Baseball Season!!

[preachermatt83]

I can?t remember the last time I was this excited for a season. We have a deadly schedule but we are so so talented it?s sick. If our pitching holds up we will be hard to beat. Got a feeling kinda like right before 2016.

[msstate7]

I'm excited too, but it isn't baseball season yet. Let's see if Jans' crew has rounded the corner

[Thick]

Can?t wait!

[Turfdawg67]

January??

[Coach34]

Regional Host is the goal. LFG!!!!

[BeardoMSU]

I can?t remember the last time I was this excited for a season. We have a deadly schedule but we are so so talented it?s sick. If our pitching holds up we will be hard to beat. Got a feeling kinda like right before 2016.

Glad you're still kickin around, Preach!

[parabrave]

Regional Host is the goal. LFG!!!!

Higher than that.

[CadaverDawg]

I'd trade hoops and Baseball for a taste of what Ole Miss fans had this year in football.

That being said, I'm loooking forward to baseball too

[Todd4State]

Regional Host is the goal. LFG!!!!

We should be able to at least make a Super Regional.

Our team is vastly improved over last year and we were a two seed last year. It's not like our team was a complete disaster last year. Just wasn't up to standard.

Our rotation is much improved over last year- and whoever starts midweek for us will essentially be SEC weekend caliber for us. That should help minimize midweek upsets for us. And we have a third baseman who is projected to be a first round pick. Also we'll be much better coached- I'm expecting us to make fewer fundamental mistakes this year which should also lead to more wins.

[Todd4State]

I'd trade hoops and Baseball for a taste of what Ole Miss fans had this year in football.

That being said, I'm loooking forward to baseball too

Football has to get on it and make it happen.

[PGHBulldogBG]

Basketball is my sport so I would prefer a basketball title over a football title and March madness is the best time of year.

[Coursesuper]

We have a chance to be really good. The pieces are there and this staff is beyond competent it should be a good run, but this league and our schedule is a monster. It will be nice to watch good baseball again.

[Saltydog]

I can?t remember the last time I was this excited for a season. We have a deadly schedule but we are so so talented it?s sick. If our pitching holds up we will be hard to beat. Got a feeling kinda like right before 2016.

I hope the heck not.........2016 wound up being a disappointment by losing at home in a SR...........

[DawgFromOxford]

The boosters ponied up for elite staff and elite players. Elite results are the expectation

[Coach34]

Higher than that.

Regional Host most times means Super. Anything past a Super takes luck. Tenn had the best SEC team in recent memory and didnt make it to Omaha.

[MoreCowbell]

Regional Host is the goal. LFG!!!!

I would be disappointed if we were not in Omaha with the resources put towards it. We hire him to get us to Omaha and win championships and this is a top 5 all time roster for us talent wise.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I would be disappointed if we were not in Omaha with the resources put towards it. We hire him to get us to Omaha and win championships and this is a top 5 all time roster for us talent wise.

It's a good roster. Top 5 is a stretch though. There's some production but a lot of hoping they make the jump. Just off the top of my head, some better rosters.

84
85
89
13
16
19
21

I mean that's 7 that are better rosters. Now, none of those had Brian O'Conner. Two of those rosters did beat Brian O'Conner though.

[Coach34]

I would be disappointed if we were not in Omaha with the resources put towards it. We hire him to get us to Omaha and win championships and this is a top 5 all time roster for us talent wise.

I hear ya- but this is beisball. Anything can happen.

Are we good enough to go to Omaha? Absolutely. Tenn went 25-5 in the SEC in 2022 and didnt make it to Omaha. It takes skill and luck- one of which our school isnt really known for

[Coach34]

It's a good roster. Top 5 is a stretch though. There's some production but a lot of hoping they make the jump. Just off the top of my head, some better rosters.

84
85
89
13
16
19
21

I mean that's 7 that are better rosters. Now, none of those had Brian O'Conner. Two of those rosters did beat Brian O'Conner though.

