Fall ball is over...

[bully99]

I don't know how much they promoted the world series in the general media, but they promoted the hell out of on twitter. Sounds like the pr department needs a makeover like other parts of the athletic department.

[Todd4State]

didn't he start pitching late in the season and through the playoffs? If he didn't do much pitching during the season and then all of a sudden started throwing 6 or 7 innings running it up there at 93, that could cause some stress on the arm.

THIS. When you are an outfielder your whole life, and you've never gone through an offseason conditioning program- and then you come out of nowhere as a pitcher and start throwing tons of innings (relatively speaking)- chances of an injury are better than average.

I really wouldn't say it's anyone's fault though.

And unfortunately, the word on the street is that Young is still having some pain in his arm.

[Todd4State]

Kendall Rogers of "Perfect Game " said today their preseason number 1 team would come from one of four teams. Oregon State, Virginia, Cal St. Fullerton or Florida State. So those are probably their top four teams. Don't know where State will be ranked.

So, they have us below two teams that we beat? Aw heck, I'd rather be ranked #1 at the end of the year than at the beginning.

[Todd4State]

And next order of business is getting the roster down. I won't say who I think it is. Never can tell who wants to transfer. Anyway, then see if Paul Young will need surgery or not. I believe the first pre-season AA teams will come out before Christmas along w one poll. For you MLB fans the winter meetings will be first of December on MLB Network. I will keep up w any trades, etc. maybe Paps will have a new team. Don't forget my blog I go over lineup and pitching.

Maholm will definitely have a new team. Last I heard the Phillies were interested. Ed Easley signed a minor league contract with the Cardinals yesterday. He'll compete with Tony Cruz for the back-up spot. I doubt Papelbon will be moved with his huge contract.

[Will James]

So, they have us below two teams that we beat? Aw heck, I'd rather be ranked #1 at the end of the year than at the beginning.

Yeah this ain't football. Rankings don't mean shit just get in the top 8 by postseason time.

[Todd4State]

Also, as far as cuts- that won't happen until February. We're going to give everyone as long a look as possible until we are forced to make a move.

[Will James]

Last 5 Fall Games (World Series)

Armstrong 2-18; 1 BB

Bradford 2-18; 1 BB

Detz 3-12; 8 BB

I freaking love Alex Detz. Most extra base hits on the team this fall.

I don't think Armstrong cracks the top 4 OF. Highest K% on the team last year. Very high K% this fall. No power. Meh.

[Todd4State]

I don't think Armstrong cracks the top four either, but he's a good role player. He can pinch hit and pinch run, and he isn't a liability defensively. He's also streaky as a hitter- which can be nice if he happens to be hot when someone else is struggling.

[bully99]

Todd, I would think Cohen gives them some indication where they stand before Christmas so they can transfer and play next semester or start their year long of sitting out if transferring to D1.

Maholm and papelbon on same team would be interesting. They are best friends and both live in hattiesburg.

As far as rankings below VA and oru, probably means more of their players coming back. From what I've read in the fall wouldn't be shocked if Virginia is #1 preseason.

[bully99]

Cohen names his world series MVP ..pitching...Preston Brown..Defense.. Reid Humphreys. Offense...Jake Vickerson
...I guess that just includes the 5 ws games.

[Will James]

OPS+ - Take individual OPS (on base + slugging) divide it by Team OPS+ and multiply by 100. Gives % above/below team average

Fall Hitting Leaders by OPS+

141 - Cody Walker (C)
131 - Reid Humphreys (LF)
122 - Daniel Garner (DH)
121 - Seth Heck (RF)
114 - Alex Detz (3B)
108 - Brett Pirtle (2B)
107 - Matthew Britton (SS)
106 - Jake Vickerson (CF)
103 - Wes Rea (1B)
97 - Zach Randolph
94 - Demarcus Henderson
90 - Dylan Ingram
89 - Cody Brown
87 - Jacob Robson
87 - CT Bradford
86 - Gavin Collins
82 - Derek Armstrong
74 - Kyle Hann
74 - Joey Swinarski
67 - Brent Rooker

I'd be perfectly happy going with that bolded lineup this Spring. Top 4 hitters are new guys. The future is now and looks BRIGHT.

[engie]

It'll be a travesty if we're ranked outside the top 8 in all major publications in the preseason...

[CadaverDawg]

Compared to other schools yes but we need to really go all out in our baseball. Get to a support level impossible to be matched by anyone. It's possible for us. Mainly this comes from the lack of promotion of Bulldog World Series especially the Saturday of Bama game. Should have had everything lead up to that day and had 2000 there.

