My way too early to predict starting lineup...

1. RF Warren (L)
2. 1B Myers/Moss ®
3. 2B Gray (L)
4. SS Proctor (L)
5. C DiCaprio/Lammons ®
6. CF Chandler (L)
7. DH Sheppard ®/Sarchet (L)/Moss ®
8. LF Wunderlich ®
9. 3B Jefferies ®

Personally, I'd have Chandler leadoff, but I think Wayne goes with Warren there, and Charlie does have the better OBP.

On the mound, this is how I see it at his point...

Friday: Myers
Saturday: Salinas
Sunday: Amador

Mid-week: Jefferies, Parthasarathy

Closers: Otto, Moss
Set-up: Kravetz, Esquivel, Jefferies/Parthasarathy (whomever is not mid-week)
Middle relief: Orewiler, Freshmen quartet (Gayle, Garcia, Wright, Silber)

Thoughts?

(01-11-2017 10:40 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-11-2017 09:45 PM)SpaceCityBuzz Wrote:  

(01-11-2017 09:28 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Perfect Game has us at #21 in their preseason poll (#1 TCU, #2, LSU, #10 ECU, #16 Stanford, #17 Texas, #20 Houston)...

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View...icle=13435

...Both UT and Stanford appear to be a bit high, IMO (CollegeSportsMadness have the Longhorns at #37 in their ongoing countdown), and really scatching my head on UH-- Davis and Wong return, but didn't they lose two of their three stud pitchers and just about everybody else in the lineup?

UofH brings in 7 JC as well as three freshman pitcher who were drafted plus Josh Pettite's brother. They also return:

ABOUT THE COUGARS
Houston will enter the 2016-17 season with a roster highlighted by 23 newcomers, 16 of which are true freshmen. The Cougars return 12 from the 2016 season, led by All-American and American Rookie of the Year Joe Davis.

Also back for Houston is junior starting pitcher Seth Romero, junior outfielder Corey Julks, junior catcher Connor Wong, junior infielder Connor Hollis and freshman All-American pitchers from a year ago Mitch Ullom and Trey Cumbie.

Davis, Wong and Romero are the real deal. Hollis and Julks are both solid college players, but nothing particularly special. We bring back considerably more proven talent than UH. Stanford's ranking I can understand, as they do have 2 pitchers who are potential first round draft picks this year (Friday starter, closer), and bring back 47 starts amongst starting pitchers with a 3.17 ERA from last year....plus the #1 ranked defense in all of college baseball. They only have one stud hitter, but bring back 8 of their 9 starters from last year, and all are juniors or seniors. The real head scratcher is UT. Yes, they've got several highly regarded pitchers and incoming recruits, but none of them have performed above average at the college level to date.

They added one heck of a good coach, Walt!

(01-12-2017 10:34 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  My way too early to predict starting lineup...

1. RF Warren (L)
2. 1B Myers/Moss ®
3. 2B Gray (L)
4. SS Proctor (L)
5. C DiCaprio/Lammons ®
6. CF Chandler (L)
7. DH Sheppard ®/Sarchet (L)/Moss ®
8. LF Wunderlich ®
9. 3B Jefferies ®

Personally, I'd have Chandler leadoff, but I think Wayne goes with Warren there, and Charlie does have the better OBP.

On the mound, this is how I see it at his point...

Friday: Myers
Saturday: Salinas
Sunday: Amador

Mid-week: Jefferies, Parthasarathy

Closers: Otto, Moss
Set-up: Kravetz, Esquivel, Jefferies/Parthasarathy (whomever is not mid-week)
Middle relief: Orewiler, Freshmen quartet (Gayle, Garcia, Wright, Silber)

Thoughts?

This has the makings of one of our better teams of the last 5 years or so. I suspect at least one of the freshmen pitchers ends up being a starter at some point this year - early bets on Garcia or Gayle.

We need Dane Myers to have a big year - especially on the mound.

Question - Is Josh Pettitte healthy? I didn't see him in your list.

