Pitching and hitting possibilities next season....

[CadaverDawg]

I know some will leave, but until official here's a little of what we got returning...

Pitching: (stacked)

Woodruff
Lindgren
Fitts
Cox
Bracewell
R. Mitchell
Holder
Gentry
E. Mitchell
Norris
Shelly
Brown
Hudson (signee)

Hitting/Position guys: (Quantity? Yes. Quality? We'll need some improvement)

Detz
Pirtle
Rea
Bradford
Henderson
Robson
Armstrong
Britton
Hann
Garner
Humphries (signee)
Collins (signee)
Vickerson (signee)

We will need some of our midget brigade to improve, and hopefully the 3 signees I listed will provide early impact as well. Somebody will break out, and I think we will see great years from Detz, Rea, Pirtle, and Bradford.

 

[chainedup_Dawg]

What about this Hudspeth kid from Tupelo, at least I think that's his name, anybody know anything about him?

 

[57stratdawg]

It'll be interesting to see what happens to our lead off spot. I want to see Robson up there. If his BA is .280 or higher, I think he's the guy with Detz in the two hole. I think Robson's speed gives is the ability to score alot of runs with the top of our lineup.

 

[Todd4State]

Hudspeth is going to be a good pitcher for us. The guy is tough as nails. I saw him shut down Madison Central when he was in high school. Good pick up for us.

 

[MSUDC11]

I think E. Mitchell and Norris are gone.

Lindgren and Woodruff can be great starters if they live up to their potential.

Dakota Hudson. Remember the name. 0.38 ERA with 106 K's in 55 IP. Could be the next Chris Stratton for us. Hopefully it doesn't take three years for him to reach that potential, though.

If Humphreys (SS) is as good as advertised, I feel fine about our infield. You may also see Pirtle move to SS and Hann could take over at second. I think he's another guy with plenty of potential.

Vickerson probably starts somewhere in the outfield. Several guys will get playing time at catcher. Collins may have too much talent to redshirt, and then you've got Garner and Walker (JUCO guy) to compete for the spot too.

You notice one common theme in what I've talked about: potential. We've got plenty of it. If some of those guys play like they are capable, especially in our starting rotation, we will be back in the Regional host conversation next year. Right now I'll predict us to be a solid 2 seed at the end of the year.

 

[shoeless joe]

I will be interested to see if Evan returns. If he thinks he can possibly put it together he has the stuff to be a top (1st rd) pick and could make himself a lot of money by improving over the next year. Tho I would be somewhat surprised if he returns.

I could see woodruff, lindgren, and Cox as the weekend guys to start the year. I would also assume pyrtle will get a look at short early on as well as britton. We are really going to need Rea, CT, pyrtle, and sets to step up and consistently produce at the plate. As far as the freshmen go, Humphrey's would be the one I could see making an impact next year at the plate but you never know how a kid reacts when he makes a jump to a higher level.

Next years team could be more similar to last year rather than this year but we should definitely have confidence and experience on our side.

 

[LandArchDawg]

Whatever we do, we need to adopt some portion of UCLA's strategy of concentrating on and practicing hitting line drives and grounders up the middle and to the opposite field rather than popping out and trying to swing for the fences so much. Dudy Noble, Hoover, and TD Ameritrade are all big fields and until they change these bats or go to wood bats, that needs to be the strategy.

 

[DAWG61]

Henderson has the speed for the leadoff spot. Needs to improve drastically in the offseason to warrant it but if he could learn how to get on base more and use his speed better he could be a real pesk.

 

[justin_aguilera]

I could definitely see Pirtle getting a shot at leadoff. He got on base at least once in each of the last 42 games of the season. He's no Robson or Henderson, but he's got good enough mobility to allow CoCo to be more aggressive with his gameplan when he is on base first. I don't see Detz moving from the 2-hole. He's another big OBP guy (led the team if I'm not mistaken). Britton could be a good 3 hitter for us, he's got a pretty solid bat just from watching his BPs all year. Rea could move to cleanup. CT in the 5, Randolph/Garner in the 6, Humphreys/Vickerson in the 7, then go with speed 8 and 9 (Hendu-Robson most likely). Biggest thing is the team needs to focus on liners and groundballs through the middle, and I can't think of better home field to work that on than DNF.


