(01-15-2020 05:10 PM)RiceFootball2K5 Wrote:  I still see Deskins on there. Only one missing so far as I can tell is Ben Content, sophomore righthander who pitched 4 innings last year.

Content did have a solid Fall Ball. If true, not a huge loss, but given pitching will be our MAJOR issue, we need all hands on deck with the hope that several will see the light and step up (or at least throw strikes).

a bit OT, but Texas announces the retirement of College World Series MVP Huston Street's No. 25 jersey | https://t.co/ObtzU5sehj https://t.co/yaAPpqfhmC

they should use a photo of Justin Ruchti getting that single off of him in 2003 along with Augie's post game whining instead of offering congratulations

Just checked the roster and Content is the only one missing.

Certainly possible that SID hasn’t updated it... But Sully is usually pretty quick.

(01-18-2020 09:39 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Just checked the roster and Content is the only one missing.

Certainly possible that SID hasn’t updated it... But Sully is usually pretty quick.

We'll know for sure next Saturday at the RBI Club event at Reckling. I'm assuming Spring intrasquads start next Friday-- 3 weeks before Opening Day.

How do you see the pitching depth for this season? Any freshman that will be starters?

(01-18-2020 03:38 PM)grol Wrote:  How do you see the pitching depth for this season? Any freshman that will be starters?

We have depth, but no elite talent (unless and until Garcia comes back healthy and can throw strikes). I was impressed with a couple Freshmen during Fall Ball, but no one with ace-type stuff. Santos' stuff reminded me of Blake Fox, but from the right side. DeLeon is more of a Sunday starter who will be our ace. He'll keep us in games, but he doesn't have elite stuff.

Santos is left handed.

(01-18-2020 06:38 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  Santos is left handed.

I stand corrected. Perhaps I was thinking of Zaskoda? Both looked good when I saw them last Fall.

Hearing the other player who quit was Martin. Hate to see freshman quit.

(01-21-2020 10:44 AM)RiceOwl Wrote:  Hearing the other player who quit was Martin. Hate to see freshman quit.

That's too bad. I was impressed with his athleticism during Fall Ball. Doubt he would have seen much action this year, but he would have been a contributor down the line, IMO.

Martin has been removed from the roster.

A quick count of the roster shows 34 players. 35 players is the NCAA limit, so we needed one player to leave the team either way.

Still sucks though!

(01-23-2020 12:31 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Martin has been removed from the roster.

A quick count of the roster shows 34 players. 35 players is the NCAA limit, so we needed one player to leave the team either way.

Still sucks though!

I heard tonight that Martin simply had a hard time fitting in a Rice, and felt he needed a change. Ben Content will be back. Apparently, he's still in school and just wanted to take a year off to focus on his studies, and expects to return to the team next year.

Oh, and the good news-- Brayden Coumbs has finally be cleared by the NCAA. He's the big bopper left-handed bat (JUCO transfer and former Kentucky Wildcat) who will likely be our everyday DH.

D1Baseball just released their CUSA preview, and they generously pick us to finish in 4th place, behind USM, FAU and LaTech. (Last year we finished 7th.) Trei Cruz was picked as conference POY...

https://d1baseball.com/season-preview/20...jV1burrM6M

Quote:Rice
SEE ALSO: Rice Fall Report

Can the Owls return to normalcy in 2020? Everyone knew that Tennessee Tech head coach Matt Bragga had a tough rebuild on his hands last season. And as they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day”. The Owls had a tough season that ended with no NCAA tournament appearance and a finish in the middle of the pack in Conference USA. But the 2020 campaign promises to be much better.



The Owls will have a solid one-two punch in the weekend rotation with righthanders Roel Garcia and Alex DeLeon leading the charge. Garcia is one of those guys who has been hampered by injuries in the past. But when he’s right, it’s electric, sitting 92-96 with his fastball with explosive stuff. He’ll have a great spring if he can stay healthy. Meanwhile, junior college transfer DeLeon put together a solid fall and is expected to have a solid season. DeLeon sits 88-90 and up to 91 with his fastball, while also showing an average to above average slider at times. The big thing Bragga likes about DeLeon is that he can throw the fastball and slider in any count and anywhere. He has good command. Sophomore righthander Dalton Wood could be primed for a breakout campaign. Wood had a 4.23 ERA in 27.2 innings last season and has quality stuff. He’ll sit 90-93 and up to 94 with his fastball.