This roster to me is better than half of those. We've never had a top 7 on the pitching staff like this one has. This hitting line-up should be really good also

[AlSwearengen]

I’m here to throw cold water on everyone. Last year, Tenn had 4 players chosen in the 1st round and 4 more in the 2nd and supplemental round; yet they limped along all season and didn’t make it to Omaha. Of course, if we don’t make it to Omaha this year, State fans will be calling for O’Conner’s head. Our fanbase is the worst mixture of expectations and lack of understanding that I can think of.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I’m here to throw cold water on everyone. Last year, Tenn had 4 players chosen in the 1st round and 4 more in the 2nd and supplemental round; yet they limped along all season and didn’t make it to Omaha. Of course, if we don’t make it to Omaha this year, State fans will be calling for O’Conner’s head. Our fanbase is the worst mixture of expectations and lack of understanding that I can think of.

You're paying him 3 mil. The expectation IS AND SHOULD be Omaha. It's that simple.

[Coach34]

You're paying him 3 mil. The expectation IS AND SHOULD be Omaha. It's that simple.

Ok- sounds good. We'll give him the Lemon treatment. No matter how many injuries the team has or whatever- if his ass doesnt make it to Omaha he's a failure.

[99jc]

Does anyone know if they are going to build more lofts. There is a waiting list a mile long. If they do and I am able to get one I will open it it up to elitedawg members.

[Goldendawg]

I'd trade hoops and Baseball for a taste of what Ole Miss fans had this year in football.

That being said, I'm loooking forward to baseball too

I agree to this 100%.

[Goldendawg]

I?m here to throw cold water on everyone. Last year, Tenn had 4 players chosen in the 1st round and 4 more in the 2nd and supplemental round; yet they limped along all season and didn?t make it to Omaha. Of course, if we don?t make it to Omaha this year, State fans will be calling for O?Conner?s head. Our fanbase is the worst mixture of expectations and lack of understanding that I can think of.

I disagree. We have the most loyal and long-suffering fans across all sports, especially football. We so badly need something to hang our hat on ASAP!

[State82]

Does anyone know if they are going to build more lofts. There is a waiting list a mile long. If they do and I am able to get one I will open it it up to elitedawg members.

I have wondered the same thing. They should easily pay for themselves if demand is what it seems to be. And another thing---you get one and I will be in for all the beer, whiskey, soft drinks, sausage, pork chops, chicken, steaks, etc. you can consume! Ha!

[Coursesuper]

I?m here to throw cold water on everyone. Last year, Tenn had 4 players chosen in the 1st round and 4 more in the 2nd and supplemental round; yet they limped along all season and didn?t make it to Omaha. Of course, if we don?t make it to Omaha this year, State fans will be calling for O?Conner?s head. Our fanbase is the worst mixture of expectations and lack of understanding that I can think of.

Hit nail on head.

[JimBobDawg]

Basketball is my sport so I would prefer a basketball title over a football title and March madness is the best time of year.
Any championship in the big 3 would be and is nice but football especially would be. It?s always been my first love. Being a Bulldogs since the 60?s and suffering through so many dismal seasons it would be extremely gratifying.

[Pancho]

Does anyone know if they are going to build more lofts. There is a waiting list a mile long. If they do and I am able to get one I will open it it up to elitedawg members.

hello dear friend

[StarkVegasSteve]

Ok- sounds good. We'll give him the Lemon treatment. No matter how many injuries the team has or whatever- if his ass doesnt make it to Omaha he's a failure.

With what we're giving him in salary and NIL he should be able to work around injuries. Unless it's Cann-esque arm injuries. And just for reference, Cann got that team to a Super......

[StarkVegasSteve]

Does anyone know if they are going to build more lofts. There is a waiting list a mile long. If they do and I am able to get one I will open it it up to elitedawg members.

Most plans, outside of the IPF, are being put on hold right now while we sort through the rev share stuff.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Baseball will be good. Just give the coaches time to dial in the lineup and rotation.

[MoreCowbell]

It's a good roster. Top 5 is a stretch though. There's some production but a lot of hoping they make the jump. Just off the top of my head, some better rosters.

