Heard a recent interview with O'Conner

[AlSwearengen]

can't remember the name of the podcast but it was two guys that have no affiliation with MSU. It was the same basic information that usually comes from O'Conner but two things stood out in this particular podcast.

1. He was genuinely suprised at the fan AND player turnout and interest for the alumni game.
2. I think we are going to see alot more of Jack Bauer than we initially thought. I also don't think O'Conner was expecting him to progress as quickly as he has; Oak mentioned a 2 seam fastball that sinks that Parker taught him and a wipeout slider that he is still gaining command of.

[SteelCurtain74]

Are you referring to the interview he did on the Southeastern 16 podcast? It's on YouTube for anyone interested. It's about 35 minutes.

[Coursesuper]

can't remember the name of the podcast but it was two guys that have no affiliation with MSU. It was the same basic information that usually comes from O'Conner but two things stood out in this particular podcast.

1. He was genuinely suprised at the fan AND player turnout and interest for the alumni game.
2. I think we are going to see alot more of Jack Bauer than we initially thought. I also don't think O'Conner was expecting him to progress as quickly as he has; Oak mentioned a 2 seam fastball that sinks that Parker taught him and a wipeout slider that he is still gaining command of.

That kid has a ways to go to be an SEC player from what I saw this fall, he didn’t miss many bats the night I saw him pitch. The talent is there but not ready for prime time from what we witnessed.

[Coach34]

Anything good we get from him this Spring is gravy. He is a luxury in 26- not a need

[Todd4State]

He is our most intriguing prospect. I get where O'Connor is coming from. He did make more progress than I expected too. But that also doesn't mean he is ready.

I'm not sure how O'Connor is going to use him this year but if I were in their shoes I would definitely make sure it is low leverage at first. Let him come in relief for midweek games maybe start against Jackson State. Use him in relief in SEC games where the game is out of hand and see if he can finish those off. If he progresses use him in higher leverage spots as the year goes on.

I would not be completely shocked if he is a major weapon out of the bullpen by the time postseason rolls around. But we'll see how he progresses.

I would make him the closer his sophomore year and then transition him to the rotation as a junior. Definitely needs to learn an off speed pitch as well.

[ArrowDawg]

Are you referring to the interview he did on the Southeastern 16 podcast? It's on YouTube for anyone interested. It's about 35 minutes.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4LKKJfqIgw

[The Federalist Engineer]

Another big new player is William Kirk, the 2024 NJ Gatorade PoY. Top 50 to 100 HS national recruit.

Pitched in the fall games. Overcame a leg injury this year that sidelined him in 2025.

Any scoop on his progress?

[Todd4State]

Another big new player is William Kirk, the 2024 NJ Gatorade PoY. Top 50 to 100 HS national recruit.

Pitched in the fall games. Overcame a leg injury this year that sidelined him in 2025.

Any scoop on his progress?

He's still overcoming his injury to a degree. He has the talent to be a weekend starter but he is very clearly behind Foster and Stone.

To me, he is kind of like Jack Bauer in that he is a wild card that might help us out later. I think he is a Weds. midweek starter maybe for us and maybe a long relief type guy probably.

We'll have to see where he is in the spring and see if he can get into the mix but I'm not expecting a ton from him.

Actually, I expect Bauer to help us out more than Kirk at this point.