John Cohen discusses lineup diversity, matchups, Hudson, etc on Out of Bounds

[Homedawg]

One thing I will have to disagree w that gets posted quite often is Lowe is playing too much. Hell, the guy has the fewest k's in our regulars by a pretty good amount percentage wise. He has also been super snake bit, he's hit more hard hit balls right at people for outs in a month than most college guys do in a year. Has he had a bad game or two? Yea, who doesn't. But he's not the k threat Gordon is and a much better defender and quite frankly, doesn't have shit to show for how well he has hit up to this point. Now he might tank from here on out, but as far as I'm concerned he needs to be the EVERYDAY 1b until he goes completely in the shitter. What kills me about this board is Cohen is the meddler, he might be but for every meddler remark we get we have every other person wanting Lowe to sit, some. Holland to play SOME. etc etc. I have no issue w brown playing against rhp or any other lineup change to get the hot guy in there. However, it's impossible to do this and not be a "meddler". And no, I don't agree w all Cohen does. Fake bunting Kruger up 2-0 and then actually trying to bunt him on 2-1 I about jumped out of my chair. But this year of all years, so far, he's done way less than before. We have some struggles ahead, trust me they are coming. But this is a way better club than we've had the past 2 years. No doubt.

[engie]

So if he's hosting this year -- do you admit you lost track of what actually matters seeking something to complain about because you're still mad about a team that isn't here anymore? Because that is how it looks to me.

Yeah -- last year sucked. And the majority of that suckitude can be placed at the staff's feet. People keep harping on hitting -- which was prettymuch SEC average last year. While ignoring pitching -- which was DFL in the league last year. That's where the mismanagement happened.

We are one week into conference play -- and you are the ringleader of the lineup complainers. Let that sink in. I could have prewritten these threads for everyone 3 months ago. Or 3 years ago with incredibly high accuracy. It's predictable and it never ceases. But the fact that you are knee deep in it is surprising to me. Like you thought the approach would suddenly change this year when the whole team has the potential to swing it. Everyone keeps complaining about guys being on the bench -- without giving clear answers on how to get them in the game in a way to make the team better.

People are crazy. Want a consistent lineup -- get it -- and start tweaking said lineup. Just a continual loop.

And on the catcher thing -- it's prettymuch like accusing Dan of QB meddling because he started 3 different guys in 2013. One guy has a role and gets injured. 2nd guy has experience but it is mixed and he's still got a hand issue. 3rd guy is a pedigree true freshman. 4th guy is an elite juco transfer from across the country with an injury preventing him from playing the position. 5th guy is a utility guy that can do a little bit of everything. I still don't see the problem with us having an embarrassment of riches at the position.

[Todd4State]

One thing I will have to disagree w that gets posted quite often is Lowe is playing too much. Hell, the guy has the fewest k's in our regulars by a pretty good amount percentage wise. He has also been super snake bit, he's hit more hard hit balls right at people for outs in a month than most college guys do in a year. Has he had a bad game or two? Yea, who doesn't. But he's not the k threat Gordon is and a much better defender and quite frankly, doesn't have shit to show for how well he has hit up to this point. Now he might tank from here on out, but as far as I'm concerned he needs to be the EVERYDAY 1b until he goes completely in the shitter. What kills me about this board is Cohen is the meddler, he might be but for every meddler remark we get we have every other person wanting Lowe to sit, some. Holland to play SOME. etc etc. I have no issue w brown playing against rhp or any other lineup change to get the hot guy in there. However, it's impossible to do this and not be a "meddler". And no, I don't agree w all Cohen does. Fake bunting Kruger up 2-0 and then actually trying to bunt him on 2-1 I about jumped out of my chair. But this year of all years, so far, he's done way less than before. We have some struggles ahead, trust me they are coming. But this is a way better club than we've had the past 2 years. No doubt.

I agree with every word that you said. Especially about Lowe. Odds are he is going to start finding some holes out there sooner than later.

And the thing that is getting ignored is again according to Bo Bounds Cohen is apparently not as bad as most college coaches when it comes to settling on a lineup.



I think what it comes down to at the end of the day is it's considered "meddling" if it's a lineup decision the poster doesn't agree with- and therefore doesn't make sense to the poster. Whereas if it's a lineup decision that the poster thinks is a good idea it's just that- a good idea. Even though that in and of itself is a lineup change.

[Todd4State]

So if he's hosting this year -- do you admit you lost track of what actually matters seeking something to complain about because you're still mad about a team that isn't here anymore? Because that is how it looks to me.

Yeah -- last year sucked. And the majority of that suckitude can be placed at the staff's feet. People keep harping on hitting -- which was prettymuch SEC average last year. While ignoring pitching -- which was DFL in the league last year. That's where the mismanagement happened.

