Moved up to #5 in Baseball America

[Jacksondevildog]

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/college-top-25-march-28/#ZWDxOkjSC82ywpGd.97

[missouridawg]

That's crazy talk. Especially considering we have no Sunday starter.

If we somehow find a way to shore up Sunday, I think we are a top10 team pretty easily. And will host. But Sunday has to be figured out in the next two weekends, or that won't happen.

[BulldogBear]

Pleased but surprised. What did we do this week to look top 5? I think we can thank Vanderbilt and maybe even FAU for this high regard.

[msstate7]

That's crazy talk. Especially considering we have no Sunday starter.

If we somehow find a way to shore up Sunday, I think we are a top10 team pretty easily. And will host. But Sunday has to be figured out in the next two weekends, or that won't happen.

I agree

[Coach34]

We have the meat of our schedule coming the month. We'll learn alot about this bunch and see if we can get any growth out of the back end of the staff. They have no choice but to grow up or we gonna take some hits. It's a good reward for right now though

[Todd4State]

I love our team but that's surprisingly high.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I think it's surprising because we analyze our team with a fine tooth comb. Truth is everybody has flaws we just magnify ours. Vandy was unbeatable until we went to Nashville & took 2 of 3. All this week Florida was the most complete team in baseball until Kentucky took 2 of 3. Every team has issues. When we're at our peak we can play with & beat anybody we also can lose to anybody when we're not focused. Are we top 5 right now? Maybe not but we have that ability.

[GreenheadDawg]

I think it's surprising because we analyze our team with a fine tooth comb. Truth is everybody has flaws we just magnify ours. Vandy was unbeatable until we went to Nashville & took 2 of 3. All this week Florida was the most complete team in baseball until Kentucky took 2 of 3. Every team has issues. When we're at our peak we can play with & beat anybody we also can lose to anybody when we're not focused. Are we top 5 right now? Maybe not but we have that ability.

Well said. We can find a couple guys to step up out of the bullpen we are top 10 easy. Bullpen is going to make or break this season

[MetEdDawg]

Agreed Coach. We play OM, @UF, TAMU, and @LSU. 6-6 through that gauntlet would be my expectation and I don't think you could find a team in the country that you could say would 100% for sure do better than that through those 12 games, especially considering our Sunday pitching woes.

If we win more than 6 that would certainly impress the hell out of me and I would be very content with that. Means we won 3 series or swept at least one team which either way looks really good for us as those would all be quality wins.

[shannondawg]

Only MSU fans can argue that we are ranked too high.

[starkvegasdawg]

Network conspiracy to boost TSUN's RPI.***

[BulldogBear]

Network conspiracy to boost TSUN's RPI.***

More likely they are confusing the two of us again******

Not sure if sarcasteriks needed

[Political Hack]

Baseball America got confused and ranked best places to play again. No way Cohen has us top 5. Strick did that when he built the Dude.***

[AROB44]

Only MSU fans can argue that we are ranked too high.

+1

[smootness]

Only MSU fans can argue that we are ranked too high.

Yep. The last 3 weeks, we have swept Oregon, beat Vandy 2/3 on the road, and then beat a decent UGA 2/3. That's a phenomenal stretch and should bump you way up in the rankings. Our fans care way too much about those 2 midweek losses last week.

[Political Hack]

Yep. The last 3 weeks, we have swept Oregon, beat Vandy 2/3 on the road, and then beat a decent UGA 2/3. That's a phenomenal stretch and should bump you way up in the rankings. Our fans care way too much about those 2 midweek losses last week.

I'm honestly still pissed about that and opening weekend. We'd be top 3 if it weren't for losing those crap games. Maybe #1.

[Maroon Blood]

Only MSU fans can argue that we are ranked too high.

^^^This^^^

[maroonmania]

I think it's surprising because we analyze our team with a fine tooth comb. Truth is everybody has flaws we just magnify ours. Vandy was unbeatable until we went to Nashville & took 2 of 3. All this week Florida was the most complete team in baseball until Kentucky took 2 of 3. Every team has issues. When we're at our peak we can play with & beat anybody we also can lose to anybody when we're not focused. Are we top 5 right now? Maybe not but we have that ability.

Right now its just a major issue that we only have 2 dependable starting pitchers. If we had lost the Sunday game to GA by a 7-6 score I think most of us would feel much better but its just the way our Sunday guys are getting demolished and can't seem to find the strike zone that are of such concern. We don't need a 3rd ace but we do need some guys that will at least give us a chance in the 3rd game. Right now we don't have that, so far giving up double digit runs in both SEC series in the last game.

[smootness]

Right now its just a major issue that we only have 2 dependable starting pitchers. If we had lost the Sunday game to GA by a 7-6 score I think most of us would feel much better but its just the way our Sunday guys are getting demolished and can't seem to find the strike zone that are of such concern. We don't need a 3rd ace but we do need some guys that will at least give us a chance in the 3rd game. Right now we don't have that, so far giving up double digit runs in both SEC series in the last game.

