We are going to win a baseball national championship over the next 2 years.....

[Taog Redloh]

You can almost write it down that the experienced SS, Gridley, will at least start at the beginning of the season just like Seth Heck did a couple of years ago. Now who is playing SS at season's end might be a different story.

Alexander was the opening day SS this year, after Gridley started there in 2015. The only way Alexander doesn't play is if his offense is so bad it doesn't warrant it. I don't think that will be the case, I think he makes a jump next year.

[maroonmania]

Alexander was the opening day SS this year, after Gridley started there in 2015. The only way Alexander doesn't play is if his offense is so bad it doesn't warrant it. I don't think that will be the case, I think he makes a jump next year.

True, but he is much more entrenched now as the starter. As I stated, Seth Heck was the starting SS for most of 2015. Gridley only played SS the last few weeks of the season in 2015 after the season had basically gone in the toilet. If Alexander gets fully healthy and totally outplays Gridley in the Fall it could happen but I'm expecting a little more lengthy recovery time for LA to get the wrist back to 100%.

[Coach34]

Alexander was the opening day SS this year, after Gridley started there in 2015. The only way Alexander doesn't play is if his offense is so bad it doesn't warrant it. I don't think that will be the case, I think he makes a jump next year.

A) We have a guy that has been our SS for 2 years now and played it well

B) We have a guy that couldn't hit SEC pitching, is now getting hand surgery, won't be able to play this summer, and won't be able to take BP for the next 3-4 months- which likely makes him miss Fall Ball. Collins- a much better hitter- hit something like .240 the season after having the same hand surgery.

Those betting on Alexander better temper expectations

[maroonmania]

A) We have a guy that has been our SS for 2 years now and played it well

B) We have a guy that couldn't hit SEC pitching, is now getting hand surgery, won't be able to play this summer, and won't be able to take BP for the next 3-4 months- which likely makes him miss Fall Ball. Collins- a much better hitter- hit something like .240 the season after having the same hand surgery.

Those betting on Alexander better temper expectations

So the hamate bone is the culprit for LA just like it was for Collins?

[msstate7]

A) We have a guy that has been our SS for 2 years now and played it well

B) We have a guy that couldn't hit SEC pitching, is now getting hand surgery, won't be able to play this summer, and won't be able to take BP for the next 3-4 months- which likely makes him miss Fall Ball. Collins- a much better hitter- hit something like .240 the season after having the same hand surgery.

Those betting on Alexander better temper expectations

I wouldn't say Gridley played well at SS. He played probably as well as can be expected for a SS with below avg range and arm strength as far as an sec SS. I really like Gridley, but he's a 2b playing SS

'16 stats...

Gridley -- .284/.340/.345 685 ops .061 iso
Alexander -- .222/.342/.333 675 ops .111 iso

It's not like gridley's offense outweighs Alexander's defense

[maroonmania]

I wouldn't say Gridley played well at SS. He played probably as well as can be expected for a SS with below avg range and arm strength as far as an sec SS. I really like Gridley, but he's a 2b playing SS

'16 stats...

Gridley -- .284/.340/.345 685 ops .061 iso
Alexander -- .222/.342/.333 675 ops .111 iso

It's not like gridley's offense outweighs Alexander's defense

This is seemingly becoming a yearly ritual with MSU fans. Fans have complained and been ready to replace every SS I can remember that we've had under Cohen. Its getting almost as bad as the backup QB situation in football prior to Dak.

[msstate7]

This is seemingly becoming a yearly ritual with MSU fans. Fans have complained and been ready to replace every SS I can remember that we've had under Cohen. Its getting almost as bad as the backup QB situation in football prior to Dak.

I value defense at SS esp with an inexperienced pitching staff

[smootness]

Alexander started this year as SS despite gridley's precious experience. Alexander lost SS bc of his hitting. If Alexander hits, he'll be our SS

Yes, I should clarify - if Alexander is in the lineup, he will be our SS. If his bat isn't good enough, then sure, he won't play. But he's not going to play 3B.

[Homedawg]

Yes, I should clarify - if Alexander is in the lineup, he will be our SS. If his bat isn't good enough, then sure, he won't play. But he's not going to play 3B.

This

[maroonmania]

Yes, I should clarify - if Alexander is in the lineup, he will be our SS. If his bat isn't good enough, then sure, he won't play. But he's not going to play 3B.

Well, on the bright side, whoever plays 3B can't be much worse defensively than what Collins was for most of the year.

[msstate7]

Well, on the bright side, whoever plays 3B can't be much worse defensively than what we've had for most of the Cohen tenure.

Fify

[Taog Redloh]

Yes, I should clarify - if Alexander is in the lineup, he will be our SS. If his bat isn't good enough, then sure, he won't play. But he's not going to play 3B.

Yep

[Todd4State]

So the hamate bone is the culprit for LA just like it was for Collins?

I believe so. I heard it was a similar surgery anyway.

[BorneDawg]

Yes the hook was broke off of it. Surgery went well! He will be back and better than ever!

[maroonmania]

Yes the hook was broke off of it. Surgery went well! He will be back and better than ever!

Any indication what his expected recovery time will be until he is back to 100%?

[Martianlander]

Marrero has work to do both on hitting and defense. Yes, he has potential, but potential means he hasn't done it yet.

[Taog Redloh]

Marrero has work to do both on hitting and defense. Yes, he has potential, but potential means he hasn't done it yet.

Most every freshman has work to do.

For he, Stovall and Alexander to come in and be average players in their first year, on a nationally seeded team, takes talent. They will make big jumps. Mangum is Mangum.