We are one week into conference play -- and you are the ringleader of the lineup complainers. Let that sink in. I could have prewritten these threads for everyone 3 months ago. Or 3 years ago with incredibly high accuracy. It's predictable and it never ceases. But the fact that you are knee deep in it is surprising to me. Like you thought the approach would suddenly change this year when the whole team has the potential to swing it. Everyone keeps complaining about guys being on the bench -- without giving clear answers on how to get them in the game in a way to make the team better.

People are crazy. Want a consistent lineup -- get it -- and start tweaking said lineup. Just a continual loop.

And on the catcher thing -- it's prettymuch like accusing Dan of QB meddling because he started 3 different guys in 2013. One guy has a role and gets injured. 2nd guy has experience but it is mixed and he's still got a hand issue. 3rd guy is a pedigree true freshman. 4th guy is an elite juco transfer from across the country with an injury preventing him from playing the position. 5th guy is a utility guy that can do a little bit of everything. I still don't see the problem with us having an embarrassment of riches at the position.

You hit the nail on the head about the pitching last year and the offense last year. I am 95% confident that if we had used Laster where we could use him on Friday and Sunday like we used Lindgren and started Hudson, Sexton, and Preston Brown and then used Fitts and Tatum in relief on Saturday- we probably are a 3 seed in a regional. Butch trotting Ross out there over and over only to get shelled repeatedly was just sad because he deserved better. I mean, we had a guy that is likely a first round pick on our staff last year and we barely used him.

[dawggone]

5 different people starting at Cather.

5 different people have batted in the 2 hole, four in the 3-hole, and three in the 4-hole. That's a lot of churn in the heart of your order. I can see changing the 6-9 or even the 5 hole a little, but having to experiment that much during games isn't what I'd ideally like to see.

I can tell you my 1, 3, and 4 hole probably wouldn't change all year. Robson, Kruger, Collins...on this team Cody would be my 2-hole. 1-4 would be set. Anytime you get Robson or Cody on the bags with Kriger and Collins coming up you're in business. I could see switching Collins and Low in the 4/5 holes, but otherwise that lineup would likely produce more runs than any other 1-4 combo.

I agree with your top 4 and producing runs. Robson and brown are generally .400 OBP guys and having that in front of Kruger ad Collins should produce a lot of rbi for those 2. I'm OK with putting rooker in 2 hole when facing a lefty cause he has destroyed left handed pitching and dropping brown to the 6 or 7 hole then. Not really sure why brown got a stigma for not hitting lefties cause he hit them just fine last year in the leadoff spot most of the year. Mangum will also be a good candidate for the 2 hole as well, he plays like brown and will probably be an on base percentage guy as well. Was curious as to why brown not playing more so I took a look at stats and really can't figure out why he's out of the lineup so much. Compared him to Humphries since they both play left and found out this, 1st 277 career at bats:
Hump .260 avg, 71 hits, 16 2b, 1 3b, 7 HR, 48 rbi, 30 bb, 40 runs
Brown .285 avg, 86 hits, 20 2b, 6 3b, 4 HR, 39 rbi, 53 bb, 66 runs

Don't know if it's because Hump is more draftable or what (maybe Todd can shed more light on this) personally don't care who is draftable or not, I just want bulldogs to win no matter who plays. Maybe Holland gets some more swings this weekend, had a good night at plate Tuesday, albeit against a very weak team.
Hope we get Kruger behind the plate this weekend, he is very good defensively plus good hitter. Oh well that's enough of my rambling, thoughts anyone?

[dawggone]

+1 here as well, Lowe has barreled plenty of balls up and just has been unfortunate. I'm OK with that regardless of average. They will begin to find holes and I gotta believe he will hit with more power, he's a big frame guy, just like to see him pull the ball a little more, I think that would produce more power for him.

[dawggone]

You hit the nail on the head about the pitching last year and the offense last year. I am 95% confident that if we had used Laster where we could use him on Friday and Sunday like we used Lindgren and started Hudson, Sexton, and Preston Brown and then used Fitts and Tatum in relief on Saturday- we probably are a 3 seed in a regional. Butch trotting Ross out there over and over only to get shelled repeatedly was just sad because he deserved better. I mean, we had a guy that is likely a first round pick on our staff last year and we barely used him.

Ditto, Our bullpen was our biggest issue last year, mainly not throwing strikes, getting behind in counts and not competing. Our overall hitting is better than last year mostly due to talent but some is letting players use bats they like not those forced addidas bats, those things were crap.

[Mjoelner34]

Ditto, Our bullpen was our biggest issue last year, mainly not throwing strikes, getting behind in counts and not competing.

And a junk-ball pitcher who, after the low seam ball came out, could only throw straight fastballs that topped out about 78mph.