Jack Bauer

[Todd4State]

So it sounds like he is coming along. Just casually throwing 100 MPH.

Too soon to know but I'm thinking there is a chance he may be able to help the baseball team out of the bullpen sooner than later.

[HoopsDawg]

So it sounds like he is coming along. Just casually throwing 100 MPH.

Too soon to know but I'm thinking there is a chance he may be able to help the baseball team out of the bullpen sooner than later.

I really, really like our top 7 guys without Bauer. Even if he can come in from the pen as a matchup guy, that?s huge.

[AlSwearengen]

I saw a tweet that he pitched 2 innings today or yesterday and that he topped at 101. That is all that was said though.

[cheewgumm]

Sounds like more than a matchup guy

Lefty at 101

Ummm

[Todd4State]

I saw a tweet that he pitched 2 innings today or yesterday and that he topped at 101. That is all that was said though.

First inning- with a runner placed on first he allowed a stolen base and a walk and had a wild pitch. But then he struck out Chance who as we all know is hard to strikeout. His second inning was better. Gave up an infield hit and then got a double play.

So, a little wild but more good than bad. Not much hard contact.

Nothing to make think- oh he is ready for the rotation. But I could definitely see him being ready to potentially be a factor out of the bullpen by the spring if he continues the progress he is making.

[Todd4State]

I really, really like our top 7 guys without Bauer. Even if he can come in from the pen as a matchup guy, that?s huge.

I do too. It's going to be interesting to see where they all fit into the rotation and the bullpen.

Which is great for Bauer because we don't have to rely on him right away. Foster pitched pretty well.

Our pitching should be much better than it was last year. We have a legit Friday night guy in Volinicus. McPherson is a future MLB guy. That's a good foundation. Just have to see who emerges among Stone, Foster, Kirk, and Burns. And then we have Ben Davis who is pretty reliable and Tyler Pitzer who is a SEC veteran who is a safe option at closer.

[ZedFedder]

Not to mention Pitzer was the Cape pitcher of the year.

[Thick]

When does fall ball end?

[Todd4State]

When does fall ball end?

November I believe.

[Todd4State]

I wouldn't be surprised if we end up platooning Vytas Volinicus and Blake Bevis platoon at first base.

Gehrig Frei has been working hard at second base.

[AlSwearengen]

If Frei can make the routine plays at 2B and hit like he did last year, that’s a nice move; although, Sanders was one of our more consistent players last year.

Todd, any idea on how the kid from NCState, Woodson has been doing and where he is playing?

[Todd4State]

If Frei can make the routine plays at 2B and hit like he did last year, that’s a nice move; although, Sanders was one of our more consistent players last year.

Todd, any idea on how the kid from NCState, Woodson has been doing and where he is playing?

Woodson has been playing SS mostly for us. He has been doing well defensively.

[Homedawg]

Woodson has been playing SS mostly for us. He has been doing well defensively.

He played third this weekend w sanders being the other ss.

[Todd4State]

He played third this weekend w sanders being the other ss.

My bad. I thought I heard he was at SS.

[Thick]

Are there certain days that they scrimmage? I would love love to catch a scrimmage or 2 before it ends.

[Thick]

NVM, games tomorrow, Friday, & Sunday

[AlSwearengen]

For you baseball guys that get inside info and know how to decipher what is going on, I’m looking at you Homedawg.

Who of the new guys are standing out? I’m mostly talking freshmen, but I’ll take any information about any of them.

[Todd4State]

For you baseball guys that get inside info and know how to decipher what is going on, I’m looking at you Homedawg.

Who of the new guys are standing out? I’m mostly talking freshmen, but I’ll take any information about any of them.

Besides Bauer-

Tanner Beliveau was sitting 95-98 with his fastball. Not expecting him to be a big part necessarily next season. But could definitely see him potentially as a major factor in 2027.

[Homedawg]

My bad. I thought I heard he was at SS.

To be fair it's just been this weekend. He's been at ss before th is week so you weren't wrong just saying we are looking at different options.

[Homedawg]

For you baseball guys that get inside info and know how to decipher what is going on, I’m looking at you Homedawg.

Who of the new guys are standing out? I’m mostly talking freshmen, but I’ll take any information about any of them.

I think the class is really good. Really good. But I can't see any of the tr fr hitters starting. Spot play at most. Our lineup is full of veteran guys and more than one at each spot. But Mershon, Parker both look the part. Bauer clearly has upside through the roof. I'd just be patient as Todd has Mentioned. The guy who has been a surprise to me is beliveau on the bump. He's be legit. Rhodes is also good. Again great class considering how few of players in it.

