Drink your coffee GM1 Game....

[TNDawg35]

Here we go... GM 1 vs Georgia.
Pilk on hill for us. Kinda glad we didnt play yesterday to get him another day rest.

[TNDawg35]

Gridley SS
Rooker 1B
Mangum CF
Brown 3B
Stovall 2B
Vansau DH
Macnamee LF
Lovelady C
Poole LF

Kinda a surprise Poole is back in RF. Alexander is back on the bench thank god. Still would like to see Cody in RF and Bragg at 3B.

[MarketingBully]

I like the lineup. I think Poole responds positively to getting benched. Alexander had to get benched in some fashion. He was hurting us way more then helping us. I'm not sure if Bragg is on the team. He was sick against LSU so who knows.

[msstate7]

Definetely a better offensive lineup. Hopefully it clicks

[MarketingBully]

Definetely a better offensive lineup. Hopefully it clicks

If I'm Poole, I try at least once for a bunt base hit just to try to get myself going.

[TNDawg35]

If I'm Poole, I try at least once for a bunt base hit just to try to get myself going.

Once?? Hell Id be doing it everytime woth his speed...

[MarketingBully]

So if we show well here, can we play ourselves into hosting? We play Arkansas tomorrow (assuming we win today) and if we beat them can we take their hosting spot? They only finished a half game ahead of us in the SEC standings.

[MarketingBully]

Once?? Hell Id be doing it everytime woth his speed...

Yeah but with the slump he is in you could get away with it once if they aren't expecting it.

[MarketingBully]

We are playing the "effectively wild" guy. Just be patient at the plate and we should be able to score some runs on this guy.

[MarketingBully]

Nice inning by Pilk. 0-0 with MSU coming to bat.

[confucius say]

I like the lineup. I think Poole responds positively to getting benched. Alexander had to get benched in some fashion. He was hurting us way more then helping us. I'm not sure if Bragg is on the team. He was sick against LSU so who knows.

Bragg was on the team bus yesterday and made the trip

[MarketingBully]

Why do so many SEC pitchers hit our guys on the hands and wrists?

[MarketingBully]

Bragg was on the team bus yesterday and made the trip

That is great news!

[MarketingBully]

Wow! Rooker with 21st homer of the year! 2-0 MSU!

[BigEasyDawg]

Rooker!

[msbulldog]

BOOM!

[MarketingBully]

Played 1 2-0 MSU UGA up to bat top of the second.

[preachermatt83]

Rooker may be my favorite diamond dog of the last 25 years

[smootness]

Rooker is having one of the best offensive years in college baseball in a long, long time. Were it not for McKay killing it as a two-way player, he would be a shoo-in for the GS. I expected him to be really good, but let's just say I didn't quite see this coming.

[MarketingBully]

Leadoff walk doesn't hurt us. Going to the bottom of the second 2-0 MSU.

[MarketingBully]

Runners at second and third for Poole one out. Could be a hero early.

[MarketingBully]

Damn. Poole really pressing and strikes out.

[mparkerfd20]

Poole, gee whiz boy. Thank God you'll probably be processed.

[MarketingBully]

Gridley screwed us there. A fastball right down the middle and he popped it up. Going to top of the third MSU up 2-0.

[preachermatt83]

Poole is the worst hitter in history

[msbulldog]

Can't be leaving men in scoring position.

[MarketingBully]

A BP 88 MPH fastball and Gridley popped it up on a 3-1 count. He has been struggling with runners on as of late.

[I seen it dawg]

**** Poole you get a chance to play and cant make contact. Garbage.

[MarketingBully]

Poole is the worst hitter in history

Gridley's at bat was worse IMO

[louisvilledawg]

ALEXANDER is the worst hitter in history

FIFY

However, Poole could mess up a wet dream.

[louisvilledawg]

A BP 88 MPH fastball and Gridley popped it up on a 3-1 count. He has been struggling with runners on as of late.

It was 3-2 so i could see where he may be guessing, but yeah, dude shoulda put that one in LCF and been standing on second.

