1B--Wes Rea, Jr.RS
Team Captain and inspirational leader. The Hoss. Brent Rooker/Dylan Ingram both true Fr will come in late in games to get experience for 2015. Rea might be drafted in 2014.
2B--Brett Pirtle, Sr.
Playmaker and 3-hole switch hitter. Will play in every game, I think mostly at 2B, some at SS. Kyle Hann, So, didn's have a great fall offensively but that doesn't matter. He is good and it will show in 2014.
SS--Matthew Britton, Jr.
Everyone hoped he would turn the corner and it looks like he did. Great defender and now a reliable hitter. JC Tr Seth Heck is a really good find. Great glove and gets on base all the time.
3B--Alex Detz, Sr./Reid Humphreys, Fr.
Third base is a shared position in my opinion. Both defend well and both can hit. Humphreys led all hitters in the fall with a .415 BA. One will DH and one will play 3B.
C--Cody Walker, Jr./Daniel Garner, Fr.RS
Again, a position that won't really have a starter. I can see one playing 4 innings and the other 5 innings in each game. Garner might be a DH too in some games. A good problem to have. Gavin Collins, Fr, a highly touted recruit, could still come on strong during the season.
LF--Jacob Robson, So./Jake Vickerson, Jr.
Both these guys bat left and are pretty good leadoff men. Both are very fast. Robson can slip over to CF when Bradford pitches.
CF--C.T. Bradford, Sr.
A great leader and player. His year to pitch more. He just needs to stay healthy.
RF--Demarcus Henderson, Sr.
Had a great fall, hitting wise. A very athletic player. Derrick Armstrong, Sr, will back him up. He is another with pro potential. True Fr Joey Swinarski got banged up at the end of fall. He will play somewhere in the spring.
The batting lineup can be confusing with all the posibilities. Detz, Pirtle, Rea, Bradford, Humphreys will be in the batting lineup every game. OF, C, MIF all have mulitple players that can hit.
Monday, November 18, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Signing Day-Recap
We lose 6 seniors off the 2014 club plus any juniors or eligible sophomores that are drafted and sign. I have 9 commitments that signed as of yesterday. I expect more signees over the summer.
We are graduating 1 RHP, 1 LHP (part time-Bradford), 1 MIF, 1 3B, 2 OF (Bradford was already counted).
We signed yesterday 2 MIF, 1 C, 2 RHP, 1 RHP/1B, 2 LHP, 1 LHP/OF. And all of these guys were HS players. We usually sign JC guys in the summer after evaluating them in the spring.
The juniors that have a good chance to be drafted are: RHP's Trevor Fitts, Brandon Woodruff, Jonathan Holder, LHP's Ross Mitchell, Jacob Lindgren, 1B Wes Rea, MIF Matthew Britton. I expect at least three of these guys to be drafted and sign.
Signees
C/DH/1B--Chase Vallot, Louisiana, 6-0 205 is the highest rated player signed so far. He is a projected 2-4 rounder next June. His hitting is why he is so good. If he makes it to campus he will DH a lot his first year.
RHP--Jesse McCord, Alabama, 6-2 190 is another highly rated player. His older brother plays at Auburn. A highly thought of pitcher. Will pitch a lot his first year. Again, could be drafted high.
MIF--Dale Burdick, Tennesse, 6-0 175 is a great player. SS of the future. Could be another high draft pick.
MIF--Ryan Gridley, Georgia, 5-9 175 is a Dustin Pedrioa clone in my opinion. He even had a pic made w Dustin. Scrappy and a good hitter. Prob the 2B of the future.
LHP--Andrew Mahoney, Alabama, 5-11 180 has had Tommy John surgery and won't play his Sr year but is a very good lefty.
RHP--Aaron Dominquez, California, 6-0 190 throws hard and is a great competitor. We will be getting more from California. It is a good state to recruit.
RHP/1B--Cole Gordon, Florida, 6-6 230 is a dual player. Can knock the cover off the ball from the left side. Young pitcher but has potential.
LHP--Paxton Stover, Tennessee, 5-11 180 anytime you can get a quality LHP then get him. Came to a camp and impressed the coaches.
OF/LHP--Taylor Stafford, Mississippi, 5-10 170 is a lot like CT Bradford. Will pitch and play OF.
The class so far, has a couple of potentially high draft picks, with some guys that are good, quality players that will contribute their first year. I do expect to sign more in the spring and summer. Some roster players will do very well and will get drafted and sign. Which is great. I want Brandon Woodruff to pitch great, get drafted in 1st round and sign a pro contract. We want kids to come here for 3 years and then go pro. It is better then having them not come here at all.