(01-12-2017 06:57 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  

(01-12-2017 10:34 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  My way too early to predict starting lineup...

1. RF Warren (L)
2. 1B Myers/Moss ®
3. 2B Gray (L)
4. SS Proctor (L)
5. C DiCaprio/Lammons ®
6. CF Chandler (L)
7. DH Sheppard ®/Sarchet (L)/Moss ®
8. LF Wunderlich ®
9. 3B Jefferies ®

Personally, I'd have Chandler leadoff, but I think Wayne goes with Warren there, and Charlie does have the better OBP.

On the mound, this is how I see it at his point...

Friday: Myers
Saturday: Salinas
Sunday: Amador

Mid-week: Jefferies, Parthasarathy

Closers: Otto, Moss
Set-up: Kravetz, Esquivel, Jefferies/Parthasarathy (whomever is not mid-week)
Middle relief: Orewiler, Freshmen quartet (Gayle, Garcia, Wright, Silber)

Thoughts?

This has the makings of one of our better teams of the last 5 years or so. I suspect at least one of the freshmen pitchers ends up being a starter at some point this year - early bets on Garcia or Gayle.

We need Dane Myers to have a big year - especially on the mound.

Question - Is Josh Pettitte healthy? I didn't see him in your list.

Unfortunately, no. I didn't post it back then because I didn't think it appropriate, but Josh started throwing off a mound immediately after we returned to Cuba (he was the only guy on roster not to make the trip since he didn't sign up for the course credits at the start of the Semester)...a couple days later he tweeted that he had broken a bone in his elbow, and that the reknown Dr. Andrews told him that 1 in 300 Tommy John patients did the same once they resumed pitching. I'm assuming Josh was particularly vulnerable since he had undergone back-to-back TJSs with only a little over 2 years between the two operations. The guy is snake bit...but he appears to be keeping a positive attitude, at least in his tweets.

Amongst the true Freshmen pitchers-- and we have 7 of them in all!, Addison Moss has proven himself the most, and will almost certainly be our co-closer/set-up guy. Both Garcia and Gayle impressed in the Fall, but I don't see them beating out Myers, Salinas, Amador, Jefferies or Parthasarathy as starters. Another guy to watch is Matt Canterino, who was our most highly regarded Freshman pitcher out of high school. Wayne believes he would have been a 3rd or 4th round draft pick had he not gotten injured his Senior year. He didn't pitch this Fall, but started throwing prior to Cuba, and I'm assuming that as is the case with Jackson P., he has started throwing bullpens off the mound. He's got the build of workhorse pitcher. He's listed in the roster as 6'2" 205 lbs, but he looked more tlike 6'3 225 when i saw him in Cuba.

I just noticed that the pictures are updated for each of the players on the roster.

This was observed

(01-13-2017 04:32 PM)wheredidmypantsgo Wrote:  I just noticed that the pictures are updated for each of the players on the roster.

This was observed

Looks like he's going for the Al Hrabowski look. Let's hope it brings some of the attitude as well.

D1baseball ranked us at #23 in their preseason poll...

https://d1baseball.com/news/2017-d1baseb...on-top-25/

...#1 TCU, #10 ECU, #13 ULaLa, #14 Texas Tech, #18 Stanford, #20 A&M

The A&M ranking is the head scratcher given all their losses on both offense and the mound. Detailed breakdowns to follow.

Here are the detailed capsules for each of Perfect Game's Top 25 teams...

http://www.perfectgame.org/Articles/View...icle=13442

...love how UT is ranked #17 based on "untapped potential".

Here's our writeup...

