Cruz tweeted out the lineups for tomorrow night's Blue-Gray scrimmage. Maybe the only surprise among the starters (or non-starters) is that Hal Hughes isn't starting. Is he hurt?

(09-30-2021 08:50 PM)Fort Bend Owl Wrote:  Cruz tweeted out the lineups for tomorrow night's Blue-Gray scrimmage. Maybe the only surprise among the starters (or non-starters) is that Hal Hughes isn't starting. Is he hurt?

Yes, a hammy pull. He had a couple at bats as DH late last week. We actually have 5 high school shortstops on our team, so it gives the others a chance to play and prove themselves at SS and 2B. The other 4 are Reidel (Clemson transfer), Gallo (Clemson transfer), Woodcox (Texas Tech transfer) and Desroches (true Freshman). My guess is that Woodcox will move to LF by the start of the season and Reidel will be at 2B. Both are starting to hit, and with good pop. IMO, Gallo and Hughes will be competing for SS.

BTW, Walsh has only been DHing, and having a pinch runner run for him when he gets a hit. Just as a precaution, but trying to ensure his hammy doesn't act up on him during Fall Ball.

Weather could be iffy for tonight BTW. Lots of rain in Texas today, and it's generally moving our way. It could be over by tonight, but I think it's still 50-50 for tonight? The rain and humidity might still be around a bit by tomorrow night for the football game, but my prediction is the rain will be over by gametime (with the humidity sticking around until Sunday).

Bostick's development-related tweet of the day...

https://twitter.com/colter_bostick/statu...3071948802

...and another-- Rice pitchers using The Bubble for long tossing...

https://twitter.com/colter_bostick/statu...6831398920

From Friday night lights...

Roel Garcia hit 95 MPH, Deskins hit 94, Caleb Matthews hit 94 and Micah Davis hit 97 MPH, which might be the fastest velocity-wise recorded for any Rice pitcher in quite some time, if ever. (I believe Gayle topped out at 96.)

As I've said before, if Davis can throw strikes consistently, he could be one heck of a closer-- what with his fastball, curveball and plus, plus changeup.

Quote:Fort Bend Owl Wrote:
https://riceowls.com/documents/2021/10/8...Rice_8.pdf

Box from last night. We didn't pitch two of our expected three weekend starters for whatever reason - the guys who got roughed up were mostly new or the younger pitchers.

Yeah, not sure why Chandler and Burbank did not pitch...and they have pitched in scrimmages since a week ago Friday. Roel Garcia had his best outing yet. Deskins, who I think will either be a weekend starter or closer for us, gave up two runs, but both scored thanks to two errors that inning. Davis and Matthews both figure to be key contributors and were hit hard. However, it's difficult to judge when pitchers only pitch one inning each.

My bigger concern is the 22 strikeouts by our hitters. That's just under 2 Ks per inning. That HAS to change.

Here's Jose's post-scrimmage comments...

https://twitter.com/RiceBaseball/status/...8181772295

Bostick's development-related tweet of the day-- yet another new tool...

https://twitter.com/colter_bostick/statu...4610824192

BTW, Chandler appears to be injured as he has not pitched in two weeks now. Didn't pitch in last Friday's SHS scrimmage, and was the only pitcher who didn't throw one-inning in yesterday's pre-UH intrasquad.

Cheito's comments after tonight's exhibition win against the Coogs...

https://twitter.com/RiceBaseball/status/...7201469442

...really strong and positive outing for the both the offense and pitching. Garibay with two bombs, Woodcox with another (his 4th of the Fall). Pitching was outstanding-- not only Garcia and Cooper, but the Freshmen duo of Smith and Matthews, Greenwood, and the Soph duo of Davis and Linskey.

Kendall Roger's post-game tweet...

Quote:Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers
Great seeing @RiceBaseball and @UHCougarBB tonight. Second look at the #Coogs, and Logan Clayton once again showed a nice arm. Encouraged by what I saw from #Rice. Clearly more physical and had some nice young arms with some velocity and stuff. More on the Owls next week.

Quote:Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers
Yet another quality arm for @RiceBaseball. Sophomore RHP Micah Davis was impressive in his first inning of work and had words for the UH dugout after a punch out on a 95 mph FB. He sat 94-96 with his FB and worked with an average 83-85 mph SL. Two strikeouts in the frame. #Rice

Kendall Rogers
@KendallRogers
Solid look at @RiceBaseball freshman RHP Parker Smith. Smith has a good build — Sat 90-92 mph with his fastball and curveball was a very solid offering at 75-76 mph with impressive bite and depth. Encouraged by what I’ve seen from the Owls thus far. #Rice

Fall Ball world series (5 games-- Janish vs. Bostick) kicks off next Friday.

