What did we learn in Fall Ball?

Wes Rea is back with a vengeance. He worked hard in the summer and in the weight room to get ready for fall ball. He showed everyone that he can hit any ball that is thrown to him. He really worked on his hitting. There is no doubt he will have a great 2015. He is a 5th year senior.

Canadian OF Jacob Robson had a tremendous fall. He hit, he stole bases, he ran down fly balls. IMO, he is the starting CF going into the spring. Eh?

What did the new low seam ball have on the hitters? IMO, it is hard to say because we have some really good hitters. Reid Humphreys and Gavin Collins are elite hitters, they both had good falls. I think it will be sometime in May when we can tell. After the weather warms up (across the nation) and players get used to it, especially the pitchers who have to throw it.

We have great depth at all positions, IMO. When you look at the roster, we have quality hitters on the bench and tons of pitching. The question is how effective can they be? That is the coaches jobs to put them in the positions. But really 1 through 35, we have the most depth and talent since John Cohen took over.

The designated hitter position is so much better. This goes along with what I said about depth. If Reid Humphreys is the starter in left field and Luke Reynolds is starting at 3B, then redshirt freshmen Brent Rooker and Joey Swinarski will man the DH role, IMO.  Both really came on late in the fall with their hitting. Along with the DH role is the pinch hitting role, especially late in tight games. This is often overlooked in college baseball. I do think we have enough depth and talent to be really good at pinch hitting. Cole Gordon (bats left) is a great example. Once he gets used to D1 baseball, he will be good.

The weekend starters did take a little shape. I do think LHP Lucas Laster and RHP Preston Brown are the leaders for 2 of the 3 spots. The continue to throw strikes, not walk batters, not give up many runs and have low pitch counts. As of right now, the 3rd spot is open, IMO. Several players are in the game for it.

The coaches handed the closers role to RHP Trevor Fitts and he did a good job. It is hard for anyone to come behind Jonathan Holder because we want to compare them to Holder. We may have several pitchers come in to do the job. Whatever it takes, I don't care.

Several other pitchers did well. LHP Vance Tatum had some great outings where he struck out the side or got out of the inning unscathed. RHP Zac Houston also did well throughout the fall. I could see Zac coming in the 7th or 8th starting the season. He may be the closer for 2016. Austin Sexton also did well. He will have a chance at starting. RHP Dakota Hudson had back issues at the beginning of fall but he pitched well in spots later.

Ross Mitchell is the same old dude. He just doesn't give up much. I don't think he starts in 2015. We need him in the bullpen and we need him well rested throughout the year.