84
85
89
13
16
19
21

I mean that's 7 that are better rosters. Now, none of those had Brian O'Conner. Two of those rosters did beat Brian O'Conner though.

Ok, top 8 roster. Sorry.

[MoreCowbell]

I hear ya- but this is beisball. Anything can happen.

Are we good enough to go to Omaha? Absolutely. Tenn went 25-5 in the SEC in 2022 and didnt make it to Omaha. It takes skill and luck- one of which our school isnt really known for

And I guarantee you 2022 Tennessee fans were disappointed. So will I be if we do not get there.

[HoopsDawg]

Deep roster but im not sure about high end talent at several spots other than 3B and CF.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Deep roster but im not sure about high end talent at several spots other than 3B and CF.

You have two Team USA pitchers. You also have several high end pitching prospects after the team USA guys. Not all are guaranteed to perform but you only need 7 dudes to deal in college baseball.

The rest of the hitters are all good prospects. You have many proven collegiate ballers with experience: Sullivan, Chance, Revis, Brother Valincius, Frei, Stallman, and Nunnallee. That's not factoring other dudes that are ready to play like Ryder Woodson.

You have 22 and 23 year olds that are ready to play. They are going to maul people.

[confucius say]

We better figure out catcher

[The Federalist Engineer]

We better figure out catcher

Got dudes there:

Milewski the hitter with 2 years experience, Raymond the Lefty Catcher with one year experience, Mershon the blue chip freshman, Owen the 5th year senior, Beliveau the almost 100 mph arm Freshman

[Coursesuper]

We better figure out catcher

This is our question mark spot, not sure if we will know how it shakes out until the first lineup is posted.

[MoreCowbell]

Ok, top 8 roster. Sorry.

I was not alive for 85, 84 so cannot attest to those. This roster is much better than 2013, that team overachieved. 2026 Pitching staff better than everyone but maybe 2016.

[AlSwearengen]

Deep roster but im not sure about high end talent at several spots other than 3B and CF.

Teal, Reese, and Sullivan are dudes; barring a slump, they will hit. Nunnallee, we will see. Chance is going to give you a good average and do the little things. Frei scorches RHP’s; if he can up his production against LHP’s, he is a difference maker assuming he can play defense. Stallman struck out a good bit last year so that keeps him from being a difference maker to me. Valincius put up good numbers at Illinois; does that translate to the SEC? We seem to have several that people think can be good but you just don’t know until you put them out there against elite competition in real games.

[HoopsDawg]

Teal, Reese, and Sullivan are dudes; barring a slump, they will hit. Nunnallee, we will see. Chance is going to give you a good average and do the little things. Frei scorches RHP?s; if he can up his production against LHP?s, he is a difference maker assuming he can play defense. Stallman struck out a good bit last year so that keeps him from being a difference maker to me. Valincius put up good numbers at Illinois; does that translate to the SEC? We seem to have several that people think can be good but you just don?t know until you put them out there against elite competition in real games.

Yep, im very familiar with our roster. We are going to be good. Just not high end talent in the position player group other than Reese and Teel. Sullivan isnt a pro but hes a stud CBB hitter.

But this is the kind of team that O?Conner likes other than Catcher.

[AlSwearengen]

Yep, im very familiar with our roster. We are going to be good. Just not high end talent in the position player group other than Reese and Teel. Sullivan isnt a pro but hes a stud CBB hitter.

But this is the kind of team that O?Conner likes other than Catcher.

Agree 100%. I was breaking it down for some that are acting like we are the ‘27 yankees. We should be very good but it isn’t going to be a cakewalk.

[BrunswickDawg]

Agree 100%. I was breaking it down for some that are acting like we are the ‘27 yankees. We should be very good but it isn’t going to be a cakewalk.

