Reed Stallman had a big weekend...

[HoopsDawg]

exactly. SEC players ****ing up a rundown is on them. Fundamentals are taught on the lower level. SEC guys work on skill and reps

You would think but definitely not always the case

[Todd4State]

Scrimmages arent for coaching fundamentals. Thats done in practice. Scrimmages are game situations to see how guys perform under pressure. Do we need to be more fundamentally sound? Absolutely. Nobody argues that

There is no reason to be sold on any team at this point other than A&M, LSU, Tenn, and UPig based on returning players.

And I'll get on my soapbox here- the NCAA should allow college baseball teams four preseason exhibition games the weekend before the season starts. It would add a lot to the quality of play early in the season. You know if we played Delta State or even the W (Yes, they have a baseball team) we would draw probably at least 5-8K on a weekend as long as we worked it around basketball. That's valuable to the players and coaches because then they can see guys perform in front of a crown and in front of live competition but at the same time whatever happens in those games doesn't count so there is really no reason other than injury to not get pitchers in and play everyone. And if a guy gives up 3 home runs in an inning they can flush it and start over. Or make a bunch of dumb errors and strike out three times.

There is a reason why MLB plays a ton of exhibition games and very few intrasquad scrimmages. Much more value against live competition.

And playing a random four game series against Alabama in October and then expecting that to translate later to February is kind of silly.

[Todd4State]

Todd I will by far and away defer to you when it comes to baseball, but this has been a trend under Lemon and is already rearing its head again. Emphasis has to be placed on fundamentals at some point. Just tired is seeing so much sloppy ball.

We were third in the SEC in fielding percentage last year. We may have been sloppy at the beginning of the season last year but that improved and may have been a little bit about Mershon not being in the lineup to kind of settle things down. Sure we made mistakes at times like any other baseball team but looking at stats it doesn't appear to me that we were disproportionately bad in any specific category relative to the rest of the SEC.

And we could have some more issues this year because we could have four guys playing new positions this year- Reeves from SS to 2B, Reese from OF to 3B, Chance from LF to CF, and Stallman from 1B to LF or RF. But I think that things will improve as SEC play starts. The biggest concern from what I have heard is OF range- in other words getting to fly balls. Chance is a Rusty Thoms type of player in CF. Of course if O'Brien can hit there is a very good chance he starts in the OF.

I'm just saying that when we make mistakes it's not because they players weren't taught something or we don't review it. It's because they screwed it up.

And if your talking about offense, you'll notice that most of the guys we got in the portal have really good K/BB ratios but they also have good power. Basically, that means we got guys that make contact more often than not which in theory should mean more balls put into play during situational baseball situations and in theory our team should be more clutch. At the same time we have some guys that we brought in that could conceivably hit 10+ home runs while not striking out a ton- Reese, Noah Sullivan, and Stallman. Getting Ross Highfill back is going to help the offense out a lot too.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

We were third in the SEC in fielding percentage last year. We may have been sloppy at the beginning of the season last year but that improved and may have been a little bit about Mershon not being in the lineup to kind of settle things down. Sure we made mistakes at times like any other baseball team but looking at stats it doesn't appear to me that we were disproportionately bad in any specific category relative to the rest of the SEC.

And we could have some more issues this year because we could have four guys playing new positions this year- Reeves from SS to 2B, Reese from OF to 3B, Chance from LF to CF, and Stallman from 1B to LF or RF. But I think that things will improve as SEC play starts. The biggest concern from what I have heard is OF range- in other words getting to fly balls. Chance is a Rusty Thoms type of player in CF. Of course if O'Brien can hit there is a very good chance he starts in the OF.

I'm just saying that when we make mistakes it's not because they players weren't taught something or we don't review it. It's because they screwed it up.

And if your talking about offense, you'll notice that most of the guys we got in the portal have really good K/BB ratios but they also have good power. Basically, that means we got guys that make contact more often than not which in theory should mean more balls put into play during situational baseball situations and in theory our team should be more clutch. At the same time we have some guys that we brought in that could conceivably hit 10+ home runs while not striking out a ton- Reese, Noah Sullivan, and Stallman. Getting Ross Highfill back is going to help the offense out a lot too.

Our issue with fundamentals last year centered around baserunning rather than fielding. And there were issues these guys were taught in eighth grade. Lemonis can’t run the bases for them. And you can’t necessarily bench a player for dumb mistakes when you don’t have a quality replacement. We have a much deeper roster this year. I’m excited for the season.

[Homedawg]

Our issue with fundamentals last year centered around baserunning rather than fielding. And there were issues these guys were taught in eighth grade. Lemonis can’t run the bases for them. And you can’t necessarily bench a player for dumb mistakes when you don’t have a quality replacement. We have a much deeper roster this year. I’m excited for the season.

Baseball IQ is low. Everywhere.

[Coach34]

Baseball IQ is low. Everywhere.

It's down in all sports- not just baseball. I had something happen this past season I havent had happen before in all my years of coaching. I had my RT try to block down on a 1 tech because he was supposed to "block down". It never once occurred to him that the bigass LB sitting in B gap 3 yards in front of him was "down". So the RT tries to go for the 1 Tech- trips the RG in the process which allows the 1 Tech to blow up our running play for a 4 yard loss. I couldnt even yell. All I could do is "wow"

[Johnson85]

It certainly wouldn't be our best defensive lineup, but you could put together a power filled lineup with this group:

1B - Hunter Hines
2B - Sawyer Reeves
3B - Ace Reese
SS - Dylan Cupp
C - Jackson Owen
LF - Reed Stallman/Bryce Chance
CF - Ross Highfill
RF - Nolan Stevens/Reed Stallman
DH - Nolan Sullivan

Highill can play catcher and center field? Did I miss that?

