2014 starting pitching

[Will James]

We have to find a SS before next year. We'll have to scratch and claw to score like we did in 2012, but the pitching is going to be championship level. The big question to me is who can play SS and play it well. I have no idea if Humphries can do it as a Freshman. I've heard we were grooming Britton to move there. I've heard we were going to slide Pirtle over there. But that is a huge question going into next year

Isn't Humphreys a natural 3B, or am I off on that?

Detz 2B
Pirtle SS
Hump 3B

We will need every bat we can muster in the lineup next year.

[Eric Nies Grind Time]

If what they are saying about Daniel Garner is true, he will be a nice offensive boost over Ammirati. But yeah...offense will be rough next year.

[Goat Holder]

I disagree with you guys on the offense. The top of our lineup is set: Bradford, Detz, Rea, Pirtle. Then you also have Henderson coming back, Robson will likely start, and I see Armstrong getting alot of at-bats. All those guys a year older will help offset losing Renfroe and Frazier. I think you all forget how many games those 4 I mentioned won for us when Renfroe/Frazier were in slumps. And a year of maturity means ALOT in college baseball, ask Vanderbilt.

At SS, Britton will be the opening guy there. I don't count on any freshmen or JUCO guys to automatically come in and take a spot. They have to earn it, and if they do, that's just gravy. But Britton was VERY good in the field in 2012, struggled at the plate obviously because he was a freshman, and don't forget he was a highly regarded recruit coming out of Cullman, AL. He'll do just fine. If Humphreys can play 3B, so be it, Detz can DH. But until proven otherwise Detz is the 3B-man.

At C, we have Collins, Garner and Randolph. Someone will emerge there. Plus Collins can play 3B if necessary. We have so many options.

As we've already discussed, pitching isn't even worth discussing. Just sick.

[SaltyDawg]

Isn't Humphreys a natural 3B, or am I off on that?

Detz 2B
Pirtle SS
Hump 3B

We will need every bat we can muster in the lineup next year.

I like that a lot.

[SaltyDawg]

What about Hann?

Also, I know Hendo was recruited as a SS/2nd guy- even if they intended on moving him- can he step in at 2nd, or has that ship sailed?

[Goat Holder]

Detz isn't playing 2B. Why do you keep trumpeting that? He can't even play 3B all that well, just adequate. If you haven't seen, over the past few seasons, how ABSOLUTELY imperative it is that you be strong in the middle infield, then I can't do anything for you.

[War Machine Dawg]

What about Hann?

Also, I know Hendo was recruited as a SS/2nd guy- even if they intended on moving him- can he step in at 2nd, or has that ship sailed?

That ship has sailed, Salty. Hell, I'd cut Henderson in the offseason. You see how much he sucks in LF. Can you imagine him at 2B?

[Goat Holder]

I'd cut Henderson in the offseason

You'd cut a returning starter who's gotten numerous clutch hits for us over the past two years? Glad you're not the coach.

[SaltyDawg]

I like Hendo, I just wish he'd improve his baserunning skills with the speed he has.

[WeWillScrewItUp]

I think it will either be 2nd Hann, 3rd Humphries, SS Pirtle.
The other scenario I am seeing will be Pirtle staying at 2nd, Humphries at 3rd, Britton at SS. I see Detz being the DH next year.

[messageboardsuperhero]

I agree with Goat. The offense will be lacking in power, but we should still be a solid offensive team. Detz, Bradford, Rea, Pirtle, etc. We'll have a bunch of guys who can hit for a good average next year, and I'm sure we'll see more hit and runs and stuff to play to our strengths.

Also, two guys I'm expecting to step up big offensively next year are Rea and Robson. Rea's going to be really good next year; if the continues to improve his power numbers, he can give us 15+ HRs all by himself. Plus, this will be his first off-season ever to be fully healthy, so he'll actually get some summer reps to fix his swing a little bit. As for Robson, I've got a funny feeling about him. He just looks like a ballplayer when he steps in the box, and his speed is absolutely killer. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he bats leadoff next year and is our breakout player. Also, he was only 17 this year, so it'll help him being a little older.