I can see Fitts, Lingo, and Cox being our starters to start the season. Woodruff will be our midweek guy, at least to start the season. If E-Mitch stays, and he gets his head straight, he could share midweek duties. If one or both of them start seeing success, and if/when a starter starts to struggle, we could see them move to the weekend. I really think Cox will have a breakthrough season, especially since he saw more success since he dropped his arm (see: Girodo). Bullpen should again be the dominant part of this staff, and I don't see CoCo and Butch moving away from that approach, unless our starters are mowing guys down consistently.

 

[57stratdawg]

I don't see a huge jump in Demarcus next year. He's probably turned into about everything he's going to be. Robson on the other hand will improve significantly (hopefully) after a year of summer/fall ball.

 

[JacksonDevilDog]

Evan Mitchell and Norris are gone. Needs to be pinned at the top.

 

[Maroons.sixpack]

Henderson has the speed for the leadoff spot. Needs to improve drastically in the offseason to warrant it but if he could learn how to get on base more and use his speed better he could be a real pesk.

Henderson is NOT fast and NOT explosive. Not sure why everybody thinks he is.

 

[bsquared24]

Am I correct in assuming Frazier is gone with that draft place? I'm pretty sure we never had anyone else play SS for us this year

 

[Hump4Hoops]

He's gone

SS is our biggest hole to fill next year.

 

[CadaverDawg]

No way in hell that Woodruff is midweek to start the season if he is healthy. He will 100% be a weekend starter.

As for SS, I really think Britton will step up next year. It would be huge if he does, because I like having a bigger SS with a big arm, and he has it. Plus, Pirtle has turned in to a great second baseman. Hopefully Humphries can start at 3B so we can continue to DH Detz. Our outfield is the big one for me....we can't afford to have CT, Robson, and Demarcus as our starting outfielders unless they improve tremendously. They can all get to fly balls well, but that would be the weakest armed outfield in the country, and the least power from a hitting standpoint. Hopefully Vickerson or Collins can come in and steal a RF spot.

 

[justin_aguilera]

No way in hell that Woodruff is midweek to start the season if he is healthy. He will 100% be a weekend starter.

Could definitely see this. I just know Butch hates to rush pitchers and if something isn't right with Woodruff come next February, he'll have him midweek.

Also agree with the OF statement. We'll see a platoon system most likely until someone solidifies themself, and I hope Vickerson can earn a spot. If Robson's bat adjusts to this league, I want him out there too. His speed is just too good to leave out if he's hitting well

 

[Palos verdes]

Henderson runs hard but I don't think he's greased lightning either. There are several UCLA players that could beat him to first. I was amazed at the bruin's speed on offense. Every call was close. As for Henderson, I think he's fine where he is and think his numbers will improve next, but only marginally.

 

[DAWG61]

Looks pretty fast to me. How bout you time him and get back to us with the results. I'm betting he's top 3 on the entire team but you do bring up a good point without trying to. Henderson needs to work on his baserunning skills/technique and find a way to gain an extra step or two. He plays timid too.

 

[esplanade91]

I feel great about our pitching going forward with Lindgren, Fitts, Woodruff, and Cox.

I'm assuming by Frazier's tweet about it being an amazing 3 years he's leaving, and I expect Pirtle to take his spot at lead-off. Demarcus is a solid LFer and has shown progress in his AB. I think he can continue his development and pick up where we left of this year with him hitting ~.300 in the postseason.

Regardless of who we put in the outfield we're going to miss Renfroe's arm.

Can CT play SS?

 

[esplanade91]

Correct. A couple people close to both have told me they're taking the $$$ and bolting. Norris was close to transferring to a D2 school. IF he comes back I half expect him to play at 3B anyway.

