Opening Weekend Thoughts

I knew by the end of fall, the batting lineup was shaping up to have talented and experienced hitters 1 through 9. We missed Gavin Collins the whole weekend and Michael Smith most of it. We reeled off a few innings where the other team struggled to get 3 outs. Our batters took close pitches and walked. Then sat back and hit the fast ball because the pitchers couldn't throw any other pitch for a strike.

Preston Brown is the Friday night starter, no doubt. If he can stay healthy and stay in the Friday role, we will be a very good club. The other starters struggled some. Two of the 4 starters were true freshmen and they were nervous. We hope they are over it. Lucas Laster struggled but generally he was very good in the fall and early spring. He will bounce back.

The bullpen was outstanding. I do believe Moonlight Tatum might be a starter now. Daniel Brown was lights out and should replace Tatum as the heir apparent to the Jacob Lindgren role. A lefty closer. All we need is to keep running them out there and play games.

It looks like Matt Spruill and Luke Reynolds will share the 3B duties while Matthew Britton will come off the bench for his superb defensive skill.

True freshman sensation Ryan Gridley looked like a veteran. He smoothly scooped up grounders and he was not over matched at the plate. He got three hits. He will play a lot.

JC transfer Michael Smith in his only AB, smashed it over the LF head and pulled into 2B with a muscle strain. I look for great things from him. Awesome player.

The MIF defense, as I said in preseason, is superb. Seth Heck and John Holland are quick to the ball, quick release and their footwork is terrific. Expect many more double plays.

I was disappointed true freshman Cole Gordon didn't play. I suspect he would have been the starting pitcher on Tuesday but the game was cancelled. I expect Cole to play a lot this year.

Wes Rea did not play on Sunday after taking one off the knee on Saturday. His status for this weekend is questionable. He had a great weekend. I hope he continues to hit the ball.

Jacob Robson just went off. He so much wanted to prove he is a good player. He showed it.

I think this lineup is better than any lineup we had in 2013, 1 through 9. We are deeper at all spots.

Heck  SS
Holland  2B
Collins  C
Hump  LF
Robson  CF
Rea  1B
Smith  RF
Reynolds  DH
Spruill  3B