[Homedawg]

Besides Bauer-

Tanner Beliveau was sitting 95-98 with his fastball. Not expecting him to be a big part necessarily next season. But could definitely see him potentially as a major factor in 2027.

Sorry missed this but yeah. He's been lights out. He's a pitcher not a catcher in the future. Hell, for now.

[Coach34]

We are freaking loaded. This team is better than 1985/1989. Will they fare better? We shall see

[Homedawg]

We are freaking loaded. This team is better than 1985/1989. Will they fare better? We shall see

Don't think it's a better lineup than 89. However total package is way better. 85 was so top heavy it isn't funnny. Weak 6-9 in lineup and after Brantley and Morgan, the drop off was huge. But had Thorne on back end.

[Coach34]

Don't think it's a better lineup than 89. However total package is way better. 85 was so top heavy it isn't funnny. Weak 6-9 in lineup and after Brantley and Morgan, the drop off was huge. But had Thorne on back end.

You are ok with debating line-up vs line-up from 89 vs 26. I just think this 26 line-up is better. We have top notch guys plus we have match-up guys. I think the match-up depth gives 26 the edge

[Coach34]

also- I love arguing about a Top 5 team. Me and Little Wool cant wait to go to Texas and watch us play

[KOdawg1]

We are loaded. My lineup prediction as of today:

1. Teel - CF (L)
2. Frei - 2B (S)
3. Reese - 3B (L)
4. Sully - DH (R)
5. Bevis/V. Valincius - 1B (R)
6. Nunnallee - RF (L)
7. Wyers - SS (R)
8. Chance - LF (R)
9. Owen - C (R)

One question mark is if Frei can handle 2B? So far he hasn't looked great there this spring. His bat is too good to keep out of the lineup though imo. If he can't handle it, he could DH or play LF. Wyers can slide to 2B and Woodson play SS (or vice versa) if Frei moves elsewhere. Him being serviceable at 2B opens up this lineup though and allows us to be deeper. Something to watch.

Milewski can hit, but I do wonder about his defense. He wasn't that great at Seton Hall, mainly at throwing guys out. He, Andrew Raymond, and Jackson Owen will all battle it out at C. With our lineup as deep as it is, I think we go with whoever provides the most defensively.

V. Valincius is intriguing to me. He can smash. He can factor in at 1B, RF, LF, and DH.

[Coach34]

I dont see in any world Chance starts for us. How do you sit anybody for him?

[KOdawg1]

I dont see in any world Chance starts for us. How do you sit anybody for him?

BOC loves him.

[Coach34]

BOC loves him.

All Coaches would. But after Fall Ball- stats and perform matter

[KOdawg1]

All Coaches would. But after Fall Ball- stats and perform matter

He's going to put up good fall stats though. The knock on Chance is he's not an MLB guy. Which he isn't.

But he's a good college baseball player, leader, and teammate, and he's proven that for several years now. A .330 hitter with 5 HRs that doesn't K at the bottom of your lineup is awesome. I'll be shocked if he isn't starting.

[Todd4State]

If we pulled Bryce Chance out of the portal everyone would be excited to add him.

He's our glue guy.

[Todd4State]

We are loaded. My lineup prediction as of today:

1. Teel - CF (L)
2. Frei - 2B (S)
3. Reese - 3B (L)
4. Sully - DH (R)
5. Bevis/V. Valincius - 1B (R)
6. Nunnallee - RF (L)
7. Wyers - SS (R)
8. Chance - LF (R)
9. Owen - C (R)

One question mark is if Frei can handle 2B? So far he hasn't looked great there this spring. His bat is too good to keep out of the lineup though imo. If he can't handle it, he could DH or play LF. Wyers can slide to 2B and Woodson play SS (or vice versa) if Frei moves elsewhere. Him being serviceable at 2B opens up this lineup though and allows us to be deeper. Something to watch.

Milewski can hit, but I do wonder about his defense. He wasn't that great at Seton Hall, mainly at throwing guys out. He, Andrew Raymond, and Jackson Owen will all battle it out at C. With our lineup as deep as it is, I think we go with whoever provides the most defensively.

V. Valincius is intriguing to me. He can smash. He can factor in at 1B, RF, LF, and DH.

As far as catcher goes don't count out Andrew Raymond from George Mason. I think Milewski will start at least on opening day.

They really liked Peter Mershon at catcher before scrimmages but I don't believe he has caught in one yet unless he caught today.

[Todd4State]

Sorry missed this but yeah. He's been lights out. He's a pitcher not a catcher in the future. Hell, for now.

