While we continue to savor last night's impressive Hawaii Bowl victory, and bask in the very positive spotlight that ESPN shone on us, I was just reminded that the baseball season-opener at Reckling vs. Texas is just 50 days away. In a couple weeks activity will once again be swirling inside Reckling as the 2015 edition of the Diamond Owls begin to take shape. And here are my early wishes for the upcoming season...

- A fully healthy, rested and rejuvenated John Clay (JC) Reeves behind the dish. Given what he accomplished playing with a fractured wrist and injured hip in his first year on South Main (.317, 6 HRs, 8 doubles/triples, 41 RBIs), I can't wait to see what he can do when healthy...aside from carry the team on his back.

- Junior LHP Blake Fox having a repeat of his all-American 2014 season, and continuing his unblemished record at Rice (now 18 - 0 and counting).

- Anticipated breakout seasons from our Junior duo of SS Leon Byrd (who had a phenominal Fall Ball) and 1B Connor Teykl (who tore it up in the California League over the Summer), as well as Big Jon Duplantier (who opened eyes this Summer and was named the #1 prospect in the California League by every publication and site).

- Continued improvement and increased contributions from our quartet of Junior RHPs: Kevin McCanna, Ryan McCarthy and Austin Orewiler

- Matt Ditman returns healthy after a Summer and Fall of rest, and steps up his game even further to become a legitimate Stopper of the Year and All-American candidate.

- Speedy rehabs and recovery of form/stuff from our quartet of pitchers coming back from arm troubles: Jordan Stephens, Josh Petitte, Max McElligott and Austin Solecitto. Hopefully, at least two of them will be ready to contribute positively to our already strong and deep pitching staff.

- Our numerous true Freshmen (RHP Glenn Otto, RHP Ricardo Salinas, LF Tristan Gray, CF Ryan Chandler, OF Khevin Brewer) and JUCO transfers (LHP Josh Petitte, LHP Austin Solecitto, 3B Grayson Lewis) prove to be key impact players from the get-go. I believe we will be relying on newcomers more in 2015 than in any year since that historically great incoming class of the 2005 season (Savery, Geer, Friday, Henley, Dodson, St.Clair, Bell, Lehmann, Bramhall, Tacker, et al.)

- Our quintet of Seniors (C JC Reeves, 2B Ford Stainback, UT Kirby Taylor, RHP Trevor Teykl, LHP/OF John JWiliie Williamson) take on the leadership role-- both on the field and in the lockerroom, and set the tone toward our long-overdue return to Owlmaha.

- Continued development and increased contributions from C Hunter Kopycinski and RF Charlie Warren.

We're likely to be somewhat disrespected in the various preseason polls due to our question marks on offense (based on returning production) and an overlooked pitching staff. I'm guessing that the reputable pundits will have us in the #13 - #17 range heading into the season....but with 11 of our first 13 games against Texas, Stanford and Arizona (representing a combined 20% of the regular season), we have the opportunity to quickly turn heads and make a statement.

This could very well be our best pitching staff since the Big 4 years of 2003 - '04, and certainly what appears to be our deepest staff in the Wayne Graham era. And though I suspect we still will not be much of a base stealing team, this year's squad should be our fastest in quite some time.

50 days and counting-- opening day cannot come fast enough.

I Am more than ready for a return to Omah - what do you thnk of our chances?

I am curious if Lance Berkman on the coaching staff will improve our hitting relative to last year?

(12-25-2014 06:28 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I Am more than ready for a return to Omah - what do you thnk of our chances?

I think we would have been there last year if not for the injuries (Stephens, Lamond, Rutter, Ditman, Hoelscher, Reeves). Quite honestly, it's amazing we got as far as we got last year.

There are a lot of upperclass-laden, strong pitching, deep teams this year. Vandy will probably be consensus #1 going in. We'll certainly have the pitching to take us to Omaha, especially if at least one from amongst Stephens, Petitte and Solecitto can return to give us quality innings. Both Otto and Salinas are going to contribute immediately. I think the key is going to be how we answer the questions on offense. Though we lack the power bats, I personally think the core of Byrd, Teykl, Stainback and Reeves will all step up and have career years for us. We need at least a couple of the newcomers-- most notably Gray, Lewis and Chandler-- to have strong seasons at the plate. Having said that, with our pitching, if we can improve our ability to manufacture runs, we should be fine.

(12-25-2014 06:36 PM)OldOwl Wrote:  I am curious if Lance Berkman on the coaching staff will improve our hitting relative to last year?

I'm hoping his biggest contribution will be on plate discipline and pitch recognition.

(12-25-2014 06:38 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(12-25-2014 06:36 PM)OldOwl Wrote:  I am curious if Lance Berkman on the coaching staff will improve our hitting relative to last year?

I'm hoping his biggest contribution will be scoring more runs.

I fixed it for you.

I don't think I can take another season of "The Gambler". Isn't there some other theme music for Wayne?

