bulldogcountry1
02-16-2016, 11:02 AM
I've tallied all the spring scrimmage offensive stats, read all the articles, and watched all the interviews. Things are starting to become a little clearer now as we head into the opening weekend of the 2016 season. I expect to see 14 or so position players in the lineup at some point in the weekend. Really specific, huh? Let's try to break it down.
Brent Rooker OF/DH- Sat out most of the scrimmages due to an ankle, but he should be fine and looks like he will have a big year for us.
Gavin Collins 3B/C- Only hit .192 in the scrimmages, but he will be okay as long as we don't try to catch him too much. I wouldn't expect for him to catch more than 1 game a week, and he will play 3rd the rest of the time.
Mike Smith OF- He hit .278 in the spring, which is well enough to deserve some early PT. He could find himself platooning in an outfield position if some of the bigger bat guys don't perform.
Reid Humphreys P/OF- Seems to be doing well on the mound and could up being a closer. Not sure about his situation as a position player. I imagine he will get a good opportunity due to his experience, but I still haven't seen anything that would make me think he can hit with average AND power.
Luke Reynolds OF/DH- He started coming on late last year, but he hasn't had a good spring. (.148) I don't see him playing 3rd much. He's going to have to battle for one of the outfield spots.
Cody Brown OF- He's our most productive returning hitter from 2015, but he's had a rough spring too. (.143) Once the lights are on, he will do well. He just needs to be more consistent at the plate. I've always liked the way he plays, and he will continue to fight for PT.
Jacob Robson CF- He's about the only guy I could place with any confidence at this point, given Cohen's track record. He's simply going to play good defense and get on base a lot.
Elih Marrero C- Hit .219 in the fall, and everyone is talking about him. I haven't heard this much buzz about a true freshman in a long time.
Nate Lowe 1B- Hit .444 in the fall. He's earned the job replacing Rea.
Jack Kruger DH/C- Cohen has been raving about his hitting ability, thought it hasn't translated into actual hits this spring with only a .167 BA. Cohen is very high on him, and it looks like he will play a lot.
Hunter Stovall IF- He has impressed the staff with his speed and high energy. we may see him at 2nd if Holland Can't go.
John Holland MIF- I don't really know what we are going to get here. He showed a lot of promise coming into last year. He played excellent defense, but never could really get into a groove at the plate. He's been injured most of the off season and hasn't seen live pitching in a while. Even if he does come back soon, he's going to be rusty.
Luke Alexander MIF- He looks like a guy that ready to step in and play.
Ryan Gridley MIF- He has the experience and has some some pop in his bat, but he is being pushed hard by Alexander.
Cole Cordon 1B- Had a big summer and is having a decent spring at .269. Lowe is just the better hitter at this point.
Jake Mangum OF/P- He's had a good spring at .290, but he might be the odd man out on the OF. He was given a lot of ABs, so I expect Cohen likes what he sees and plans on getting him in the lineup somehow.
Brent Rooker OF/DH- Sat out most of the scrimmages due to an ankle, but he should be fine and looks like he will have a big year for us.
Gavin Collins 3B/C- Only hit .192 in the scrimmages, but he will be okay as long as we don't try to catch him too much. I wouldn't expect for him to catch more than 1 game a week, and he will play 3rd the rest of the time.
Mike Smith OF- He hit .278 in the spring, which is well enough to deserve some early PT. He could find himself platooning in an outfield position if some of the bigger bat guys don't perform.
Reid Humphreys P/OF- Seems to be doing well on the mound and could up being a closer. Not sure about his situation as a position player. I imagine he will get a good opportunity due to his experience, but I still haven't seen anything that would make me think he can hit with average AND power.
Luke Reynolds OF/DH- He started coming on late last year, but he hasn't had a good spring. (.148) I don't see him playing 3rd much. He's going to have to battle for one of the outfield spots.
Cody Brown OF- He's our most productive returning hitter from 2015, but he's had a rough spring too. (.143) Once the lights are on, he will do well. He just needs to be more consistent at the plate. I've always liked the way he plays, and he will continue to fight for PT.
Jacob Robson CF- He's about the only guy I could place with any confidence at this point, given Cohen's track record. He's simply going to play good defense and get on base a lot.
Elih Marrero C- Hit .219 in the fall, and everyone is talking about him. I haven't heard this much buzz about a true freshman in a long time.
Nate Lowe 1B- Hit .444 in the fall. He's earned the job replacing Rea.
Jack Kruger DH/C- Cohen has been raving about his hitting ability, thought it hasn't translated into actual hits this spring with only a .167 BA. Cohen is very high on him, and it looks like he will play a lot.
Hunter Stovall IF- He has impressed the staff with his speed and high energy. we may see him at 2nd if Holland Can't go.
John Holland MIF- I don't really know what we are going to get here. He showed a lot of promise coming into last year. He played excellent defense, but never could really get into a groove at the plate. He's been injured most of the off season and hasn't seen live pitching in a while. Even if he does come back soon, he's going to be rusty.
Luke Alexander MIF- He looks like a guy that ready to step in and play.
Ryan Gridley MIF- He has the experience and has some some pop in his bat, but he is being pushed hard by Alexander.
Cole Cordon 1B- Had a big summer and is having a decent spring at .269. Lowe is just the better hitter at this point.
Jake Mangum OF/P- He's had a good spring at .290, but he might be the odd man out on the OF. He was given a lot of ABs, so I expect Cohen likes what he sees and plans on getting him in the lineup somehow.