His backstory reminds me of Jonathan Holder a little bit. More of a hitter in high school but then he goes to MSU and maybe eventually finds a home in the bullpen as a pitcher.

I know we have him hitting some- for now. He's a typical college freshman trying to find out what his true role in the game is. Which does indeed eventually seem to be pitcher.

[Pancho]

please advise on our catcher situation......

[AlSwearengen]

Todd, was Beliveau primarily a position player coming out of H.S.? I never really heard anything about him even though he is in the pine belt; maybe he was just overshadowed by the Parkers. Typically, if you have a kid in your area throwing mid and upper 90’s in h.s., you hear about it.

[Todd4State]

Todd, was Beliveau primarily a position player coming out of H.S.? I never really heard anything about him even though he is in the pine belt; maybe he was just overshadowed by the Parkers. Typically, if you have a kid in your area throwing mid and upper 90’s in h.s., you hear about it.

Yes, he was primarily a position player at Petal who really only started pitching a couple of years ago. He was considered more of a hitter but his position in college was up for debate- most people were thinking catcher or corner INF/OF. It's looking like pitcher is his best position though but it's still TBD.

[Todd4State]

please advise on our catcher situation......

Milewski and Raymond are the front runners. Jackson Owen is a good emergency catcher. Peter Mershon the coaches liked in drills at catcher but unless I'm mistaken and he caught yesterday he hasn't caught a scrimmage game yet.

[basedog]

If we pulled Bryce Chance out of the portal everyone would be excited to add him.

He's our glue guy.

Chance has proven himself over the last few years.

[Coach34]

Chance has proven himself over the last few years.

Here's the thing tho:

You're not going to sit #34. Frei hit over .400 vs RHP's in 2025. He 100% will be in the line-up vs RHP's. I am hopeful he can play 2nd but I have my doubts. 34 is not going to play 1st or 3rd. So that leaves LF or RF. Now platooning him in LF with Beans would make complete sense. I just dont see any way you sit your best player on the team vs a RHP making a start on the hill. So we will see how the 2B gig goes.

That's not even including Valincius who is 6'4/230 and can swing the bat from the left side into the equation. Stallman with a year under his belt. Nunnalee is a year older.

Lots to be decided.

[TheLostDawg]

Who is playing 3rd***

[basedog]

You are ok with debating line-up vs line-up from 89 vs 26. I just think this 26 line-up is better. We have top notch guys plus we have match-up guys. I think the match-up depth gives 26 the edge

That 89 team was the most disappointing team ever for me. Loaded up and down the lineup with depth and good a good pitching staff.
I was shocked when we lost that region.

[Todd4State]

Here's the thing tho:

You're not going to sit #34. Frei hit over .400 vs RHP's in 2025. He 100% will be in the line-up vs RHP's. I am hopeful he can play 2nd but I have my doubts. 34 is not going to play 1st or 3rd. So that leaves LF or RF. Now platooning him in LF with Beans would make complete sense. I just dont see any way you sit your best player on the team vs a RHP making a start on the hill. So we will see how the 2B gig goes.

That's not even including Valincius who is 6'4/230 and can swing the bat from the left side into the equation. Stallman with a year under his belt. Nunnalee is a year older.

Lots to be decided.

I don't think they would be looking at Frei at 2B like they are if they didn't think that was a real possibility. O'Connor's attention to detail and decision making on where the pieces of the puzzle fit are far superior to Lemonis's. What I mean is he is going to figure out where guys go most likely and then they're going to be putting in a lot more work at whatever position in the offseason to be ready for the regular season.

[Todd4State]

Don't think it's a better lineup than 89. However total package is way better. 85 was so top heavy it isn't funnny. Weak 6-9 in lineup and after Brantley and Morgan, the drop off was huge. But had Thorne on back end.

I was thinking today- if Clark, Palmeiro, Thigpen, and Brantley had been born four years later that 1989 team would have been even more ridiculous. Probably would have had to DH Raffo.

[Todd4State]

Chance has proven himself over the last few years.

Yeah. He's one of those guys that finds his way into the lineup. He's not going to play in MLB. Might not even be a Mississippi Mud Monster. Seems like a dude that is going to just settle down after playing at MSU his senior year probably.

Honestly, I bet he has a really good year. He's going to be a guy that probably drops in the lineup because of what we have added. A guy batting 6th-7th that is hard to strike out and has a little bit of pop that has been in a ton of SEC battles is what you want in that spot. And I was impressed at how much he improved defensively last year.

[basedog]

Yeah. He's one of those guys that finds his way into the lineup. He's not going to play in MLB. Might not even be a Mississippi Mud Monster. Seems like a dude that is going to just settle down after playing at MSU his senior year probably.