(12-25-2014 11:52 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I don't think I can take another season of "The Gambler". Isn't there some other theme music for Wayne?

Towards the end of the year, Kenny was replaced by the man in black, Johnny Cash.

(12-25-2014 06:38 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(12-25-2014 06:36 PM)OldOwl Wrote:  I am curious if Lance Berkman on the coaching staff will improve our hitting relative to last year?

I'm hoping his biggest contribution will be on plate discipline and pitch recognition.

Over his 15-year MLB career, Lance had just 3% more strikeouts than freebies (1300Ks / 1201 BBs & 66 HBPs), compared with the 2013 Owls' 32% figure (339 Ks / 212 BBs & 45 HBPs).

Having Lance on staff can't hurt...

Great 50 day away summation Walt. Hope arises in the spring.

(12-25-2014 06:28 PM)OptimisticOwl Wrote:  I Am more than ready for a return to Omah - what do you thnk of our chances?

Its gonna happen. Although I say that every year!

Walt - thanks for the summary. Looking forward to the season

Grol, Antarius-- not intended as a summary or assessment, but rather a wish list for the upcoming season.

(12-25-2014 06:14 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  This could very well be our best pitching staff since the Big 4 years of 2003 - '04, and certainly what appears to be our deepest staff in the Wayne Graham era.

That's saying something. As you know, pitching is the name of the game.

The American Conference All-Preseason team was just released. UH pitchers nabbed 4 of 6 spots on the team (3 of 5 starters plus the reliever). Collegiate Baseball ranked UH 8th and Rice 22nd.

Should be a fun (and well-pitched) Silver Glove series.

(12-27-2014 06:34 AM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(12-25-2014 06:14 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  This could very well be our best pitching staff since the Big 4 years of 2003 - '04, and certainly what appears to be our deepest staff in the Wayne Graham era.

That's saying something. As you know, pitching is the name of the game.

The American Conference All-Preseason team was just released. UH pitchers nabbed 4 of 6 spots on the team (3 of 5 starters plus the reliever). Collegiate Baseball ranked UH 8th and Rice 22nd.

Should be a fun (and well-pitched) Silver Glove series.

The Coogs certainly have strong pitching at the top of the staff (Top 3 starters, closer), but it remains to be seen how deep your pitching staff will be. IMO, Tyler Ford was your team MVP last year, and will be sorely missed. Fortunately, with Louisville now gone to the ACC, the AAC has become one of the weakest baseball conferences in the country, this is going to have an adverse effect on your RPI. Aside from UCF, is there another team in the ACC that is certain to be ranked in the Top 100 in RPI?

(12-27-2014 09:31 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  The AAC has become one of the weakest baseball conferences in the country. This is going to have an adverse effect on your RPI. Aside from UCF, is there another team in the ACC that is certain to be ranked in the Top 100 in RPI?

Good question. We'll see. It's a year of transition in the American.

Louisville, Rutgers and Temple are gone. Temple cut baseball.

East Carolina and Tulane join. On balance, each of those moves are positive for the league except the Louisville departure.

Interested to see how long it takes Pierce to turn Tulane around.

I take it from your comments that you would not switch baseball conferences with Houston, i.e. you'd rather play:

FIU
FAU
Charlote
La Tech
Marshall
Middle Tenn
Old Dominion
UAB
Southern Miss
Western Ky
UT-San Antonio

than:

UCF
UConn
Tulane
East Carolina
USF
Memphis
Cincy

On the other hand, I would not want to switch baseball conferences with Rice. I prefer the American slate.

(12-27-2014 05:16 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(12-27-2014 09:31 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  The AAC has become one of the weakest baseball conferences in the country. This is going to have an adverse effect on your RPI. Aside from UCF, is there another team in the ACC that is certain to be ranked in the Top 100 in RPI?

Good question. We'll see. It's a year of transition in the American.

Louisville, Rutgers and Temple are gone. Temple cut baseball.

East Carolina and Tulane join. On balance, each of those moves are positive for the league except the Louisville departure.

Interested to see how long it takes Pierce to turn Tulane around.

I take it from your comments that you would not switch baseball conferences with Houston, i.e. you'd rather play:

FIU
FAU
Charlote
La Tech
Marshall
Middle Tenn
Old Dominion
UAB
Southern Miss
Western Ky
UT-San Antonio

than:

UCF
UConn
Tulane
East Carolina
USF
Memphis
Cincy

On the other hand, I would not want to switch baseball conferences with Rice. I prefer the American slate.

The issue is largely that many southwest schools that should have baseball ($MU, UNT, Tulsa, UTEP) don't

(12-27-2014 05:16 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(12-27-2014 09:31 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  The AAC has become one of the weakest baseball conferences in the country. This is going to have an adverse effect on your RPI. Aside from UCF, is there another team in the ACC that is certain to be ranked in the Top 100 in RPI?

