Travel baseball is killing these kids' arms. So much trauma to their arms while they are young and growing. Give your kids arms a break during the Fall and Winter. Throwing every weekend 10 months out of the year with a mix of pitching and in the field for 3-6 games on the weekend is brutal. Let them play soccer, football, basketball etc. When it is not baseball season.
(01-03-2019 12:52 AM)BeagleUSM Wrote: [ -> ]Also, Kendall Rogers had a couple interesting bits from his USM article a few weeks ago:
- Our rotation start to the start the year will be Powers, Powell, and then probably Jackson or Nelms. Jackson wasn't 100% healthy last year and apparently Nelms made "tremendous" improvement in the fall.
- Wallner will start as the midweek starter, but it sounds like they're trying to get him up to speed to where he can be an option on the weekend. He was 92-95 in the fall with his slider having more movement
- Cooper will start at SS with Lynch at 3B
- Slater looks like he's going to have a massive 2019 season
- Freshman Gabe Shepard is a "wild card" as Rogers put it. 95-96 in HS but blew out his arm and had to have surgery, otherwise he would have been drafted. They don't know if he'll pitch in 2019 but it'd be big if he did
My prediction is you will see some changes in the weekend rotation and lineup as the year goes on (duh). Our first couple midweek games are pretty light (Troy, UNO, Southern). If Wallner cannot show competence in these games, he will not move to the rotation. If he does, we could very well see him on the weekend by league play against Louisiana Tech. I don't think we'll see Jackson or Nelms in the rotation very long, if they do well in OOC play they can just pitch midweek. If Shepard gets healthy, then he could emerge as a starter late in the year.
Position players .... Lynch should stick at 3rd unless he just sucks, which I don't think he will. I think McGillis eventually takes over at SS unless Cooper has a Nick Dawson type transformation offensively. Seems like Cooper always starts the year as the guy then loses his spot. DH ..... Bowen and Blaylock both split time with maybe Hoard getting in the mix. Blaylock will probably play RF when Wallner pitches.
My guess at what we'll put out there on 2/15 vs. Purdue:
1) Montenegro - LF
2) Guidry - 2B
3) Wallner - RF
4) Slater - 1B
5) Lynch - 3B
6) Blaylock OR Bowen - DH
7) Cooper - SS
8) Donaldson - C
9) LeBlanc OR Franklin - CF
P - Powers
Not exactly a bold prediction, but I think that how quickly Wallner can develop into a weekend starter is the difference between us continuing to be dominant in the regular season (like the last two years) and maybe slipping back to 2016 level. Braley did it in 2017 but we will probably need Wallner to be ready to move to the weekend rotation earlier than Braley was two years ago, as we don't have a McCarty-type ace. I always thought Wallner's slider was pretty good. The big thing for me is that his fastball needs a little more movement or much better location. He doesn't need it to move that much given his velocity but good D1 hitters will absolutely tee off on flat 93-95 fastballs (see LA Tech last year) over the middle. If he could get a little more movement on his fastball, consistency with the slider, plus a feel for just an average change up, he could dominate C-USA hitting.
You know....when I was going through your lineup and saw Guidry at second, I laughed to myself and thought, "Somehow, Cooper will get in the lineup." Then, I got to SS.
Looks like a pretty strong group of freshmen with Lynch, McGillis, LeBlanc, and Shepard.
(01-03-2019 12:52 AM)BeagleUSM Wrote: [ -> ]Also, Kendall Rogers had a couple interesting bits from his USM article a few weeks ago:
- Our rotation start to the start the year will be Powers, Powell, and then probably Jackson or Nelms. Jackson wasn't 100% healthy last year and apparently Nelms made "tremendous" improvement in the fall.
- Wallner will start as the midweek starter, but it sounds like they're trying to get him up to speed to where he can be an option on the weekend. He was 92-95 in the fall with his slider having more movement
- Cooper will start at SS with Lynch at 3B
- Slater looks like he's going to have a massive 2019 season
- Freshman Gabe Shepard is a "wild card" as Rogers put it. 95-96 in HS but blew out his arm and had to have surgery, otherwise he would have been drafted. They don't know if he'll pitch in 2019 but it'd be big if he did
My prediction is you will see some changes in the weekend rotation and lineup as the year goes on (duh). Our first couple midweek games are pretty light (Troy, UNO, Southern). If Wallner cannot show competence in these games, he will not move to the rotation. If he does, we could very well see him on the weekend by league play against Louisiana Tech. I don't think we'll see Jackson or Nelms in the rotation very long, if they do well in OOC play they can just pitch midweek. If Shepard gets healthy, then he could emerge as a starter late in the year.
