Fall ball ended today

[HoopsDawg]

Heres my post fall lineup:

1. Teel, CF
2. Nunnallee, RF
3. Ace, 3B
4. Sully, DH
5. Frei, LF
6. Bevis, 1B
7. Wyers, 2B
8. Milewski, C
9. Woodson, SS

Rotation

Friday: Tomas V
Saturday: McPherson
Sunday: Foster

Top Pen arms
Duke, Davis, Pitzer

Top freshman
Bauer, Rhodes, Mershon, Parker

Lot of other good depth pieces led by Chance, James and Stallman

[KOdawg1]

Yep, other than shifting the order around, that's my lineup as well.

Rotation too.

[Todd4State]

It's hard to say because we have so many good options.

Fri- Volinicus- for sure.
Sat- McPherson- Probably. Almost a lock. Small chance we use him as a relief ace but not likely because we have enough in the bullpen.
Sun- Foster pitched very well today and Duke Stone has also looked good. Really hard to say who has the edge here but maybe Foster? The loser is our midweek guy and will be a good relief option for us.
Midweek- Stone. And if this is our midweek guy- then we're going to be sick this year.

Closer- Pitzer
Set-up Maddox Webb
Relief Ace- Dane Burns
Wild card- Bauer. He's interesting. If I were in their shoes I would let him close out non-save situation games and just see what happens and let him develop. No need to rush him but by the time the postseason comes along he could be a real weapon for us.

C- Milewski with Raymond as the primary back up

1B- I think we're going to use Sullivan here because he has been playing here a lot. Blake Bevis will play here some too.
2B- Wyers
3B- Ace Reese. This is one of the few spots we have locked down.
SS- Ryder Woodson. If Woodson or Wyers struggle I think Chone James will play. I think we'll see more of James than some may expect in different roles like PH/PR too.

LF- Chance. I think he is still going to play a lot. I think we'll see Parker and Mershon some too.
CF- Teel has this spot locked down. Legit MLB prospect
RF- Nunnalee. I think he will be an everyday guy. Really talented player.
DH- Frei but may see Sullivan and Bevis here some too based on match ups.

[AlSwearengen]

Is Wyers a better choice than Sanders at this point? It felt like I was seeing K next to Wyers’ name a good bit in the 2 exhibitions; i could be wrong though. Didn’t Sanders have a good batting avg last year and he didn’t settle into the starting spot until SEC play.

[ZedFedder]

What is crazy is no mention of Stallman or Vytas V. We are crazy deep.

[Todd4State]

Is Wyers a better choice than Sanders at this point? It felt like I was seeing K next to Wyers’ name a good bit in the 2 exhibitions; i could be wrong though. Didn’t Sanders have a good batting avg last year and he didn’t settle into the starting spot until SEC play.

Yes, Wyers is a better player than Sanders. Sanders is a good player but we're just a lot deeper.

[No BS Dawg]

First base is going to be an issue, defensively. No standouts and Sullivan looked lost over there in the ?second? game yesterday. I?m sure BOC will figure it out, but that is probably wide open at this point. May come down to the best bat.

I was there yesterday and it was a true exhibition, lots of folks playing all over the place. Some guys looked good, some not so much.

I will say there is an entirely different feel with the team and atmosphere in a positive way. Can?t put my finger on it exactly, but much more of a business and team feel than in years past.

[No BS Dawg]

Yes, Wyers is a better player than Sanders. Sanders is a good player but we're just a lot deeper.

Agree completely with Todd. He can play all over the infield and does have a good bat. He will need more time to adjust, but hit a big bomb to center yesterday and another off the wall, I believe. He is an upgrade, but Sanders is great to have when needed. Chone James was solid in the field too during first game. Had a looper that short and third went for that dropped and LT had a runner at second. James recognized their was uncovered and did dead sprint to over there before the ball hit the ground to keep the runner from taking an easy base. Like that kind of attention and hustle.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Heres my post fall lineup:

1. Teel, CF
2. Nunnallee, RF
3. Ace, 3B
4. Sully, DH
5. Frei, LF
6. Bevis, 1B
7. Wyers, 2B
8. Milewski, C
9. Woodson, SS

Lot of other good depth pieces led by Chance, James and Stallman

I don't live anywhere near to watch a Fall Practice or Game, so I accept your summary. But I am surprised by a few things.