Good question. We'll see. It's a year of transition in the American.

Louisville, Rutgers and Temple are gone. Temple cut baseball.

East Carolina and Tulane join. On balance, each of those moves are positive for the league except the Louisville departure.

Interested to see how long it takes Pierce to turn Tulane around.

I take it from your comments that you would not switch baseball conferences with Houston, i.e. you'd rather play:

FIU
FAU
Charlote
La Tech
Marshall
Middle Tenn
Old Dominion
UAB
Southern Miss
Western Ky
UT-San Antonio

than:

UCF
UConn
Tulane
East Carolina
USF
Memphis
Cincy

On the other hand, I would not want to switch baseball conferences with Rice. I prefer the American slate.

You do realize only one CUSA baseball program last year finished outside the Top 100 in RPI? With so few teams in the AAC, do you guys play home and home series with each team as we did when we were in the WAC?

(12-27-2014 06:45 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  You do realize only one CUSA baseball program last year finished outside the Top 100 in RPI? With so few teams in the AAC, do you guys play home and home series with each team as we did when we were in the WAC?

We play three game series.

As for conferences, East Carolina was one of those teams to which you refer. They are gone. UAB was one. They are getting kicked out soon, right? You added Western Ky. They were not Top 100 RPI last year. I notice four CUSA programs were borderline Top 100.

Last year is so last year. Who would have thought a year ago that Houston would finish Top 10 and sweep Rice? Things change from year to year, often dramatically.

Historically, the programs in the American have done well. We don't have a flagship program like Rice, but:

1. Tulane made the CWS in 2001 and 2005 and made the super regionals in 2004;
2. Houston made super regionals in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2014 and has ancient CWS appearances;
3. East Carolina made super regionals in 2001, 2004 and 2009;
4. UConn made a super regional in 2011 and has ancient CWS appearances.

Compare CUSA. FIU made the supers in 2001. FAU made the supers in 2002. Southern Miss made the CWS in 2009. Aside from Rice, that's the best CUSA has done.

Maybe the non-Rice CUSA schools will outperform the non-UH American schools this year. Maybe they won't. Either way, I still prefer our line up. In fact, if we could add Rice to the American baseball mix, it would be just about perfect.

(12-27-2014 07:55 PM)CougarRed Wrote:  

(12-27-2014 06:45 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  You do realize only one CUSA baseball program last year finished outside the Top 100 in RPI? With so few teams in the AAC, do you guys play home and home series with each team as we did when we were in the WAC?

We play three game series.

As for conferences, East Carolina was one of those teams to which you refer. They are gone. UAB was one. They are getting kicked out soon, right? You added Western Ky. They were not Top 100 RPI last year. I notice four CUSA programs were borderline Top 100.

Last year is so last year. Who would have thought a year ago that Houston would finish Top 10 and sweep Rice? Things change from year to year, often dramatically.

Historically, the programs in the American have done well. We don't have a flagship program like Rice, but:

1. Tulane made the CWS in 2001 and 2005 and made the super regionals in 2004;
2. Houston made super regionals in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2014 and has ancient CWS appearances;
3. East Carolina made super regionals in 2001, 2004 and 2009;
4. UConn made a super regional in 2011 and has ancient CWS appearances.

Compare CUSA. FIU made the supers in 2001. FAU made the supers in 2002. Southern Miss made the CWS in 2009. Aside from Rice, that's the best CUSA has done.

Maybe the non-Rice CUSA schools will outperform the non-UH American schools this year. Maybe they won't. Either way, I still prefer our line up. In fact, if we could add Rice to the American baseball mix, it would be just about perfect.

While I agree with you to extent, within the AAC only UH and UCF have had decent seasons in the last 3 - 4 years. Tulane has been awful since their great 2005, transfer driven season (I don't believe they've made the post-season since then), and UConn has fallen off the map since their 3 - 4 year quality run. ECU has underachieved for the past 4 - 5 years now; so much so that their fanbase wants Coach Goodwin fired-- yesterday.

(12-27-2014 10:32 PM)interwebowl Wrote:  No question AAC is better. If for no other reason, there are fewer games. CUSA is terrible terrible etc. No question Rice baseball is better off in the AAC or MW or Sunbelt.

And for the record, it kills me to say that because there is not another person who hates cougar high and all the fake platitudes it stands for more than I.

Look, I'm a college baseball junkie, and CUSA is far from a terrible baseball conference. The Mountain West is awful in baseball, and the Sunbelt is not much better. You don't know what you're talking about if you think otherwise. Sure, it's not the ACC, SEC, Pac-12 or Big 12, but it's up there with the Big West next in line. If the AAC has so few teams and only plays one weekend series against each conference foe, then that necessarily means that teams play considerably more OOC games than AAC games. Only 18 AAC games, leaves a whopping 38 OOC games. What's the point of having a baseball conference if that's the situation? Less than one-third your regular season games will be in-conference.