Position players .... Lynch should stick at 3rd unless he just sucks, which I don't think he will. I think McGillis eventually takes over at SS unless Cooper has a Nick Dawson type transformation offensively. Seems like Cooper always starts the year as the guy then loses his spot. DH ..... Bowen and Blaylock both split time with maybe Hoard getting in the mix. Blaylock will probably play RF when Wallner pitches.
My guess at what we'll put out there on 2/15 vs. Purdue:
1) Montenegro - LF
2) Guidry - 2B
3) Wallner - RF
4) Slater - 1B
5) Lynch - 3B
6) Blaylock OR Bowen - DH
7) Cooper - SS
8) Donaldson - C
9) LeBlanc OR Franklin - CF
P - Powers
Not exactly a bold prediction, but I think that how quickly Wallner can develop into a weekend starter is the difference between us continuing to be dominant in the regular season (like the last two years) and maybe slipping back to 2016 level. Braley did it in 2017 but we will probably need Wallner to be ready to move to the weekend rotation earlier than Braley was two years ago, as we don't have a McCarty-type ace. I always thought Wallner's slider was pretty good. The big thing for me is that his fastball needs a little more movement or much better location. He doesn't need it to move that much given his velocity but good D1 hitters will absolutely tee off on flat 93-95 fastballs (see LA Tech last year) over the middle. If he could get a little more movement on his fastball, consistency with the slider, plus a feel for just an average change up, he could dominate C-USA hitting.
You know....when I was going through your lineup and saw Guidry at second, I laughed to myself and thought, "Somehow, Cooper will get in the lineup." Then, I got to SS.
Looks like a pretty strong group of freshmen with Lynch, McGillis, LeBlanc, and Shepard.
Any ideas on closer?
Maybe Blaylock. I remember Munz saying back in the spring that’s what they were signing him for. And he did pitch some in the fall. Keys is apparently going to be a 1-inning guy that we will use late in games, but won’t necessarily be the stopper. This is what Berry has been saying in some of these radio and podcast interviews.
They brought in a guy from MCC named Hunter Stanley who should factor in big-time in middle relief. He’s basically a better version of Colt Smith. Think his fastball is something like 88-91. Looked very good in the scrimmages I went to. I generally don’t trust JUCO arms, but I expect him to help a bunch.
And this may be hot takey, but I think the 2016 team was better than the 2018 team. 2018 team won more games but played a significantly easier schedule (C-USA was actually somewhat legit in 2016). That team had some key injuries that prevented them from reaching their ceiling. Braley, Livingston, Powell, and Cockrell (pitched late in the year but was essentially useless). Braley was going to start against OM midweek prior to his injury. Would have been a game changer to get him on the mound that year. If that squad stays healthy, we probably host a regional.
(01-03-2019 12:52 AM)BeagleUSM Wrote: [ -> ]Also, Kendall Rogers had a couple interesting bits from his USM article a few weeks ago:
- Our rotation start to the start the year will be Powers, Powell, and then probably Jackson or Nelms. Jackson wasn't 100% healthy last year and apparently Nelms made "tremendous" improvement in the fall.
- Wallner will start as the midweek starter, but it sounds like they're trying to get him up to speed to where he can be an option on the weekend. He was 92-95 in the fall with his slider having more movement
- Cooper will start at SS with Lynch at 3B
- Slater looks like he's going to have a massive 2019 season
- Freshman Gabe Shepard is a "wild card" as Rogers put it. 95-96 in HS but blew out his arm and had to have surgery, otherwise he would have been drafted. They don't know if he'll pitch in 2019 but it'd be big if he did
My prediction is you will see some changes in the weekend rotation and lineup as the year goes on (duh). Our first couple midweek games are pretty light (Troy, UNO, Southern). If Wallner cannot show competence in these games, he will not move to the rotation. If he does, we could very well see him on the weekend by league play against Louisiana Tech. I don't think we'll see Jackson or Nelms in the rotation very long, if they do well in OOC play they can just pitch midweek. If Shepard gets healthy, then he could emerge as a starter late in the year.
