(11-15-2018 09:10 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  Timothy Williamson from Tomball Memorial. He WAS a Rice commit.

This will be a recurring theme now that word is out that Rice commitments are a one way street.

I agree the 2019 class may have had some issues but honestly I’m pretty pleased from what I’m seeing in the ‘20 and ‘21 classes from Bragga and staff.

(11-15-2018 09:20 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:10 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  Timothy Williamson from Tomball Memorial. He WAS a Rice commit.

This will be a recurring theme now that word is out that Rice commitments are a one way street.

I agree the 2019 class may have had some issues but honestly I’m pretty pleased from what I’m seeing in the ‘20 and ‘21 classes from Bragga and staff.

If they stay committed.

(11-15-2018 09:22 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:20 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:10 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  Timothy Williamson from Tomball Memorial. He WAS a Rice commit.

This will be a recurring theme now that word is out that Rice commitments are a one way street.

I agree the 2019 class may have had some issues but honestly I’m pretty pleased from what I’m seeing in the ‘20 and ‘21 classes from Bragga and staff.

If they stay committed.

Yes, and that's true of the commits from any program. Look, I respect your perspective, and have no doubt that much of what you say is true, but by constantly repeating your same negative views regarding Bragga is beginning to sound like you have an ax to grind....and we all know, as you made it very clear, that you were strongly behind Berkman's candidacy for the job. BTW, you say the traveling teams and coaches now have a very negative view toward Bragga due to his pulling several commitments this past Summer, but do tell then how we just recently signed the very highly regarded catcher prospects, LaRue and Garza, both from traveling squads (Lonestar Baseball and Bandito Scout)?

Again, I respect your POV and value your insights, but can we stop harping on the actions Bragga took immediately after taking over the program, and start evaluating his recruiting based on what his does going forward?

(11-15-2018 09:40 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:22 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:20 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:10 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  Timothy Williamson from Tomball Memorial. He WAS a Rice commit.

This will be a recurring theme now that word is out that Rice commitments are a one way street.

I agree the 2019 class may have had some issues but honestly I’m pretty pleased from what I’m seeing in the ‘20 and ‘21 classes from Bragga and staff.

If they stay committed.

Yes, and that's true of the commits from any program. Look, I respect your perspective, and have no doubt that much of what you say is true, but by constantly repeating your same negative views regarding Bragga is beginning to sound like you have an ax to grind....and we all know, as you made it very clear, that you were strongly behind Berkman's candidacy for the job. BTW, you say the traveling teams and coaches now have a very negative view toward Bragga due to his pulling several commitments this past Summer, but do tell then how we just recently signed the very highly regarded catcher prospects, LaRue and Garza, both from traveling squads (Lonestar Baseball and Bandito Scout)?

Again, I respect your POV and value your insights, but can we stop harping on the actions Bragga took immediately after taking over the program, and start evaluating his recruiting based on what his does going forward?

Let me try to explain something to you, Walt. First, I don't care what you think about my harping on this issue. Secondly, I very, VERY rarely post on this board anymore. In fact, I've spoken on this issue only when the relevant topic was brought up (i.e. after he pulled the offers and now that signing day has come and gone). Thirdly, you yourself posted direct comments to Coach Barton on Twitter yesterday complaining (rather insultingly I might add) about how other schools have released their list of signees but Rice hasn't. I simply posted a reply explaining some of the reasons for this lack of publication. 2 of those reasons are VALID and I hoped that some people would understand that I was giving an INFORMED explanation of the issue.

I realize you love to shoot down anyone with a differing opinion than yours (party of tolerance and all) but I will continue to say whatever I want to say provided that its done in an informed and non-harmful way. I've said nothing personally insulting about Coach Bragga. In fact, I think he's probably a GREAT guy and he's definitely a helluva baseball coach. My job deals with kids/coaches/travel ball/recruiting so I have a strong opinion of what a good strategy is with Texas coaches. I believe its well tested and proven that pulling offers with very little evaluation from kids who had 1-2 years worth of planning for their future is a negative way to start the new era. If you disagree with that, fine. Its ok. We don't have to agree on everything. I hope Coach Bragga and his staff get it turned around. I truly do. But I'm also a very honest and informed person regarding this issue.

(11-15-2018 09:53 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:40 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:22 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:20 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:10 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  Timothy Williamson from Tomball Memorial. He WAS a Rice commit.

This will be a recurring theme now that word is out that Rice commitments are a one way street.

I agree the 2019 class may have had some issues but honestly I’m pretty pleased from what I’m seeing in the ‘20 and ‘21 classes from Bragga and staff.

If they stay committed.