Honestly, I bet he has a really good year. He's going to be a guy that probably drops in the lineup because of what we have added. A guy batting 6th-7th that is hard to strike out and has a little bit of pop that has been in a ton of SEC battles is what you want in that spot. And I was impressed at how much he improved defensively last year.

Plus everything I read about him he is a really good guy! How could we not pull for him?

[Todd4State]

Bauer pitched again today. It is fall ball I will go ahead and say that so take this with a grain of salt. But his first inning he was dominant. Again. He pitched another inning and gave up a couple of hits but no runs. Third out was a guy that was thrown out at the plate.

So all of that said- at this point it looks like he is a guy that is a 1 inning guy which to me means he is a candidate to be a closer. As I said it is a scrimmage but we'll see how he progresses. But I'm starting to think that he has a real chance to be our closer this year. Or at least one of them.

[99jc]

Bauer pitched again today. It is fall ball I will go ahead and say that so take this with a grain of salt. But his first inning he was dominant. Again. He pitched another inning and gave up a couple of hits but no runs. Third out was a guy that was thrown out at the plate.

So all of that said- at this point it looks like he is a guy that is a 1 inning guy which to me means he is a candidate to be a closer. As I said it is a scrimmage but we'll see how he progresses. But I'm starting to think that he has a real chance to be our closer this year. Or at least one of them.

also think about the lineup he is pitching too this team can hit!

[The Federalist Engineer]

Besides Bauer-

Tanner Beliveau was sitting 95-98 with his fastball. Not expecting him to be a big part necessarily next season. But could definitely see him potentially as a major factor in 2027.

So, he is pitcher first? Not necessarily a catcher?

[Todd4State]

So, he is pitcher first? Not necessarily a catcher?

The way things are going for him I feel very confident that he is emerging as a relief pitcher. I think he will probably be our closer in three years and he may be someone that has a chance to hit 100 MPH on the radar gun by that time.

[AlSwearengen]

The snippet that i saw a week or so ago was that Beliveau had not gotten a hit as a hitter; but he had also not given up a hit as a pitcher and that he was looking pretty good.

[Coach34]

I don't think they would be looking at Frei at 2B like they are if they didn't think that was a real possibility. O'Connor's attention to detail and decision making on where the pieces of the puzzle fit are far superior to Lemonis's. What I mean is he is going to figure out where guys go most likely and then they're going to be putting in a lot more work at whatever position in the offseason to be ready for the regular season.

We looked at him in the infield last Fall and it didnt work out. It may this year after another season but again I'm skeptical. It's not surprising that BOC would look at it and see- doesnt mean it's going to work out.

But when we play RHP's- he will be on the line-up card

[HoopsDawg]

We looked at him in the infield last Fall and it didnt work out. It may this year after another season but again I'm skeptical. It's not surprising that BOC would look at it and see- doesnt mean it's going to work out.

But when we play RHP's- he will be on the line-up card

Feels like our MIF will be Woodson and Wyers.

[Coach34]

Feels like our MIF will be Woodson and Wyers.

It's just a good problem to have. Lots of talent.

But 34 will be in the line-up vs RHP's. That's 100%

[HoopsDawg]

It's just a good problem to have. Lots of talent.

But 34 will be in the line-up vs RHP's. That's 100%

For sure. As a DH or LF.

[Homedawg]

For sure. As a DH or LF.

He might be. But they haven't played him in the of any. Just third and second. Now things can change in the spring.

[Todd4State]

We looked at him in the infield last Fall and it didnt work out. It may this year after another season but again I'm skeptical. It's not surprising that BOC would look at it and see- doesnt mean it's going to work out.

But when we play RHP's- he will be on the line-up card

As far as defense goes for most any position in the field except for maybe catcher I feel like it's mostly about reps at that position more than anything. And if a player puts in the work they can become adequate at any position in one offseason.

One big criticism I had of Lemonis and his last staff was the lack of attention to detail in general and that translated over to defense. Also, at times he had a hard time identifying where to play players and Frei is a good example of that. It's hard to just put a player somewhere in the middle of the season and ask them to be adequate. I think those went hand in hand last year.

Now, O'Connor I think is the opposite. And because of that I think our overall team defense is going to noticeably improve. So, just because Frei didn't work out at second base last does not mean he will necessarily not work out there this year.

[Todd4State]

Feels like our MIF will be Woodson and Wyers.

That could very well be our MIF but I think that comes down to how quickly Woodson adjusts to the SEC pitching more than anything. And Woodson is certainly capable.

Noah Sullivan has been working out a lot at first base too- and if he can win that spot then we could put Frei at DH potentially.