Position players .... Lynch should stick at 3rd unless he just sucks, which I don't think he will. I think McGillis eventually takes over at SS unless Cooper has a Nick Dawson type transformation offensively. Seems like Cooper always starts the year as the guy then loses his spot. DH ..... Bowen and Blaylock both split time with maybe Hoard getting in the mix. Blaylock will probably play RF when Wallner pitches.
My guess at what we'll put out there on 2/15 vs. Purdue:
1) Montenegro - LF
2) Guidry - 2B
3) Wallner - RF
4) Slater - 1B
5) Lynch - 3B
6) Blaylock OR Bowen - DH
7) Cooper - SS
8) Donaldson - C
9) LeBlanc OR Franklin - CF
P - Powers
Not exactly a bold prediction, but I think that how quickly Wallner can develop into a weekend starter is the difference between us continuing to be dominant in the regular season (like the last two years) and maybe slipping back to 2016 level. Braley did it in 2017 but we will probably need Wallner to be ready to move to the weekend rotation earlier than Braley was two years ago, as we don't have a McCarty-type ace. I always thought Wallner's slider was pretty good. The big thing for me is that his fastball needs a little more movement or much better location. He doesn't need it to move that much given his velocity but good D1 hitters will absolutely tee off on flat 93-95 fastballs (see LA Tech last year) over the middle. If he could get a little more movement on his fastball, consistency with the slider, plus a feel for just an average change up, he could dominate C-USA hitting.
You know....when I was going through your lineup and saw Guidry at second, I laughed to myself and thought, "Somehow, Cooper will get in the lineup." Then, I got to SS.
Looks like a pretty strong group of freshmen with Lynch, McGillis, LeBlanc, and Shepard.
Any ideas on closer?
Maybe Blaylock. I remember Munz saying back in the spring that’s what they were signing him for. And he did pitch some in the fall. Keys is apparently going to be a 1-inning guy that we will use late in games, but won’t necessarily be the stopper. This is what Berry has been saying in some of these radio and podcast interviews.
They brought in a guy from MCC named Hunter Stanley who should factor in big-time in middle relief. He’s basically a better version of Colt Smith. Think his fastball is something like 88-91. Looked very good in the scrimmages I went to. I generally don’t trust JUCO arms, but I expect him to help a bunch.
If that squad stays healthy, we probably host a regional.
Durn, BDR is waaaaay late on racking up another "IF"!
(01-03-2019 12:52 AM)BeagleUSM Wrote: [ -> ]Also, Kendall Rogers had a couple interesting bits from his USM article a few weeks ago:
- Our rotation start to the start the year will be Powers, Powell, and then probably Jackson or Nelms. Jackson wasn't 100% healthy last year and apparently Nelms made "tremendous" improvement in the fall.
- Wallner will start as the midweek starter, but it sounds like they're trying to get him up to speed to where he can be an option on the weekend. He was 92-95 in the fall with his slider having more movement
- Cooper will start at SS with Lynch at 3B
- Slater looks like he's going to have a massive 2019 season
- Freshman Gabe Shepard is a "wild card" as Rogers put it. 95-96 in HS but blew out his arm and had to have surgery, otherwise he would have been drafted. They don't know if he'll pitch in 2019 but it'd be big if he did
My prediction is you will see some changes in the weekend rotation and lineup as the year goes on (duh). Our first couple midweek games are pretty light (Troy, UNO, Southern). If Wallner cannot show competence in these games, he will not move to the rotation. If he does, we could very well see him on the weekend by league play against Louisiana Tech. I don't think we'll see Jackson or Nelms in the rotation very long, if they do well in OOC play they can just pitch midweek. If Shepard gets healthy, then he could emerge as a starter late in the year.
