Who gets cut from baseball next fall?

bulldogcountry1

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Jun 4, 2007
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<div> Problem is there are roster limits. So, whether the guys can stay in school with or without their scholarship isn't going to make a huge difference for many of them.

It's hard to tell at this point because we have to figure out first of all, who of our returnees wants to come back. I imagine that a few guys will transfer, possibly some of the guys who have contributed a lot this year.

Then we have to figure out if Conner Powers is going to sign with MLB- and I think he will for the record. I don't know that anyone else will get drafted, although there could be a team that takes a flier on a Rickey Bowen, or a Jet Butler. Even better, it's also going to depend on how many recruits we lose to the MLB draft. From what I have heard, we should be able to get all of our high school guys into school. We'll see though.

Now the numbers game- we lose nine seniors. We have signed 16 players so far, and are probably going to sign two more this year from what I have been hearing. We have three invited walk-ons that I know of. That comes out to a grand total of 21 new players.

So, 9 seniors + 1 Conner Powers + 3 guys that just leave on their own (I've only heard the rumor on here about Forrest Moore and Cody Freeman. I threw in Rickey Bowen for ***** and giggles, whether true or not, we're likely to lose this many players anyway) comes out to 13 players leaving on their own, which leaves us with 22 players still on the team.

Now, 22 players still here + 21 new players = 43. So, 43-35=8. So, roughly eight players will be cut depending on a variety of factors. Or should I say eight pitchers not named Nick Routt. Our recruiting class is primarily pitchers, and we're still trying to sign more.

Your answer is 8. </div>
</div>I figured Todd's math lesson in another post deserved it's own thread.

Who are the the 16 guys we have signed? ...Or shall I ask who are the last two? BJ has 14 on the list.

I was trying to do the math the other day. One thing we're assuming is that all of the new guys will earn a spot on the team. I doubt that will happen. It would be nice, but you have to think that a recruit of two will flop, and maybe a current player on the bubble will find a way to improve. Things will most likely take care of themselves long before Cohen has to make cuts after fall practice. I'm sure more than a couple will be transferring by will or suggestion.

As far as tranfers, I have to go with the "entitlement" therory. Nappi and Freeman were everyday players last year. I'm sure they expected much more PT this year. I look for them to leave. We just can't have a team full of DHs.
 

8dog

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Feb 23, 2008
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we are probably going to lose a few to the draft. Sheppard and Davis are prime candidates to never show up on campus. Also, any of the other jucos could get drafted and never show up.

I'll state again that I'll be surprised if Busby is back. I was looking at the roster yesterday trying to figure this stuff out, and frankly, finding people to cut is a hell of a lot easier than finding people to not cut.

All I know if that we are not pinning ourselves down, and that's one problem I had under Polk. He wouldn't even "oversign" without roster limits.
 

RebelBruiser

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Aug 21, 2007
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It's going to be an issue every year under the new rules, and it really handcuffs the coaches.

For instance, with Basham, Power, and Bittle all coming back for us this year, we had I believe 3 more players than we had roster spots. I know of one for sure, Zach Rutland, that agreed to stay in school and sit out this season. He was the 4th catcher on the team behind two seniors and a freshman. He fortunately chose to stick around a year so he could be the back up next year.

Regardless, it straps the coaches, and most teams are going to end up cutting 3-5 kids at least every year.
 

8dog

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Feb 23, 2008
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it should only be an issue this year. Once you get to 35 this year, theoretically you would just sign the number of guys you will lose every year after that.

But for numerous reasons, that's not the reality of it so you are correct, schools will be cutting every year. Most already were if guys that weren't performing were taking up baseball scholarship money.

The NCAA has this crazy notion that these new limits and rules were going to prevent coaches from cutting but its likely only going to make it worse.
 

bulldogcountry1

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Jun 4, 2007
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35 should be plenty for a team to work with. Let's face it. How much is the 40th guy going to contribute? I know coaches would like to use those spots for redshirts and to fill in for injuries, but cuts have to be made every year no matter what the roster limit is. If you manage to squeak by a year and don't prove to be an asset to the team, you need to be prepared to get cut and move on. Polk just didn't want to have to look someone in the eye and say that.

I think, just by looking at the number Cohen has signed speaks volumes. Polk would have signed no more than 10 players for next year. Cohen is being proactive, but Polk would have just said, "Oh well. We only have 9 seniors graduating, so we can't sign more than that."
 
G

Goat Kicker

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if I absolutely had to make guesses on eight that won't be in Starkville, it's those two, Jaron Shepard, Ricky Bowen, Justin Bussey, Runey Davis, one or two of Jones/Hayes/Reed...hell it's too tough for me to judge. That's why Cohen makes the money. Doesn't matter anyway, we will have the best players available out there.
 

TDAWG.sixpack

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Feb 28, 2008
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Agreed, 35 should be enough, but I do think it makes a difference for recruiting coaches. It probably puts more emphasis on recruiting dual position players, such as a Moreland.Technically, 2 players taking up one roster spot. If his pitches are getting rocked then put him in the field.
 
G

Goat Kicker

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They get paid to win....that's it. It's life. Remove that anxiety and you Polk - writing letters on his typewriter saying he will not be mean to his players. Pretty much spitting in MSU's faces.