2015 Preview: Left Handed Pitchers

Ross Mitchell, Senior RS: He has done it all, relief and starting. Has been extremely effective in either role. I hope he goes back to being a middle reliever, coming in 2 or 3 times a weekend to put an end to a rally by the other team. He is so effective doing this.
Lucas Laster, Senior: Boy, came on strong at the end of the season. Was in the School of Butch for the first 2 months of the season and graduated with honors. I believe he just started and not relieved his first year out of JC. Will have a chance to start in 2015 but I would think middle reliever.
Vance Tatum, Sophomore: Really showed flashes in 2014. I think he will have a large impact in 2015 in both roles, start and relief.
Glenn Irby, Freshman RS: I really haven't seen him pitch, so I don't know much. We shall see what he does in the fall. Older brother did play at Samford and now in pro baseball as a pitcher.

2014 Losses: Jacob Lindgren

Signees

Trent Waddell, Junior-JC Transfer: Coached in JC by former player Jarrod Parks who gave Waddell high praise as a hitter and pitcher. Didn't pitch much in 2014 because of arm issues but is supposed to be healthy for the fall. Could be a diamond in the rough.
Daniel Brown, Sophomore-JC Transfer: Finally, after all these years the coaches have signed a Jon Hardin clone. A small, crafty lefty that strikes out a lot of batters. He will be the first one out of pen when there is trouble.
Paxton Stover, Freshman: I think he had 2 or 3 no hitters his senior year. Another small in stature lefty that carves up hitters. Looking forward to seeing him in the fall.
Andrew Mahoney, Freshman: Speaking of diamonds in the rough. Mahoney sat out his senior year because of Tommy John surgery. But is healthy now and is ready to go.A big kid that throws hard from the left side.
Taylor Stafford, Freshman: Plays OF also. Threw hard during his HS run in the postseason. I really don't know which position he is better at. Maybe a CT Bradford clone.

*I am pumped about this position. First time in John Cohen/Butch Thompson era that we have this many LHP's. And let me tell you, this will make a great impression in 2015. We have 9 LHP's, double the usual amount. And from now on, we will have that many. LHP's make a distinct difference in ballgames.

2015 Preview: Outfielders

Jake Vickerson, Senior: Will be in the OF rotation. Bats left and has a great arm. Maybe can play center in 2015?
Jacob Robson, Sophomore RS: Injured his elbow early in the 2014 season. Should redshirt. Should be in the OF rotation, depending on left/right match ups. Needs to have a break out 2015.
Cody Brown, Sophomore RS: Started most of the 2014 campaign in left or right field. Will be in the OF rotation in 2015.
Joey Swinarski, Freshman RS: Enrolled a year early last year. So even though he will be 18, he is a redshirt freshman. Brings great hitting ability to the OF. I do expect him to play a lot, either in corner OF or DH.
Brent Rooker, Freshman RS: Rooker is a good hitter. But where does he play? Is listed as a 1B/OF. Looking forward to the fall to see what he can do after being redshirted.

2014 Losses: C.T. Bradford, Demarcus Henderson, Derrick Armstrong

Signees

Michael Smith, Junior JC Transfer: Speedy OF. Hit .331 and stole 29 bases in 2014.
Taylor Stafford, Freshman: Talented youngster from Columbus. Can also pitch. Bats and throws left.
Cole Gordon, Freshman: Can play the corner OF. He is a big guy at 6-6, 240. Can pitch also. I think he will be used as a pinch hitter/DH his first year. Bats left.

* I do expect at least one more signee before the fall. Probably a JC transfer. (AND I was right)
**OF rotation meaning 5 players who can start/pinch hit, etc depending on match up with right/left handed pitcher.