At the backend of the bullpen, keep an eye on righthanders Jack Conlon and Drake Greenwood. Conlon could be a pick to click. He’s finally healthy and has a huge arm, sitting 92-95 with his fastball this past fall, along with a changeup in the 84-85 range. Conlon has an impressive 6-foot-5, 220-pound frame, but command continues to be a concern. If he can command it, though, watch out. As for Greenwood, he’ll sit 88-90 with his fastball and can get up to 91 at times. He also has a soft and effective curveball at 73-74 mph. Ryan Rickett is an intriguing JC transfer who sits in the low 90s with his fastball, while Blake Brogdon sits 86-89 with a projectable 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame. Also watch for freshman lefty Matt Santos. The Owls have big plans for him in the future, and he’ll sit 84-87 with his fastball, along with excellent pitchability. Rice’s coaches feel like he’ll throw with more velocity as he gains strength.

From an offensive standpoint, shortstop Trei Cruz should have an outstanding spring. Cruz has become quite the well-rounded overall player over the past year. His defense was infinitely better at the Cape Cod League this past summer, and he’s always had the bat. Cruz has serious power at the plate and had an extra and more confident pep in his step defensively this past fall. The Owls have a quartet of seniors with 2B Cade Edwards, 3B Braden Comeaux, CF Aaron Beaulaurier and RF Bradley Gneiting leading the way. Comeaux, Gneiting and Edwards have always been steady guys for the Owls, while Beaulaurier intrigues me. He’s an exceptional defender out in center field but has struggled immensely at the plate since joining the program. If he can put together a big season offensively, it would basically be icing on the cake for the Owls given his defensive prowess. The coaches also are excited about JC transfer Brayden Combs, while catcher Justin Collins is ready to have a breakout year. Collins has some serious juice in his swing but was inconsistent at times last season. That needs to change in 2020. Collins is still a terrific prospect with his physicality and athletic defensive skills.

Our facilities need some modernization if we want to stay competitive.

https://twitter.com/markbermanfox26/stat...02176?s=21

(01-24-2020 03:13 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Our facilities need some modernization if we want to stay competitive.

https://twitter.com/markbermanfox26/stat...02176?s=21

TCU and UH have gone way, way overboard with their videogames, et al. in the lockerroom area. If that's staying competitive, it's just not worth it.

(01-24-2020 03:18 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-24-2020 03:13 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Our facilities need some modernization if we want to stay competitive.

https://twitter.com/markbermanfox26/stat...02176?s=21

TCU and UH have gone way, way overboard with their videogames, et al. in the lockerroom area. If that's staying competitive, it's just not worth it.

Surprised that’s your take, honestly.

Our football team has a lounge with video games, pool tables, etc.

(01-24-2020 03:18 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(01-24-2020 03:13 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Our facilities need some modernization if we want to stay competitive.

https://twitter.com/markbermanfox26/stat...02176?s=21

TCU and UH have gone way, way overboard with their videogames, et al. in the lockerroom area. If that's staying competitive, it's just not worth it.

Lol.

“Not worth it” to stay competitive.

I don’t know how to even begin to understand this point of view.

Heard Wood is hurt and will not pitch. Unsure if it is a short-term or long-term injury.

(01-28-2020 10:30 AM)RiceOwl Wrote:  Heard Wood is hurt and will not pitch. Unsure if it is a short-term or long-term injury.

Hopefully a short term issue. Quality arm that I feel the team will need.

Has anyone been out to spring practice and if so able to size up our pitching staff this season. As Walt has mentioned this seems to be a possible weakness for the team and just curious if any of the pitchers have made a jump from Fall to Spring. Any good insight from the RBI dinner?

Have not made it out to practice but I have heard good things.

It sounds like we have a solid veteran position player core plus a couple newcomers that could make an impact (LaRue & Hernandez) and that pitching will really depend on health.