2014 Roster-A look ahead

Disclaimer: I haven't seen any of the signees play, so until fall ball and I go see them, I am only giving educated guesses. The coaches haven't had their exit interviews. A player may decide to transfer, you never know. I will continually redo the 2014, like when the fall roster comes out.

Relief Pitchers:

Jonathan Holder Jr.: closer, 1st Team AA
Ross Mitchell Jr.RS: long reliever, Mobb leader
Myles Gentry So.: long reliever, side armer
John Marc Shelly So.: future closer?
Preston Brown SoRS: short reliever
Will Cox Jr.: showed really good side arm action last night

These are the main holdovers from 2013. I put Cox in there bc it looks like he changed arm angles and will be a reliever. Again, fall ball will determine more.

Ben Hudspeth Jr JC: great stats in JC, RH
Lucas Laster Jr JC: can he replace Girodo? LH
Wes Stokes Jr RS: redshirted RH
Anthony Anello Fr RS: redshirted side armer RH
Alex Deise Fr RS: redshirted LH
Austin Sexton Fr HS: hard thrower RH
Dakota Hudson Fr HS: drafted by MLB RH
Avery Geyer Fr HS: his HS team finished 1# RH
Zach Houston Fr HS: big tall lanky throws hard RH
Jacob Billingsly Fr HS: hard thrower RH
Levi Mintz Fr HS: RH
Vance Tatum Fr HS: top lefty in MS, LH
Glenn Irby Fr HS: bro played in college LH

I put all the new guys into the relief pitcher category bc I don't know them. I will have to see fall ball. But you can bet 1 or 2 will be a starter at some point in 2014. The lefties (as usual) will get a better chance of playing a lot bc we need LH pitching. I bet Butch Thompson can't wait to get these guys in and start working with them.

Starting Pitchers:

Ben Bracewell SrRS: his time to shine. RH
Trevor Fitts Jr: big man on campus, dude. RH
Brandon Woodruff Jr: has to be a rotation guy RH
Jacob Lindgren Jr: has to come back strong LH

Paul Young So: what a great late sign. Potential is unlimited. Just started pitching and has excelled. A few MLB starting pitchers did this so this is not new.

These guys are your leading candidates for SEC rotation right now. Again, got to go through fall ball. I expect Woodruff to have a fantastic year. He will be well rested and ready. Can't wait to see him in the fall.

First Base:

Wes Rea Jr.RS: Captain, leader.
Dylan Ingram Fr HS: power hitter
Brent Rooker Fr HS: great athlete

I expect Rea to have a great year and get drafted by MLB, why he didn't in 2013 is beyond me. You will see a Fr spell him from time to time to get him expereince. Don't know who it is, fall ball.

Middle Infield:

Brett Pirtle Sr: returning starter at 2B
Alex Detz Sr: returning starter at 3B
Matthew Britton Jr: can Britton break out and become starter?
Kyle Hann So: tons of potential
Reid Humphreys Fr HS: Ms player of the year

Pirtle will start but where? SS or 2B? Detz at 2B or 3B? Hann at 2B or 3B? Humphreys will play, period. Will it be 3B or SS? I wouldn't be shocked if we signed another MIF before school starts. Detz will start every game but at different positions.

Third Base:

Same question? Detz, Hann and Humphreys?

Catcher:

Zach Randolph Jr RS: redshirted, good defender
Cody Walker Jr JC: outstanding defender
Daniel Garner Fr RS: outstanding hitter
Gavin Collins Fr HS: great hitter and defender

Here is the big question mark? Most important to your defense/pitching. Big battle in the fall. Walker is great defender and thrower from what I hear. Garner can really hit, defend? Collins I have heard has the total package. I heard Jacob Shempert might come back, haven't confirmed it. Some of these players can play 3B/OF too. Biggest battle of the fall.

Outfield:

CT Bradford Sr: Captain, leader
Demarcus Henderson Sr: battler at the plate
Derrick Armstrong Sr: speed demon
Tyler Fullerton Jr: ?
Jake Vickerson Jr JC: bats left, you know his big brother..
Jacob Robson So: star in the making
Cody Brown Fr RS: redshirted, bats left

Most established position on the team. Can't go wrong w Bradford, Henderson Armstrong, Robson combo.