Quote:21. Rice

Glenn Otto (Rice Athletics)
Head Coach: Wayne Graham
Conference: Conference USA
2016 record: 38-24 (19-10 in C-USA)
2016 finish: Baton Rouge Regional

Top returning hitters: RF Charlie Warren (.341-0-27), SS Ford Proctor (.336-3-41), 2B Tristan Gray (.295-5-18), C Dominic DiCaprio (.293-0-20), CF Ryan Chandler (.270-2-20), 1B/RHP Dane Myers (.264-2-21), LF Dayne Wunderlich (.228-4-27)

Top returning pitchers: RHP Jackson Parthasarathy (1-0, 1.32, 13.2 IP, 6:3), RHP Glenn Otto (9-2, 2.26, 71.2, 53 IP, 76:30, 8 SV), LHP Evan Kravetz (1-0, 2.28, 23.2 IP, 8:14), RHP Ricardo Salinas (9-2, 3.39, 82.1 IP, 64:33), RHP Zach Esquivel (1-1, 5.16, 29.2 IP, 22:21), RHP Willy Amador (2-2, 5.36, 47 IP, 37:15), 1B/RHP Dane Myers (1-2, 6.68, 31 IP, 23:11)

Top newcomers: DH Chace Sarchet, RHP Nick Silber, RHP Matt Canterino, RHP Garrett Gayle

Top 2017 prospects: RHP Glenn Otto (130), 1B/RHP Dane Myers (144), OF Tristan Gray (213), Ricardo Salinas

Why they’re here: Explosive lineup. For a program historically known for developing pitching the 2017 Owls have the potential to be one of the more dangerous lineups 1-9 in the nation. Seven of the team's top eight hitters from a year ago return to the lineup, a squad that hit .273. Charlie Warren, Tristan Gray, Ford Proctor and Dane Myers will set the tempo and will be complemented by junior college transfer Chace Sarchet who hit .371/.425/.624 with 29 extra-base hits (including eight home runs) and 67 RBI a year ago at Weatherford College (Texas). Proctor, the team's dynamic starting shortstop, is the name to watch as one of the top prospects eligible for the 2018 MLB Draft and is a true game-changer on both sides of the ball.

Difference maker: Glenn Otto. Otto is an old school closer who went 9-2 with eight saves a year ago, logging 71 2/3 innings in 33 relief appearances, effectively shortening games and turning close contests into victories. The big-bodied righty works downhill from his over-the-top delivery with a sinking low-90s fastball and signature big-bending upper-70s curveball.

Fun fact: Legendary Head Coach Wayne Graham enters his 25th season at the helm of Rice with a very challenging schedule leading up to C-USA play. Rice opens the year at No. 17 Texas in Austin and then returns home to host Southeastern Louisiana, Pepperdine and No. 16 Stanford. They also have mid-week contests against Dallas Baptist, No. 1 TCU, Lamar, Sam Houston State, Texas State and Texas A&M all before the month of April arrives.

Though Mike Rooney corresponded with me, sounds like he and the other PG guys failed to do their homework. Yes, Silber and Canterino are our two most highly regarded Freshmen out of high school, Addison Moss was the breakout star during Fall Ball (and will almost certainly be our co-closer/set-up guy), with Garcia and Gayle close behind. Silber struggled mightily with his control (until The OG and John Pope tweeked his delivery) and Canterino has yet to pitch to a batter. They also fail to mention 1B/OF, former Baylor slugger, Darynn Sheppard or JUCO transfer, C Robbie Lammons, both of whom are likely to be key contributors.

(01-17-2017 12:23 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  D1baseball ranked us at #23 in their preseason poll...

https://d1baseball.com/news/2017-d1baseb...on-top-25/

...#1 TCU, #10 ECU, #13 ULaLa, #14 Texas Tech, #18 Stanford, #20 A&M

The A&M ranking is the head scratcher given all their losses on both offense and the mound. Detailed breakdowns to follow.

And here's Aaron Fitt's and Kendall Roger's first Top 25 podcast, with Rice discussed between 1:14:41 and 1:16:38...

https://d1baseball.com/podcasts/d1baseba...n-podcast/

They call out Proctor, Myers and Otto (no surprise). Kendall: "Rice is going to be Rice". Fitt: "Nothing special, but solid all-around."

