Baseball thoughts

[CadaverDawg]

Going forward, we have some potential sluggers coming up. Reid Humphreys, Daniel Garner, Brent Rooker, Dylan Ingram, Joey Swinarski, even Gavin Collins to an extent

Agree, but there ain't no "to an extent" with Collins...he's a slugger with gap and home run power, and once he gets better at blocking he will be a definite draft choice after his Junior year. His bat and cannon arm are already draftable.

[bulldogcountry1]

If Rea is serious about baseball, he needs to go play in the best summer wood bat league Cohen can get him in, get physically stronger, and if he doesn't figure out how to hit by the fall, then he needs to move on. He's looked like a freshman all season long. I don't know the reason for the regression. This has really been the first year he's been healthy (as far as I know), but he didn't show up. Even last year, he struggled with contact, but he always came through when it mattered.

I want to feel like he's the type of guy who couldn't go out like this.

[MarketingBully01]

On Rea I guess I don't understand the logic in encouraging a guy who can help you on the college level but doesn't look to have much of a pro future to move on. Why would he not want to finish out his college eligibility at MSU? Rea was disappointing this year no doubt but he is a team captain and still had his moments. And I don't know that I'm ready to say we will be better next year if you take Lindgren and Holder off our pitching staff and we have to replace Pirtle in the lineup. Even Bradford and Detz both hit pretty well in the homestretch and they will be gone as well. We really don't have a proven hitter returning next year at all. I actually thought next year would be more of the rebuilding year and this year we were suppose to be loaded. It was definitely disappointing to struggle so much THIS year. Next year I could understand more.

I agree Maroon. This is a kid who was a big reason we made the run to the title game last year. So he struggled this year. So did Detz. Britton averaged in the lower 200s as well after hitting in the high .170s for most of the year. The fixes that Rea has to make aren't really big. He just needs to move off the plate and be more aggressive and not watch fast balls to by. If he does those two things, he will hit double digit HRs and hit over .300. With his ability at first defensively, he could be All-SEC and you guys want him to move on? I just laugh at this...

[Todd4State]

If Rea is serious about baseball, he needs to go play in the best summer wood bat league Cohen can get him in, get physically stronger, and if he doesn't figure out how to hit by the fall, then he needs to move on. He's looked like a freshman all season long. I don't know the reason for the regression. This has really been the first year he's been healthy (as far as I know), but he didn't show up. Even last year, he struggled with contact, but he always came through when it mattered.

I want to feel like he's the type of guy who couldn't go out like this.

I'd send him to California to work with Chal Fanning.

As far as his regression- I think a lot of it has to do with Hunter Renfroe leaving. With Renfroe leaving, it pretty much made Rea the only source of power- and that's a lot more difficult because he has no one to protect him in the lineup and he has to carry the load.

Now, I certainly have defended Rea a lot this year but HE has to make the adjustments.

[Todd4State]

I agree Maroon. This is a kid who was a big reason we made the run to the title game last year. So he struggled this year. So did Detz. Britton averaged in the lower 200s as well after hitting in the high .170s for most of the year. The fixes that Rea has to make aren't really big. He just needs to move off the plate and be more aggressive and not watch fast balls to by. If he does those two things, he will hit double digit HRs and hit over .300. With his ability at first defensively, he could be All-SEC and you guys want him to move on? I just laugh at this...

Agree 100%.

[basedog]

As of right now, I would rather take a chance on one of the young guys to take Rea's place for next year. I have no problem with him coming back but I would think Rea would have to earn his spot at 1st. Yes Rea did help us last year during our hot run at the end of the season but that has nothing to do what he did or did not get done this year. Many times he had a chance to make a difference in a game this year but he failed more than he succeeded. I like Rea, but he has had fours years to make adjustments and he just hasn't, I wish him well whatever he does next year. But I don't think he will snap out of the slump the rest of this year, plus I don't think Cohen will start him to many times from here on.

[RAYn_Man]

Rea wasn't recognized at senior day this year. Demarcus was though- and they're basically in the same boat as far as eligibility.

Demarcus actually has no more years of eligibility left. It was once popular belief that he was redshirted his freshman year but he never got it.

[Todd4State]

Demarcus actually has no more years of eligibility left. It was once popular belief that he was redshirted his freshman year but he never got it.

They were possibly going to try for a medical redshirt because he had an eye issue his freshman year.

[maroonmania]

They were possibly going to try for a medical redshirt because he had an eye issue his freshman year.

Really need Demarcus back even moreso than Rea IF he wants to come back and we can get the medical redshirt. Sorry, but an outfield that looks like 2 of the 3 starters could be Vickerson and Robson doesn't exactly inspire me. To me the OF will be, by far, the weakest part of the team next year. We need 2 or 3 guys to step up big time OR we will need to move somebody into the OF. Can Collins play in the OF? If we were to hold onto Vallot and still have Randolph and Walker it might make sense if Collins is capable of playing a corner OF spot. Also we may have no choice but to move Humphreys into the OF as well just due to need.

[Todd4State]

Really need Demarcus back even moreso than Rea IF he wants to come back and we can get the medical redshirt. Sorry, but an outfield that looks like 2 of the 3 starters could be Vickerson and Robson doesn't exactly inspire me. To me the OF will be, by far, the weakest part of the team next year. We need 2 or 3 guys to step up big time OR we will need to move somebody into the OF. Can Collins play in the OF? If we were to hold onto Vallot and still have Randolph and Walker it might make sense if Collins is capable of playing a corner OF spot. Also we may have no choice but to move Humphreys into the OF as well just due to need.

Don't forget about Cody Brown as an outfielder.

[maroonmania]

Don't forget about Cody Brown as an outfielder.

The reason I didn't mention him is that he is the only OF coming back next year that I feel pretty good about. The other 2 spots are likely going to come from Vickerson, Robson, Swinarski and Rooker unless we move Humphreys or someone else out there. But an OF of Brown, Vickerson and Robson would be pretty weak at first glance unless Vick and Rob jump dramatically at the plate. Possibly the weakest hitting OF as a unit Cohen has ever had.