1. Teel - CF (no surprise)
2. Nunnallee - RF (no surprise, he had his Freshman season at UVA, now time to be a star)
3. Ace -3B (no surprise)
4. Sully -DH (no surprise, that's his role, but would like to see him pitch in 2025, he settled the midweek last year, no drama just performance)
5. Frei - LF (Surprised, unless he really took off as a hitter, his OF defense is only ok. Chance is a better bat and defender. Vystas? Bevis? Parker? Mershon?)
6. Bevis-1B (Surprised, he's big enough but not a 1B at Ball State, seems many dudes may compete for this job.)
7 Wyers-2B (Ok, a career collegiate SS should be able to handle 2B. At 6-2 200 could be a banger hitter at 2B)
8. Milewski (no surprise, you got him as 8-hole hitter, he's not a hitter? Or the other dudes hit more?)
9. Woodson (Surprised, but maybe not surprised, the NC State people had him starting for them in 2026)

Other notes:
a. You have three straight LHH at 1-2-3
b. You have four straight RHH at 6-7-8-9
c. Chance was killing it last year, like 360 in the last month
d. Frei was not hitting much in the last month of last year. He's almost a Pinch Hit specialist.
e. Vystas is career hitter, big kid, and big pedigree
f. Milewski has more competition than any MSU catcher I can remember. He has Raymond, Mershon, and Beliveau and Owen to compete with.
g. Parker, a 6-4 LHH high pedigree kid, seems like he needs to be worked at 1B.

[Todd4State]

I don't live anywhere near to watch a Fall Practice or Game, so I accept your summary. But I am surprised by a few things.

1. Teel - CF (no surprise)
2. Nunnallee - RF (no surprise, he had his Freshman season at UVA, now time to be a star)
3. Ace -3B (no surprise)
4. Sully -DH (no surprise, that's his role, but would like to see him pitch in 2025, he settled the midweek last year, no drama just performance)
5. Frei - LF (Surprised, unless he really took off as a hitter, his OF defense is only ok. Chance is a better bat and defender. Vystas? Bevis? Parker? Mershon?)
6. Bevis-1B (Surprised, he's big enough but not a 1B at Ball State, seems many dudes may compete for this job.)
7 Wyers-2B (Ok, a career collegiate SS should be able to handle 2B. At 6-2 200 could be a banger hitter at 2B)
8. Milewski (no surprise, you got him as 8-hole hitter, he's not a hitter? Or the other dudes hit more?)
9. Woodson (Surprised, but maybe not surprised, the NC State people had him starting for them in 2026)

Other notes:
a. You have three straight LHH at 1-2-3
b. You have four straight RHH at 6-7-8-9
c. Chance was killing it last year, like 360 in the last month
d. Frei was not hitting much in the last month of last year. He's almost a Pinch Hit specialist.
e. Vystas is career hitter, big kid, and big pedigree
f. Milewski has more competition than any MSU catcher I can remember. He has Raymond, Mershon, and Beliveau and Owen to compete with.
g. Parker, a 6-4 LHH high pedigree kid, seems like he needs to be worked at 1B.

Couple of things. Sullivan may not pitch at all this year. We don't really need him to barring a bunch of injuries. Our midweek starter is going to come from a group of Foster, Stone, and William Kirk most likely....maybe Ben Davis starts some. And we have more quality arms this year in the bullpen last year.

Beliveau is not going to catch. I don't where he is going to play, but he hasn't played there in scrimmages to my knowledge. I think he might be a dual position guy- more than likely 1B/DH/P but it's still a work in progress and I don't think we will see him a ton other than midweek games just because of depth again and also to give him a chance to develop and for everyone to figure out where exactly he belongs as a player. One thing that does seem to be apparent is he won't be a catcher for us.

I don't think Jacob Parker has ever played first base and I don't expect him to at this time. And certainly not this year with Sullivan, Bevis, and Vytas among others.

[Todd4State]

First base is going to be an issue, defensively. No standouts and Sullivan looked lost over there in the ?second? game yesterday. I?m sure BOC will figure it out, but that is probably wide open at this point. May come down to the best bat.

I was there yesterday and it was a true exhibition, lots of folks playing all over the place. Some guys looked good, some not so much.

I will say there is an entirely different feel with the team and atmosphere in a positive way. Can?t put my finger on it exactly, but much more of a business and team feel than in years past.

If Sullivan really struggles there I'm sure we'll go with Bevis and/or Vytas.

[HoopsDawg]

I don't live anywhere near to watch a Fall Practice or Game, so I accept your summary. But I am surprised by a few things.

1. Teel - CF (no surprise)
2. Nunnallee - RF (no surprise, he had his Freshman season at UVA, now time to be a star)
3. Ace -3B (no surprise)
4. Sully -DH (no surprise, that's his role, but would like to see him pitch in 2025, he settled the midweek last year, no drama just performance)
5. Frei - LF (Surprised, unless he really took off as a hitter, his OF defense is only ok. Chance is a better bat and defender. Vystas? Bevis? Parker? Mershon?)
6. Bevis-1B (Surprised, he's big enough but not a 1B at Ball State, seems many dudes may compete for this job.)
7 Wyers-2B (Ok, a career collegiate SS should be able to handle 2B. At 6-2 200 could be a banger hitter at 2B)
8. Milewski (no surprise, you got him as 8-hole hitter, he's not a hitter? Or the other dudes hit more?)
9. Woodson (Surprised, but maybe not surprised, the NC State people had him starting for them in 2026)

Other notes:
a. You have three straight LHH at 1-2-3
b. You have four straight RHH at 6-7-8-9
c. Chance was killing it last year, like 360 in the last month
d. Frei was not hitting much in the last month of last year. He's almost a Pinch Hit specialist.
e. Vystas is career hitter, big kid, and big pedigree
f. Milewski has more competition than any MSU catcher I can remember. He has Raymond, Mershon, and Beliveau and Owen to compete with.
g. Parker, a 6-4 LHH high pedigree kid, seems like he needs to be worked at 1B.

