waltgreenberg
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-04-2026 12:27 PM)RiceFollower Wrote: Marco Fuentes to the portal.
No surprise as for whatever reason he didn't see any action the second half of the season. Was he injured or just in Pierce's doghouse?
In his 2 years here he was extremely inconsistent, and struggled with his control, but when he was on he was VERY good.
(This post was last modified: 06-04-2026 02:31 PM by waltgreenberg.)
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| 06-04-2026 02:30 PM |
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OKSURE
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
D.C. Brown and Marco Fuentes entered the portal. Dont think Rice will lose anyone to the draft. Maybe Sharp. He is in the cape, and probably has a good chance to get drafted out of the cape.
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| 06-04-2026 04:00 PM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
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| 06-04-2026 09:42 PM |
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OwlLifer1969
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-04-2026 04:00 PM)OKSURE Wrote: D.C. Brown and Marco Fuentes entered the portal. Dont think Rice will lose anyone to the draft. Maybe Sharp. He is in the cape, and probably has a good chance to get drafted out of the cape.
Devenny likely headed to draft as well, though he may be out of eligibility anyways (never know the rules these days!).
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| 06-04-2026 09:53 PM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-04-2026 09:53 PM)OwlLifer1969 Wrote: (06-04-2026 04:00 PM)OKSURE Wrote: D.C. Brown and Marco Fuentes entered the portal. Dont think Rice will lose anyone to the draft. Maybe Sharp. He is in the cape, and probably has a good chance to get drafted out of the cape.
Devenny likely headed to draft as well, though he may be out of eligibility anyways (never know the rules these days!).
lol Devenny isn't going to get drafted and, yes, he's out of eligibility.
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| 06-05-2026 07:46 AM |
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SmurfGlazer
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
Cole Green in the portal. Sorry, Walt. I know he was one of your favorites.
(This post was last modified: 06-05-2026 12:19 PM by SmurfGlazer.)
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| 06-05-2026 12:19 PM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-05-2026 12:19 PM)SmurfGlazer Wrote: Cole Green in the portal. Sorry, Walt. I know he was one of your favorites.
Damn. That would be a major loss.
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| 06-05-2026 02:39 PM |
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Swede Owl
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
That one hurts
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| 06-06-2026 04:10 PM |
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RiceFollower
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
Nolan Roycraft commits to Purdue University.
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| 06-09-2026 04:07 PM |
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Texasowl
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
Why did he transfer? He didnt pitch enough to evaluate. (06-09-2026 04:07 PM)RiceFollower Wrote: Nolan Roycraft commits to Purdue University.
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| 06-09-2026 10:49 PM |
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Tiki Owl
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
The most important factor in D1 is $$$ now.
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| 06-10-2026 07:17 AM |
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RiceFollower
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-09-2026 10:49 PM)Texasowl Wrote: Why did he transfer? He didnt pitch enough to evaluate. (06-09-2026 04:07 PM)RiceFollower Wrote: Nolan Roycraft commits to Purdue University.
One appearance for two shut out innings this last season. Like all the players he just wants a chance to play. I don't know why he didn't get that chance but wish him well at Purdue.
(This post was last modified: 06-12-2026 08:56 AM by RiceFollower.)
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| 06-10-2026 10:01 AM |
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OwlLifer1969
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-10-2026 07:17 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: The most important factor in D1 is $$$ now.
Purdue must’ve backed up the U-Haul full of cash at the Roycraft residence. Shame we lost him, but happy for him as I don’t think I would be able to turn down life changing money either!
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| 06-11-2026 08:43 PM |
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NYNightOwl
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-11-2026 08:43 PM)OwlLifer1969 Wrote: (06-10-2026 07:17 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote: The most important factor in D1 is $$$ now.
Purdue must’ve backed up the U-Haul full of cash at the Roycraft residence. Shame we lost him, but happy for him as I don’t think I would be able to turn down life changing money either!
They may or may not have, but if he wasn’t getting innings here, you can understand why he’d want to go where he thought he could.
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| 06-11-2026 11:11 PM |
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ArmChairOwl
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
Clay Van Hook has posted three different flying owl gifs since June 25th. One was June 25, another was 19 hours ago, and yet another was 41 minutes ago. This is as of 2:50pm today. Any idea of who we have signed?
Link: https://x.com/CoachVanHook
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| 06-30-2026 02:53 PM |
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waltgreenberg
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-30-2026 02:53 PM)ArmChairOwl Wrote: Clay Van Hook has posted three different flying owl gifs since June 25th. One was June 25, another was 19 hours ago, and yet another was 41 minutes ago. This is as of 2:50pm today. Any idea of who we have signed?
