Heard the same thing about Canterino as well. Despite the outcome on Saturday, his stuff looked darn good and the results could be scary when he figures it out. His breaking ball looked nasty on TV.

(02-21-2017 06:37 PM)RiceOwl Wrote:  Heard the same thing about Canterino as well. Despite the outcome on Saturday, his stuff looked darn good and the results could be scary when he figures it out. His breaking ball looked nasty on TV.

Both Canterino and Garcia remind me of Duplantier his Freshman year-- obviously nasty and elite stuff, and can be dominant at times, but lack consistent command of their pitches. The net result is that they are eventually done in by issuing a series of free passes. Tonight I thought Garcia started nibbling after getting ahead in the count, rather than being aggressive....and it cost him repeatedly.

(02-22-2017 12:07 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Both Canterino and Garcia remind me of Duplantier his Freshman year-- obviously nasty and elite stuff, and can be dominant at times, but lack consistent command of their pitches. The net result is that they are eventually done in by issuing a series of free passes. Tonight I thought Garcia started nibbling after getting ahead in the count, rather than being aggressive....and it cost him repeatedly.

Agree with the comparisons.

Both guys got their first tastes of action against pretty darn good competition. Once they learn to trust their stuff and attack the zone I think we will be very satisfied with the result. Some growing pains along the way are understandable.

(02-22-2017 10:07 AM)RiceOwl Wrote:  

(02-22-2017 12:07 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Both Canterino and Garcia remind me of Duplantier his Freshman year-- obviously nasty and elite stuff, and can be dominant at times, but lack consistent command of their pitches. The net result is that they are eventually done in by issuing a series of free passes. Tonight I thought Garcia started nibbling after getting ahead in the count, rather than being aggressive....and it cost him repeatedly.

Agree with the comparisons.

Both guys got their first tastes of action against pretty darn good competition. Once they learn to trust their stuff and attack the zone I think we will be very satisfied with the result. Some growing pains along the way are understandable.

The in-game inconsistency hounded Big Jon his entire Freshman season. Hopefully, this year's Freshmen crop will get over the hump a bit faster.

I recall Kenny Baugh getting absolutely shelled (11 runs in 1 2/3 innings) by UCLA early in his freshman year (February 1999). A month later, he gave up 6 runs in 1 1/3 against Fresno State. He ended up a 1st round draft choice by the time he left Rice. He learned and matured, as did Duplantier, and hopefully these guys will as well.

(02-22-2017 03:59 PM)Swede Owl Wrote:  I recall Kenny Baugh getting absolutely shelled (11 runs in 1 2/3 innings) by UCLA early in his freshman year (February 1999). A month later, he gave up 6 runs in 1 1/3 against Fresno State. He ended up a 1st round draft choice by the time he left Rice. He learned and matured, as did Duplantier, and hopefully these guys will as well.

Couldn't agree more. There is a heck of a lot of potential on this team.