Position players .... Lynch should stick at 3rd unless he just sucks, which I don't think he will. I think McGillis eventually takes over at SS unless Cooper has a Nick Dawson type transformation offensively. Seems like Cooper always starts the year as the guy then loses his spot. DH ..... Bowen and Blaylock both split time with maybe Hoard getting in the mix. Blaylock will probably play RF when Wallner pitches.
My guess at what we'll put out there on 2/15 vs. Purdue:
1) Montenegro - LF
2) Guidry - 2B
3) Wallner - RF
4) Slater - 1B
5) Lynch - 3B
6) Blaylock OR Bowen - DH
7) Cooper - SS
8) Donaldson - C
9) LeBlanc OR Franklin - CF
P - Powers
Not exactly a bold prediction, but I think that how quickly Wallner can develop into a weekend starter is the difference between us continuing to be dominant in the regular season (like the last two years) and maybe slipping back to 2016 level. Braley did it in 2017 but we will probably need Wallner to be ready to move to the weekend rotation earlier than Braley was two years ago, as we don't have a McCarty-type ace. I always thought Wallner's slider was pretty good. The big thing for me is that his fastball needs a little more movement or much better location. He doesn't need it to move that much given his velocity but good D1 hitters will absolutely tee off on flat 93-95 fastballs (see LA Tech last year) over the middle. If he could get a little more movement on his fastball, consistency with the slider, plus a feel for just an average change up, he could dominate C-USA hitting.
You know....when I was going through your lineup and saw Guidry at second, I laughed to myself and thought, "Somehow, Cooper will get in the lineup." Then, I got to SS.
Looks like a pretty strong group of freshmen with Lynch, McGillis, LeBlanc, and Shepard.
Any ideas on closer?
Maybe Blaylock. I remember Munz saying back in the spring that’s what they were signing him for. And he did pitch some in the fall. Keys is apparently going to be a 1-inning guy that we will use late in games, but won’t necessarily be the stopper. This is what Berry has been saying in some of these radio and podcast interviews.
They brought in a guy from MCC named Hunter Stanley who should factor in big-time in middle relief. He’s basically a better version of Colt Smith. Think his fastball is something like 88-91. Looked very good in the scrimmages I went to. I generally don’t trust JUCO arms, but I expect him to help a bunch.
And this may be hot takey, but I think the 2016 team was better than the 2018 team. 2018 team won more games but played a significantly easier schedule (C-USA was actually somewhat legit in 2016). That team had some key injuries that prevented them from reaching their ceiling. Braley, Livingston, Powell, and Cockrell (pitched late in the year but was essentially useless). Braley was going to start against OM midweek prior to his injury. Would have been a game changer to get him on the mound that year. If that squad stays healthy, we probably host a regional.
Not hot takey, at all. I was speaking above in terms of Ws and Ls.
Take it for what it's worth but here a "projected starting lineup" from sports reporter Jeff Haeger (twitter - TheJeffTakeWXXV ) that he posted today after USM baseball media day:
C - Donaldson
1B - Slater
2B - Guidry
3B - Lynch
SS - Cooper
LF - Montenegro
CF - Franklin
RF - Wallner
DH - Hoard
(01-23-2019 03:21 PM)usm99 Wrote: [ -> ]Take it for what it's worth but here a "projected starting lineup" from sports reporter Jeff Haeger (twitter - TheJeffTakeWXXV ) that he posted today after USM baseball media day:
C - Donaldson
1B - Slater
2B - Guidry
3B - Lynch
SS - Cooper
LF - Montenegro
CF - Franklin
RF - Wallner
DH - Hoard
Doesn't mention anything about pitching lineup
makes sense....
a batting order and rotation would've been nicer....
(01-23-2019 03:21 PM)usm99 Wrote: [ -> ]Take it for what it's worth but here a "projected starting lineup" from sports reporter Jeff Haeger (twitter - TheJeffTakeWXXV ) that he posted today after USM baseball media day:
C - Donaldson
1B - Slater
2B - Guidry
3B - Lynch
SS - Cooper
LF - Montenegro
CF - Franklin
RF - Wallner
DH - Hoard
Doesn't mention anything about pitching lineup
makes sense....
a batting order and rotation would've been nicer....
we better hit the ball......again....
Back to baseball....
Id think Brant Blaylock will find his way in the lineup. Certainly at least as DH over Hoard.