We won't have all the power next year without Renfroe, but we sure as hell won't be 2012 bad as far as offense goes. If you look up and down the lineup, pretty much everyone should be able to hit for average. Everybody should be able to handle the bat well and execute offensively. We'll find ways to score runs... Maybe not as many as this year, but we'll score enough.

[Coach34]

I dont want to see Detz on the field much at all- he is not an SEC defender- we'll just have to have a midget for a DH

[Goat Holder]

Also, two guys I'm expecting to step up big offensively next year are Rea and Robson. Rea's going to be really good next year; if the continues to improve his power numbers, he can give us 15+ HRs all by himself. Plus, this will be his first off-season ever to be fully healthy, so he'll actually get some summer reps to fix his swing a little bit. As for Robson, I've got a funny feeling about him. He just looks like a ballplayer when he steps in the box, and his speed is absolutely killer. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he bats leadoff next year and is our breakout player. Also, he was only 17 this year, so it'll help him being a little older.

No doubt, on both of these guys. Robson will have a Frazier type breakout year. He's literally penciled in as the starter in either LF or RF next year, and will be the CF in 2015. Rea continues to improve each year, no doubt he's our offensive MVP.

We won't have all the power next year without Renfroe, but we sure as hell won't be 2012 bad as far as offense goes. If you look up and down the lineup, pretty much everyone should be able to hit for average. Everybody should be able to handle the bat well and execute offensively. We'll find ways to score runs... Maybe not as many as this year, but we'll score enough.

Absolutely. We are definitely on the same wavelength.

[Homedawg]

Detz isn't playing 2B. Why do you keep trumpeting that? He can't even play 3B all that well, just adequate. If you haven't seen, over the past few seasons, how ABSOLUTELY imperative it is that you be strong in the middle infield, then I can't do anything for you.

This. I've been saying this for months and it doesnt seem to get thru.

[CadaverDawg]

That is what I saw too. MSU fan tweeted him saying he did not want to face UVA in 2014. He responded that they were a strong candidate for preseason #1

My bad, I completely misread that. You're right, he was talking about Virginia

[Coach34]

I agree that Robson could be the guy to make a big jump next year. If he could leadoff- would be big for us

[Eric Nies Grind Time]

That ship has sailed, Salty. Hell, I'd cut Henderson in the offseason. You see how much he sucks in LF. Can you imagine him at 2B?

What? You can't cut Henderson...that's ridiculous.

[CadaverDawg]

Here's what I'm thinking for next year....

Detz DH
Bradford CF
Pirtle 2B
Rea 1B
Humphries 3B
Henderson LF
Garner C
Britton SS
Armstrong/Robson/Vickerson RF

Fri. Woodruff
Sat. Lindgren
Sun. Fitts

And I expect Britton to work his way up into the top 5 of the batting order by mid season depending on how CT plays. Obviously, the bottom of the order is a toss up bc we dont know how the newbies will respond, but I like that top4.

[Coach34]

I hope we see:

1. Robson RF
2. Detz DH
3. Pirtle 2B
4. Rea 1B
5. Garner C
6. Bradford CF
7. Hendo/Armstrong LF
8. Humphries 3B
9. Britton (if he can handle SS)

[messageboardsuperhero]

Here's what I'm thinking for next year....

Detz DH
Bradford CF
Pirtle 2B
Rea 1B
Humphries 3B
Henderson LF
Garner C
Britton SS
Armstrong/Robson/Vickerson RF

Fri. Woodruff
Sat. Lindgren
Sun. Fitts

And I expect Britton to work his way up into the top 5 of the batting order by mid season depending on how CT plays. Obviously, the bottom of the order is a toss up bc we dont know how the newbies will respond, but I like that top4.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we got a little more from Bradford next year too. He'll be a senior and he knows what he has to do to get drafted.

Man, if we can get Woodruff healthy and Lindgren can get some confidence going, that rotation would be absurd. Fitts would probably be one of the best Sunday guys in the league too... That's the best part about our teams. We can talk about how certain guys will improve and it's not like we're stretching or reaching at all. We have actual player development and a recent history of guys consistently getting better and better as their careers go on.