I honestly didn't think it would be possible to have a team that good again for a long time. Obviously a disappointing ending, but that team was really damn good.
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I honestly didn't think it would be possible to have a team that good again for a long time. Obviously a disappointing ending, but that team was really damn good.
I'll get back to you at the end of the year. I like this team better though.
I think the 2016 ended up being better than this team currently is, but this team is better right now than that one was. And I think this team has a higher ceiling. That team had very good SP, but I like this year's duo better than any 2 from 2016. 2016 also had a very good, deep offense, but it took them a little while to get going. This offense is already hitting on all cylinders and is better top to bottom.
2016 defense and bullpen were better, but it also took a little while for the bullpen to come together. I think this year's team has as much bullpen talent as that one did.
I like this year's team better.
Good question. Let?s unpack it.
C - Kruger vs Skelton = Kruger
1B - Lowe vs Allen - Lowe
2B - 2016 version of Stovall vs Halter = Equal
SS - Gridley vs Westburg = Westburg
3B - Collins vs Foscue = Equal with a lean towards Foscue
LF - Humphreys vs Rowdey - Equal although they do it in different ways.
CF - Mangum vs Mangum = 2019 version
RF - Rooker vs Mac = Rooker but Mac is a better defender
Fri - Hudson vs Small - Equal in effectiveness. Hudson better pro prospect
Sat - Sexton vs Ginn - Not close. Biggest gap between both teams.
Sun - committee vs committee = Equal
Closer - Humphreys vs Gordon - Equal. Trust Gordon more but Hump was more talented.
Set- Up - Houston vs White - Houston late in the season
Overall, I think the 2016 team was more talented but JT Ginn on Saturday gives this team another ace that 2016 didn?t have. Add that into this team having greater experience, and I think the 2019 team is more likely to win a natty.
This team is tougher and more confident. The 2016 group was coming off some bad years. This team is coming off Omaha
Without looking at stats, I remember Collins hitting for a high average but with not as much power as Foscue is showing. Collins was also out of position, so his defense wasn?t as good as Foscue?s. Collins was a damn good hitter though and I would love to have 9 of him.
And unless I am misremembering on when Rooker graduated, he had a good year in 2016 but 2017, obviously is when he went crazy. Statistically, as it stands right now, 2016 Rooker and Mac might be about equal or slight edge to Mac.
You're missing Pilkington as the Sunday starter in 2016, and he was really good.
I would also say it's not completely clear cut at C. Kruger was fantastic, but Skelton has been just as good so far. And I would give a slight edge to MacNamee in RF over 2016 Rooker.
In 2016; 2b was Holland, Cf was Robson (hurt a bit), Rf was Mangum, and Dh was Rooker
A real comparison would be:
C- Kruger was an All American and 1st Team All SEC and probable MLB
1B- Lowe is a MLB 1b
MIF - Westburg
MIF - Gridley
3b - Foscue no doubt
OF - Freshman Mangum
OF - Senior Mangum
OF - MacNamee - Rooker had not found the energy crystals yet in 2016
DH - Rooker without the crystals
SEC Rotation - Small, Ginn, and Hudson
Closer - Hump blew the save in Game-2 vs Arizona and dropped a fly ball in Game-1 vs Arizona. Gordon all the way
2016 was slightly better, IMO
2016 didn't get its sheet pushed in by LSU
The best thing about the 2016 team was when Stovall caught the last out and slammed it into the ground. LSU fans hated that. Until we can get that fire back like the 2016 team had then we won't ever be competitive against LSU
I get the feeling our performance this weekend will help settle this debate. Even before this weekend I would have said 2016, but that it's close. It's a wider gap now.
With that said, the 2016 team ranks as one of the biggest disappointments ever because I thought they had everything to give us our first title.