Baseball thoughts to sprout wool to warm you up

[Todd4State]

Vallot is not listed on MLB.com as a top 50 draft prospect. Certainly that could change during the season. I do know that he is not considered the top high school catcher in the draft at this point.

[Jacksondevildog]

I feel like if we get him on campus, he will play 1B. That's just my opinion.

[M.Fillmore]

Todd, do you think Jake Mangum will pitch as well?

[engie]

I feel like if we get him on campus, he will play 1B. That's just my opinion.

So, you think the #2 national velocity(89mph) from the catcher's box as measured by Perfect Game is going to move to a spot that completely diminishes his arm strength? I'm with you on him needing to get into a college strength and conditioning program -- but he's still got above average speed and athleticism while being obviously raw -- and his pop time is pretty insane for a JR in highschool.

He'll be the best true catcher prospect we've signed yet IMO.

[Schultzy]

I like the thought of having bigger, taller, more powerful hitters in the lineup.

[smootness]

Vallot is what I call a bad body all American. Got a little weight in the wrong areas, average speed, average defender, retarded power. That could hurt his stock a little, but he's a top 5 round guy no doubt.

Everything I've read says his pop time is very good and that he has a great arm behind the plate...doesn't sound like he is an average defender.

He is a little big, but he's a catcher. I'm fine with that.

[Jacksondevildog]

It's completely within the realm of possibility. Like I said. It's my opinion. Renfroe's pop time was excellent in high school, but he didn't catch at MSU. We will try him there, but we probably won't be forced to play him there.

So, you think the #2 national velocity(89mph) from the catcher's box as measured by Perfect Game is going to move to a spot that completely diminishes his arm strength? I'm with you on him needing to get into a college strength and conditioning program -- but he's still got above average speed and athleticism while being obviously raw -- and his pop time is pretty insane for a JR in highschool.

He'll be the best true catcher prospect we've signed yet IMO.

[Todd4State]

Todd, do you think Jake Mangum will pitch as well?

Maybe. I think he definitely will get a look at pitching some- probably in relief. I think his primary position will be CF. Let me put it this way- I think he would be a better pitcher than CT Bradford is.

[Todd4State]

If Vallot went to MSU, it wouldn't be the worst idea ever for him. Like I said- he's not the top high school catcher in the draft. But if he comes to college and refines his game behind the plate, I could see him being the top college catcher his junior year. That might ultimately land him more money than whatever he could get out of high school. The sky is the limit for him- if he won the Johnny Bench Award, it wouldn't surprise me at all.

[It_Could_Happen]

I feel like if we get him on campus, he will play 1B. That's just my opinion.

If you think Riley goes to first you've lost your mind.

[Todd4State]

It's completely within the realm of possibility. Like I said. It's my opinion. Renfroe's pop time was excellent in high school, but he didn't catch at MSU. We will try him there, but we probably won't be forced to play him there.

Renfroe was a freak of nature who could literally play every position on the field. I remember him catching for us in the SEC Tournament his freshman year against Arkansas. Some guy tried to steal on him- and Renfroe threw the guy out by about 10 feet from his knees. The look on the runner looked at the umpire and was like- "Did you see that?"

I remember him stealing a home run against Ole Miss as a sophomore while he was playing CF too.

[Todd4State]

If you think Riley goes to first you've lost your mind.

It just depends on if we get him to campus and what we have. Like I said in my original post- I don't think it happens because of Cole Gordon. But I also don't think it's out of the realm of possibility. More than likely he will play somewhere that we can take advantage of his arm strength- like third or one of the corner outfield spots.

[Jacksondevildog]

Taking about Vallot. Not Riley.

[MsStateBaseball]

I think Gavin Collins is better at catcher. I have seen Vallot on TV he looks like a 1b to me. We shall see.

[Jacksondevildog]

Damn watch out. Someone may get mad at you.

I think Gavin Collins is better at catcher. I have seen Vallot on TV he looks like a 1b to me. We shall see.

[engie]

Damn watch out. Someone may get mad at you.

Who got mad at anybody? You've simply been disagreed with in a mature, discussive manner.

It'll become obvious as games begin that I see that position through a little different lens than most.

I disagree about Collins -- who is slower than Vallot, has a weaker arm, and a worse pop time. Collins is just more polished overall as an athlete and can play almost anywhere.

[Jacksondevildog]

I'm fine with that. It sounds like you played catcher. I played first base. I can sit here and argue about how I can see that position through a different lens than most as well.

[Goat Holder]

I'm fine with that. It sounds like you played catcher. I played first base. I can sit here and argue about how I can see that position through a different lens than most as well.

But but but did you catch back to back to back 17 inning JUCO national championship games in 112 degree heat like engine??????

That's a joke engie. Don't get mad.

[RBritt]

Renfroe played catcher in the SEC tournament when big wes went yard against Arkansas that year?

[blacklistedbully]

Sounds like Riley could be another Bobby Thigpen? Always though it was a damn shame Thigpen didn't get drafted by a National League team. Would liked to have seen him swing the bat in the big leagues to go along with that Closer role.