And post season baseball at all levels is highly unpredictable. People have to accept that. You can literally have 1-2 players get hot at the right time, or a player injured at the wrong time a d it completely change the trajectory of a team. Any fan of MSU only has to look at 1985, 1989 or 2016 to understand this. With our resources our standard expectation should be hosting now. Everything beyond that is a crap shoot.

[Quaoarsking]

It will be a little disappointing if we aren't a top 8 national seed.

However, over the last decade, there hasn't been a better program at overachieving their seed in the NCAA Tournament than Virginia (I did the math to confirm), so I wouldn't put it past us to make Omaha anyway even if we aren't. And then once you get there, who knows?

[Offshore Dawg]

After reading this thread, we can hope that we are good enough to be really good. On paper that should be host a regional and also a super-regional appearance. Not much room for disappointment this year.

[BuckyIsAB****]

We should be able to at least make a Super Regional.

Our team is vastly improved over last year and we were a two seed last year. It's not like our team was a complete disaster last year. Just wasn't up to standard.

Our rotation is much improved over last year- and whoever starts midweek for us will essentially be SEC weekend caliber for us. That should help minimize midweek upsets for us. And we have a third baseman who is projected to be a first round pick. Also we'll be much better coached- I'm expecting us to make fewer fundamental mistakes this year which should also lead to more wins.

We were awful till they fired lemonis

[was21]

yawn

[Coach34]

Yep, im very familiar with our roster. We are going to be good. Just not high end talent in the position player group other than Reese and Teel. Sullivan isnt a pro but hes a stud CBB hitter.

But this is the kind of team that O?Conner likes other than Catcher.

We are high end at DH. Ace and Sullivan we 1-2 in the SEC last year in one of those damn baseball formulas they have. Cant remember at the moment.
34 was Elite vs RHP's last season.
Scouts are high on Bevis
Stallman has big power
Big Brother V is a big dude that can swing it

This offensive roster is better than 2021's and the pitching is deeper

[Coach34]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 SEC OPS Leaders returning in 2026<br><br>1.140 - Ace Reese <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HailStateBB</a> <br>1.120 - Noah Sullivan <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HailStateBB</a> <br>1.056 - Justin Lebron <a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaBSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlabamaBSB</a> <br>1.053 - Levi Clark <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vol_Baseball</a> <br>1.036 - Ryder Hedrick <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbackBSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RazorbackBSB</a> <a href="https://t.co/ebIa58Ch6X">pic.twitter.com/ebIa58Ch6X</a></p>&mdash; On The Clock | College Baseball and MLB Draft (@OnTheClock_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/OnTheClock_1/status/2010092943236030788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This wasnt the one I was talking about but it is another important one

[Todd4State]

We were awful till they fired lemonis

You are misremembering. We were projected to go to a regional basically all season and our schedule set up well for us to finish strong which is what happened.

Lot of people think we fired Lemonis when we did because of how the schedule set up and the fact a strong finish might garner support for him.

[AlSwearengen]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">2025 SEC OPS Leaders returning in 2026<br><br>1.140 - Ace Reese <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HailStateBB</a> <br>1.120 - Noah Sullivan <a href="https://twitter.com/HailStateBB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HailStateBB</a> <br>1.056 - Justin Lebron <a href="https://twitter.com/AlabamaBSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AlabamaBSB</a> <br>1.053 - Levi Clark <a href="https://twitter.com/Vol_Baseball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vol_Baseball</a> <br>1.036 - Ryder Hedrick <a href="https://twitter.com/RazorbackBSB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RazorbackBSB</a> <a href="https://t.co/ebIa58Ch6X">pic.twitter.com/ebIa58Ch6X</a></p>— On The Clock | College Baseball and MLB Draft (@OnTheClock_1) <a href="https://twitter.com/OnTheClock_1/status/2010092943236030788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

This wasnt the one I was talking about but it is another important one


The one that you are talking about was wRC+; I saw that one. Google defines it as a comprehensive statistic that measures a player’s total offensive production, adjusted for ballpark and league conditions. Sullivan was 1 and Reese was 2.