Bostick's development-related tweet of the day; this time talking about the biomechanics tool to be used in the pitching lab...

https://twitter.com/colter_bostick/statu...0754632708

I was curious if anyone went to the UH exhibition game? Any comments about the hitting and pitching compared to the first exhibition game?

(10-19-2021 12:56 PM)Texasowl Wrote:  I was curious if anyone went to the UH exhibition game? Any comments about the hitting and pitching compared to the first exhibition game?

I provided brief comments several posts up in this thread. Vast improvement over the first scrimmage against SHS-- both at the plate and on the mound. Some very impressive and encouraging showings.

I went to yesterday's intrasquad-- only the second and third tier pitchers saw action, but the hitting was solid. Most impressive was true Freshman and left-hand bat, Aaron Smigelski, who had 3 hits, including two line shots. Really sweet left-handed swing. Will likely be our starting 3B.

Trying to make it back out to Reckling this afternoon to see our top tier pitchers go at it (Cooper, Garcia, Burbank, Davis, Smith, Matthews).

Still no sighting of Brogdon. I'm assuming he's got a pretty serious injury as he's yet to suit up this Fall. Hopefully, no surgery required. Anyone know his status?

The frontline pitchers didn't disappoint this afternoon. Cooper struggled with his control in his first inning, but had a 1-2-3 2nd inning with two strikeouts. Garcia struck out the side in his first inning, and topped out at 97 MPH on the gun, though he mostly sat in the 93-94 range. Parker Smith had a perfect two innings-- 6 up, 6 down, and Burbank struck out the side in his first inning. LHP Burbank's 89 - 90 FB - 73 - 74 MPH changeup/curve combo is just devastating on batters, especially when he can locate his FB in the black as he did that one inning I watched this afternoon. Davis had a strong first inning before I left. The only pitcher who struggled (aside from Cooper's first inning) was Caleb Matthews, who couldn't find the strikezone, though he was better his second inning of work. Only 5 hits combined by both squads when I left after 5 innings.

Here's Kendall's and D1Baseball's Fall Report on Rice. Overall, I think he did a solid job with the writeup. Glad Cruz mentioned Brogdon, which means he's not seriously injured.

https://d1baseball.com/fall-report/rice-...vN_yTSWdOQ

If this is premium content, I'll provide cut & paste some key comments later.

(10-25-2021 02:48 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Here's Kendall's and D1Baseball's Fall Report on Rice. Overall, I think he did a solid job with the writeup. Glad Cruz mentioned Brogdon, which means he's not seriously injured.

https://d1baseball.com/fall-report/rice-...vN_yTSWdOQ

If this is premium content, I'll provide cut & paste some key comments later.

It is paywalled.

Any insight would be most appreciated!

(10-25-2021 02:54 PM)ExcitedOwl18 Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 02:48 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Here's Kendall's and D1Baseball's Fall Report on Rice. Overall, I think he did a solid job with the writeup. Glad Cruz mentioned Brogdon, which means he's not seriously injured.

https://d1baseball.com/fall-report/rice-...vN_yTSWdOQ

If this is premium content, I'll provide cut & paste some key comments later.

It is paywalled.

Any insight would be most appreciated!

Awaiting permission from Kendall to cut & paste several excerpts.

Kendall wanted me to remind folks that can get 20% off the annual $99 D1Baseball subscription (well worth it for any avid college baseball fan) using the code: fall21

Here's some key excerpts and insights from both his conversation with Cheito last week and his observations from attending the Rice-UH scrimmage a couple weeks back...

- Jose raved up both Paul Janish and Colter Bostick-- saying "the guys love them" and 'they've surpassed all my expectations so far".

Quote:“I think we have one of the top guys in the nation from a strength standpoint. I’m not sure he was allowed to do his thing before,” Cruz Jr. said. “We have the right person from a strength standpoint. He works with our guys to put together individualized plans. At a place like Rice, we must make sure we’re developing guys, and obviously strength is a big part of that.

- With regards to the pitching staff, Garcia and Chandler, as expected, are safe bets for the weekend rotation, with the other spot likely filled by either Deskins, Davis or Burbank. Positive comments also made regarding our two Freshmen (Parker Smith, Caleb Matthews), Matthew Linskey, Dalton Wood and Greenwood (who has shown much better stuff this Fall)...

Quote:“In six weeks together, I think we’ve really improved on the mound,” Cruz Jr. said. “I think Roel coming back for another year really, really helps us. He’s an older guy and leader, and the stuff plays. Cooper Chandler has been a great addition to our program. He has been excellent and is just one of those guys who has a professional all-around approach. He’s going to help us out, that’s for sure.”