[MadDawg]

Gridley's at bat was worse IMO

Not really. If you have runners on 2nd and 3rd with less than 2 outs, there really is no excuse for not scoring a run. And we execute that at a very poor rate.

[MarketingBully]

Nothing doing for UGA going to the bottom of the third MSU up 2-0.

[confucius say]

Poole should just push bunt to the second baseman every time. Seriously.

[confucius say]

Can Vansau play the outfield? Just move him from DH to RF for Poole and let Bragg DH. Brown stays at third.

[MarketingBully]

Not really. If you have runners on 2nd and 3rd with less than 2 outs, there really is no excuse for not scoring a run. And we execute that at a very poor rate.

He was thrown two BP fastballs at 87 MPH because they didn't want to face Rooker.

[confucius say]

Gridley is a much better hitter when he works up the box to right center instead of pulling off everything. Stop trying to be a power pull guy. If they bust you in, fine, let the hands fly and turn on it. But his approach has to be to keep hands inside the baseball.

[HoopsDawg]

Can Vansau play the outfield? Just move him from DH to RF for Poole and let Bragg DH. Brown stays at third.

Dude, I've been saying that all year. Cann can't put a lineup together that doesn't include Poole or Alexander. Having said that, this is our best lineup of the year.

[MarketingBully]

Bases loaded one out for the good guys. Vansau up.

[MarketingBully]

Sac fly 3-0 Dogs.

[MarketingBully]

Bases loaded one out only get one. 3-0 MSU going to top of the 4th.

[I seen it dawg]

Gridley's at bat was worse IMO

No it wasn't. Less than 2 outs with runner on third you CANT strike out. Have to put it in play. Inexcusable.

[Tbonewannabe]

Rooker is having one of the best offensive years in college baseball in a long, long time. Were it not for McKay killing it as a two-way player, he would be a shoo-in for the GS. I expected him to be really good, but let's just say I didn't quite see this coming.

Rooker also projects really well for MLB. He is extremely intelligent and already makes adjustments on pitchers. He also has a very fluid swing for that kind of power. He will be on a MLB roster within 2 years.

[MarketingBully]

No it wasn't. Less than 2 outs with runner on third you CANT strike out. Have to put it in play. Inexcusable.

We will just agree to disagree. Poole didn't face two BP fastballs and choke popping them up.

[MarketingBully]

Going to bottom of the fourth MSU up 3-0.

[Ari Gold]

Poole and Alexander are both. Back up SEC players at best
Poole is basically Michael smith and that will be his role next year if he comes back . Pinch run and late defense replacement
Alexander can't hit period. I don't see anyway he improves enough this summer to start. You can't just be a great fielding INF at 3b and SS for big time sec programs and not hit. . And he isn't playing 2nd as long as Stovall is here. Kid will be all sec next year if he stays healthy .
And enough with the Bragg talk..
kid is either a cancer or just a *****.
No way he is still "sick" .. unless it's Mono .

[Tbonewannabe]

At this point it is pick your poison if Bragg isn't going to play. Either Poole or Alexander are going to be in the lineup but at this point I would leave Alexander. At least he hits the ball most of the time even if it is still out. Poole is a strike out machine right now. The last week or so he isn't even putting it in play.

[MarketingBully]

Poole and Alexander are both. Back up SEC players at best
Poole is basically Michael smith and that will be his role next year if he comes back . Pinch run and late defense replacement
Alexander can't hit period. I don't see anyway he improves enough this summer to start. You can't just be a great fielding INF at 3b and SS for big time sec programs and not hit. . And he isn't playing 2nd as long as Stovall is here. Kid will be all sec next year if he stats's healthy .
And enough with the Bragg talk..
kid is either a cancer or just a *****.
No way he is still "sick" .. unless it's Mono .

Depending on how bad the draft hurts us, I think we will have replacements for these guys.