Yes, I'm biased (!!!), but I think they're grossly underestimating the potential of our offense, and they have no clue about the depth of our pitching staff. And since we have no Top 200 Freshman, they've pretty much discounted the group (not to mention failing to notice the 3 transfers-- Sarchet, Lammons, Sheppard). I think Moss, Gayle and Garcia (if not one or two other Freshman pitchers) all become key contributors, and that Jefferies, Kravetz and Parthasarathy all have breakout seasons. But what do I know?

Outside of their Top 10, the D1baseball and Perfect Game preseason ranking could not be more different. Frankly, I cannot remember such wide disparity between these two preseason polls. In each case you have teams ranked in the Top 15 (let alone Top 25) that are not even ranked in the others' poll.

(01-12-2017 10:34 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  My way too early to predict starting lineup...

1. RF Warren (L)
2. 1B Myers/Moss ®
3. 2B Gray (L)
4. SS Proctor (L)
5. C DiCaprio/Lammons ®
6. CF Chandler (L)
7. DH Sheppard ®/Sarchet (L)/Moss ®
8. LF Wunderlich ®
9. 3B Jefferies ®

Personally, I'd have Chandler leadoff, but I think Wayne goes with Warren there, and Charlie does have the better OBP.

On the mound, this is how I see it at his point...

Friday: Myers
Saturday: Salinas
Sunday: Amador

Mid-week: Jefferies, Parthasarathy

Closers: Otto, Moss
Set-up: Kravetz, Esquivel, Jefferies/Parthasarathy (whomever is not mid-week)
Middle relief: Orewiler, Freshmen quartet (Gayle, Garcia, Wright, Silber)

Thoughts?

Seriously. The only proven pitcher is Salinas. Rice has 2 proven pitchers in Salinas and Otto. Unfortunately we are headed down the same path as UT. No offense to Amador and Myers but not weekend starter material. It is going to be a long season. This year's talent will depend upon the bats more than pitchers. For the first time in a while the bats are more talented than the staff.

(01-18-2017 09:10 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Outside of their Top 10, the D1baseball and Perfect Game preseason ranking could not be more different. Frankly, I cannot remember such wide disparity between these two preseason polls. In each case you have teams ranked in the Top 15 (let alone Top 25) that are not even ranked in the others' poll.

Hey Walt, go light a candle for this year.

(01-18-2017 10:22 PM)Howlomaha Wrote:  

(01-12-2017 10:34 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  My way too early to predict starting lineup...

1. RF Warren (L)
2. 1B Myers/Moss ®
3. 2B Gray (L)
4. SS Proctor (L)
5. C DiCaprio/Lammons ®
6. CF Chandler (L)
7. DH Sheppard ®/Sarchet (L)/Moss ®
8. LF Wunderlich ®
9. 3B Jefferies ®

Personally, I'd have Chandler leadoff, but I think Wayne goes with Warren there, and Charlie does have the better OBP.

On the mound, this is how I see it at his point...

Friday: Myers
Saturday: Salinas
Sunday: Amador

Mid-week: Jefferies, Parthasarathy

Closers: Otto, Moss
Set-up: Kravetz, Esquivel, Jefferies/Parthasarathy (whomever is not mid-week)
Middle relief: Orewiler, Freshmen quartet (Gayle, Garcia, Wright, Silber)

Thoughts?

Seriously. The only proven pitcher is Salinas. Rice has 2 proven pitchers in Salinas and Otto. Unfortunately we are headed down the same path as UT. No offense to Amador and Myers but not weekend starter material. It is going to be a long season. This year's talent will depend upon the bats more than pitchers. For the first time in a while the bats are more talented than the staff.

So I guess we should go by your judgement from afar vs. The OG or some of the pundits who actually witnessed Myers and some of our other pitchers during Fall Ball or in Cuba? No question, the only two proven, experienced pitchers are Ricky and Glen. but Parthasarathy (before getting injured), Amador, Kravetz and Myers all showed their potential (albeit mixed with inconsistency). Myers might be the most improved all-around player in all of college baseball heading into the season....and I love his competitive, emotional edge. Willy was wildly inconsistent last season in his first year seeing significant action., but he certainly showed his potential when facing elite competition (A&M, LSU). Having seen our quintet of Freshman arms and the improvement in Jefferies, Esquivel and Orewiler personally myself, I really like our pitching depth this year, and am confident we're going to have our deepest bullpen since 2012. Offense may be the team strength, but I truly believe our pitching is going to surprise, especially if Jackson does return to actiomn by March.