 

[shoeless joe]

He's got from now til next Feb to bring him along slowly. Unless there is a Hic up and woodruff isn't right physically he will be a Weekender and Prolly a Friday Guy before its all said and done.

Woodruff and Evan are head and shoulders above everybody else stuff wise...including holder. So if woodruff gets right he will be our ace, there is no disputing that, I just hope he will be where he needs to be by next spring. Our pitching staff should be better next year, especially in the rotation which will be a big lift. Just got find consistency on offense.

 

[shoeless joe]

Correct. A couple people close to both have told me they're taking the $$$ and bolting. Norris was close to transferring to a D2 school. IF he comes back I half expect him to play at 3B anyway.

I wouldn't blame Evan one bit for signing this year. but if he could in Any way put it together next year he would be set for life with a first round signing bonus. Heck, even if he sucked again next year somebody will still take a shot at him...based solely on his potential.

 

[Drebin]

Henderson is NOT fast and NOT explosive. Not sure why everybody thinks he is.

Henderson is indeed those things. You can see it in how he breaks on the ball in the outfield. He's just a very, very, very poor baserunner.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

Henderson is NOT fast and NOT explosive. Not sure why everybody thinks he is.

Because in the last month's worth of ballgames on ESPN#, @, U and the mothership they have made a point of emphasizing his speed at every opportunity. Strangely, they also did this with Armstrong when he was in games. Not sure why they mentioned it so frequently with just those two. *************************************************

 

[Philly Dawg]

He covers ground in the outfield and gets down the line well, but gets awful leads and jumps as a base stealer.

 

[YardBarker]

Henderson has the speed for the leadoff spot. Needs to improve drastically in the offseason to warrant it but if he could learn how to get on base more and use his speed better he could be a real pesk.

Henderson has very average speed. He hit well in the post season as he seems to every year but sucked in the regular season. He's a great kid and a good ball player though.

Armstrong and Robson are the fastest on the team and its not even close.

And I say Pirtle leads off next year.

 

[DAWG61]

I'm probably projecting a player that just isn't going to happen with Henderson. I wish he played with more fire and intensity and grew more of a tough guy attitude. He's plenty fast enough to be a disruption on the basepaths too if he'd just be more aggressive with his lead and approach. I also think Detz has potential to be an All-SEC hitter for us next year.

 

[dawgstudent]

they obviously aren't possession receivers.

 

[patdog]

Armstrong and Robson are the fastest on the team and its not even close.

I'd put Renfroe in that category too. And I agree about Pirtle leading off next year.

 

[muddawgs]

I feel great about our pitching going forward with Lindgren, Fitts, Woodruff, and Cox.

I'm assuming by Frazier's tweet about it being an amazing 3 years he's leaving, and I expect Pirtle to take his spot at lead-off. Demarcus is a solid LFer and has shown progress in his AB. I think he can continue his development and pick up where we left of this year with him hitting ~.300 in the postseason.

Regardless of who we put in the outfield we're going to miss Renfroe's arm.

Can CT play SS?

If Demarcus was a solid LFer, my ******* wouldn't tighten up every time a ball is hit to him. Henderson takes very poor routes to the ball and it appears he has trouble judging the ball. There isn't anything smooth about Henderson playing LF.

 

[mparkerfd20]

If E-Mitchell makes as big of jump between years as Girodo did, then I hope like hell he comes back. IF he's gonna be E-Mitchell of 2012 I hope like hell he goes pro.

 

[maroonmania]

Henderson has the speed for the leadoff spot. Needs to improve drastically in the offseason to warrant it but if he could learn how to get on base more and use his speed better he could be a real pesk.

Look, Henderson is overall a good player for us, but he should NOT even be considered for the leadoff spot. And it really doesn't matter how fast he is (his speed is OK but definitely overrated). The fact of the matter is he is the worst fundamental baserunner on the team. That right there should disqualify him from the leadoff spot. Pirtle would be a good choice or I would love to see Armstrong or Robson get a shot at leadoff if either one significantly improves with the bat.