Looking ahead to class of 2015, we have all the best Mississippi players committed already! From what I can tell, we have lots of great players visiting for this class. I expect this one to be top 5 rated.
We are graduating 1 RHP, 1 LHP (part time-Bradford), 1 MIF, 1 3B, 2 OF (Bradford was already counted).
We signed yesterday 2 MIF, 1 C, 2 RHP, 1 RHP/1B, 2 LHP, 1 LHP/OF. And all of these guys were HS players. We usually sign JC guys in the summer after evaluating them in the spring.
The juniors that have a good chance to be drafted are: RHP's Trevor Fitts, Brandon Woodruff, Jonathan Holder, LHP's Ross Mitchell, Jacob Lindgren, 1B Wes Rea, MIF Matthew Britton. I expect at least three of these guys to be drafted and sign.
Signees
C/DH/1B--Chase Vallot, Louisiana, 6-0 205 is the highest rated player signed so far. He is a projected 2-4 rounder next June. His hitting is why he is so good. If he makes it to campus he will DH a lot his first year.
RHP--Jesse McCord, Alabama, 6-2 190 is another highly rated player. His older brother plays at Auburn. A highly thought of pitcher. Will pitch a lot his first year. Again, could be drafted high.
MIF--Dale Burdick, Tennesse, 6-0 175 is a great player. SS of the future. Could be another high draft pick.
MIF--Ryan Gridley, Georgia, 5-9 175 is a Dustin Pedrioa clone in my opinion. He even had a pic made w Dustin. Scrappy and a good hitter. Prob the 2B of the future.
LHP--Andrew Mahoney, Alabama, 5-11 180 has had Tommy John surgery and won't play his Sr year but is a very good lefty.
RHP--Aaron Dominquez, California, 6-0 190 throws hard and is a great competitor. We will be getting more from California. It is a good state to recruit.
RHP/1B--Cole Gordon, Florida, 6-6 230 is a dual player. Can knock the cover off the ball from the left side. Young pitcher but has potential.
LHP--Paxton Stover, Tennessee, 5-11 180 anytime you can get a quality LHP then get him. Came to a camp and impressed the coaches.
OF/LHP--Taylor Stafford, Mississippi, 5-10 170 is a lot like CT Bradford. Will pitch and play OF.
The class so far, has a couple of potentially high draft picks, with some guys that are good, quality players that will contribute their first year. I do expect to sign more in the spring and summer. Some roster players will do very well and will get drafted and sign. Which is great. I want Brandon Woodruff to pitch great, get drafted in 1st round and sign a pro contract. We want kids to come here for 3 years and then go pro. It is better then having them not come here at all.
Looking ahead to class of 2015, we have all the best Mississippi players committed already! From what I can tell, we have lots of great players visiting for this class. I expect this one to be top 5 rated.
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Outfielders-Fall Ball
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.
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.
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.
Friday, September 20, 2013
2013 Recruiting Class
The class has been ranked #2 by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. This just doesn't surprise me. The coaches have been hard at work hitting the pavement. Recruits can see the direction the program is going even before the 2013 post season run. Most of this class signed in November of 2012 way before the June post season run. Coaches did a great job.
As John Cohen stated on his video interview on HailState.com, recruiting starts early, sometimes in the 7th or 8th grade but mostly in the 9th and 10th grade. This is why I have to keep a list of future commits. When the team starts practicing, especially when a football game is played on Saturday, lots of recruits will be in town to see the facilities and the school.
I expect the next two signing classes to be at least top 10 ranked by both the magazines, Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America. We are a team on the rise and the picking is there.
I will go to a practice or two and give a report, especially the new players. And of course, I expect several new commits before the November signing period starts. Baseball is different. It is on a 3 year cycle. Players like Hunter Renfroe (we have several now and will in the future) will stay in college for only 3 years, then go play pro ball. Recruiting is so important to keep that supply of players.
As John Cohen stated on his video interview on HailState.com, recruiting starts early, sometimes in the 7th or 8th grade but mostly in the 9th and 10th grade. This is why I have to keep a list of future commits. When the team starts practicing, especially when a football game is played on Saturday, lots of recruits will be in town to see the facilities and the school.
I expect the next two signing classes to be at least top 10 ranked by both the magazines, Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America. We are a team on the rise and the picking is there.
I will go to a practice or two and give a report, especially the new players. And of course, I expect several new commits before the November signing period starts. Baseball is different. It is on a 3 year cycle. Players like Hunter Renfroe (we have several now and will in the future) will stay in college for only 3 years, then go play pro ball. Recruiting is so important to keep that supply of players.
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