2015 Preview: First Base

Wes Rea, Senior RS: Rea has been here 5 years, so he brings a ton of experience. A very good defender at 1B. He struggled at the plate in 2014. Can he put it all together in his final year? He will start at 1B but there is lots of competition and that will push him.
Daniel Garner, Sophomore RS: Switched from catcher in 2014. When he connects his bat to the baseball, it can go a long way. Will compete at 1B.
Reid Humphreys, Sophomore: A star in the making. His older brother plays 1B in MLB. He will push for playing time at both corner spots.
Dylan Ingram, Freshman RS: So far in summer ball, has shown he can hit. Will compete for playing time.
Brent Rooker, Freshman RS: Another redshirt that will compete for playing time. He can play corner OF also.

2014 Losses: Alex Detz

Signees

Trent Waddell, Junior-JC Transfer: He had an arm problem this past year but still hit. He will get the chance at 1B and at pitcher. He bats and throws left. I can't wait to see him in the fall. He could be a diamond in the rough.
Cole Gordon, Freshman: He bats left, throws right. Another one that will play 1B and pitch. He can really mash the ball from the left side. Has a chance to DH in 2015.

**I expect major competition at this position for starter and backup.

2015 Preview: Middle Infield

Seth Heck, Senior: He is about a solid as a ballplayer as you can get. He rarely makes mistakes in the field and he rarely has a bad at bat. Plus, he had a 4.0 in the classroom. Another All-SEC/American candidate. He will start in the middle infield all year.

2014 Losses: Brett Pirtle, Kyle Hann, signee Dale Burdock to MLB draft.

Signees

John Holland, Junior-JC Transfer: Originally signed with Florida State. He was the POY in junior college in 2014. He is very talented. Should step in right away in either MIF spot.
Ryan Gridley, Freshman: I think he is a lot like Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox. Which is fine with me, this kid can play. I look for him to play a lot in 2015.

2015 Preview: Third Basemen

Matthew Britton, Senior: Mr. Highlight reel. He made some sparkling plays once he settled in at 3B after playing SS to begin the season. If he could be a consistent hitter, he would have been drafted in 2014. But he is in the Cape trying to become a better hitter. Expect stellar defense from him in 2015. He will start a lot in 2015.
Reid Humphreys, Sophomore: Played and started a few games at 3B in 2014. Will play 1B in 2015 also. Hit in the DH spot in 2014 with flashes of smokablility (like that word). In 2015, he will be in the lineup everyday, somewhere, 3B or 1B or DH. Must have his bat. All-SEC/American capability.

2014 Losses: Alex Detz, Kyle Hann

Signees

True freshmen signees Dale Burdick or Ryan Gridley may get some reps here.

2015 Preview: Catchers

Gavin Collins, Sophomore: Should be no surprise, he is the star of this group. He steadily got better during 2014. He should be a lot better in all phases of the game come February 2015. He will start and bat 3rd or 4th in 2015. Collins is an All-SEC/American candidate.

Cody Walker, Senior: Started a couple of games and backed up more as the 2014 progressed. Will compete for the back up role.

Zach Randolph, Senior RS: Randolph started some early on, then mainly a backup to Collins. Will compete for the back up role.

2014 Losses:  Signee Chase Vallot to MLB draft

Signees

Josh Lovelady, Junior-JC Transfer: As long as John Cohen is coach, expect this most every year. Cohen will bring in JC catcher's to add depth and experience to a very important position. Lovelady will compete for a back up role. 

**Note: one position that we may have another signee before school starts. 

2015 Preview (Summer of 2014 Edition)

I know this is a bit early but lots of you want to know what to expect in 2015. I will do my best to explain it. First and foremost, I do expect more signees before school starts and I may not know about them. For instance, in 2013 I didn't know about Seth Heck until school started and look what he did! He is All-SEC. So expect another preview during the fall (maybe) but definitely after fall ball.

A few notes: July 1 is the first day schools can offer players officially. So for 2015 signees and beyond, there will be some commits coming for those years. The 2013 CWS run still has an affect on recruiting. July 18th is the last day players can sign with the MLB club that drafted him. We only have one that is unaccounted for, SS Dale Burdick who is unsigned and as of this writing hasn't said publicly what is intentions are.

So the following posts, I will break down per position.