I will give a small breakdown on what the new guys have done and what may happen next year. Who has made the most impact.
1a. Alex Detz, 1B/3B/DH, bats left. A junior college transfer from California. He started fast subbing for Wes Rea at 1B and getting huge hits in the first part of the season. Once Rea got back played at DH and lately starting at 3B. Currently, batting 2nd in the order, he is the leader in walks on the team. May be drafted in June by MLB. If he stays will be a starter in 2014, somewhere. A huge recruiting victory for the staff bc of his impact.
1b. Brett Pirtle, 2B, switch hitter. A junior college transfer from Texas. It took him a while to get going but lately has been hitting cleanup and a vacuum cleaner at 2B. Had 2 brothers play college baseball, one at Vanderbilt. He grinds at bats and is a baller. May be drafted in June by MLB. If he stays will be a starter in 2014 at 2B or SS. Another huge recruiting victory for the staff based on his impact.
2. Jacob Robson, LF, bats left. A true freshman from Canada. Played on Canadian National team so has seen big time baseball. He has started some in LF and subbed alot. His bat has come alive the last couple of weeks. A really good recruiting job by John Cohen. He will play or start a whole bunch in 2014.
3. Derrick Armstrong, OF/DH, bats right. A junior college transfer from Tennessee. The last couple of weeks has gotten more playing time. A speedster in the OF and a solid bat. Adds depth to DH and OF. He again could be drafted in June by MLB. If not will be a big part of the OF in 2014.
4. Myles Gentry, RHP, side armer. A true freshman from the coast of Mississippi. Earned a spot in the bullpen bc of his movement from down under. Showed flashes in the preseason before the SEC. He hasn't pitched lately but he can come in and put fires out. Will be big part of bullpen in 2014.
5. Kyle Hann, 2B/3B, bats right. A true freshman from Canada. Played on Canadian National team so has seen big time baseball. Played a lot in preseason at 2B/3B, a couple of starts. Cohen has brought him along slow but he will be a really good player before he leaves. Another great recruiting victory by staff. He will play a lot or start in 2014.
6. John Marc Shelly, RHP. A true freshman from the Memphis area. Has pitched a few innings before SEC play started. He can throw hard. He will play a whole bunch in 2014 out of bullpen. A really nice pickup from an area known for players.
Redshirts:
Zach Randolph, C. A junior college transfer from Mississippi. He will come back in the fall and compete for both catcher spots, starter and backup.
Daniel Garner, C. A true freshman from Alabama. His swing is really good. He is working on his skills as a catcher. He will also compete for the two spots.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Monday, April 15, 2013
Switching Gears
My last post was called The Next Step and we did that versus TAMU. Now to sustain it. I am not talking about sweeping the rest of the schedule but baring down when we need a big hit and actually doing it. We are at the midway point and you can point to this or that game and say what if. We are through with that, we need to take action. Moving runners, sac fly, etc, there is no room for error.
After 15 SEC games what are we looking at? We still have a small chance to win the SEC West but likely we need to finish 2nd. Put that on our NCAA resume when it comes to hosting a Regional. Speaking of that, that is our biggest goal of the season going forward. We have made a living hosting Regionals. It is a tradition in Starkville.
I think if we go at least 8-7 the rest of the way, we will host. Our RPI will be at least under 15. Being that said, we can't falter one game. We can't lose to Alabama 2 out of 3.
If you haven't noticed, several pitchers haven't been used lately and that is a good thing: they will be well rested for the stretch run and they will work on their game in bullpen sessions.
RF Hunter Renfroe is having a great year. Another All-American for us. You need to go see him if you can. He won't be here next year. He will be where former 1st Rounder Chris Stratton is now, working his way through the minor leagues to the big leagues.
This weekend, will be a big recruiting weekend. Not really for the 2014 season but beyond. The 2013 certainly is not over, depending on the MLB draft, we may have to sign one or two more. But the majority of recruits will be for the future. They see the excitement surrounding the winning and hopefully want to be part of a winning tradition.