[drunkernhelldawg]

Poole and Alexander are both. Back up SEC players at best
Poole is basically Michael smith and that will be his role next year if he comes back . Pinch run and late defense replacement
Alexander can't hit period. I don't see anyway he improves enough this summer to start. You can't just be a great fielding INF at 3b and SS for big time sec programs and not hit. . And he isn't playing 2nd as long as Stovall is here. Kid will be all sec next year if he stays healthy .
And enough with the Bragg talk..
kid is either a cancer or just a *****.
No way he is still "sick" .. unless it's Mono .

What if one of them makes the play that wins the game? What will you say then?

[MarketingBully]

At this point it is pick your poison if Bragg isn't going to play. Either Poole or Alexander are going to be in the lineup but at this point I would leave Alexander. At least he hits the ball most of the time even if it is still out. Poole is a strike out machine right now. The last week or so he isn't even putting it in play.

It really depends on where you feel more comfortable where Brown plays. I like him best in the outfield so IMO Alexander should play.

[Tbonewannabe]

Poole and Alexander are both. Back up SEC players at best
Poole is basically Michael smith and that will be his role next year if he comes back . Pinch run and late defense replacement
Alexander can't hit period. I don't see anyway he improves enough this summer to start. You can't just be a great fielding INF at 3b and SS for big time sec programs and not hit. . And he isn't playing 2nd as long as Stovall is here. Kid will be all sec next year if he stays healthy .
And enough with the Bragg talk..
kid is either a cancer or just a *****.
No way he is still "sick" .. unless it's Mono .

This summer is the shit or get off the pot for Alexander. He has been hurt the last 2 summers so he either needs to greatly improve or accept being a late defensive replacement and get good at bunting.

[Coldsleeve Jr.]

Kris Budden

http://i1262.photobucket.com/albums/ii603/langstonjay/supgirl_zpsagrqwe40.gif (http://s1262.photobucket.com/user/langstonjay/media/supgirl_zpsagrqwe40.gif.html)

[BuckyIsAB****]

Question: If we win this one do we play tomorrow or Friday vs UPig?

[Tbonewannabe]

At this point I would bunt Poole almost every time unless it is 2 outs.

Great job Gridley.

[MarketingBully]

Pitching change for UGA in the bottom of the fourth. One on two outs with Rooker up.

[Ari Gold]

What if one of them makes the play that wins the game? What will you say then?

I have been saying it all year .. I hope they do get some
Key hits . Won't change reality. They aren't talented enough to start in the sec Period .
Hell If we had anyone that could play 3rd Poole is already passed on depth chart.

[MarketingBully]

Question: If we win this one do we play tomorrow or Friday vs UPig?

We play tomorrow against UPig.

[mparkerfd20]

Question: If we win this one do we play tomorrow or Friday vs UPig?

Yes

[BuckyIsAB****]

We play tomorrow against UPig.

Oh ok. Thanks. Who the hell is going to pitch then? Our pitching will end up hurting us before this thing is over

[LC Dawg]

At this point I would bunt Poole almost every time unless it is 2 outs.

You may as well bunt him with 2 outs because it looks like that is the only way he can put the ball in play.

[HoopsDawg]

It really depends on where you feel more comfortable where Brown plays. I like him best in the outfield so IMO Alexander should play.

The only other thing we could do is put Skelton at 3B. But I would much rather have Bragg at the plate over Poole and Alexander.

[MarketingBully]

Rooker strikes out. MSU up 3-0 top of the fifth.

[LC Dawg]

Our pitching will end up hurting us before this thing is over

Ya think?

[MadDawg]

Oh ok. Thanks. Who the hell is going to pitch then? Our pitching will end up hurting us before this thing is over

https://s17.postimg.org/gxsctw3cf/72_Ade-q1.jpg

In other news, water is wet.

[MarketingBully]

Nothing doing in the top of the fifth. Going to the bottom of the fifth MSU up 3-0.

[WPDawg]

Oh ok. Thanks. Who the hell is going to pitch then? Our pitching will end up hurting us before this thing is over

I am pulling for whomever they send out there. Don't be so quick to give up.

