Those of us wanting to see some Hayden Jones might as well let that go for a while it appears.. Not a bad problem to have. I'm pleased so far
https://d1baseball.com/columns/ginn-...or-excitement/
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Those of us wanting to see some Hayden Jones might as well let that go for a while it appears.. Not a bad problem to have. I'm pleased so far
https://d1baseball.com/columns/ginn-...or-excitement/
The thing about Skelton last year was:
1. We didn't really have anyone devoted to coaching the catchers. This was exacerbated when Cann left because it thinned our staff out that much more. We have that now and while Skelton is no Yadier Molina- he is improved.
2. We really only had Skelton and Gilbert last year and Skelton was just a sophomore who really probably wasn't ready and we had to play him a lot.
I remember Barry Patton who was a pretty good catcher for us struggling at the plate his freshman and sophomore years too before he turned it on his junior year.
I'll say it again, we've had not one, not two, but three different head coaches continue to put him in the lineup. The head coach wants to win more than any jackass here, including me. So either they are stupid and don't know shit or maybe he's a good player and has shown it to them. Now, with that said, he's not perfect and won't hit two hr every game and will piss me off w a passed ball at some point, he's playing for a reason. And yes I think jones will play and get better and better. He has a hose!!
Jones definitely has a much higher upside than Skelton and will be a better player once his career is over. I could still see us starting Skelton on Friday and Saturday and then catching Jones on Sunday with a four year pitcher in Keegan James who is more mature than most pitchers. As hot as Skelton is I'm guessing we start him Sunday.
I’ll eat crow. I fig Skelton was a given out. He shut me up. However I still don’t have a lot of confidence in him throwing runners out. But you have to stay with the hot hand. Keep Skelton playing and give Jones a shot every once in awhile, maybe on mid wk games. If Skelton gets sloppy or lazy like last yr, Jones is ready.
We have to figure out second base. That is the only place in the lineup that is almost a guaranteed out right now. Skelton should catch or DH every game unless he needs a day off. He is solid. The kid that's been starting at second just doesn't have it right now and unless he makes some major changes to his swing he's not going to hit SEC pitching consistently.