I guess it is safe to say that Sully and Ace were 2 of the top 5 producers in the league last year. It would be big if Bevis can produce, giving us another power bat to go along with Reese; sandwiching Sully between 2 HR hitters.

[BuckyIsAB****]

You are misremembering. We were projected to go to a regional basically all season and our schedule set up well for us to finish strong which is what happened.

Lot of people think we fired Lemonis when we did because of how the schedule set up and the fact a strong finish might garner support for him.

We were 25-19 and 7-14 in SEC when they fired lemon.

[Quaoarsking]

We were 25-19 and 7-14 in SEC when they fired lemon.

With an RPI was in the 50s. We weren't in anybody's projected field at the time, but pretty much everyone agreed that there was still room to play our way in over the last 3 weeks.

Our last 3 opponents were Kentucky (finished 13-17, at the time 10-11 with an RPI in the 20s), Ole Miss (finished 16-14, at the time 12-9 with an RPI in the top 10), and Missouri (0-21 disgrace at the time). So playing our way in over the last 9 games (probably needed to go at least 6-3) was realistic on paper, but most of us that Lemonis was not likely to get it done.

Great timing all around on the firing, as Parker got it done and left no doubt on selection day. We were a 3 seed last year, but came close to getting a 2.

[Todd4State]

We were 25-19 and 7-14 in SEC when they fired lemon.

Yes. And we were well in line for a bid at that point because our schedule was significantly easier the last three weeks of the season. We had Mizzou which was basically 3 free wins. If the only games we won were those and Memphis we would have had a winning season. All we had to do was basically split with Kentucky and Ole Miss who weren't great either to get a bid. Instead we won those series to get one more win.

[Quaoarsking]

Yes. And we were well in line for a bid at that point because our schedule was significantly easier the last three weeks of the season. We had Mizzou which was basically 3 free wins. If the only games we won were those and Memphis we would have had a winning season. All we had to do was basically split with Kentucky and Ole Miss who weren't great either to get a bid. Instead we won those series to get one more win.

Sure, but Kentucky and Ole Miss were ahead of us in the standings and well in front of us in the RPI at the time. Finishing the season 6-3 seemed like a longshot with or without Lemonis.

Parker did a fantastic job finishing 8-1 instead.

[Cowbell]

You are misremembering. We were projected to go to a regional basically all season and our schedule set up well for us to finish strong which is what happened.

Lot of people think we fired Lemonis when we did because of how the schedule set up and the fact a strong finish might garner support for him.

He's not misremembering. We had no leadership.

[BuckyIsAB****]

He's not misremembering. We had no leadership.

Still don?t in the Presidents office

[Coursesuper]

My goodness the amount of misinformation here is staggering. What is missed every single time is who actually makes the call to hire or fire any coach in the big 3? It’s not anyone that’s been mentioned in this thread. Y'all really don’t understand, it’s the boosters that actually make the call. This time when Lemm was ushered out the right group of guys finally had enough. They were able to move out the creepy spike chasing influence peddlers. These guys, who are very serious people, made a plan and procured the funding to fundamentally change the program. They sat down with an AD they were able to trust, the first one in a long time, and make it happen.

The team will be better, we are certainly funding it like we mean business, but this league is more competitive than any other in the country for baseball. It’s going to be a rough hard fought season, our schedule shows that without a doubt. There are 8 to 10 teams that could legitimately go all the way and 4 more that can beat you any given day. I feel like we can come out the other side with a host site, anything else is gravy. It’s baseball, anything can and probably will happen.

[Maroon Glasses]

My goodness the amount of misinformation here is staggering. What is missed every single time is who actually makes the call to hire or fire any coach in the big 3? It’s not anyone that’s been mentioned in this thread. Y'all really don’t understand, it’s the boosters that actually make the call. This time when Lemm was ushered out the right group of guys finally had enough. They were able to move out the creepy spike chasing influence peddlers. These guys, who are very serious people, made a plan and procured the funding to fundamentally change the program. They sat down with an AD they were able to trust, the first one in a long time, and make it happen.

