Jack Bauer

[basedog]

You are ok with debating line-up vs line-up from 89 vs 26. I just think this 26 line-up is better. We have top notch guys plus we have match-up guys. I think the match-up depth gives 26 the edge

That 89 team was the most disappointing team ever for me. Loaded up and down the lineup with depth and good a good pitching staff.
I was shocked when we lost that region.

[Todd4State]

Here's the thing tho:

You're not going to sit #34. Frei hit over .400 vs RHP's in 2025. He 100% will be in the line-up vs RHP's. I am hopeful he can play 2nd but I have my doubts. 34 is not going to play 1st or 3rd. So that leaves LF or RF. Now platooning him in LF with Beans would make complete sense. I just dont see any way you sit your best player on the team vs a RHP making a start on the hill. So we will see how the 2B gig goes.

That's not even including Valincius who is 6'4/230 and can swing the bat from the left side into the equation. Stallman with a year under his belt. Nunnalee is a year older.

Lots to be decided.

I don't think they would be looking at Frei at 2B like they are if they didn't think that was a real possibility. O'Connor's attention to detail and decision making on where the pieces of the puzzle fit are far superior to Lemonis's. What I mean is he is going to figure out where guys go most likely and then they're going to be putting in a lot more work at whatever position in the offseason to be ready for the regular season.

[Todd4State]

Don't think it's a better lineup than 89. However total package is way better. 85 was so top heavy it isn't funnny. Weak 6-9 in lineup and after Brantley and Morgan, the drop off was huge. But had Thorne on back end.

I was thinking today- if Clark, Palmeiro, Thigpen, and Brantley had been born four years later that 1989 team would have been even more ridiculous. Probably would have had to DH Raffo.

[Todd4State]

Chance has proven himself over the last few years.

Yeah. He's one of those guys that finds his way into the lineup. He's not going to play in MLB. Might not even be a Mississippi Mud Monster. Seems like a dude that is going to just settle down after playing at MSU his senior year probably.

Honestly, I bet he has a really good year. He's going to be a guy that probably drops in the lineup because of what we have added. A guy batting 6th-7th that is hard to strike out and has a little bit of pop that has been in a ton of SEC battles is what you want in that spot. And I was impressed at how much he improved defensively last year.

[basedog]

Yeah. He's one of those guys that finds his way into the lineup. He's not going to play in MLB. Might not even be a Mississippi Mud Monster. Seems like a dude that is going to just settle down after playing at MSU his senior year probably.

Honestly, I bet he has a really good year. He's going to be a guy that probably drops in the lineup because of what we have added. A guy batting 6th-7th that is hard to strike out and has a little bit of pop that has been in a ton of SEC battles is what you want in that spot. And I was impressed at how much he improved defensively last year.

Plus everything I read about him he is a really good guy! How could we not pull for him?

[Todd4State]

Bauer pitched again today. It is fall ball I will go ahead and say that so take this with a grain of salt. But his first inning he was dominant. Again. He pitched another inning and gave up a couple of hits but no runs. Third out was a guy that was thrown out at the plate.

So all of that said- at this point it looks like he is a guy that is a 1 inning guy which to me means he is a candidate to be a closer. As I said it is a scrimmage but we'll see how he progresses. But I'm starting to think that he has a real chance to be our closer this year. Or at least one of them.

[99jc]

Bauer pitched again today. It is fall ball I will go ahead and say that so take this with a grain of salt. But his first inning he was dominant. Again. He pitched another inning and gave up a couple of hits but no runs. Third out was a guy that was thrown out at the plate.

So all of that said- at this point it looks like he is a guy that is a 1 inning guy which to me means he is a candidate to be a closer. As I said it is a scrimmage but we'll see how he progresses. But I'm starting to think that he has a real chance to be our closer this year. Or at least one of them.

also think about the lineup he is pitching too this team can hit!

[The Federalist Engineer]

Besides Bauer-

Tanner Beliveau was sitting 95-98 with his fastball. Not expecting him to be a big part necessarily next season. But could definitely see him potentially as a major factor in 2027.

So, he is pitcher first? Not necessarily a catcher?

[Todd4State]

So, he is pitcher first? Not necessarily a catcher?

The way things are going for him I feel very confident that he is emerging as a relief pitcher. I think he will probably be our closer in three years and he may be someone that has a chance to hit 100 MPH on the radar gun by that time.

[AlSwearengen]

The snippet that i saw a week or so ago was that Beliveau had not gotten a hit as a hitter; but he had also not given up a hit as a pitcher and that he was looking pretty good.

[Coach34]

I don't think they would be looking at Frei at 2B like they are if they didn't think that was a real possibility. O'Connor's attention to detail and decision making on where the pieces of the puzzle fit are far superior to Lemonis's. What I mean is he is going to figure out where guys go most likely and then they're going to be putting in a lot more work at whatever position in the offseason to be ready for the regular season.

We looked at him in the infield last Fall and it didnt work out. It may this year after another season but again I'm skeptical. It's not surprising that BOC would look at it and see- doesnt mean it's going to work out.

But when we play RHP's- he will be on the line-up card

[HoopsDawg]

We looked at him in the infield last Fall and it didnt work out. It may this year after another season but again I'm skeptical. It's not surprising that BOC would look at it and see- doesnt mean it's going to work out.

But when we play RHP's- he will be on the line-up card

Feels like our MIF will be Woodson and Wyers.

[Coach34]

Feels like our MIF will be Woodson and Wyers.

It's just a good problem to have. Lots of talent.

But 34 will be in the line-up vs RHP's. That's 100%

[HoopsDawg]

It's just a good problem to have. Lots of talent.

But 34 will be in the line-up vs RHP's. That's 100%

For sure. As a DH or LF.

[Homedawg]

For sure. As a DH or LF.

He might be. But they haven't played him in the of any. Just third and second. Now things can change in the spring.

[Todd4State]

We looked at him in the infield last Fall and it didnt work out. It may this year after another season but again I'm skeptical. It's not surprising that BOC would look at it and see- doesnt mean it's going to work out.

But when we play RHP's- he will be on the line-up card

As far as defense goes for most any position in the field except for maybe catcher I feel like it's mostly about reps at that position more than anything. And if a player puts in the work they can become adequate at any position in one offseason.

One big criticism I had of Lemonis and his last staff was the lack of attention to detail in general and that translated over to defense. Also, at times he had a hard time identifying where to play players and Frei is a good example of that. It's hard to just put a player somewhere in the middle of the season and ask them to be adequate. I think those went hand in hand last year.

Now, O'Connor I think is the opposite. And because of that I think our overall team defense is going to noticeably improve. So, just because Frei didn't work out at second base last does not mean he will necessarily not work out there this year.

[Todd4State]

Feels like our MIF will be Woodson and Wyers.

That could very well be our MIF but I think that comes down to how quickly Woodson adjusts to the SEC pitching more than anything. And Woodson is certainly capable.

Noah Sullivan has been working out a lot at first base too- and if he can win that spot then we could put Frei at DH potentially.