ARLINGTON, Texas - Just two years removed from a berth in the SBC Tournament championship game, a slew of returning arms and a seasoned lineup have the UT Arlington Mavericks poised to build on a 24-win season in 2015 as they prepare for the 2016 season opener against nationally-ranked Oklahoma State.

This is the third in a six-part series previewing the 2016 Mavericks, position by position, leading up to the Feb. 19 opener at Clay Gould Ballpark.

MIDDLE INFIELDERS
Returners: Darien McLemore, RJ Williams
Newcomers: Josh Minjarez, Easton Johnson

The departure of all-conference shortstop Travis Sibley left a large gap for the UT Arlington Mavericks to fill for 2016, but a healthy off-season for the UTA outfield looks to have a significant impact on how Coach Darin Thomas and his staff fill the void left on the infield dirt.

Sibley led the team with a .342 average and was second with 43 RBI a year ago, but this season the Mavs will turn to either sophomore RJ Williams or freshman Josh Minjarez who have each been impressive in fall camp. Williams, another infielder by trade, was forced into the UTA outfield a year ago and primarily manned center field.

This year the sophomore from Rockwall Heath HS will bring his athleticism and strong arm into the infield, and in teaming with senior second baseman Darien McLemore will likely form one of the Sun Belt's most solid double-play tandems.

Add in Minjarez to the mix, along with other versatile options, and the deep roster Thomas and staff have put together looks to be as strong as it has been in recent memory.

McLemore is back for his true senior seasonat second base, and now fully healthy is poised to return to the form he displayed as a freshman and sophomore at the keystone. A switch hitter, McLemore had his best statistical season a year ago but hit just .238 with 14 RBI, a year after a sophomore campaign that saw him hit .301 with 31 RBI and a solid. 422 slugging percentage.

"Darien is coming off a down year for him," Thomas said. "But I have seen him very motivated to finish strong and have a very good senior year."

He'll be joined up the middle by Williams who went his entire freshman season without making an error, playing almost exclusively in center field. A defender with a high-end arm, he led the team in 2015 with five outfield assists.

Offensively, Williams was one of only three Mavs with multiple home runs last season and added eight doubles while hitting .242; however, a solid offensive fall has Thomas optimistic that he is ready to take a significant step forward in 2016.

"He was our starting center fielder last year, but he is a middle infielder," Thomas said. "He has a plus-plus arm and no matter where you put him on the field that arm will play. Offensively he just keeps getting better."

Meanwhile, Minjarez is a wild card thrown into the mix and through one semester has already caught the coaching staff's eye enough to push for early playing time in his own right. The former all-state performer at San Angelo Central HS showed well at the plate in fall practice, but it was with his glove that he has made the most immediate impact.

At 6-0, 190 lbs, Minjarez can play either spot on the left side of the infield and Thomas says that he thinks the freshman is ready to make a jump at the plate. Should that happen, Minjarez wil be pushing for playing time early on in the year.

Another option at second base could be projected outfielder Quintin Rohrbaugh who played primarily at second base a year ago at Weatherford College where he was named the 2015 NTJCAC Hitter of the Year.

2016 Season Preview Schedule:
Jan. 25 - Outfielders
Jan. 28 - Corner Infield
Feb. 1 - Middle Infield
Feb. 4 - Catchers/DH
Feb. 8 - Relief Pitching
Feb. 11 - Starting Pitching