With fall baseball drawing to a close, anyone have any info on how things went?
- Thread starter studentdawg87
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i saw a couple of tweets about Evan Mitchell
Basically saying he showed out during fall ball.I think he will play a much bigger role this year
Basically saying he showed out during fall ball.I think he will play a much bigger role this year
WTF? We've still got a very good chance at finishing 9-3 and you're bitching about it? I'd hang my hat on a 9-3 football season every damn year at State. And lest we forget, most of us were predicting 8-4 in the preseason. Frankly, we're pretty much right where we expected to be right now.
With that said, I don't really know much, but I did have a buddy go to a game over the weekend. According to him, Norris looks good at 3B & Rea has lost a ton of weight. That's good news for us, I think. Hopefully the weight loss will transfer to a quicker bat for Rea.
With that said, I don't really know much, but I did have a buddy go to a game over the weekend. According to him, Norris looks good at 3B & Rea has lost a ton of weight. That's good news for us, I think. Hopefully the weight loss will transfer to a quicker bat for Rea.
I know we're all disappointed in
the way we played against Bama and aTm, but I think it's been proven that those two teams are both bona fide top 15 teams, with Bama being an undisputed #1.
While I don't expect us to beat LSU, we still have an excellent shot to beat Arkansas and Ole Miss, finish 9-3, and if we win the Chick-Fil-A bowl, have our first ten win season since 1999. Going 10-3 this year would be one of the best 5 seasons in MSU football history.
Now that my rant is over on football, I'm totally interested in baseball too. If we get quality innings out of Gravement, Woodruff, and Lindgren on the weekends, we're going to win a lot of baseball games. I'm really excited about our Canadian players too. Robson and Hann both seem to be legit, big time players.
the way we played against Bama and aTm, but I think it's been proven that those two teams are both bona fide top 15 teams, with Bama being an undisputed #1.
While I don't expect us to beat LSU, we still have an excellent shot to beat Arkansas and Ole Miss, finish 9-3, and if we win the Chick-Fil-A bowl, have our first ten win season since 1999. Going 10-3 this year would be one of the best 5 seasons in MSU football history.
Now that my rant is over on football, I'm totally interested in baseball too. If we get quality innings out of Gravement, Woodruff, and Lindgren on the weekends, we're going to win a lot of baseball games. I'm really excited about our Canadian players too. Robson and Hann both seem to be legit, big time players.
I predicted 7-5. I'd be thrilled with 9-3. Ignore that statement. I just want to hear some baseball talk. Seems like Rea, Fullerton and the Canadians were impressive in the spring.
Kendall Rogers tweeted that Mitchell topped out at 97 and threw a lot of pitches over 93.
Kendall Rogers tweeted that Mitchell topped out at 97 and threw a lot of pitches over 93.
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The freshman Canadian, Jacob Robson, hit near .400 and led the team in hitting. I believe he is going to be special and be better than CT Bradford. I'm really excited about this guy.
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that Matthew Britton sucked a big f'n dick. Hows that?
Sorry to offend you, Matthew, but you suck. Please do us all a favor & quit or transfer.
Yours truly,
Bulldawg Nation
Yours truly,
Bulldawg Nation
I can totally agree with wanting to hear a little baseball talk. Change of pace from the bitchfest some are throwing here.
Seriously? Britton will never be a world-beater, but he can be a nice role player. And by nice role player, I mean nothing more than a late inning defensive sub & pinch runner. He should never do anything more than spot start in the midweek at most.
If Robson really is that good, we're in VERY good shape. Hopefully Renfroe finally puts it all together for us, too. Of course, some of the problem is the bats, but we've discussed that ad nauseum.
Is there any word on how Demarcus Henderson has looked? He could be a really good player for us, I think.
I'm hoping the rotation is Woodruff, Mitchell, and Graveman/Lindgren. Of course, Mitchell might be best suited as a long relief or 8th inning setup guy with that kind of velo. It's definitely a good problem to have. Also, what about Ben Bracewell? Is he ever going to pitch aGAIN or can we write him off finally?
Is there any word on how Demarcus Henderson has looked? He could be a really good player for us, I think.