[archdog]

https://s17.postimg.org/gxsctw3cf/72_Ade-q1.jpg

In other news, water is wet.

Water isn't wet. Water makes you wet.

[louisvilledawg]

We will just agree to disagree. Poole didn't face two BP fastballs and choke popping them up.

Lol. Like MarketingBully always says "If you're going to get out, just strikeout and put no pressure on the defense; it looks a lot better than popping up."

MarketingBully doesn't has the smartz.

[MarketingBully]

Lol. Like MarketingBully always says "If you're going to get out, just strikeout and put no pressure on the defense; it looks a lot better than popping up."

MarketingBully doesn't has the smartz.

Really dude?

[louisvilledawg]

At this point it is pick your poison if Bragg isn't going to play. Either Poole or Alexander are going to be in the lineup but at this point I would leave Alexander. At least he hits the ball most of the time even if it is still out. Poole is a strike out machine right now. The last week or so he isn't even putting it in play.

I tried to look up some stats to refute your claim that Alexander puts it in play most of the time. He K's about 30% of his AB's. Went and looked at Poole's stats... He K's about 35% of his ABs. We are a well-oiled strikeout machine.

In stats that don't matter because i doubt he gets another AB this season, Brant Blaylock has 83 ABs on the season. He has 40 (FORTY) strikeouts. Amazing.

[Dawgbite]

I think maybe we are jumping the gun on Alexander and Poole. Obviously Cann sees something in practice that he likes or he wouldn't keep trotting them out there, maybe they are making all their field goals in practice or something.We lost Mingione early last off season and got Cann late so he really hasn't had time to get whatever brain fart they are having between practice and game time worked out yet. I will not be surprised if one or both will not be major contributes next year after a full year under Cann.

[MarketingBully]

What is up with you guys today? I feel like I am on the 247 board. We are up 3-0 and pitching and hitting well. We cant bitch too much about our team so let's rip ourselves. Chill man.

[Coldsleeve Jr.]

Stay with me here, but Im beginning to think our pitching depth is an issue

[MarketingBully]

I think maybe we are jumping the gun on Alexander and Poole. Obviously Cann sees something in practice that he likes or he wouldn't keep trotting them out there, maybe they are making all their field goals in practice or something.We lost Mingione early last off season and got Cann late so he really hasn't had time to get whatever brain fart they are having between practice and game time worked out yet. I will not be surprised if one or both will not be major contributes next year after a full year under Cann.

It's possible. Either way I think it works itself out by the first of the year. We will know a lot as well once the June draft is over.

[MarketingBully]

Had bases loaded again and nothing doing. 3-0 State going to top of the sixth.

[BuckyIsAB****]

Left them loaded again imagine that

[MarketingBully]

Nothing doing in the sixth for UGA. Going to the bottom of the sixth MSU up 3-0. Pilk pitching a gem.

[msstate7]

Obviously neither is a good choice offensively right now, but here's a comparison of the 2...

Alexander (224 PAs) = .223/.297/.345 ops = .642, 5 hr, 5/6 SBs, 20 bb (8.9%), 57 k (25.4%)

Poole (194 PAs) = .226/.291/.316 ops = .607, 3 hr, 11/16 SBs, 9 bb (4.1%), 53 k (27.3%)

I think if you're gonna play one, Alexander should be the choice bc we have less players at 3b and his walk rate is better

[LC Dawg]

Weak fly out for Poole. That's progress.

[Ari Gold]

I think maybe we are jumping the gun on Alexander and Poole. Obviously Cann sees something in practice that he likes or he wouldn't keep trotting them out there, maybe they are making all their field goals in practice or something.We lost Mingione early last off season and got Cann late so he really hasn't had time to get whatever brain fart they are having between practice and game time worked out yet. I will not be surprised if one or both will not be major contributes next year after a full year under Cann.