The team will be better, we are certainly funding it like we mean business, but this league is more competitive than any other in the country for baseball. It’s going to be a rough hard fought season, our schedule shows that without a doubt. There are 8 to 10 teams that could legitimately go all the way and 4 more that can beat you any given day. I feel like we can come out the other side with a host site, anything else is gravy. It’s baseball, anything can and probably will happen.

Spot on. Boosters hire and boosters fire. And baseball is hard and extremely unpredictable. You really never know. Look at A&M last year.

[Quaoarsking]

Spot on. Boosters hire and boosters fire. And baseball is hard and extremely unpredictable. You really never know. Look at A&M last year.

Well yeah, Texas A&M hired a 36-year-old with no head coaching experience and he underachieved. Maybe he'll figure it out and end up being good, or maybe he's just not a college head coach. We'll see.

On the other hand, we hired a guy with 22 years of head coaching, who's been to Omaha 7 times with a title, and has a record of having great regular seasons and still the #1 seeding overachiever in the NCAA Tournament over the last 2 decades, and generally considered at worst a top 4 coach in all of college baseball with a lot of good arguments for #1.

I agree that there are no sure things in college baseball, but O'Connor is as close to one as you're going to get. It would be shocking if we aren't consistently hosting and contenders for Omaha over the next decade.

[Maroon Glasses]

Well yeah, Texas A&M hired a 36-year-old with no head coaching experience and he underachieved. Maybe he'll figure it out and end up being good, or maybe he's just not a college head coach. We'll see.

On the other hand, we hired a guy with 22 years of head coaching, who's been to Omaha 7 times with a title, and has a record of having great regular seasons and still the #1 seeding overachiever in the NCAA Tournament over the last 2 decades, and generally considered at worst a top 4 coach in all of college baseball with a lot of good arguments for #1.

I agree that there are no sure things in college baseball, but O'Connor is as close to one as you're going to get. It would be shocking if we aren't consistently hosting and contenders for Omaha over the next decade.

I agree with you. I'm definitely not arguing that we won't be good or that we shouldn't be hosting at a consistent rate. Not arguing that at all.. if we aren't then I'd be disappointed. I was just saying that anything can happen and it's hard to win the whole thing in baseball. It takes talent and luck. But with the resources we have and one of the best, if not the best coach in college baseball, we shouldn't have many down years. You are correct.

[Coursesuper]

All we have done so far is to catch up to our own league. That’s it. There are six other programs with coaches that have similar type credentials to our head guy. There is one that just went to the show and one who should have at least one title, but that’s baseball. Our conference is more competitive than any single division in MLB, it’s just crazy good.

Edit to add, we have a chance to be very good for a while, I hope we do. We definitely have the proper people in place to be a very strong program, the key is to stop the roller coaster and stay on a high level.

[Coach34]

All we have done so far is to catch up to our own league. That’s it. There are six other programs with coaches that have similar type credentials to our head guy. There is one that just went to the show and one who should have at least one title, but that’s baseball. Our conference is more competitive than any single division in MLB, it’s just crazy good.

Exactly. We werent funding like we should and had fallen back in the SEC because of it. The guys stepping up have put us back in the Top 5 where we belong. There is no reason BOC shouldnt be successful. Gonna be a hellacious SEC fight every year on the road to Omaha

[Todd4State]

Sure, but Kentucky and Ole Miss were ahead of us in the standings and well in front of us in the RPI at the time. Finishing the season 6-3 seemed like a longshot with or without Lemonis.

Parker did a fantastic job finishing 8-1 instead.

When you are playing teams with RPI's higher than yours and they're teams not significantly better than you....your RPI goes up when you win. That's exactly what happened. We may have overachieved some and give Parker credit for that but at the same time there was enough margin for error that we never were out of it as far as the regionals go.

Basically we had to win the home series and not lose to Mizzou which is what happened. Losing to Mizzou probably would have knocked us out.

But this team wasn't nearly as bad as 2022 or 2023. I think we had close to as many or more wins as the 2022 team when Lemonis was fired.