(06-24-2018 05:37 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  Rice returns our top two starting pitchers (who were pretty good all season).

We also have two decent relievers returning (Garcia and Jefferies). Beyond that, we’ve got bodies but bodies but quality is lacking. We do have some good pitchers in our incoming recruiting class though.

On the offensive end, we lose Proctor, Sarchet, and Chandler but we get a TCU transfer (Edwards) and DiCaprio will be healthy again. Guys like Cruz and Comeaux were decent this year too.

Overall, there’s some talent to work with for Bragga but not an overwhelming amount. Hoping for a regional next year with continued growth beyond.

I'll quibble with your assessment somewhat. On the mound, we return the likely preseason Pitcher of the Year in Canterino and Moss, easily the best 1-2 starters in the conference. Jefferies was more than "decent", and can serve as either our Sunday starter or the jack-of-all-trades out of the bullpen. Garcia and Gayle were way too inconsistent, but both improved dramatically over their Freshman seasons and each showed flashes of brilliiance. Kravetz also showed dramatic improvement, particularly the second half of the season...and, as you said, we've got a couple highly regarded pitchers coming in. Finally, while Parthasarathy was disappointing, Esquivel was injured the entire season, and he has the potential to be a solid mid-week starter or reliever (as he showed his Sophomore year).

Offensively, in addition to the return of DiCaprio (who missed 90% of the season and was never fully healthy), Andrew Dunlap has another year of eligibility, believe it or not, and will likely return as a grad student. Comeaux was not just "decent"; he hit .319/.390/.420 while playing gold glove caliber at 3B, and has another two years of eligibility. True Freshmen Trei Cruz and Justin Collins both has very solid Freshman years at the plate, and can be expected to improve going forward. As you mentioned, Cade Edwards was our best hitter throughout Fall Ball, but had to sit out the season because TCU refused to release him. And the final piece is the Cruz legacy arrives on campus, with Antonio Cruz expected to replace Chandler in CF. I think our offense will be in very good shape, especially with Bragga's reputation as an offensive guru. My only concern is lack of left-handed hitters, with only Gneiting (who had a very disappointing Sophomore year) and Cruz (switch hitter, but better from the right side) returning.

Net, net-- I think you're grossly underestimating the returning talent. The key, IMO, is the necessity of Bragga hiring a reputable pitching coach with strong ties to Texas and Houston high schools.

C DiCaprio, Collins
1B DiCaprio, Collins, Moss
2B Edwards
SS Cruz
3B Comeaux
LF Cox, Dunlap
CF Cruz
RF Gneiting
DH Dunlap, DiCaprio

Starting pitchers: Canterino, Moss, Jefferies/Garcia/Freshmen
Closer: Gayle, Jefferies
Relievers: Kravetz, Bordwine, Parthasarathy, Esquivel, Freshmen