There is no one else to run out there..
when your LF is playing 3b it not only tells you that ur Starting 3b isn't very good but the backups are worse. And to make it worse we have NO backups.
We can't even intersquad at this point. We may have some redshirt guys but, We Ran our weekend starter to 3rd during the LSU series.
And regarding the outfield The only other option there is Blaylock.
I'm not ripping these guys , sometime it is what it is.. just aren't big time sec guys.

[MarketingBully]

Third pitcher in for UGA one on two outs.

[MarketingBully]

The effectively wild guy in for UGA.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Jake Mangum walks do exist!

[MarketingBully]

Nothing doing again for State....3-0 State heading to the top of the seventh.

[MarketingBully]

Jake Mangum walks do exist!

If we are patient against this guy, we should be able to tack on some more runs.

[msstate7]

Jake Mangum walks do exist!

In 256 PAs, mangum has walked 7 times... 2.7%.

That's awful.

[MarketingBully]

Nothing doing for UGA in the top of the seventh, 3-0 State going to bottom of seventh.

[MarketingBully]

In 256 PAs, mangum has walked 7 times... 2.7%.

That's awful.

Mangum needs to come back for his junior year.

[msstate7]

Pilk has been outstanding. Really like him having a great start before the regional starts.

[msstate7]

Mangum needs to come back for his junior year.

He needs to work on working counts this summer.

[MarketingBully]

Pilk has been outstanding. Really like him having a great start before the regional starts.

Agreed.

[Ari Gold]

After this bottom Half you bring in LA to play 3rd for the 8th and 9th and move Cody back to left

[MarketingBully]

Thrown out trying to steal second. Going to top of the eighth MSU up 3-0.

[msstate7]

Jim talking about ex-bulldogs and Robson came up.

Robson (A) = .342/.406/.410

Hitting in 3-spot... surprising

[LC Dawg]

Pilkington is pitching a gem.

[MarketingBully]

Going to the bottom of the eighth, MSU up 3-0. Pilk pitching superbly.

[msbulldog]

He needs to work on working counts this summer.

Ron Polk was on the radio with Jim and said Mangum is playing for him this summer in the Cape Cod.

[MarketingBully]

Ron Polk was on the radio with Jim and said Mangum is playing for him this summer in the Cape Cod.

That would be awesome. Having Cann and Polk tutelage you means first round pick after his junior year.

[RocketDawg]

Why does Cannizaro never wear short sleeves?

[MarketingBully]

So the UGA fielder can push you off the base?

[louisvilledawg]

Why does Cannizaro never wear short sleeves?

He wants to keep those guns holstered.

[MarketingBully]

UGA got away with one as the UGA second baseman nudged Poole off the base. Thought you couldn't do that.

[MarketingBully]

Fourth pitcher of the day for UGA. One on two outs Rooker up.

[MarketingBully]

Nothing doing for State, going to the top of the ninth MSU up 3-0.

[Drugdog]

That would be awesome. Having Cann and Polk tutelage you means first round pick after his junior year.

Who is Ron Polk?

[MarketingBully]

Two on no outs going to Self.

[MarketingBully]

Self gets the double play and strike out to complete the shutout! MSU wins 3-0! Play pigs tomorrow at 9:30.

[msstate7]

Great job, dawgs. Outstanding, pilk

[LC Dawg]

Great game by Pilk. We left too many on base but we got the win and should be motivated for the pigs tomorrow.

[drunkernhelldawg]

Self gets the double play and strike out to complete the shutout! MSU wins 3-0! Play pigs tomorrow at 9:30.

A.M.?

[MarketingBully]

A.M.?

Oops yes, 9:30 am.

[Todd4State]

Nice win! That's the performance I've wanted to see from Pilkington for awhile!

Hey Georgia- Adios!

[Doggie_Style]

Why does Cannizaro never wear short sleeves?

Same reason Dan never wears shorts***

[MarketingBully]

Nice win! That's the performance I've wanted to see from Pilkington for awhile!

Hey Georgia- Adios!

Now let's beat the Pigs and take their hosting spot. Would be awesome.

