2018 Conference Previews: SEC

[OldTimer]

suck it Kendall @ D1 Baseball..............

Projected Order of Finish
EAST
Florida
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
South Carolina
Georgia
Missouri
Tennessee

WEST
Arkansas
Ole Miss
Texas A&M
Mississippi State
LSU
Auburn
Alabama

Projected Regional Teams (10): Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt.

Player of the Year: Tristan Pompey, OF, Kentucky
Pitcher of the Year: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
Freshman of the Year: Daniel Cabrera, OF, LSU


TOP PROSPECTS, 2018 DRAFT
21 Zach Linginfelter

TOP PROSPECTS, 2019 DRAFT
38 Justin Ammons
39 Luc Lipcius

IMPACT FRESHMEN
None

Rest of the Pack
Tennessee - • Tennessee is the poster program for how hard it can be to turn the corner in the SEC. The Vols made what appeared to be an absolute blockbuster hire in Dave Serrano a few years ago. Yet, Serrano never turned the corner and got the program to the postseason. You’re talking about a guy who took two teams to the College World Series being a total failure, at least on the field, at UT. That’s an extremely difficult stigma to overcome, but new coach Tony Vitello hopes to spring some youthful energy into the program. Vitello has something to work with on the mound with the return of RHP’s Garrett Stallings, Zach Linginfelter and Willy Neely. Stallings sits in the mid-to-upper 80s with his fastball, while also having a quality low-80s slider and changeup combo. Command is the key for him. Linginfelter is a premier prospect for a good reason. He sat 92-93 and up to 94-95 with his fastball in the fall, but showed an eagerness to develop his secondary stuff, sitting mid-80s and up to 88 with a hard change and mid-80s with a power slider with occasional tight break. There’s also Neely, an athletic-looking arm with a fastball in the low-90s and a quality breaking ball.
Offensively, the Vols kind of remind me of South Carolina in the sense that they have big potential, but some unproven parts or guys who just need to go out there and meet expectations for once. Pete Derkay was solid last season and showed more power production in the fall, while speedy Justin Ammons showed more barrel control in the fall and appears ready to take a sizable step forward. There’s also Luc and Andre Lipcius, while Brodie Leftridge is an elite athlete who simply needs to find his way from an offensive standpoint. Newcomer-wise, freshman third baseman Wyatt Sapp showed a mature offensive approach in the fall, and the Vols are hoping that trend continues this spring.

 

[NorCalVol67]

Well, let's hope they exceed preseason prognostications like the BasketVols.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

I thought we brought back a lot of starters?

We will exceed lowly expectations by several spots.

 

[6-4-3]

No doubt we will prove some people wrong. Post this on the wall and use it for motivation....

 

[TheBigOne10]

In honor of baseball season, I had to finally get this lid.

 

[VN4life]

suck it Kendall @ D1 Baseball..............

Projected Order of Finish
EAST
Florida
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
South Carolina
Georgia
Missouri
Tennessee

WEST
Arkansas
Ole Miss
Texas A&M
Mississippi State
LSU
Auburn
Alabama

Projected Regional Teams (10): Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt.

Player of the Year: Tristan Pompey, OF, Kentucky
Pitcher of the Year: Brady Singer, RHP, Florida
Freshman of the Year: Daniel Cabrera, OF, LSU


TOP PROSPECTS, 2018 DRAFT
21 Zach Linginfelter

TOP PROSPECTS, 2019 DRAFT
38 Justin Ammons
39 Luc Lipcius

IMPACT FRESHMEN
None

Rest of the Pack
Tennessee - • Tennessee is the poster program for how hard it can be to turn the corner in the SEC. The Vols made what appeared to be an absolute blockbuster hire in Dave Serrano a few years ago. Yet, Serrano never turned the corner and got the program to the postseason. You’re talking about a guy who took two teams to the College World Series being a total failure, at least on the field, at UT. That’s an extremely difficult stigma to overcome, but new coach Tony Vitello hopes to spring some youthful energy into the program. Vitello has something to work with on the mound with the return of RHP’s Garrett Stallings, Zach Linginfelter and Willy Neely. Stallings sits in the mid-to-upper 80s with his fastball, while also having a quality low-80s slider and changeup combo. Command is the key for him. Linginfelter is a premier prospect for a good reason. He sat 92-93 and up to 94-95 with his fastball in the fall, but showed an eagerness to develop his secondary stuff, sitting mid-80s and up to 88 with a hard change and mid-80s with a power slider with occasional tight break. There’s also Neely, an athletic-looking arm with a fastball in the low-90s and a quality breaking ball.
Offensively, the Vols kind of remind me of South Carolina in the sense that they have big potential, but some unproven parts or guys who just need to go out there and meet expectations for once. Pete Derkay was solid last season and showed more power production in the fall, while speedy Justin Ammons showed more barrel control in the fall and appears ready to take a sizable step forward. There’s also Luc and Andre Lipcius, while Brodie Leftridge is an elite athlete who simply needs to find his way from an offensive standpoint. Newcomer-wise, freshman third baseman Wyatt Sapp showed a mature offensive approach in the fall, and the Vols are hoping that trend continues this spring.[/QUOTE