After 15 SEC games what are we looking at? We still have a small chance to win the SEC West but likely we need to finish 2nd. Put that on our NCAA resume when it comes to hosting a Regional. Speaking of that, that is our biggest goal of the season going forward. We have made a living hosting Regionals. It is a tradition in Starkville.
I think if we go at least 8-7 the rest of the way, we will host. Our RPI will be at least under 15. Being that said, we can't falter one game. We can't lose to Alabama 2 out of 3.
If you haven't noticed, several pitchers haven't been used lately and that is a good thing: they will be well rested for the stretch run and they will work on their game in bullpen sessions.
RF Hunter Renfroe is having a great year. Another All-American for us. You need to go see him if you can. He won't be here next year. He will be where former 1st Rounder Chris Stratton is now, working his way through the minor leagues to the big leagues.
This weekend, will be a big recruiting weekend. Not really for the 2014 season but beyond. The 2013 certainly is not over, depending on the MLB draft, we may have to sign one or two more. But the majority of recruits will be for the future. They see the excitement surrounding the winning and hopefully want to be part of a winning tradition.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The Next Step
The weather has warmed up, the lineup has been set to what strengths and weaknesses the opponent has, the starting pitching has been shaky but has kept us in the ball game.....now we need to take the Next Step.
And that would be putting it altogether and win 2 of 3 on the weekends. It starts on Friday.
For us to host a Regional we must start winning weekend series. The non-conference games are almost done and we have done an excellent job with them. Kudos to the scheduling. These teams are competing in the conference title races with the exception of a couple (Alcorn St for example). We are 21-2 with 3 tough games left: Ole Miss-Pearl, at Memphis and Oral Roberts-home. If we can finish 23-3 or better that would be special. That schedule has really helped our RPI which is a big factor in hosting a Regional (along with winning weekend series).
The four worst SEC records-wise are Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee and Auburn. We only play Auburn. This fact alone will prevent us from being SEC Regular Season Champions. LSU or Vanderbilt looks to have the inside track on that. Vanderbilt could go 9-0 against the 3 East teams mentioned above.
So we move on to the next goal of a season and that is hosting a Regional. Some may say making the SECT but with 12 of 14 making it, that won't be a problem. We have to start winning weekend series, period. It is the name of the game now.
RHP Brandon Woodruff had a really nice outing this past Tuesday in Mobile. This will propel him to start pitching on the weekend, maybe not this weekend bc Ole Miss lurks next Tuesday in Pearl and that is another big RPI game and rival game.
As the season goes along, some players start to get better and they start to gel. The pieces of the puzzle start to fall in place. We want to kick into another gear for the stretch run. Hosting a Regional will give us great advantages that hopefully propel us to the promise land...Omaha.
And that would be putting it altogether and win 2 of 3 on the weekends. It starts on Friday.
For us to host a Regional we must start winning weekend series. The non-conference games are almost done and we have done an excellent job with them. Kudos to the scheduling. These teams are competing in the conference title races with the exception of a couple (Alcorn St for example). We are 21-2 with 3 tough games left: Ole Miss-Pearl, at Memphis and Oral Roberts-home. If we can finish 23-3 or better that would be special. That schedule has really helped our RPI which is a big factor in hosting a Regional (along with winning weekend series).
The four worst SEC records-wise are Georgia, Missouri, Tennessee and Auburn. We only play Auburn. This fact alone will prevent us from being SEC Regular Season Champions. LSU or Vanderbilt looks to have the inside track on that. Vanderbilt could go 9-0 against the 3 East teams mentioned above.
So we move on to the next goal of a season and that is hosting a Regional. Some may say making the SECT but with 12 of 14 making it, that won't be a problem. We have to start winning weekend series, period. It is the name of the game now.
RHP Brandon Woodruff had a really nice outing this past Tuesday in Mobile. This will propel him to start pitching on the weekend, maybe not this weekend bc Ole Miss lurks next Tuesday in Pearl and that is another big RPI game and rival game.
As the season goes along, some players start to get better and they start to gel. The pieces of the puzzle start to fall in place. We want to kick into another gear for the stretch run. Hosting a Regional will give us great advantages that hopefully propel us to the promise land...Omaha.
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