I'm hoping the rotation is Woodruff, Mitchell, and Graveman/Lindgren. Of course, Mitchell might be best suited as a long relief or 8th inning setup guy with that kind of velo. It's definitely a good problem to have. Also, what about Ben Bracewell? Is he ever going to pitch aGAIN or can we write him off finally?
Mitchell has the physical tools to step into Stratton's role... always has. His first 2 years went similarly as well. If he has finally developed the mental side of pitching, he can be huge for us.
Hopefully, we are to the point that we can now compete for championships. The crazy thing is that our recruiting and talent level is nowhere near topped out IMO...
I think this is Cohen's best team
We have a group of veteran guys and for now we are healthy. It's going to be hard to overcome the loss of Stratton- I think our pitching will be a little worse, but it will still be well in the top half of the SEC. Evan Mitchell could be a weekend starter- he just has to get his control a little bit better. Most people think the rotation will be Bracewell, Woodruff, and Graveman. We will figure that out during the first part of the season- Lindgren, Mitchell, Trevor Fitts, Will Cox, and Pollorena will all get looks as starting pitchers and that group will probably be the piggy back starters at the beginning of the year. We have a lot of four game weekends the first four weeks before SEC play. Pollorena has looked good. I hope he is the midweek starter since he owns Ole Miss and USM. Plus, he is better out of the bullpen. Myles Gentry might see some more action than I thought- they've dropped his arm slot down and he was the best freshman pitcher this fall. John Marc Shelly has kind of struggled- he might be more of a one inning guy to start the year. I think Chad Girodo will surprise some people. Ross Mitchell is solid and of course, Holder is our closer.
Slauter is the catcher. If he hits .250 I'll be happy. Our new assistant coach- Jake Kelly- is supposed to be really good at coaching catchers. Mitch's defense could use some improving a little bit on blocking balls in the dirt- and I think Jake might help him out. Mitch's leadership is unquestioned- he will be a good coach one day, and some organization is going to like having him in the minors. He has occasional power too. Daniel Garner struggled hitting the ball this fall. He's going to be learning this year and he should hopefully be ready to take over next year.
Wes Rea led our team in home runs and he has looked really good. It was just a question of getting him healthy. Second base is still wide open. No one really took the job. I think Sam Frost of all people hit the best of the second baseman this fall. Kyle Hann is the Canadian second baseman, and the coaches like him a lot. Brett Pirtle made some nice defensive plays there, and then we have Alex Detz, Pierson Waring and Britton. Daryl Norris I think won the thrid base job over Nick Flair. He hit about .280. Adam Frazier is our SS of course.
Our outfield might be our strength. We have four good outfielders and Hunter Renfroe had the worst fall- and even his fall was really good. CT and Jacob Robson the Canadian outfielder both hit well over .300. Demarcus Henderson also hit well over .300. Derrick Armstrong and Tyler Fullerton will probably be pinch-hit/pinch-run/late inning defensive replacement guys.
As far as DH- Trey Porter had some kind of surgery this offseason. We should have a deeper bench which means we should be able to use someone as a RH DH like Demarcus or Nick Flair which means that Trey will probably get fewer at bats.
My guess at a batting order:
1. CT CF
2. Frazier SS
3. Hunter RF
4. Rea 1B
5. Porter/Flair/Demarcus DH
6. Norris 3B
7. Frost/Hann 2B
8. Slauter C
9. Robson/Demarcus LF
We have a group of veteran guys and for now we are healthy. It's going to be hard to overcome the loss of Stratton- I think our pitching will be a little worse, but it will still be well in the top half of the SEC. Evan Mitchell could be a weekend starter- he just has to get his control a little bit better. Most people think the rotation will be Bracewell, Woodruff, and Graveman. We will figure that out during the first part of the season- Lindgren, Mitchell, Trevor Fitts, Will Cox, and Pollorena will all get looks as starting pitchers and that group will probably be the piggy back starters at the beginning of the year. We have a lot of four game weekends the first four weeks before SEC play. Pollorena has looked good. I hope he is the midweek starter since he owns Ole Miss and USM. Plus, he is better out of the bullpen. Myles Gentry might see some more action than I thought- they've dropped his arm slot down and he was the best freshman pitcher this fall. John Marc Shelly has kind of struggled- he might be more of a one inning guy to start the year. I think Chad Girodo will surprise some people. Ross Mitchell is solid and of course, Holder is our closer.