Link: https://x.com/CoachVanHook
I know D1baseball has reported 3 incoming transfers over the past week-- all nobodies from what I could look up. They either didn't play last year or had awful stats with minimal game action. The best of the lot was a #510 ranked prospect in 20025. Not impressed. We need a right-handed hitting catcher as our #1 priority, but certainly could use additional pitching depth. Still no word on whether Eppley, Urbanzcyk and Fernandez have returning for a final season despite graduating.
(This post was last modified: 06-30-2026 03:13 PM by waltgreenberg.)
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| 06-30-2026 03:12 PM |
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SmurfGlazer
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-30-2026 03:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (06-30-2026 02:53 PM)ArmChairOwl Wrote: Clay Van Hook has posted three different flying owl gifs since June 25th. One was June 25, another was 19 hours ago, and yet another was 41 minutes ago. This is as of 2:50pm today. Any idea of who we have signed?
Link: https://x.com/CoachVanHook
I know D1baseball has reported 3 incoming transfers over the past week-- all nobodies from what I could look up. They either didn't play last year or had awful stats with minimal game action. The best of the lot was a #510 ranked prospect in 20025. Not impressed. We need a right-handed hitting catcher as our #1 priority, but certainly could use additional pitching depth. Still no word on whether Eppley, Urbanzcyk and Fernandez have returning for a final season despite graduating.
Only one I see online right now is Zach Gingrich from Texas State. Pierce likely knows him from his stint there in the fall.
Limited numbers at Texas State this year, I’d bet there is a story there. Played and performed well as a Freshman to the tune of a .809 OPS. Was outstanding in the Northwoods that summer. Playing in the Northwoods again this summer and leading the league in 2Bs. Very unusual for bad hitters to have good summers, especially two in a row. Northwoods is a very tough league for hitters (as are most all summer leagues due to the wood bats).
I like the pick up. Looks like he takes his walks and collects lots of XBH, making him much more impactful than his average suggests. If he hits even .260 or .270, with his patience and power, could be a very valuable multi-year starter.
Not sure why you think we need a RHH Catcher. The two we have on the roster (West and the Freshman Minyard) are already RHH. I’d prefer a LHH and I anticipate that is what they will go after. The two C’s we lost (Rios and Anderson) were both LHH as well.
(This post was last modified: 06-30-2026 03:34 PM by SmurfGlazer.)
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| 06-30-2026 03:33 PM |
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SmurfGlazer
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-30-2026 03:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (06-30-2026 02:53 PM)ArmChairOwl Wrote: Clay Van Hook has posted three different flying owl gifs since June 25th. One was June 25, another was 19 hours ago, and yet another was 41 minutes ago. This is as of 2:50pm today. Any idea of who we have signed?
Link: https://x.com/CoachVanHook
I know D1baseball has reported 3 incoming transfers over the past week-- all nobodies from what I could look up. They either didn't play last year or had awful stats with minimal game action. The best of the lot was a #510 ranked prospect in 20025. Not impressed. We need a right-handed hitting catcher as our #1 priority, but certainly could use additional pitching depth. Still no word on whether Eppley, Urbanzcyk and Fernandez have returning for a final season despite graduating.
With respect to Eppler, Fernandez and Urbanczyk, I’m expecting all 3 to return given they are not in the portal according to the any of the outlets. Usually, guys with eligibility who want to hang it up at least go in the portal to see what is out there. I doubt any of the three would retire without at least seeing what their options would be. We won’t know for sure until the fall roster comes out, but looks like a safe bet.
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| 06-30-2026 03:41 PM |
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OKSURE
Water Engineer

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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-30-2026 03:33 PM)SmurfGlazer Wrote: (06-30-2026 03:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (06-30-2026 02:53 PM)ArmChairOwl Wrote: Clay Van Hook has posted three different flying owl gifs since June 25th. One was June 25, another was 19 hours ago, and yet another was 41 minutes ago. This is as of 2:50pm today. Any idea of who we have signed?
Link: https://x.com/CoachVanHook
I know D1baseball has reported 3 incoming transfers over the past week-- all nobodies from what I could look up. They either didn't play last year or had awful stats with minimal game action. The best of the lot was a #510 ranked prospect in 20025. Not impressed. We need a right-handed hitting catcher as our #1 priority, but certainly could use additional pitching depth. Still no word on whether Eppley, Urbanzcyk and Fernandez have returning for a final season despite graduating.
