As a former pitcher and now pitching instructor, University of Hawaii head baseball coach Mike Trapasso knows the value of location.

And Trapasso, who begins his 16th UH season with today’s opening of training camp, now has found his place — in the Big West, in the remodeling of his team, in the new approach.

“I’m always optimistic going into a season,” Trapasso said. “I like this group of kids because of their character, their work ethic, just their approach to everything.”

Two-thirds of last year’s starting rotation, both closers and the top hitter (shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins) completed their UH careers at the end of the 2016 season. In the offseason, Trapasso expanded the pitching staff to 17 (12 pitched in games in 2016), sweated out freshman shortstop Dustin Demeter’s wooing from pro baseball and blue-penciled the blueprints to offensive strategy.

The past couple of seasons, the Rainbow Warriors played so-called small ball, relying heavily on sacrifices and hit-and-run tactics to advance runners. It was a stop-gap measure while the Rainbows adjusted to their move to the Big West in 2013.

“The first thing we noticed when we came into the league four years ago was a much more physical league than what I really anticipated,” Trapasso said. “The makeup of the team we had coming in (that year) was not a physical team. We had some smaller guys. The first thing we had to do was match up. We’re at that point right now where I feel we can compete better with the teams in this league potentially.”

This year’s team is expected to be bigger, stronger and faster. In 2016, the Warriors attempted 45 steals in 53 games. “I’d prefer to have guys who can steal the base for you because you’re not giving up the out (with a sacrifice) to get the guy to second base,” Trapasso said.

Trapasso also has stockpiled arms. Last season’s opening-night pitcher — Brendan Hornung — is the leading candidate to start against North Carolina State on Feb. 17. Hornung has four pitches (90-mph fastball, change-up, curve and splitter) and renewed composure. “He’s staying within himself and not overthrowing,” Trapasso said.

There are six other pitchers for the other two starting jobs, a competition that will play out in the month-long preseason. More pitchers means more — and longer — scrimmages. The goal is to get the starters up to 90 pitches or more in their last scrimmage before the North Carolina State series. “January, for pitchers, is about building pitch count,” Trapasso said.