Slauter is the catcher. If he hits .250 I'll be happy. Our new assistant coach- Jake Kelly- is supposed to be really good at coaching catchers. Mitch's defense could use some improving a little bit on blocking balls in the dirt- and I think Jake might help him out. Mitch's leadership is unquestioned- he will be a good coach one day, and some organization is going to like having him in the minors. He has occasional power too. Daniel Garner struggled hitting the ball this fall. He's going to be learning this year and he should hopefully be ready to take over next year.
Wes Rea led our team in home runs and he has looked really good. It was just a question of getting him healthy. Second base is still wide open. No one really took the job. I think Sam Frost of all people hit the best of the second baseman this fall. Kyle Hann is the Canadian second baseman, and the coaches like him a lot. Brett Pirtle made some nice defensive plays there, and then we have Alex Detz, Pierson Waring and Britton. Daryl Norris I think won the thrid base job over Nick Flair. He hit about .280. Adam Frazier is our SS of course.
Our outfield might be our strength. We have four good outfielders and Hunter Renfroe had the worst fall- and even his fall was really good. CT and Jacob Robson the Canadian outfielder both hit well over .300. Demarcus Henderson also hit well over .300. Derrick Armstrong and Tyler Fullerton will probably be pinch-hit/pinch-run/late inning defensive replacement guys.
As far as DH- Trey Porter had some kind of surgery this offseason. We should have a deeper bench which means we should be able to use someone as a RH DH like Demarcus or Nick Flair which means that Trey will probably get fewer at bats.
My guess at a batting order:
1. CT CF
2. Frazier SS
3. Hunter RF
4. Rea 1B
5. Porter/Flair/Demarcus DH
6. Norris 3B
7. Frost/Hann 2B
8. Slauter C
9. Robson/Demarcus LF
If we have to put up with Frost at 2B aGAIN, Cohen should have his head examined and deserves every last ounce of hell he catches this year. Hasn't 2 seasons been enough to prove that he isn't an SEC caliber player? Sure, his glove is ok, but he doesn't hit much better than Britton. Hell, Hann, Detz, and Waring should ALL get a shot before Frost & Britton are even considered as viable options. It's a damn embarrassment if Frost and Britton are the best 2B that Cohen can recruit in 17ing Year 4. Much like Mullen and kickers.
A voice of reason. We've lost to 2 very good teams, 1 of them a great team. We'll most likely lose to another very good team this weekend. We'll win 8-9 games in the regular season and that's a damn good season for us any year. And yes, I'm excited about the baseball team as well. We look like we could be legitimate contenders for the first time in a very, very long time.
What about the question we've all been waiting for... New bats?
Please tell me we're changing bats. If nothing else, for psychological purposes.
Please tell me we're changing bats. If nothing else, for psychological purposes.
I hear you
Second base is our most open position right now. Frost isn't SEC caliber- no arguing that at all. However, no one has really established themselves and taken over the position. The second base position will be up for grabs early in the year and all will get a chance to take it. I went with Frost because he hit better than the other second basemen in the fall, he has the most experience as he is a senior and as you noticed, I put Hann as the right handed hitting option- so Frost and Hann would be in a situation where they platoon rather than Frost playing everyday.
Hann is the most talented of our second basemen in my opinion, but he's a freshman. If we go with one second baseman, it could very well be him. It's a matter of how quickly he adjusts to SEC pitching.
Losing William DuPont to the MLB draft hurt us because he would probably platoon with Hann rather than Frost as well.
Second base is our most open position right now. Frost isn't SEC caliber- no arguing that at all. However, no one has really established themselves and taken over the position. The second base position will be up for grabs early in the year and all will get a chance to take it. I went with Frost because he hit better than the other second basemen in the fall, he has the most experience as he is a senior and as you noticed, I put Hann as the right handed hitting option- so Frost and Hann would be in a situation where they platoon rather than Frost playing everyday.
Hann is the most talented of our second basemen in my opinion, but he's a freshman. If we go with one second baseman, it could very well be him. It's a matter of how quickly he adjusts to SEC pitching.