[MarketingBully]

Big question. Why would you take a high school power hitter over Rooker? Rooker basically has 21 home runs in AAA ball going against SEC pitching which tells you his power and hitting tools will translate well at the next level. Why wouldn't you take Rooker in the first 10 spots in the draft? Are scouts just that dumb?

[msbulldog]

That was good payback for us against Georgia.

[msstate7]

Big question. Why would you take a high school power hitter over Rooker? Rooker basically has 21 home runs in AAA ball going against SEC pitching which tells you his power and hitting tools will translate well at the next level. Why wouldn't you take Rooker in the first 10 spots in the draft? Are scouts just that dumb?

Not that simple. The sec is good, but it's not AAA. Definitely think rooker should be 1st round

[smootness]

Not that simple. The sec is good, but it's not AAA. Definitely think rooker should be 1st round

Not even close. Looking at the numbers of guys who come from the SEC, it's roughly A-ball, with a few more advanced pitchers sprinkled in.

[Todd4State]

Most people consider the SEC to be around AA level.

[Todd4State]

Big question. Why would you take a high school power hitter over Rooker? Rooker basically has 21 home runs in AAA ball going against SEC pitching which tells you his power and hitting tools will translate well at the next level. Why wouldn't you take Rooker in the first 10 spots in the draft? Are scouts just that dumb?

I think Rooker is going to be someone that scouts look back on and wonder why they didn't take him higher. I think the disconnect is a lot of scouts see him as an outfielder and really they should look at him as a first baseman.

[BayouDawg]

Water isn't wet. Water makes you wet.
Exactly! Just like whiskey isn't drunk it just gets you drunk.boobs aren't horny... eh you can take it the rest of the way.

[Todd4State]

Now let's beat the Pigs and take their hosting spot. Would be awesome.

I think we need to win at least three more and for the Pigs to go two and bar-b-cue.

[smootness]

Most people consider the SEC to be around AA level.

Based on pro performance, though, it definitely isn't. And guys drafted out of the SEC aren't immediately put into AA, much less AAA.

[Todd4State]

Based on pro performance, though, it definitely isn't. And guys drafted out of the SEC aren't immediately put into AA, much less AAA.

That's because rookie ball is sort of like orientation for work. It gets you in the system. Then a lot of teams will limit college guys if they have played a lot in year one- especially pitchers. On top of that most organizations aren't going to wholesale cut their AA guys for the new guys.

Troll on.

[Tbonewannabe]

I tried to look up some stats to refute your claim that Alexander puts it in play most of the time. He K's about 30% of his AB's. Went and looked at Poole's stats... He K's about 35% of his ABs. We are a well-oiled strikeout machine.

In stats that don't matter because i doubt he gets another AB this season, Brant Blaylock has 83 ABs on the season. He has 40 (FORTY) strikeouts. Amazing.

Poole's stats are skewed since he struck out about 80% of the time the last series or so. It seems like Alexander either hits it square at someone or strikes out on a dirt pitch or fastball around the eyeballs.

[Tbonewannabe]

Stay with me here, but Im beginning to think our pitching depth is an issue

Do you really need more than 6 pitchers on your roster? Seems like anything more is just wasting money on hotel rooms and food.****

[MarketingBully]

I think Rooker is going to be someone that scouts look back on and wonder why they didn't take him higher. I think the disconnect is a lot of scouts see him as an outfielder and really they should look at him as a first baseman.

Good post. Yeah, I see him as a future star in the MLB quite easily. If Holmes goes before Rooker like looks to be projected that just tells you how stupid the system is.

[msstate7]

That's because rookie ball is sort of like orientation for work. It gets you in the system. Then a lot of teams will limit college guys if they have played a lot in year one- especially pitchers. On top of that most organizations aren't going to wholesale cut their AA guys for the new guys.

Troll on.

Even elite guys like Swanson, bregman, and benintendi played both levels of A ball and AA. I don't think smoot is trolling at all. Renfroe ops'd at .738 his 2nd shot at AA

[Tbonewannabe]

Why does Cannizaro never wear short sleeves?

