This year's baseball team

[messageboardsuperhero]

State has won 46 games and reached the RPI top 10 against the sixth toughest schedule in America with almost no starting pitching except for Kendall Graveman. Let that sink in. That's one hell of an accomplishment and one that should not be overlooked. It just proves that we are pretty much where we need to be in every phase of the game except starting pitching, and even there we're not too far off considering the injuries and the players we should have coming in next year.

Now imagine how good we would have been this year if Woodruff was healthy and Lindgren/E. Mitchell were pitching up to their talent level. (I'll give Lindgren a little bit of a pass since he's been hurt too and had a lot of bad luck.)

 

[CadaverDawg]

State has won 46 games and reached the RPI top 10 against the sixth toughest schedule in America with almost no starting pitching except for Kendall Graveman. Let that sink in. That's one hell of an accomplishment and one that should not be overlooked. It just proves that we are pretty much where we need to be in every phase of the game except starting pitching, and even there we're not too far off considering the injuries and the players we should have coming in next year.

Now imagine how good we would have been this year if Woodruff was healthy and Lindgren/E. Mitchell were pitching up to their talent level. (I'll give Lindgren a little bit of a pass since he's been hurt too and had a lot of bad luck.)

We need more offense now. Mainly from a power standpoint. We need some guys that can find a gap or hit the ball out of the yard. Virginia could probably play 10-15 steps in from their normal outfield positions this weekend, and we would only have a guy or two that could possibly hit it over their heads.

Now that we are getting really good pitchers in every recruiting class...I hope we go after some bigger hitters that can develop into gap hitters. A few less 5'7" slappers, and a few more 6'0"-6'2" guys with pop. Our recent success, and Hunter Renfroe showing you can be a power hitter AND play in The Dude, should help us get in the game on more of these good hitters when it comes to recruiting IMO.

ETA: the more I read and hear about Reid Humphries...I think he may be the type of guy that can develop into a Renfroe style of hitter for us. I thought he would be a 3rd baseman, and he probably could be, but he played outfield in the all star game this weekend and from all accounts did a great job. It would be great if he could come in and start from day 1 in RF to replace Hunter. The thought of having Robson, CT, and Henderson as our outfield next year worries me, because none of them have good arms or any power to replace Renfroe.

 

[Todd4State]

I think it shows that we are getting the right "types" of players

From a personality standpoint- tough, hard-nosed. Sure, I would love to have all five tool guys that put up Will Clark numbers but I really believe you have to establish that personality that we're going to be tough for 27 outs and we're going to find ways to win no matter what. I don't think we have reached our ceiling by any stretch of the imagination, but we have to win and go to Omaha and the SR's to get the elite type players that Vanderbilt is getting right now.

I want us to have that personality as a team because I've found that players and teams that have that hard-nosed trait in general tend to win a lot. Everyone- including me- gets hung up on stats, hitting a baseball 500 feet, throwing 105 MPH, but at the end of the day the only thing that really and truly matters is whether you won the game or not.

I believe you have to have talent to win- and we have had that, Stratton, Holder, Frazier, and Renfroe among others, but I also think you have to have a good mix of guys like Detz, Girodo, Caleb Reed heck- even a Sam Frost- guys that aren't going to be All-Star Big Leaguers that fill roles and do things to help you win and can sometimes maybe push the more talented guys if necessary.

 

[Lee Corso]

Now imagine how good we would have been this year if Woodruff was healthy and Lindgren/E. Mitchell were pitching up to their talent level. (I'll give Lindgren a little bit of a pass since he's been hurt too and had a lot of bad luck.)

I would have never guessed that Ross Mitchell would be 12-0, or Girodo woulda been 7-1. So they kinda even out Woodruff and Evan Mitchell a bit. Although, we woulda been pure hell with them too.

 

[karlchilders.sixpack]

As far as starting pitchers

On many ocassions, the starter can and should continue in the games, but I think it's part of Cohen's plan

one way or another to build the bullpen, and prepare for post season play.


Otherwise no Strattons on board at this time.

 

[Todd4State]

Every college team in America needs more power

We need more offense now. Mainly from a power standpoint. We need some guys that can find a gap or hit the ball out of the yard. Virginia could probably play 10-15 steps in from their normal outfield positions this weekend, and we would only have a guy or two that could possibly hit it over their heads.

Now that we are getting really good pitchers in every recruiting class...I hope we go after some bigger hitters that can develop into gap hitters. A few less 5'7" slappers, and a few more 6'0"-6'2" guys with pop. Our recent success, and Hunter Renfroe showing you can be a power hitter AND play in The Dude, should help us get in the game on more of these good hitters when it comes to recruiting IMO.