[MStateDawg]

Highill can play catcher and center field? Did I miss that?

He's been playing a lot of outfield (cf mostly) in Fall & Spring scrimmages. Lemonis has talked extensively about how he's the most athletic guy on the team and we can definitely expect to see him play some outfield on the days he doesn't catch.

[KOdawg1]

I think Ace playing a corner OF spot and playing Frei or Reeves at 3B makes our lineup better offensively and defensively on the IF. Because if you move Ace to the OF, you probably move Chance to CF which knocks O'Brien out of the lineup.

I think Frei or Reeves can hit better than O'Brien so you're not losing offense. Only downside is OF defense but using MOB as a late inning defensive replacement is an option. If Ace can't handle 3B, I would go:

Highfill - C
Ace - LF
Hines - 1B
Sullivan/Stallman - DH
Stevens/Stallman - RF
Chance - CF
Frei/Reeves - 3B
Cupp - SS
Sanders/Reeves - 2B

[Coach34]

He's been playing a lot of outfield (cf mostly) in Fall & Spring scrimmages. Lemonis has talked extensively about how he's the most athletic guy on the team and we can definitely expect to see him play some outfield on the days he doesn't catch.

Also- this is because of the fact we have 2 other catchers needing playing time as well. Highfill being a great athlete and versatile allows us to play more players to keep bats sharp during the season. Also allows us to avoid and overcome injuries better

[MStateDawg]

Also- this is because of the fact we have 2 other catchers needing playing time as well.

Honestly, we have too many catchers. I suspect they'll ask Spalitta to redshirt as there's just not going to be much opportunity for him to play. 3 catchers is enough and Ben Davis could be your emergency 4th catcher.

[Homedawg]

I think Ace playing a corner OF spot and playing Frei or Reeves at 3B makes our lineup better offensively and defensively on the IF. Because if you move Ace to the OF, you probably move Chance to CF which knocks O'Brien out of the lineup.

I think Frei or Reeves can hit better than O'Brien so you're not losing offense. Only downside is OF defense but using MOB as a late inning defensive replacement is an option. If Ace can't handle 3B, I would go:

Highfill - C
Ace - LF
Hines - 1B
Sullivan/Stallman - DH
Stevens/Stallman - RF
Chance - CF
Frei/Reeves - 3B
Cupp - SS
Sanders/Reeves - 2B

Agreed.

[Homedawg]

Honestly, we have too many catchers. I suspect they'll ask Spalitta to redshirt as there's just not going to be much opportunity for him to play. 3 catchers is enough and Ben Davis could be your emergency 4th catcher.

Ben Davis isn't going to be on the 40 man. At least I highly doubt he will. Somebody, 4 somebody's have to go to get to 40

[MStateDawg]

Ben Davis isn't going to be on the 40 man.

That's certainly possible, but with Davis missing the entire Fall it's hard to say for sure. He's pitched twice this spring. One good outing and one bad. I imagine he needs another good outing to have a shot.

[Todd4State]

I think Ace playing a corner OF spot and playing Frei or Reeves at 3B makes our lineup better offensively and defensively on the IF. Because if you move Ace to the OF, you probably move Chance to CF which knocks O'Brien out of the lineup.

I think Frei or Reeves can hit better than O'Brien so you're not losing offense. Only downside is OF defense but using MOB as a late inning defensive replacement is an option. If Ace can't handle 3B, I would go:

Highfill - C
Ace - LF
Hines - 1B
Sullivan/Stallman - DH
Stevens/Stallman - RF
Chance - CF
Frei/Reeves - 3B
Cupp - SS
Sanders/Reeves - 2B

I like it and I could see it possibly playing out like that.

[Todd4State]

Baseball IQ is low. Everywhere.

Yes it is! LOL. Not to mention I think our guys can sometimes do things they shouldn't on the bases in high school and travel ball and get away with it.

[Todd4State]

Ben Davis isn't going to be on the 40 man. At least I highly doubt he will. Somebody, 4 somebody's have to go to get to 40

Not sure if it's allowed but I could see them using him as a bullpen catcher.

[Coach34]

Frei struggled in the Fall- which allowed the Reese move to happen in the first place. I hope he's having a better Spring because that does nothing but help us

[Homedawg]

Frei struggled in the Fall- which allowed the Reese move to happen in the first place. I hope he's having a better Spring because that does nothing but help us

We promised ace a shot at third. That's where he wants to play. We shall see how it works out. Obvious if he can defend it's the best lineup w him at third. Not even close.

[Ranchdawg]

One of my best friends in high school played at State under Polk. When Polk was still somewhat young. Friend told me that him and other players use to make fun of Polk because at practice Polk would make all the players run drills till to the point of being maddening. Some coaches friend said would hit 20 grounders to the short stop. Not Polk he would hit 60 for example.

Now friend is a high school coach and somewhat successful coach he does same. Now that he has matured he now sees the importance of doing the little things till it become routine and cuts way down on mistakes when actual play comes.