Yea, I tweeted @ HailState baseball or whatever the official baseball twitter is, the other day about the lack of promotion...and they had the nerve to be a smart ass back to me and say "well do you not follow us on twitter, Facebook, etc??" And I was like, NO...but I do read several MSU message boards and there wasn't a damn word on any of them about it, so y'all need to do a better job.

That kind of stuff pisses me off, when you are simply trying to ask them to promote something better, and instead of them being happy that there are people inquiring about baseball during football season....they wanna be smart asses.

/end rant

[bully99]

Did anybody see the catch today that Cody Brown made robbing Dylan Ingram of a 2 run Homer.
Twitter was abuzz about his catch. Somebody tweeted it was the greatest catch they had ever seen.

[CadaverDawg]

OPS+ - Take individual OPS (on base + slugging) divide it by Team OPS+ and multiply by 100. Gives % above/below team average

Fall Hitting Leaders by OPS+

141 - Cody Walker (C)
131 - Reid Humphreys (LF)
122 - Daniel Garner (DH)
121 - Seth Heck (RF)
114 - Alex Detz (3B)
108 - Brett Pirtle (2B)
107 - Matthew Britton (SS)
106 - Jake Vickerson (CF)
103 - Wes Rea (1B)
97 - Zach Randolph
94 - Demarcus Henderson
90 - Dylan Ingram
89 - Cody Brown
87 - Jacob Robson
87 - CT Bradford
86 - Gavin Collins
82 - Derek Armstrong
74 - Kyle Hann
74 - Joey Swinarski
67 - Brent Rooker

I'd be perfectly happy going with that bolded lineup this Spring. Top 4 hitters are new guys. The future is now and looks BRIGHT.

Yea, I'm a little worried about CT this year. Cohen may end up with a tough decision to make. CT is not nearly as valuable to us if he is not drawing walks. Will Cohen continue to start him all season Mullen-style even if he is struggling because he's a Senior? Or will be able to make the tough call and bench him for a younger, more talented player?

[engie]

Yea, I'm a little worried about CT this year. Cohen may end up with a tough decision to make. CT is not nearly as valuable to us if he is not drawing walks. Will Cohen continue to start him all season Mullen-style even if he is struggling because he's a Senior? Or will be able to make the tough call and bench him for a younger, more talented player?

Will be interesting to see.

Either way -- you can justify playing CT on defense alone, but hopefully he comes out swinging and prevents us from having the discussion. If he dips much below .300, all bets are going to be off though...

[messageboardsuperhero]

OPS+ - Take individual OPS (on base + slugging) divide it by Team OPS+ and multiply by 100. Gives % above/below team average

Fall Hitting Leaders by OPS+

141 - Cody Walker (C)
131 - Reid Humphreys (LF)
122 - Daniel Garner (DH)
121 - Seth Heck (RF)
114 - Alex Detz (3B)
108 - Brett Pirtle (2B)
107 - Matthew Britton (SS)
106 - Jake Vickerson (CF)
103 - Wes Rea (1B)
97 - Zach Randolph
94 - Demarcus Henderson
90 - Dylan Ingram
89 - Cody Brown
87 - Jacob Robson
87 - CT Bradford
86 - Gavin Collins
82 - Derek Armstrong
74 - Kyle Hann
74 - Joey Swinarski
67 - Brent Rooker

I'd be perfectly happy going with that bolded lineup this Spring. Top 4 hitters are new guys. The future is now and looks BRIGHT.

When should we expect the much anticipated Will James breakdown of the Fall scrimmages?

[Will James]

Cohen names his world series MVP . Offense...Jake Vickerson.

This is BS. It's Daniel Garner with Reid Humphreys a CLOSE second. Vickerson is nowhere near the offensive MVP. Without Garner and Humphries team White doesn't win.

[Will James]

When should we expect the much anticipated Will James breakdown of the Fall scrimmages?

It's pretty much that. I don't look into pitching at all. New guys have shown out which is awesome.

Humphreys has a nearly .600 BABIP.
CT doesn't walk.
Armstrong K's a lot.
Swinarski is not close yet.
Overall team power is UP
Detz is a boss hog on crack.

[messageboardsuperhero]

It's pretty much that. I don't look into pitching at all. New guys have shown out which is awesome.

Humphreys has a nearly .600 BABIP.
CT doesn't walk.
Armstrong K's a lot.
Swinarski is not close yet.
Overall team power is UP
Detz is a boss hog on crack.

Obviously you don't get a .600 BABIP without a lot of luck and a really small AB sample size, but is Humphreys one of those type of hitters that we can expect to have a naturally high BABIP on a consistent basis (ie. Mike Trout, Derek Jeter)?