On offense....

Quote:We mentioned earlier in the story that Rice looked much more physical and aggressive offensively last week against Houston. Perhaps no one has impressed more than hard-nosed junior outfielder Guy Garibay, who is coming off a season in which he showed flashes of brilliance...“Garibay has been on a mission this fall,” Cruz said. “He is one of those guys who is clearly out to prove himself this fall and in the spring, and he was one of the first calls I made when I got the job. Basically, when I saw him as a freshman, I thought he was the best hitter on the team.

- Jose also raved about Drew Woodcox....

Quote:“I think Drew has been really impressive for us as well,” he added. “He’s very talented, and he’s very strong. Like Guy, he’s very much a high effort guy. He’s pretty quiet vocally, but man, he gets after it out there.”

Only one more position player, catcher Justin Long, has earned a starting spot at this point. Long has been steady behind the plate and Cruz Jr. is pleased with his development both there and at the plate as a hitter.

- I do suspect Manny Garza will spell Long at catcher for at least one game a week. I also think 1B Bulman, 2B Reidel and SS Hughes are pretty much locks as starters. Some combination of Becker, Dunlap, Cruz, Walsh, Dukes, Gallo and the Freshmen duo of West and Smigelski could round out the starting position players and DH.

(10-25-2021 05:01 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Kendall wanted me to remind folks that can get 20% off the annual $99 D1Baseball subscription (well worth it for any avid college baseball fan) using the code: fall21

Here's some key excerpts and insights from both his conversation with Cheito last week and his observations from attending the Rice-UH scrimmage a couple weeks back...

- Jose raved up both Paul Janish and Colter Bostick-- saying "the guys love them" and 'they've surpassed all my expectations so far".

Quote:“I think we have one of the top guys in the nation from a strength standpoint. I’m not sure he was allowed to do his thing before,” Cruz Jr. said. “We have the right person from a strength standpoint. He works with our guys to put together individualized plans. At a place like Rice, we must make sure we’re developing guys, and obviously strength is a big part of that.

- With regards to the pitching staff, Garcia and Chandler, as expected, are safe bets for the weekend rotation, with the other spot likely filled by either Deskins, Davis or Burbank. Positive comments also made regarding our two Freshmen (Parker Smith, Caleb Matthews), Matthew Linskey, Dalton Wood and Greenwood (who has shown much better stuff this Fall)...

Quote:“In six weeks together, I think we’ve really improved on the mound,” Cruz Jr. said. “I think Roel coming back for another year really, really helps us. He’s an older guy and leader, and the stuff plays. Cooper Chandler has been a great addition to our program. He has been excellent and is just one of those guys who has a professional all-around approach. He’s going to help us out, that’s for sure.”

On offense....

Quote:We mentioned earlier in the story that Rice looked much more physical and aggressive offensively last week against Houston. Perhaps no one has impressed more than hard-nosed junior outfielder Guy Garibay, who is coming off a season in which he showed flashes of brilliance...“Garibay has been on a mission this fall,” Cruz said. “He is one of those guys who is clearly out to prove himself this fall and in the spring, and he was one of the first calls I made when I got the job. Basically, when I saw him as a freshman, I thought he was the best hitter on the team.

- Jose also raved about Drew Woodcox....

Quote:“I think Drew has been really impressive for us as well,” he added. “He’s very talented, and he’s very strong. Like Guy, he’s very much a high effort guy. He’s pretty quiet vocally, but man, he gets after it out there.”

Only one more position player, catcher Justin Long, has earned a starting spot at this point. Long has been steady behind the plate and Cruz Jr. is pleased with his development both there and at the plate as a hitter.

- I do suspect Manny Garza will spell Long at catcher for at least one game a week. I also think 1B Bulman, 2B Reidel and SS Hughes are pretty much locks as starters. Some combination of Becker, Dunlap, Cruz, Walsh, Dukes, Gallo and the Freshmen duo of West and Smigelski could round out the starting position players and DH.

I think I will wait to the completion of fall ball and spring practice before declaring any locks. Lots of competition which is good.

Love the daily time elapsed videos Bostick has been posting on twitter. Here's today's edition...

https://twitter.com/colter_bostick/statu...5710023680

Big Jon Duplantier working out at Reckling and taking advantage of our new tech toys in the pitching lab...

https://twitter.com/colter_bostick/statu...1496755205

(10-27-2021 03:53 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Big Jon Duplantier working out at Reckling and taking advantage of our new tech toys in the pitching lab...

https://twitter.com/colter_bostick/statu...1496755205

His cousin, coming off surgery, looked pretty good @ Disch-Falk on Sunday v San Jac.