Coach Elander has some tuff decisions to make

I think catcher/first base will affect everything

Seems like Clark should be given more time at catcher, if defense is similar to Lawless.

I like Abernathy in CF and Newstrom at 2B.

I’m already irked at the thought of Chapman being in the lineup over Myatt and/or Grimmer. Seems to me that moving Ford off of 3rd to the OF and putting Grimmer there would be a possible solution but I don’t think Ford has done much away from 3rd in practice for awhile.

TennesseeJed01010 said:

I’m already irked at the thought of Chapman being in the lineup over Myatt and/or Grimmer. Seems to me that moving Ford off of 3rd to the OF and putting Grimmer there would be a possible solution but I don’t think Ford has done much away from 3rd in practice for awhile.

You wonder if we need to be careful with a pro prospect like Ford on where he slots best for the future. That portal pipeline is important.

I know it was Oakland but we scored 11 runs with that lineup and to more importantly it wasn’t just one big inning. It was hitting in multiple innings. Against Bellarmine we scored in 2 innings…

ATLVFL said:

Seems like Clark should be given more time at catcher, if defense is similar to Lawless.

Over Lawless who is hitting much better? edit: nevermind I don’t think that’s what you were saying

Go with your best sticks.

Grimmer isn’t coming out of the lineup. You might want to put that one down in ink.

VFF said:

I think catcher/first base will affect everything

That and 2B/SS

I think Jay needs to stick at 2nd. Better OF bat options than MIF

Still think AA is the wildcard here.. he is hitting right at .230. IMO, thats playable with the defense he brings

This is dicey. Elander is going to ride Stone, Levi, & Manny to give them every opportunity to turn it around. But there comes a point where you might have to put Grimmer at 1B, Wright at C, Abernathy at CF, Newstrom at 2B, and Myatt at DH.

I think Myatt might be an odd man out. He has barreled some balls this season for sure. But Grimmer and Wright have to be in over him for now. JMO. The Clark conundrum is a big one. How long will E stick with him?

Jaybird24 said:

Still think AA is the wildcard here.. he is hitting right at .230. IMO, thats playable with the defense he brings

That is not playable for any second baseman in college baseball. We haven’t even gotten to SEC play and he’s showing he still can’t hit the MACtion

ATLVFL said:

I like Abernathy in CF and Newstrom at 2B.

if you want your best bats in the lineup, Newstrom goes to SS and Antigua and Marin ride the pine. Abernathy to 2nd. Wright to CF. Blaine in LF. Chapman in RF. Grimmer/Clark 1B/DH. Lawless/Clark C. Myatt/Clark/Eisfelder DH

It seems to me that this is the most important task for any college baseball coach at this level- getting your best 9 on the field, and in the correct position. Every high school position player you recruit at this level likely played one of three positions for his entire life up until now- SS, CF, and C. Some of those guys are going to have to play elsewhere. Guys who have hit at or near the top of their travel ball batting order will have to move to the 7-8-9 holes. There may be growing pains and hurt feelings that come with all that. So if you have a lot of turnover on your roster (and we do most years), then you may have to tinker with the lineup for most of the season to get it right- and sometimes you may not get it right at all. Same goes for the pitching staff. Guys who have been starters in the past may have to get accustomed to a bullpen role.

Personal opinion: First Grimmer Second Abernathy Short Marin/Newstrom Third Ford Left Brown Center Chapman Right Myatt Catcher Wright DH Clark I’d rotate Clark and Lawless behind the plate midweek and some Sundays. Chapman has played center and has good range and a strong arm.

This is what I would go with right now. 2B Jay Abernathy 3B Henry Ford DH Blaine Brown C Levi Clark 1B Blake Grimmer CF Garrett Wright RF Reese Chapman LF Chris Newstrom SS Manny Marin Obviously, some flex there with (eventually) Wright to C, Abernathy to CF, Levi to 1B, Grimmer to DH, etc. But that is the lineup I'd roll with as the general look as it stands right now.

Mike_Wilson said:

This is what I would go with right now. 2B Jay Abernathy 3B Henry Ford DH Blaine Brown C Levi Clark 1B Blake Grimmer CF Garrett Wright RF Reese Chapman LF Chris Newstrom SS Manny Marin Obviously, some flex there with (eventually) Wright to C, Abernathy to CF, Levi to 1B, Grimmer to DH, etc. But that is the lineup I'd roll with as the general look as it stands right now.

I love this one too. The only thing is i wish abernathy could be our full time CF. His speed saves runs out there, but i get having him at 2B to get more bats in

*Tough

Jaybird24 said:

Still think AA is the wildcard here.. he is hitting right at .230. IMO, thats playable with the defense he brings

He’s hitting .230 against non SEC pitching. He can’t hit a lick. Can’t play him other than situationally. Never gonna hit a lick.

Mike_Wilson said:

This is what I would go with right now. 2B Jay Abernathy 3B Henry Ford DH Blaine Brown C Levi Clark 1B Blake Grimmer CF Garrett Wright RF Reese Chapman LF Chris Newstrom SS Manny Marin Obviously, some flex there with (eventually) Wright to C, Abernathy to CF, Levi to 1B, Grimmer to DH, etc. But that is the lineup I'd roll with as the general look as it stands right now.

@Mike_Wilson Why no Stone at C?

beefvol44 said:

@Mike_Wilson Why no Stone at C?

I think this is your best nine right now. Levi has been good behind the plate. But him being there also opens up first for Grimmer, which opens up left for Newstrom.