This is something we need to get fixed, but it's also being overblown by State fans. First, it's a small sample size. And second, it happens. I feel pretty confident that someone will step up to give us some consistency on Sundays. I can pretty much guarantee you that a ton of teams in the top 25 have a similar issue right now, but State fans notoriously evaluate us in a vacuum.

[mparkerfd20]

#11 in D1baseball.com poll. http://www.d1baseball.com/rankings/d1baseball-top-25-rankings-march-28/

#7 in CBN. http://warrennolan.com/baseball/2016/polls

[Dawg61]

We are top five only when two guys are pitching. Rest of the staff pitching and we aren't even top 25.

[maroonmania]

We are top five only when two guys are pitching. Rest of the staff pitching and we aren't even top 25.

Probably not even top 100 given we can't even keep people in single digits when the rest of the staff is pitching.

[maroonmania]

This is something we need to get fixed, but it's also being overblown by State fans. First, it's a small sample size. And second, it happens. I feel pretty confident that someone will step up to give us some consistency on Sundays. I can pretty much guarantee you that a ton of teams in the top 25 have a similar issue right now, but State fans notoriously evaluate us in a vacuum.

I agree its a relatively small sample size and I am not going overboard about it but we have now seen a Johnny wholestaff implosion in 4 of our 7 losses so far. Those being FAU (10-6), EKU (16-12), Vandy (12-6) and GA (11-8). With even decent pitching we win 2 or 3 of those games. Its a significant concern no doubt.

[smootness]

Probably not even top 100 given we can't even keep people in single digits when the rest of the staff is pitching.

Daniel Brown threw 7 innings of 4-hit, 0-run ball against Oregon. We're taking 2 games and freaking out. Yes, there is reason for concern. But that doesn't mean we have to simply assume this is what our pitching will be like all year.

[smootness]

I agree its a relatively small sample size and I am not going overboard about it but we have now seen a Johnny wholestaff implosion in 4 of our 7 losses so far. Those being FAU (10-6), EKU (16-12), Vandy (12-6) and GA (11-8). With even decent pitching we win 2 or 3 of those games. Its a significant concern no doubt.

It's college baseball, there are going to be games like that. We've held opposing teams to 5 runs or fewer in 16 of our wins, 3 of our losses, and our one tie. I'm ok with our pitching right now. We need to find another dependable starter, but our pen has been pretty good in most games and a lot of our depth is young and learning.

[PMDawg]

It's not so much the Sunday and midweek losses - it's what they represent. Come postseason, we are going to be in a bind. It will be hard to win any tournament or regional setting (other than maybe a super) with only two dependable arms.

[smootness]

It's not so much the Sunday and midweek losses - it's what they represent. Come postseason, we are going to be in a bind. It will be hard to win any tournament or regional setting (other than maybe a super) with only two dependable arms.

I agree, but we have plenty of time until then. I think it's more likely that we see 2-3 guys step up than to have none do so. So let's just let it play out before assuming we're not as good as people think because of this perceived problem.

[Jack Lambert]

We are top five only when two guys are pitching. Rest of the staff pitching and we aren't even top 25.

They monkey around with pitching too much on the third day. I guess since they are only using four or five pitchers in the first two games they need to put more in. I think they took the starter out too soon this past Saturday.

[Dawg61]

Is it too late for Elijah Staley to start pitching? Imagine that beast throwing downhill at you.

[Mjoelner34]

I agree its a relatively small sample size and I am not going overboard about it but we have now seen a Johnny wholestaff implosion in 4 of our 7 losses so far. Those being FAU (10-6), EKU (16-12), Vandy (12-6) and GA (11-8). With even decent pitching we win 2 or 3 of those games. Its a significant concern no doubt.

I wish we would let Pilkington go longer. Hopefully he has a good night tomorrow night and will become a Sunday guy for us. In his last 2 outings vs. EKU and Valley State, he has thrown 98 pitches in 9 innings allowing only 1 run with 11 K's, 3 BB's and 5 hits. During the remainder of those two games (10 innings), the rest of our bullpen allowed 16 runs, 5 walks, 19 hits and 11 K's.

[msstate7]

Rpi says we over ranked.... #50.
Usm #14
Om #9
Vandy #25
Georgia #31
http://www.d1baseball.com/rpi/

[shannondawg]

I'm honestly still pissed about that and opening weekend. We'd be top 3 if it weren't for losing those crap games. Maybe #1.

More than you were at Mullen for the end of the LSU game?

[Commercecomet24]

I don't understand our fanbase sometimes. We complain about the media not respecting us and then they give us respect and we still complain. I don't get it. Guys enjoy the ride. The team has flaws but so does everyone else. I watch other teams besides just us and we are as good as anyone. They're aren't any perfect teams out there. Florida probably closest but look what just happened to them. We are young and talented. Sure we gonna struggle some but we gonna win way more than we lose.

[CadaverDawg]

I'm really glad to see us ranked that high. We have a brutal stretch coming up, so being highly ranked now will cushion the blow of perception if we drop some games in the next 3-4 weeks. We go 4-2 in our next 6 SEC games, and shit will begin to get Real.