ETA: the more I read and hear about Reid Humphries...I think he may be the type of guy that can develop into a Renfroe style of hitter for us. I thought he would be a 3rd baseman, and he probably could be, but he played outfield in the all star game this weekend and from all accounts did a great job. It would be great if he could come in and start from day 1 in RF to replace Hunter. The thought of having Robson, CT, and Henderson as our outfield next year worries me, because none of them have good arms or any power to replace Renfroe.

A lot of it has to do with bats more than anything. We're actually very fortunate to have Renfroe and Rea- a lot of teams would kill to have that. Plus, MLB takes most of the top power hitting guys in the draft.

With our outfield being what it is, it is imperative that we find some guys that can cover ground out there or it will hurt us really bad. That's not to say that we have to have a bunch of small guys out there- but we ideally need to find some power hitters that can run.

Humphries can play a lot of positions. If Adam leaves, I wouldn't be surprised if he is our shortstop. I still think he is more than likely our third baseman next year. He could be in the outfield, but I also wouldn't count out Brent Rooker who is a corner guy that can run and has power. He is 6'4" and he could play first, third, right or left field for us. I'd keep an eye out for Gavin Collins as well- he can catch and play the outfield. But as far as Humphries, I wouldn't read too much into him playing outfield during an All-Star game.

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

We need more offense now. Mainly from a power standpoint. We need some guys that can find a gap or hit the ball out of the yard. Virginia could probably play 10-15 steps in from their normal outfield positions this weekend, and we would only have a guy or two that could possibly hit it over their heads.

Now that we are getting really good pitchers in every recruiting class...I hope we go after some bigger hitters that can develop into gap hitters. A few less 5'7" slappers, and a few more 6'0"-6'2" guys with pop. Our recent success, and Hunter Renfroe showing you can be a power hitter AND play in The Dude, should help us get in the game on more of these good hitters when it comes to recruiting IMO.

ETA: the more I read and hear about Reid Humphries...I think he may be the type of guy that can develop into a Renfroe style of hitter for us. I thought he would be a 3rd baseman, and he probably could be, but he played outfield in the all star game this weekend and from all accounts did a great job. It would be great if he could come in and start from day 1 in RF to replace Hunter. The thought of having Robson, CT, and Henderson as our outfield next year worries me, because none of them have good arms or any power to replace Renfroe.

More power would be nice and that's something our coaches have addressed in this class. Humphreys, Rooker, Ingram, and hopefully Collins will all hit for some power while they're here. Maybe not next year, but they all should develop it eventually.

Also, regarding our outfield next year, CT's got a pretty damn good arm in center. And I wouldn't count Jake Vickerson out of the discussion. One thing's for sure though: there will be a lot of speed in the outfield next year between Henderson, Bradford, Robson, and Vickerson.

 

[engie]

We need more offense now. Mainly from a power standpoint. We need some guys that can find a gap or hit the ball out of the yard. Virginia could probably play 10-15 steps in from their normal outfield positions this weekend, and we would only have a guy or two that could possibly hit it over their heads.

Now that we are getting really good pitchers in every recruiting class...I hope we go after some bigger hitters that can develop into gap hitters. A few less 5'7" slappers, and a few more 6'0"-6'2" guys with pop. Our recent success, and Hunter Renfroe showing you can be a power hitter AND play in The Dude, should help us get in the game on more of these good hitters when it comes to recruiting IMO.

National homerun leaders this season according to Maxpreps:

 

[patdog]

Renfroe disguises a lot of weakness in our power numbers. In conference games, we only had 55 extra base hits in 30 games. Only A&M and Georgia had fewer. We were middle of the pack in home runs. But our doubles and triples production was pathetic. Again.

 

[esplanade91]

We need some guys that can find a gap or hit the ball out of the yard. Virginia could probably play 10-15 steps in from their normal outfield positions this weekend, and we would only have a guy or two that could possibly hit it over their heads.

Our RF, C, 1st base, 2nd base, and 3rd who is now DH have hit HR's out of our park this season. So they can hit it out. They present a threat every time they're at the plate. The guys who don't, specifically Frazier and Henderson, can hit the gap pretty damn good.

It just depends on which team shows up this weekend. I wish we had some familiarity with their program because there's no telling how we will play in that park, but if we bring the team that sluuuuuuumped, we'll lose. If Rea, Frazier, Henderson, and Renfroe hit like they can hit we'll dominate. Everyone, ESPECIALLY Renfroe, got a lot of confidence out of this weekend. I hope they use it.

 

[messageboardsuperhero]

Our RF, C, 1st base, 2nd base, and 3rd who is now DH have hit HR's out of our park this season. So they can hit it out. They present a threat every time they're at the plate. The guys who don't, specifically Frazier and Henderson, can hit the gap pretty damn good.

