anyone else a little worried about Holder?

[Drebin]

He didn't have his best stuff in the super regional and today he was hanging the crap out of his curve ball and just throwing helicopters up there. That last pitch was a hanger that sat up there on a freaking tee for that guy. We got very lucky.

Not only is he hanging too many, I think he's throwing too many.

 

[hatfieldms]

I think he will be okay

Having a day off in between every game will definitely help if fatigue is an issue

 

[civildawg88]

I am a little worried about him, but I'm more worried about the defensive errors and mental mistakes. Hopefully it was first game jitters.

 

[Drebin]

Having a day off in between every game will definitely help if fatigue is an issue

I think it's the opposite....he hasn't been pitching enough. He didn't see a lot of time in the regionals and super regionals. Most closers need to pitch every day to stay sharp.

 

[harrydawg.sixpack]

Today will do nothing but help all our guys!

Holder and Renfroe are getting some serious love on a national stage!

We are back!

 

[DamnitDog]

No, I'm more worried about Sam 17ing Frost's error-prone noodle arm. The guy has good feet and fast movement but his 17ing arm is so damn wild, he's a threat to throwing the damn ball into the stands every time. I would prefer a slightly slower Detz but he has a much better arm throwing across the diamond.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

No.

 

[Chesusdog]

His last couple outings have been shaky and his control hasn't been up to par, but I guess ultimately you gotta have faith in your big guy. Who are we starting against Louisville/Indiana?

 

[Requiem For A Dawg]

He didn't have his best stuff in the super regional and today he was hanging the crap out of his curve ball and just throwing helicopters up there. That last pitch was a hanger that sat up there on a freaking tee for that guy. We got very lucky.

Not only is he hanging too many, I think he's throwing too many.

2 outings. 2 saves. No, I'm not worried.

 

[CadaverDawg]

He's overthrowing. It's like he is trying so hard to be that bad *** that everyone portrays him as, so he is overthrowing. If he would let up just a bit, it would help his control, and it would tremendously help his breaking ball. Kinda like Graveman said this year, "I had to learn that 89 with command is far better than 91 without it. I had to learn to trust my stuff". Holder needs to do the exact same thing.

 

[thatsbaseball]

And these weren`t church league teams he beat

 

[Drebin]

And these weren`t church league teams he beat

It's one thing if he is nasty and they are hitting him. When that happens, you tip your cap. But when he's hanging curveballs like he was today, that has nothing to do with who is in the batter's box.

 

[was21]

True. But those last two outings were pressure packed and he managed to come through....he probably grew up a little more last Monday against VA and today against Oregon Ducks.

 

[patdog]

I think Holder will be fine. He didn't have his curve today, but he gutted it out.

 

[coach66]

With these bats I think he needs to

Throw his fastball more. His fastball ain't chopped liver.

 

[patdog]

Agree. And he did that today. He fell in love with the curve too much at Virginia and almost paid the price for it. But when he saw it wasn't breaking today, he went to mostly fastballs.

 

[Squidawg11]

Nah, he pitches better with a runner on 2nd.

 

[Center Z]

Nope. He got the job done, all that matters.

The skid marks in my underwear will come right out with a little oxy clean, so I'm all good.

 

[chem1970]

Butch Thompson is worried about him

He didn't have his best stuff in the super regional and today he was hanging the crap out of his curve ball and just throwing helicopters up there. That last pitch was a hanger that sat up there on a freaking tee for that guy. We got very lucky.

Not only is he hanging too many, I think he's throwing too many.

Thompson said as much in his post game interview with Jim Ellis. He said they were going to have to discuss and work on some things. He specifically commented on that last pitch and said that Holder has not had the same stuff at the end of the season that he had in the middle of the season. If Thompson is worried about him we should be too.

 

[SPMT]

He was sketchy before the super regional some. He'll be ok. Pressure doesn't get to him so that's key.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

No. His last two appearances have been game 1 of the college World Series and a SR clinching game where he had 12 hours to think about having it all on his shoulders. He hasn't been as sharp, but he's battling through it. I hope it's just nervous energy and he will be more comfortable next time.

 

[esplanade91]

Guy's a sophomore. We consistently talk on here about how undergrads **** the bed and how it's somewhat acceptable.

I quit baseball as soon as I got to middle school so I'm not going to talk about something from a personal experience but do you think him "hanging curveballs" has anything to do with the platform? I watch the World Series every year and everyone but the big names do the same thing.

The Pac-12's best freshman pitcher reached a season high on ER in a game today against us (3). MSU's culture is one who hasn't been to the tournament that matters in a looooong time. None of these kids can act like they've been there, including seniors who can offer leadership. Our captain is Wes Rea, a sophomore.

When it comes down to it I want Holder with the ball in 100% of save situations. The ones of you who complain about it are pussies and ****** fans. You give the ball to your best players. ESPECIALLY in baseball, you live and die by your best closer. I'm ok with that. It's not a mistake he's one of the 5 finalists for closer of the year. Don't be worried. If we lose it because Holder the team deserved it.

 

[blacklistedbully]

I think it's the opposite....he hasn't been pitching enough. He didn't see a lot of time in the regionals and super regionals. Most closers need to pitch every day to stay sharp.

This is what I've been thinking as well. Some closers need more work, more regular appearances. Sometimes their arm needs to be a little "tired" to get better sink. Holder's fastball is awesome, but his success is obviously predicated by that 12-to-6 pitch he can mix in at any time. I wonder if being "too fresh" is making that pitch a little less effective.

 

[kired]

This is the most encouraging thing I could read - the fact that our coach isn't ignoring it. Holder certainly hasn't been lights out. But we know what he's capable of & hopefully they'll get things worked for the next few games.

 

[SkinnyDawg]

When it comes down to it I want Holder with the ball in 100% of save situations. The ones of you who complain about it are pussies and ****** fans. You give the ball to your best players. ESPECIALLY in baseball, you live and die by your best closer. I'm ok with that. It's not a mistake he's one of the 5 finalists for closer of the year. Don't be worried. If we lose it because Holder the team deserved it.

Agree 100%