Only one I see online right now is Zach Gingrich from Texas State. Pierce likely knows him from his stint there in the fall.
Limited numbers at Texas State this year, I’d bet there is a story there. Played and performed well as a Freshman to the tune of a .809 OPS. Was outstanding in the Northwoods that summer. Playing in the Northwoods again this summer and leading the league in 2Bs. Very unusual for bad hitters to have good summers, especially two in a row. Northwoods is a very tough league for hitters (as are most all summer leagues due to the wood bats).
I like the pick up. Looks like he takes his walks and collects lots of XBH, making him much more impactful than his average suggests. If he hits even .260 or .270, with his patience and power, could be a very valuable multi-year starter.
Not sure why you think we need a RHH Catcher. The two we have on the roster (West and the Freshman Minyard) are already RHH. I’d prefer a LHH and I anticipate that is what they will go after. The two C’s we lost (Rios and Anderson) were both LHH as well.
Rice needs Bats LH, RH,Switch, any kind of bat that can hit. A new Short stop that can hit, outfielders that can hit. I honestly feel last year was some luck with the at Bats, if rice does not add more power bats could be a long season. I believe the pitching will be fine. Eppley, Urbanzcyk are returning. The three starters will not be the same next year. We do not need to worry about pitching just get bats, unless the pitcher throws 100.
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| 06-30-2026 03:44 PM |
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SmurfGlazer
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RE: Pierce era baseball recruiting
(06-30-2026 03:44 PM)OKSURE Wrote: (06-30-2026 03:33 PM)SmurfGlazer Wrote: (06-30-2026 03:12 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote: (06-30-2026 02:53 PM)ArmChairOwl Wrote: Clay Van Hook has posted three different flying owl gifs since June 25th. One was June 25, another was 19 hours ago, and yet another was 41 minutes ago. This is as of 2:50pm today. Any idea of who we have signed?
Link: https://x.com/CoachVanHook
I know D1baseball has reported 3 incoming transfers over the past week-- all nobodies from what I could look up. They either didn't play last year or had awful stats with minimal game action. The best of the lot was a #510 ranked prospect in 20025. Not impressed. We need a right-handed hitting catcher as our #1 priority, but certainly could use additional pitching depth. Still no word on whether Eppley, Urbanzcyk and Fernandez have returning for a final season despite graduating.
Only one I see online right now is Zach Gingrich from Texas State. Pierce likely knows him from his stint there in the fall.
Limited numbers at Texas State this year, I’d bet there is a story there. Played and performed well as a Freshman to the tune of a .809 OPS. Was outstanding in the Northwoods that summer. Playing in the Northwoods again this summer and leading the league in 2Bs. Very unusual for bad hitters to have good summers, especially two in a row. Northwoods is a very tough league for hitters (as are most all summer leagues due to the wood bats).
I like the pick up. Looks like he takes his walks and collects lots of XBH, making him much more impactful than his average suggests. If he hits even .260 or .270, with his patience and power, could be a very valuable multi-year starter.
Not sure why you think we need a RHH Catcher. The two we have on the roster (West and the Freshman Minyard) are already RHH. I’d prefer a LHH and I anticipate that is what they will go after. The two C’s we lost (Rios and Anderson) were both LHH as well.
Rice needs Bats LH, RH,Switch, any kind of bat that can hit. A new Short stop that can hit, outfielders that can hit. I honestly feel last year was some luck with the at Bats, if rice does not add more power bats could be a long season. I believe the pitching will be fine. Eppley, Urbanzcyk are returning. The three starters will not be the same next year. We do not need to worry about pitching just get bats, unless the pitcher throws 100.
I agree. The pitching was ahead of the hitting last year, but the offensive numbers are a little misleading about the quality of the position players given how good the defense was. Part of the pitchers success was due to the combo of strike throwing and a great defense.
Bringing back Robson, Smith, and Davis is a good start. Add the freshmen (I’d bet 2 end up starting 40+ games), hope for some improvement from other returners (Kutter Gage-Webb and Masa Chilcutt are absolutely raking in summer ball, for example) and grab a couple impact transfers.
I think the offense will take a step forward. No one we lost was irreplaceably impactful at the plate. Replacing some of the at-bats at the bottom of the order with even average production could push the offense forward quite a bit.
(This post was last modified: 06-30-2026 03:55 PM by SmurfGlazer.)
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| 06-30-2026 03:54 PM |
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