(01-18-2017 10:56 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-18-2017 10:22 PM)Howlomaha Wrote:  

(01-12-2017 10:34 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  My way too early to predict starting lineup...

1. RF Warren (L)
2. 1B Myers/Moss ®
3. 2B Gray (L)
4. SS Proctor (L)
5. C DiCaprio/Lammons ®
6. CF Chandler (L)
7. DH Sheppard ®/Sarchet (L)/Moss ®
8. LF Wunderlich ®
9. 3B Jefferies ®

Personally, I'd have Chandler leadoff, but I think Wayne goes with Warren there, and Charlie does have the better OBP.

On the mound, this is how I see it at his point...

Friday: Myers
Saturday: Salinas
Sunday: Amador

Mid-week: Jefferies, Parthasarathy

Closers: Otto, Moss
Set-up: Kravetz, Esquivel, Jefferies/Parthasarathy (whomever is not mid-week)
Middle relief: Orewiler, Freshmen quartet (Gayle, Garcia, Wright, Silber)

Thoughts?

Seriously. The only proven pitcher is Salinas. Rice has 2 proven pitchers in Salinas and Otto. Unfortunately we are headed down the same path as UT. No offense to Amador and Myers but not weekend starter material. It is going to be a long season. This year's talent will depend upon the bats more than pitchers. For the first time in a while the bats are more talented than the staff.

So I guess we should go by your judgement from afar vs. The OG or some of the pundits who actually witnessed Myers and some of our other pitchers during Fall Ball or in Cuba? No question, the only two proven, experienced pitchers are Ricky and Glen. but Parthasarathy (before getting injured), Amador, Kravetz and Myers all showed their potential (albeit mixed with inconsistency). Myers might be the most improved all-around player in all of college baseball heading into the season....and I love his competitive, emotional edge. Willy was wildly inconsistent last season in his first year seeing significant action., but he certainly showed his potential when facing elite competition (A&M, LSU). Having seen our quintet of Freshman arms and the improvement in Jefferies, Esquivel and Orewiler personally myself, I really like our pitching depth this year, and am confident we're going to have our deepest bullpen since 2012. Offense may be the team strength, but I truly believe our pitching is going to surprise, especially if Jackson does return to actiomn by March.

Gotta luv your blind faith bordering on delusional. When the dust settles you will see that the program is still in year over year decline. Willy is well known for inconsistent performances and suspect emotional makeup. Numbers don't lie so let's see what Myers produces. The team will have a lot of average D1 arms anchored by only Salinas and Otto. This will be the weakest staff yet. It all goes back to recruiting and no kid wants to commit to an 80 + coach who will not be in that role when they graduate. Bowden, Paterno, Garrido all the same path except Rice is taking it to an extreme with an aging coach. And please don't even try and tell me an 80 year old is as sharp as when a younger coach.

Don't feed the Trolls

when does CUSA release their preseason polls?

(01-19-2017 06:42 PM)Owl75 Wrote:  Don't feed the Trolls

LMAO. Truth hurts don't it.

I think the truth is somewhere in between Walt and Howl.

(01-19-2017 08:51 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  I think the truth is somewhere in between Walt and Howl.

+1

(01-19-2017 10:04 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(01-19-2017 08:51 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  I think the truth is somewhere in between Walt and Howl.

+1

You're giving Howl that much credit? Seriously? I may be taking an optimistic view, but it's an informed one. Howl is just trolling with no inside or personal knowledge of this team. And, BTW, if we're as bad as Howl contends we are, do tell how everyone ranks us in the Top 25 (and almost all of those guys are taking a wait and see position on the Owls heading into the season, after losing Dup and Fox, and without knowledge of our newcomers (Freshmen and transfers).