Frei hit .345 with 8 homers last year. He was our leadoff hitter in the regional.

[Coach34]

Frei hit .345 with 8 homers last year. He was our leadoff hitter in the regional.

Exactly- in no world that we live in is Trout a better hitter. Now the case could be made to platoon them as Frei hits RHP's at over a .400 clip

[MStateDawg]

I think it speaks to our insane depth that Stallman, who hit 11 HRs in only 117 ABs isn't mentioned by anyone for any of the playing time battles.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Exactly- in no world that we live in is Trout a better hitter. Now the case could be made to platoon them as Frei hits RHP's at over a .400 clip

These two players had inverted seasons at the plate. One was hitting 455 and came down to 350 and settled at 345. The other was 272 rose to 350 and settled at 333. Frei got beaned at Missouri. So he missed most of that feeding frenzy. Both are experienced collegiate players and will hit north of 330 next year.

If MSU did not have Sullivan, Frei would be a great DH.

[Coach34]

These two players had inverted seasons at the plate. One was hitting 455 and came down to 350 and settled at 345. The other was 272 rose to 350 and settled at 333. Frei got beaned at Missouri. So he missed most of that feeding frenzy. Both are experienced collegiate players and will hit north of 330 next year.

If MSU did not have Sullivan, Frei would be a great DH.

I would platoon them. Frei hit over .400 vs RHP's but struggled some with LHP's- thus the ending up at .345. Trout is solid and better overall defensively even with his lack of arm. Use Trout vs LHP's and sub in late on D

[The Federalist Engineer]

Someone tell me about Stallman and Woodson.

The coaching staff had them batting 2nd and 4th this weekend with Teel and Reece not playing. Stallman is the only LHH true 1st baseman on the roster and was cleanup vs Florida State game-1. Woodson, love having a big kid SS.

Something cool about this team is that BOC can stack 7 LHH or 8 RHH on any given starter. Raymond is a rare LHH catcher.

BOC can ease Parker and Mershon into their best situations.

[Coach34]

We wont have 1 set line-up this Spring that plays game in and game out. I fully believe we will have a line-up vs RHP's and a line-up vs LHP's

[HoopsDawg]

We wont have 1 set line-up this Spring that plays game in and game out. I fully believe we will have a line-up vs RHP's and a line-up vs LHP's

I think you are right, but as a player, I would hate that. Teel, Ace, and Sully will be everyday players.

[Coach34]

I think you are right, but as a player, I would hate that. Teel, Ace, and Sully will be everyday players.

I would hate it too but we just have too many dudes that need AB's. Agree those 3 will be everyday guys

[MStateDawg]

with Teel and Reece not playing.

Those 2 are out with injury. Ace has been out all fall. Teel has missed the past month or so.

[Todd4State]

I think you are right, but as a player, I would hate that. Teel, Ace, and Sully will be everyday players.

Here's the thing though- once our opponent goes LHP out of the bullpen that's when we change our guys out. And vice versa of course. The result is guys playing a lot of games even if they aren't starting every day.

[Duke Silver]

We've got to find a way to get someone who can hit to at least play 2B. Not another season with anemic offense from the middle infield please. I know at SS we may just have to accept it b/c good hitting ones are very rare, but I think someone on this roster can handle 2B ok enough and actually hit. Gatlin was .640 OPS against decent opponents last year (not missouri and not the typical mid-weeks), we need better output from that position.

There's an exponential benefit to removing holes in the lineup.

[Maroon Glasses]

Man we have crazy depth. What an amazing problem to have

[Coach34]

We've got to find a way to get someone who can hit to at least play 2B. Not another season with anemic offense from the middle infield please. I know at SS we may just have to accept it b/c good hitting ones are very rare, but I think someone on this roster can handle 2B ok enough and actually hit. Gatlin was .640 OPS against decent opponents last year (not missouri and not the typical mid-weeks), we need better output from that position.

There's an exponential benefit to removing holes in the lineup.

Sanders wasnt great by any means but did hit .291 in SEC play with an OBP over .400. We had way worse problems than 2B last season

The team changed and got alot better once we put Reeves at SS and Sanders at 2B. Thats just fact