Left Field--Jake Vickerson, Jr-Tr | Jacob Robson, So | Cody Brown, FrRS
Vickerson is really good at getting on base via walk, etc. Robson has been ill but will start playing very soon. Brown had a great catch the other day.
Center Field--C.T. Bradford, Sr | Derrick Armstrong, Sr
Bradford has been really good this fall, will pitch more in 2014. Armstrong has been tremendous, lots more PT for him in 2014.
Right Field--Demarcus Henderson, Sr | Joey Swinarski, Fr
Henderson has been killing it this fall. Swinarski has a great bat but is still adjusting to college. Remember, he should be a HS senior right now.
I really love the depth and athletisism of this group. Of course, they can play each position. As far as starting, I would think Bradford and Henderson will get the most in 2014. Armstrong and Robson are the main backups-although they will get their fair share of starts.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Catchers-Fall Ball
Zach Randolph Jr.RS | Cody Walker Jr-Tr | Daniel Garner Fr.RS | Gavin Collins Fr.
Hitting-wise so far this fall, Walker sure has stood out. Garner started out fast but his stats have dropped. Collins, a highly recruited player, has been bothered by injury. Hopefully, he is back this weekend.
But the most important aspect of this position is defense. A catcher must block balls in the dirt and he has to have a really good arm. Right now, Walker is the leader but of course that can change anytime. Really an even battle, probably up until February 14th.
Hitting-wise so far this fall, Walker sure has stood out. Garner started out fast but his stats have dropped. Collins, a highly recruited player, has been bothered by injury. Hopefully, he is back this weekend.
But the most important aspect of this position is defense. A catcher must block balls in the dirt and he has to have a really good arm. Right now, Walker is the leader but of course that can change anytime. Really an even battle, probably up until February 14th.
2013 Recruiting Class-Fall Ball Edition
Well, Baseball America has released their annual rankings of college recruiting classes and we are 9th overall. Collegiate Baseball Magazine earlier has us ranked 2nd in their publication. I don't mind the differing opinions, as long as we are top 10 in the nation.
After several scrimmages these are my main newcomers that I want to talk about.
1) RHP Dakota Hudson, Fr.
His stat line is: 6+ IP, 2 H, 0 ERA. Our hitters have a hard time getting a good lick on him. His mid-90's fastball is overwhelming at times. He is in line for SEC rotation duty or at the very least lots of innings logged on the weekends.
2) 3B/DH Reid Humphreys, Fr.
He is batting over .400 w over .400 for his on base percentage in 16 AB's. He has made lots of smooth plays at the hot corner. He will get lots of PT in 2014.
3) MIF Seth Heck, Jr.
From what I read, he is always on base. Batting over .600 w a .600 or better on base percentage in 13 AB's. And he is not too shabby in the field either. I expect him to play a lot too in 2014.
4) C Cody Walker, Jr.
Excellent batting stats, .400 BA, OB% .600 plus. But his position, defense rules over offense. He will definately play a lot. Since this position needs two guys to rotate, a must.
5) LF Jake Vickerson, Jr.
He brings a LH bat and he gets on base a bunch. He only adds depth to a deep OF corps.
6) RHP Austin Sexton, Fr.
My candidate as of mid-October to be the Tuesday night starter. He had one bad inning that skewed his stats. Should be better as fall progresses.
7) RF Joey Swinarski, Fr.
Just yesterday, he started to really pound the ball. Started out really struggling, which is fine for a senior in HS when facing college pitching. But he will get used to it and then watch out. He is IMO, primed for AB's late in games when we need a hit.
The rest of the new guys I will break down after fall. Some are trying to get adjusted to college ball. C Gavin Collins has been hurt but I expect him to really come on late fall and have a really good spring. He is a really good player.
After several scrimmages these are my main newcomers that I want to talk about.
1) RHP Dakota Hudson, Fr.
His stat line is: 6+ IP, 2 H, 0 ERA. Our hitters have a hard time getting a good lick on him. His mid-90's fastball is overwhelming at times. He is in line for SEC rotation duty or at the very least lots of innings logged on the weekends.
