Privateer Baseball 2024 Preview: Catchers

The Privateers have had a history of catchers who have made big impacts behind the plate. Though Jorge Tejeda graduated, the position is still in great hands with Miguel Useche, a third-year Privateer who will lead a stout group of four men on the catcher depth chart.
 
Useche, entering his final collegiate season, has been a doubles machine. The Venezuela native has 32 doubles (16 in each season) from 2022-23. Last year he earned All-Louisiana Honorable Mention and he hit .298 in 55 games. Useche also had a knack for drawing free passes with 29 walks and 10 hit by pitches last year.
 
"We obviously had a great defensive catcher in Tejeda last year but Miggy is right there with him," said Head Coach Blake Dean. "He is somebody who everybody likes and respects. He is a mature guy who will be a big part of the middle of our lineup. Having a guy like Miggy who is very mature makes my job a lot easier knowing they're doing the right thing."
 
Andrew Guidry is another guy who has been around the program and brings maturity to the position. Though he hasn't had a lot of at-bats at New Orleans (84 total entering this year), Guidry has hit some big home runs including his lone one last season, a towering shot that was part of the Privateers' Pelican Cup win against Tulane.
 
"Guidry has done a great job. He's hit some big home runs for us and he's a great fastball hitter. The thing I told him is to just be more confident behind the plate. He goes about his business the right way. He's an intelligent, well-spoken person."
 
Two newcomers in Daniel Perez and Brady Prewitt have been added to the mix this year. Perez is a true freshman while Prewitt transfers in from Colorado State-Pueblo.
 
"Danny is young, coming in as a true freshman. We knew it was going to take a while to get him back since he was coming off Tommy John surgery. He started to hit the ball really well since we came back in the spring. Brady is an older guy who can hit and catch well. He's impressed me to this point. He can catch some innings this year and has an opportunity to help us with his bat as well."
 
Perez was an Athletic Scholar award recipient at Flanagan High School and was the 16^th-ranked catcher in Florida by Perfect Game. Prewitt has hit at every stop he's been at: a .329 clip in 33 games at Iowa Western (2021) and a .346 batting average in two years at CSU-Pueblo (2022-23). He also caught nearly half of the runners trying to steal against him (13-of-28).
 
WE ARE YOUR KREWE
For 54 seasons, Privateer student-athletes have had the unique experience of wearing New Orleans across their chests.  Like the city itself, our sports teams have been fueled by resiliency, grit, and the unquenchable desire to win.  Our city also houses the nation's biggest celebration each year. And much like a Mardi Gras parade krewe, we are tethered to our community through pride, tradition, a culture of acceptance, and finally our commitment to show that New Orleans is a world-class city to live, learn, play and work. We invite you to become more involved with the only University that truly represents New Orleans all day, every day.  Join #NOLAsTeam, We Are Your Krewe! 
Visit UNOPrivateers.com/signup to stay connected and follow us @UNOPrivateers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans are encouraged to follow @PrivateersBSB on Twitter/X, @PrivateersBSB on Instagram, like Privateers Baseball on Facebook and subscribe to the UNOPrivateers YouTube