It just depends on which team shows up this weekend. I wish we had some familiarity with their program because there's no telling how we will play in that park, but if we bring the team that sluuuuuuumped, we'll lose. If Rea, Frazier, Henderson, and Renfroe hit like they can hit we'll dominate. Everyone, ESPECIALLY Renfroe, got a lot of confidence out of this weekend. I hope they use it.

Frazier also hit a homerun earlier in the year against some bad team whose name I can't remember, but the ump missed the call and gave him a double instead. Either way, Frazier's not a home run threat, I just thought I'd mention he has a little pop if he gets a hold of one.

 

[CEO2044]

Eh..

I haven't seen Reid play outside of the All-Star game. And All-Star games to me are different for everybody. I wouldn't say he lit the place on fire by any means. I'd temper my expectations more than likely, only because I've just seen the one game.

Hope he turns out to be a stud. I think it'll take a redshirt, but we'll see.

 

[CadaverDawg]

Renfroe disguises a lot of weakness in our power numbers. In conference games, we only had 55 extra base hits in 30 games. Only A&M and Georgia had fewer. We were middle of the pack in home runs. But our doubles and triples production was pathetic. Again.

This^ 100%

 

[haildearoldstate]

So true, guys.........Proof that we mostly have punch and judy hitters.......

nt

 

[engie]

Renfroe disguises a lot of weakness in our power numbers. In conference games, we only had 55 extra base hits in 30 games. Only A&M and Georgia had fewer. We were middle of the pack in home runs. But our doubles and triples production was pathetic. Again.

Again, we've got power help on the way. Reid Humphries would have hit .250 this year if you didn't even count the singles. He hit a HR every 8AB and a 2B every 8AB -- with BBCOR bats in a pretty solid league. He's played elite summer ball. Kid's older brother is in the show and had good power numbers for us. NOTHING about the college game should come as a shock to him or require him long to get up to speed. I really thing he's the most "ready-made" recruit we've gotten in Cohen's tenure by a ways...

I expect the overall power production to be on par with this year despite Renfroe not being here -- because we've got several other guys that are going to hit a few... particularly the incoming guys. 3-4 of those guys are going to compete for spots IMO...

 

[justin_aguilera]

Frazier also hit a homerun earlier in the year against some bad team whose name I can't remember, but the ump missed the call and gave him a double instead. Either way, Frazier's not a home run threat, I just thought I'd mention he has a little pop if he gets a hold of one.

I saw Adam play some in HS (played against him in summer ball) and he had some pop there. It's just the bat change that's hurt his power. He never would have been a big power threat, but he would have had more homers if it weren't for the bats.

 

[patdog]

Very much looking forward to seeing Humphries wear the maroon and white. Saw him play QB a couple of times and he's just an impressive athlete with a very good arm. Knew his mom (and also Tyler's dad) back in high school and they're good people. Good to see Cohen starting to recruit some guys with some power. I think he misjudged the impact of the dead bats and thought that made power irrelevant, so he recruited contact hitters. In fact, it make power more important because you pretty much can't get an extra base hit these days without some power. I think he's recognized that and is starting to recruit to correct it.

 

[maroonmania]

I very much agree with this sentiment,

From a personality standpoint- tough, hard-nosed. Sure, I would love to have all five tool guys that put up Will Clark numbers but I really believe you have to establish that personality that we're going to be tough for 27 outs and we're going to find ways to win no matter what. I don't think we have reached our ceiling by any stretch of the imagination, but we have to win and go to Omaha and the SR's to get the elite type players that Vanderbilt is getting right now.

I want us to have that personality as a team because I've found that players and teams that have that hard-nosed trait in general tend to win a lot. Everyone- including me- gets hung up on stats, hitting a baseball 500 feet, throwing 105 MPH, but at the end of the day the only thing that really and truly matters is whether you won the game or not.

I believe you have to have talent to win- and we have had that, Stratton, Holder, Frazier, and Renfroe among others, but I also think you have to have a good mix of guys like Detz, Girodo, Caleb Reed heck- even a Sam Frost- guys that aren't going to be All-Star Big Leaguers that fill roles and do things to help you win and can sometimes maybe push the more talented guys if necessary.

one of the reasons Cohen has won the last few years, with still not a great talented team is because the players are starting to play with the grit and determination that is a reflection of who Cohen is and what he wants. Yes, Cohen makes some frustrating moves in games and can make some head scratching positional and pitching decisions but his teams are not easily rattled and usually get the most out of what they have. And not to bash Polk, because he was a very good coach in the day, but I do think the reason a lot of us feel his teams underachieved at times, given the talent level he often had, and could never reach the pinnacle of college baseball was because they were often soft and didn't have the mental toughness to play through bad breaks and play with a fire in the gut. Just a difference in personality between Cohen and Polk which is somewhat reflected in the way their teams play or played.