2) 3B/DH Reid Humphreys, Fr.
He is batting over .400 w over .400 for his on base percentage in 16 AB's. He has made lots of smooth plays at the hot corner. He will get lots of PT in 2014.
3) MIF Seth Heck, Jr.
From what I read, he is always on base. Batting over .600 w a .600 or better on base percentage in 13 AB's. And he is not too shabby in the field either. I expect him to play a lot too in 2014.
4) C Cody Walker, Jr.
Excellent batting stats, .400 BA, OB% .600 plus. But his position, defense rules over offense. He will definately play a lot. Since this position needs two guys to rotate, a must.
5) LF Jake Vickerson, Jr.
He brings a LH bat and he gets on base a bunch. He only adds depth to a deep OF corps.
6) RHP Austin Sexton, Fr.
My candidate as of mid-October to be the Tuesday night starter. He had one bad inning that skewed his stats. Should be better as fall progresses.
7) RF Joey Swinarski, Fr.
Just yesterday, he started to really pound the ball. Started out really struggling, which is fine for a senior in HS when facing college pitching. But he will get used to it and then watch out. He is IMO, primed for AB's late in games when we need a hit.
The rest of the new guys I will break down after fall. Some are trying to get adjusted to college ball. C Gavin Collins has been hurt but I expect him to really come on late fall and have a really good spring. He is a really good player.
Monday, October 21, 2013
Infielders--Fall Ball
1B--Wes Rea, Jr.RS
Rea is the starter and our legitimate HR hitter. He is also an outstanding leader. He is like Babe Ruth this fall-he gets walked alot. I think Dylan Ingram or Brent Rooker will sub for Rea late in non-conf games to get them ready for 2015. Rea should be drafted in 2014. This is his 4th year.
MIF--Brett Pirtle, Sr | Matthew Britton, Jr | Kyle Hann, So | Seth Heck, Jr-Tr
Pirtle will be a starter most likely back at 2B. The SS position is still being fought for. Britton has shown great desire to get the job. Heck has shown he is a very solid player, defensively and at the plate. Hann is just solid at all phases. I love the depth here.
3B--Alex Detz, Sr | Reid Humphreys, Fr
Detz will be an every day player either at 3B or at DH. His bat is too good. Humphreys has shown he can play 3B and of course his bat continues to impress. I could see Detz at 3B and Humphreys at DH in a lot of games.
Rea will be the 3rd or 4th hitter in the lineup. Pirtle will be 3rd or 4th and maybe lead off sometimes. Detz should stay in his 2nd spot in the batting lineup. Humphreys will probably be 6-8 hole hitter his first year. Heck is also a lead off candidate when he plays.
Rea is the starter and our legitimate HR hitter. He is also an outstanding leader. He is like Babe Ruth this fall-he gets walked alot. I think Dylan Ingram or Brent Rooker will sub for Rea late in non-conf games to get them ready for 2015. Rea should be drafted in 2014. This is his 4th year.
MIF--Brett Pirtle, Sr | Matthew Britton, Jr | Kyle Hann, So | Seth Heck, Jr-Tr
Pirtle will be a starter most likely back at 2B. The SS position is still being fought for. Britton has shown great desire to get the job. Heck has shown he is a very solid player, defensively and at the plate. Hann is just solid at all phases. I love the depth here.
3B--Alex Detz, Sr | Reid Humphreys, Fr
Detz will be an every day player either at 3B or at DH. His bat is too good. Humphreys has shown he can play 3B and of course his bat continues to impress. I could see Detz at 3B and Humphreys at DH in a lot of games.
Rea will be the 3rd or 4th hitter in the lineup. Pirtle will be 3rd or 4th and maybe lead off sometimes. Detz should stay in his 2nd spot in the batting lineup. Humphreys will probably be 6-8 hole hitter his first year. Heck is also a lead off candidate when he plays.
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