Losing William DuPont to the MLB draft hurt us because he would probably platoon with Hann rather than Frost as well.
Not that I know of
However, we did bring the left field fence in about 10 feet. I want to see Hunter Renfroe use a wood bat though. I wouldn't be surprised if he tries it at some point during the year.
However, we did bring the left field fence in about 10 feet. I want to see Hunter Renfroe use a wood bat though. I wouldn't be surprised if he tries it at some point during the year.
I still say you don't bring in a JUCO like Detz to start Frost ahead of him. If that happens, then you did a piss poor job of evaluating. Detz should get the first shot on principle alone. Hopefully someone steps up in the early portion of the season and puts it all to rest. I'll lose my mind if Frost is the everyday 2B for SEC play.
looking at the scrimmage and practice stats, it looks like it will be a lot of the same as last year. Good to great pitching and bad to terrible hitting. This may be controversial, but it appears that our coaching staff coaches our players down when it comes to hitting. I think it's an effect of the "small ball" strategy/mentality. I hope I'm wrong and CT, Renfroe, Hunter, and Rea break out and show us some power hitting, but I'm not holding my breath.
Agree. If we wanted a big 3 national championship, we'd put as much money as we could into this program. It's the only one with a chance.
https://twitter.com/MsStateBaseball
Excellent baseball-related follow...
Link contains pics of completed LFL decking and alot of good info about how fall ball went...
ETA: Found it very interesting that PG 9.5 prospect(the equivalent of a 4.5*) Preston Palmeiro(yes Rafi's son) visited us this past weekend and will be making a decision very soon(early signing day in baseball is in the next few days). Seems maybe the "old" State regime is finally starting to warm up to Cohen and the idea of burying the hatchet about Polk. His PG profile(not yet updated to show us as a contender for him): http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=268486
Excellent baseball-related follow...
Link contains pics of completed LFL decking and alot of good info about how fall ball went...
ETA: Found it very interesting that PG 9.5 prospect(the equivalent of a 4.5*) Preston Palmeiro(yes Rafi's son) visited us this past weekend and will be making a decision very soon(early signing day in baseball is in the next few days). Seems maybe the "old" State regime is finally starting to warm up to Cohen and the idea of burying the hatchet about Polk. His PG profile(not yet updated to show us as a contender for him): http://www.perfectgame.org/players/playerprofile.aspx?ID=268486
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Yeah
I've been following that guy for a while now. It's definitely the best way to get any baseball news for our team. The official twitter account sucks. It doesn't really offer much on it, unfortunately.
I've been following that guy for a while now. It's definitely the best way to get any baseball news for our team. The official twitter account sucks. It doesn't really offer much on it, unfortunately.
Is this the weekly(potentially daily) Rugbdawg "give up early on the baseball team" thread? Todd has been pretty spot-on with his baseball expectations since I've been here. I believe he even underestimated them a bit last year.
Check Girodo's summer league stats and get back to me. He may have been the single most impressive pitcher of ours this summer, and the league he played in was a legit California summer league. I was surprised as well. http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=7522
16 Appearances 27.3IP 0.99ERA 44k's 3bb's
The last pitcher we had go to this league and have a breakout performance was Caleb Reed prior to his jr year.
Chad has scrapped his slider
And is back throwing his curveball again. As engie said- he had a really good summer and has even drawn some interest from some scouts.
And is back throwing his curveball again. As engie said- he had a really good summer and has even drawn some interest from some scouts.
Good news for you WMD
I read the stats wrong- so let me correct myself- Brett Pirtle actually was the best hitting second baseman. I saw .278 and my bad eyes thought he hit .218. Getting old sucks. Pirtle is a JUCO from Texas who made some nice defensive plays this fall. I still think Hann will figure in prominently though.
So replace Frost with Pirtle.
I read the stats wrong- so let me correct myself- Brett Pirtle actually was the best hitting second baseman. I saw .278 and my bad eyes thought he hit .218. Getting old sucks. Pirtle is a JUCO from Texas who made some nice defensive plays this fall. I still think Hann will figure in prominently though.
So replace Frost with Pirtle.