KB21
06-22-2014, 04:47 PM
Watching this CWS reinforces this, and these are things that should be well known.
1. Strong pitching from top to bottom. You need guys that can go deep into the game and command the strike zone with their pitches, but you also need guys in the pen that can come in and command the strike zone for 3-4 innings when it takes it. I'm not big on designated a guy as a closer, set up man, loogy, or long man, but you need good arms and guys that can give you multiple innings if needed similar to what we got this year from Jacob Lindgren and Jonathan Holder or last year with Chad Girodo and Ross Mitchell. Virginia is a great example, as they have Nick Howard who came out of the pen and pitched four strong innings Tuesday night and came back yesterday to shut the door on Ole Miss. What hurt use more than anything with pitching this year was inconsistency. At times, our guys were dominant, and other times, they simply didn't command the strike zone. We lost the regional due to wild pitches and passed balls.
2. Strong defense, up the middle in particular. The importance of having a catcher that can block the plate and keep balls in the dirt in front of him, frame pitches, and control the running game is very much understated. Having a center fielder that can go get the ball is very important as well. There have been several excellent plays made by center fielders in this CWS that have saved runs for their teams. On the infield, you need range and strong, accurate arms, and in particular in the middle infield, you need guys who are tough and aren't afraid of having a guy barreling down on them in double play situations.
3. On offense, you have to be able to control the strike zone. Make the opposing pitcher work. The more pitches he throws, the more fatigued he is going to get, the earlier you can get him out of the game and get into the pen. You can't consistently swing at bad pitches and expect to have success. Make good contact and put the ball in play. Force the defense to play you. Put pressure on the defense on the basepaths with your base running and running game.
I think Mississippi State has the potential to be this type of team next year.
1. Strong pitching from top to bottom. You need guys that can go deep into the game and command the strike zone with their pitches, but you also need guys in the pen that can come in and command the strike zone for 3-4 innings when it takes it. I'm not big on designated a guy as a closer, set up man, loogy, or long man, but you need good arms and guys that can give you multiple innings if needed similar to what we got this year from Jacob Lindgren and Jonathan Holder or last year with Chad Girodo and Ross Mitchell. Virginia is a great example, as they have Nick Howard who came out of the pen and pitched four strong innings Tuesday night and came back yesterday to shut the door on Ole Miss. What hurt use more than anything with pitching this year was inconsistency. At times, our guys were dominant, and other times, they simply didn't command the strike zone. We lost the regional due to wild pitches and passed balls.
2. Strong defense, up the middle in particular. The importance of having a catcher that can block the plate and keep balls in the dirt in front of him, frame pitches, and control the running game is very much understated. Having a center fielder that can go get the ball is very important as well. There have been several excellent plays made by center fielders in this CWS that have saved runs for their teams. On the infield, you need range and strong, accurate arms, and in particular in the middle infield, you need guys who are tough and aren't afraid of having a guy barreling down on them in double play situations.
3. On offense, you have to be able to control the strike zone. Make the opposing pitcher work. The more pitches he throws, the more fatigued he is going to get, the earlier you can get him out of the game and get into the pen. You can't consistently swing at bad pitches and expect to have success. Make good contact and put the ball in play. Force the defense to play you. Put pressure on the defense on the basepaths with your base running and running game.
I think Mississippi State has the potential to be this type of team next year.