[PMDawg]

I agree, but we have plenty of time until then. I think it's more likely that we see 2-3 guys step up than to have none do so. So let's just let it play out before assuming we're not as good as people think because of this perceived problem.

totally agree. That's why I'm not too worked up yet.

[Todd4State]

I'm honestly still pissed about that and opening weekend. We'd be top 3 if it weren't for losing those crap games. Maybe #1.

FAU is a top 25 team right now- or at least they should be. They aren't a crap game.

[Todd4State]

This is something we need to get fixed, but it's also being overblown by State fans. First, it's a small sample size. And second, it happens. I feel pretty confident that someone will step up to give us some consistency on Sundays. I can pretty much guarantee you that a ton of teams in the top 25 have a similar issue right now, but State fans notoriously evaluate us in a vacuum.


You just nailed every MSU fan. Complain about EKU everyday. Ignore series wins over Vandy on the road, South Alabama, Georgia, USC on the road, and a sweep of Oregon.

The other thing is we have time to fix it at this point. We have Pilkington who has pitched well up to this point- but his big test is tomorrow. As others have said, if he does well against USM he will probably get the next look. He might have gotten the start Sunday against Georgia if he was RH because of Cohen and Wes overplaying how UGA's hitters looked against our RH pitching. We're going to pitch a lot of people tomorrow so they may limit his pitch count on Tuesday and then see how he does Sunday on another limited pitch count.

If Pilkington isn't ready Zac Houston has some starting experience and the best he has looked this year was his last start. We certainly could go back to Daniel Brown as well- we just have to not overextend him and we're going to have to piggy back someone with him. A change of scenery might do Tatum some good as well and that's another option.

[Todd4State]

They monkey around with pitching too much on the third day. I guess since they are only using four or five pitchers in the first two games they need to put more in. I think they took the starter out too soon this past Saturday.

You are right about them monkeying around too much with the pitching. They threw a freshman because they overevaluated a generalized stat. Keegan was wild as hell. I don't know if they got him out too soon or not- and I'm not going to bitch about them taking anyone out too soon after they've been leaving people in way too long most of the time- but I seriously doubt Keegan would have gone much longer. You can only play with fire for so long before you get burned. Keegan was too hyped up and let his emotions affect the rest of his performance. Which is probably not unusual for a freshman.

[Todd4State]

I don't understand our fanbase sometimes. We complain about the media not respecting us and then they give us respect and we still complain. I don't get it. Guys enjoy the ride. The team has flaws but so does everyone else. I watch other teams besides just us and we are as good as anyone. They're aren't any perfect teams out there. Florida probably closest but look what just happened to them. We are young and talented. Sure we gonna struggle some but we gonna win way more than we lose.

Yep. Florida lost to a UK team that also took two of three from Georgia. I think that affected our national perception in a positive way a little bit in the eyes of the "experts" this weekend.

Georgia has a legit ace- he will win some games for them. And I think at the end of the year we'll probably find out that they are a decent team- like 30 wins or so.

[AusTexDawg]

Daniel Brown threw 7 innings of 4-hit, 0-run ball against Oregon. We're taking 2 games and freaking out. Yes, there is reason for concern. But that doesn't mean we have to simply assume this is what our pitching will be like all year.

I'm not sold on the Sunday performance vs Oregon being more meaningful than the two SEC Sundays. Per Kendall Rogers @ D1BB earlier today: "The Ducks are ranked 287 nationally in batting average, 212 in scoring, 241 in runs, 249 doubles per game, and 134 in homers per game."

I agree that we should expect a couple guys to improve as the year goes on, but at this point, no clue who that might be.

[Todd4State]

I'm not sold on the Sunday performance vs Oregon being more meaningful than the two SEC Sundays. Per Kendall Rogers @ D1BB earlier today: "The Ducks are ranked 287 nationally in batting average, 212 in scoring, 241 in runs, 249 doubles per game, and 134 in homers per game."

I agree that we should expect a couple guys to improve as the year goes on, but at this point, no clue who that might be.

Breaux, Small, maybe Pilkington, maybe Keegan James, hopefully Paul Young.

Brown has value to us- but it's just not as a starter. He's VERY good the first time through the order. Usually after that is when he gets shelled. That screams relief pitcher to me. IF we use him that way I think he can be an asset to us. If we keep asking him to get through an order three times, he's going to keep getting hit like he is.

[smootness]

I'm not sold on the Sunday performance vs Oregon being more meaningful than the two SEC Sundays. Per Kendall Rogers @ D1BB earlier today: "The Ducks are ranked 287 nationally in batting average, 212 in scoring, 241 in runs, 249 doubles per game, and 134 in homers per game."

I agree that we should expect a couple guys to improve as the year goes on, but at this point, no clue who that might be.

I'm not saying it's more important. I'm just pointing out that it's all small sample sizes at this point. Everyone keeps pointing out the last 2 series-enders and forgets about that one.