Because looking directly at his guns causes blindness.

[msstate7]

Fwiw, boomer white was the sec player of year last season and he's ops'n at .552 in A ball with over 250 PAs

[smootness]

That's because rookie ball is sort of like orientation for work. It gets you in the system. Then a lot of teams will limit college guys if they have played a lot in year one- especially pitchers. On top of that most organizations aren't going to wholesale cut their AA guys for the new guys.

Troll on.

It's not a troll. Look at the performance of guys starting out in pro ball from the SEC. Dansby Swanson was taken #1 overall after putting up a 1.046 OPS as a junior. He then OPS'd at .876 in short season A ball and .958 at A+ the next year. Then got promoted to AA and posted a .744 OPS.

There is no evidence that the SEC is equivalent to AA. Otherwise you would see some teams try draftees out in MLB immediately since success in AA usually means you could jump straight to the majors. If Rooker was OPS'ing 1.400 at a level at all equivalent to AA, he'd be an easy top-5 draft pick.

The difference between the SEC and rookie or A ball is that you do see some pitchers that are at a different level, guys like David Price, or Kyle Wright, or Alex Faedo, etc. You aren't going to see a guy that advanced in A ball. But overall, it's pretty equivalent.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Based on pro performance, though, it definitely isn't. And guys drafted out of the SEC aren't immediately put into AA, much less AAA.

I think it’ more nuanced and case by case

Rooker vs Lange is a legit double AA match-up, maybe higher

Bortles vs Billingsley is rookie league

Kessinger vs Blaylock is MS Class 6A

[Randolph Dupree]

I think Rooker is going to be someone that scouts look back on and wonder why they didn't take him higher. I think the disconnect is a lot of scouts see him as an outfielder and really they should look at him as a first baseman.

I have a buddy that is a scout for one of the American League organizations and he thinks Rooker is a first rounder. He didn't say they were taking him in the first round but he didn't say the weren't either. Said the talent is there.

[smootness]

I think it’ more nuanced and case by case

Rooker vs Lange is a legit double AA match-up, maybe higher

Bortles vs Billingsley is rookie league

Kessinger vs Blaylock is MS Class 6A

Yeah, I get that. As I've said, the difference is that the pitching is going to vary more.

But when judging a stat line, which is how the discussion began, past evidence shows that it absolutely is not AAA, definitely isn't AA, and is roughly similar to A-ball, though guys usually have a bit of a dip in stats when starting there as well.

You should expect Rooker to go into A-ball and OPS over 1.000, then move to A+/AA and put up something more like .950. That is still extremely good, so it's not an attempt to throw cold water on him. But it's not as though you can say he would be doing this in the upper levels of the minors.

[Todd4State]

It's not a troll. Look at the performance of guys starting out in pro ball from the SEC. Dansby Swanson was taken #1 overall after putting up a 1.046 OPS as a junior. He then OPS'd at .876 in short season A ball and .958 at A+ the next year. Then got promoted to AA and posted a .744 OPS.

There is no evidence that the SEC is equivalent to AA. Otherwise you would see some teams try draftees out in MLB immediately since success in AA usually means you could jump straight to the majors. If Rooker was OPS'ing 1.400 at a level at all equivalent to AA, he'd be an easy top-5 draft pick.

The difference between the SEC and rookie or A ball is that you do see some pitchers that are at a different level, guys like David Price, or Kyle Wright, or Alex Faedo, etc. You aren't going to see a guy that advanced in A ball. But overall, it's pretty equivalent.

You do see that sometimes. See Jacob Lindgren. Is every single player in the SEC a AA player? No. But as far as the league as a whole it's comparable. MSU used to beat the Jackson Mets in exhibition games if you want evidence.

[Todd4State]

I have a buddy that is a scout for one of the American League organizations and he thinks Rooker is a first rounder. He didn't say they were taking him in the first round but he didn't say the weren't either. Said the talent is there.

I have a feeling he goes in the first round. He's too advanced as a hitter.