Yes, and that's true of the commits from any program. Look, I respect your perspective, and have no doubt that much of what you say is true, but by constantly repeating your same negative views regarding Bragga is beginning to sound like you have an ax to grind....and we all know, as you made it very clear, that you were strongly behind Berkman's candidacy for the job. BTW, you say the traveling teams and coaches now have a very negative view toward Bragga due to his pulling several commitments this past Summer, but do tell then how we just recently signed the very highly regarded catcher prospects, LaRue and Garza, both from traveling squads (Lonestar Baseball and Bandito Scout)?

Again, I respect your POV and value your insights, but can we stop harping on the actions Bragga took immediately after taking over the program, and start evaluating his recruiting based on what his does going forward?

Let me try to explain something to you, Walt. First, I don't care what you think about my harping on this issue. Secondly, I very, VERY rarely post on this board anymore. In fact, I've spoken on this issue only when the relevant topic was brought up (i.e. after he pulled the offers and now that signing day has come and gone). Thirdly, you yourself posted direct comments to Coach Barton on Twitter yesterday complaining (rather insultingly I might add) about how other schools have released their list of signees but Rice hasn't. I simply posted a reply explaining some of the reasons for this lack of publication. 2 of those reasons are VALID and I hoped that some people would understand that I was giving an INFORMED explanation of the issue.

I realize you love to shoot down anyone with a differing opinion than yours (party of tolerance and all) but I will continue to say whatever I want to say provided that its done in an informed and non-harmful way. I've said nothing personally insulting about Coach Bragga. In fact, I think he's probably a GREAT guy and he's definitely a helluva baseball coach. My job deals with kids/coaches/travel ball/recruiting so I have a strong opinion of what a good strategy is with Texas coaches. I believe its well tested and proven that pulling offers with very little evaluation from kids who had 1-2 years worth of planning for their future is a negative way to start the new era. If you disagree with that, fine. Its ok. We don't have to agree on everything. I hope Coach Bragga and his staff get it turned around. I truly do. But I'm also a very honest and informed person regarding this issue.

Keep the insults coming. (You'll note I did not personally attack you in my post above.) Now try answering my original question-- if the traveling teams and coaches are so up in arms over what Bragga did in pulling several commits this past Summer, how in the world did he get early commits for the '20 and '21 classes from two of the most highly regarded catchers in the state, and both from traveling squads?

(11-15-2018 09:58 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:53 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:40 AM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:22 AM)Owl1998 Wrote:  

(11-15-2018 09:20 AM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  I agree the 2019 class may have had some issues but honestly I’m pretty pleased from what I’m seeing in the ‘20 and ‘21 classes from Bragga and staff.

If they stay committed.

Yes, and that's true of the commits from any program. Look, I respect your perspective, and have no doubt that much of what you say is true, but by constantly repeating your same negative views regarding Bragga is beginning to sound like you have an ax to grind....and we all know, as you made it very clear, that you were strongly behind Berkman's candidacy for the job. BTW, you say the traveling teams and coaches now have a very negative view toward Bragga due to his pulling several commitments this past Summer, but do tell then how we just recently signed the very highly regarded catcher prospects, LaRue and Garza, both from traveling squads (Lonestar Baseball and Bandito Scout)?

Again, I respect your POV and value your insights, but can we stop harping on the actions Bragga took immediately after taking over the program, and start evaluating his recruiting based on what his does going forward?

Let me try to explain something to you, Walt. First, I don't care what you think about my harping on this issue. Secondly, I very, VERY rarely post on this board anymore. In fact, I've spoken on this issue only when the relevant topic was brought up (i.e. after he pulled the offers and now that signing day has come and gone). Thirdly, you yourself posted direct comments to Coach Barton on Twitter yesterday complaining (rather insultingly I might add) about how other schools have released their list of signees but Rice hasn't. I simply posted a reply explaining some of the reasons for this lack of publication. 2 of those reasons are VALID and I hoped that some people would understand that I was giving an INFORMED explanation of the issue.

I realize you love to shoot down anyone with a differing opinion than yours (party of tolerance and all) but I will continue to say whatever I want to say provided that its done in an informed and non-harmful way. I've said nothing personally insulting about Coach Bragga. In fact, I think he's probably a GREAT guy and he's definitely a helluva baseball coach. My job deals with kids/coaches/travel ball/recruiting so I have a strong opinion of what a good strategy is with Texas coaches. I believe its well tested and proven that pulling offers with very little evaluation from kids who had 1-2 years worth of planning for their future is a negative way to start the new era. If you disagree with that, fine. Its ok. We don't have to agree on everything. I hope Coach Bragga and his staff get it turned around. I truly do. But I'm also a very honest and informed person regarding this issue.

Keep the insults coming. (You'll note I did not personally attack you in my post above.) Now try answering my original question-- if the traveling teams and coaches are so up in arms over what Bragga did in pulling several commits this past Summer, how in the world did he get early commits for the '20 and '21 classes from two of the most highly regarded catchers in the state, and both from traveling squads?

