more than one position, he will continue to mature as a player.”

Even while he is learning the ins and outs of new positions and isn’t 100-percent certain where he’ll be playing from game to game, Stovall said he doesn’t let the uncertainty distract him from what he is trying to do at the plate.

“I just try to keep what happens defensively and what happens offensively separate,” he said. “That shouldn’t affect what happens at the plate.”

A season after hitting almost .400 and nabbing preseason All-American honors, Stovall isn’t satisfied. Jaska said now that teams are aware of the way balls explode off his bat, Stovall is practicing his bunts to catch opposing infielders on their heels.

“Because he can run, he wants to bunt better,” Jaska said. “He figures, ‘This year, if they are going to give me that, I should have the opportunity to take it.’”

Oh, and the kid can run your portfolio, too. The owner of a 3.81 grade-point average studying personal financial planning, Stovall ranked fifth out of almost 2,000 college students nationwide at the January halfway point of the Barron’s Challenge stock-picking contest.