Walt, travel coaches and high school coaches talking/discussing what Rice has done will not cause the program to fold due to never signing another kid. But to think it won't have an impact on some kids is foolish. Did you think in my post about coaches being pissed that I meant there would never be another kid commit to Rice? My goodness....

Yes, Rice will still have a recruiting class each year, Walt. But there are kids who previously were strongly considering Rice that have now removed them from their schools of interest.

Christian Cienfuegos (a prior commit from Goose Creek Memorial) signed his NLI with Rice yesterday: https://twitter.com/cristiancien2/status...4629963777

Thinking we just got a commit since Cory Barton tweeted out a dancing owl GIF.

Dillon Janac.

2020 RHP out of College Station. Prep Baseball Report calls him “super projectable.”

Just got William Burbank out of Beaumont. Here's his PG profile: https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Play...?ID=453534

Same high school as Ford Proctor.

His brother is a freshman pitcher at Texas.

New commit. 2020 RHP/1B out of Humble, Matthew Linskey. 6’6 245lbs. Plays for Atascocita HS

https://twitter.com/linskeymatthew/statu...51138?s=21
https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Play...?ID=621686

I’m very encouraged by this staff’s recruiting ability. Really seems like we’re getting some players who are highly rated.

(12-01-2018 01:04 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  New commit. 2020 RHP/1B out of Humble, Matthew Linskey. 6’6 245lbs. Plays for Atascocita HS

https://twitter.com/linskeymatthew/statu...51138?s=21
https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Play...?ID=621686

Sits 88-90mph with his FB.
https://www.sportsforceonline.com/athlet...eball-2020

His dad pitched professionally apparently.

(12-01-2018 01:16 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 01:04 PM)cr11owl Wrote:  New commit. 2020 RHP/1B out of Humble, Matthew Linskey. 6’6 245lbs. Plays for Atascocita HS

https://twitter.com/linskeymatthew/statu...51138?s=21
https://www.perfectgame.org/Players/Play...?ID=621686

Sits 88-90mph with his FB.
https://www.sportsforceonline.com/athlet...eball-2020

His dad pitched professionally apparently.

That sportsforceonline profile said "Father played professionally LHP 1988-94 Orioles & Padres"

... which matches up with this Mike Linskey: https://www.baseball-reference.com/regis...nske001mic), who reached the Orioles' AAA/Rochester in 1990-91 and the Padres' AAA/Las Vegas in 1993.

Mike coaches baseball players (https://www.coachup.com/coaches/mikel-46#about-me-tabs ... http://www.houstonyouthbaseball.com/about-linskey/) and is an athletic scholarship consultant (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikelinskeyi...tyhouston/)

So are we happy now with Bragga’s recruiting and not retaining some of the previous staff’s commits? Also looking like he has really gotten buy in from former players if you look at the list of RBI board. Thet’s a big change and a good one. One thing that hasn’t been talked about is whether Bragga is heavy on analytics. JK had said the next coach would have to be more analytics oriented and certainly Lance’s bid emphasized it.

(12-02-2018 08:11 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  So are we happy now with Bragga’s recruiting and not retaining some of the previous staff’s commits? Also looking like he has really gotten buy in from former players if you look at the list of RBI board. Thet’s a big change and a good one. One thing that hasn’t been talked about is whether Bragga is heavy on analytics. JK had said the next coach would have to be more analytics oriented and certainly Lance’s bid emphasized it.

Tiki, there's no question that Coach Bragga and the athletic department are focused on increasing the involvement and engagement of former players, and I think stacking the RBI Club board with former players (12 of the 15 members) is a reflection of that. Whether they ultimately get that buy in, with more former players showing up at games and contributing $$$s to the program remains to be seen. Their support has been lacking in the recent past and not for lack of trying by those running the RBI Club. Personally, I think the Board is way over-represented by former players, and at the expense of the alumni who have been supporting the program for the past 20+ years.

As for recruiting, Bragga and Barton have done a great job on the 2020 class (2021 Freshmen). The problem is going to be next year's incoming class. We really need to find several quality JUCOs-- both in the field and on the mound-- if we're going to be at all competitive in the 2020 season.

(12-02-2018 08:11 AM)Tiki Owl Wrote:  So are we happy now with Bragga’s recruiting and not retaining some of the previous staff’s commits? Also looking like he has really gotten buy in from former players if you look at the list of RBI board. Thet’s a big change and a good one. One thing that hasn’t been talked about is whether Bragga is heavy on analytics. JK had said the next coach would have to be more analytics oriented and certainly Lance’s bid emphasized it.

I definitely know they've been advertising around campus that they're looking for a bunch of students to help out with analytics. I don't know if that means there will be as big of a focus as there is at other schools, but it's a refreshing change. Back when a couple other students and I approached the previous staff offering to help out, I think we almost got laughed out of the office.