Ok let's call it what it is! Kendall Rodgers has a bone to pick with Tennessee because his buddy CDS was fired..........did not resign, but fired! When CDS was at TN Kendall Rodgers always gave the team great reviews and always praised Kyle Serrano and gave him top prospect ratings even though he never proved himself, and hardly pitched at UT. So ranking TN last, doubting Coach Vitello, and not giving credit to players who consistently have produced for the team in the past
clearly demonstrates Mr. Rogers hidden motives, "The buddy system" we know, we see it, and TN baseball will prove him wrong this season. Vols use these rankings as motivation to play harder and show the SEC that you've always had a great group of players, you just lacked a good coach to guide the team in a positive and productive way. GoVols :good!::rock:

 

[vol66]

2018 CBD Season Preview and Predictions: SEC East – College Baseball Daily

Tennessee (2017 Record: 27-25, 7-21)

The Volunteers amazing only lost four games out-of-conference last year, but unfortunately for them they lost 21 conference games and missed the SEC Tournament.

Lineup:

First baseman Andre Lipcius hit .275 with 32 runs scored, 11 doubles, and 26 RBI. Catcher Benito Santiago hit .250 a year ago with 20 runs scored, 6 doubles, 4 triples, 3 home runs and 20 RBI. Pete Derkay can play all over, including catcher, and hit .288 last year.

Pitching:

Zach Linginfeller had a 3.67 ERA last year in 56.1 innings pitched with 61 strikeouts and should lead the weekend rotation. Garrett Stallings posted a 3.47 ERA a year ago in 70 innings pitched with 39 strikeouts. Will Neely had a 3.43 ERA last year in 57.2 innings pitched with 41 strikeouts.

2018 Outlook:

They lose a lot from an offense that wasn’t very good in 2017. There are a lot of solid arms coming back in the pitching staff though.

Predicted Order to Finish:

Florida
Kentucky
Vanderbilt
Missouri
South Carolina
Georgia
Tennessee

GBO!!!

 

[Volsbaseballfan]

GO VOLS!!! let's get this TRAIN back on the TRACK!!!

 

[BaseVol Fan]

I agree with Volsbaseballfan,,,we will get back on track! Looks like the baseball boys have some poster board material to hang! GO VOLS!!!!!!

 

[Backwards K]

Well, the prediction seems about right when you consider:
--Vols return exactly 11 total wins from the current pitching staff
--Neely, Stallings, & Linginfelter all had 3 wins a piece to lead the team
--Only 3 returning pitchers threw over 20 innings
--There are no returning hitters who batted over .300
--Only 2 returning hitters batted over .270 (Derkay .285 & ALipcius .275)
--Returning hitters hit 9 HRs (total) last year. Santiago 3, Ammons 2 led the team

On paper, one of the least talented teams in recent memory. Hopefully, some of the newcomers will hit the ground running and some of the returnees will step it up big time. Looks like a real struggle just to get to Hoover.......again.

 

[Gilbert]

I hope some of the sophomores who played a lot last year make significant progress. I think they can with a year of college ball under their belt and a new coaching staff.

And maybe some of the upperclassmen who haven’t done much in their careers can take a step forward.

 

[BaseVol Fan]

The sophomores should be improved at least a little,, and as far as the upperclassmen, Benito should be good, situational pitching hopefully will be better...
freshmen are just that,, freshmen,, even good freshmen still make their share of mistakes, thats part of it.. to minimize those errors or mistakes is what CTV is up against,,,,IMO
Go Vols!!!!!!

 

[vol66]

The sophomores should be improved at least a little,, and as far as the upperclassmen, Benito should be good, situational pitching hopefully will be better...
freshmen are just that,, freshmen,, even good freshmen still make their share of mistakes, thats part of it.. to minimize those errors or mistakes is what CTV is up against,,,,IMO
Go Vols!!!!!!

Welcome aboard!!!

 

[BaseVol Fan]

Thanks Man !!!! Go Vols!!!

 

[txbo]

On the bright side, it will be hard to under perform expectations.

 

[BaseVol Fan]

I think that one of CTV's biggest hurdle's will be to keep the freshmen mentally focussed, early. Its all going to get thrown at them real quick,,,like friday the 16th....with not a lot of upperclassmen on this team, there will be growing pains for sure.. Maybe Benito can be that leader...I don't know?? Need a good atmosphere in the clubhouse/dugout...excitement....and have a little fun.. which is sometimes hard for coaches to let kids do. But we will see how it all starts out friday...Go Vols!!!!

 

[6-4-3]

I believe this team has a tougher mentality and higher energy level than some of the most recent teams, based on what I saw in fall scrimmages and the O/W series. They just look “different”. I also understand they have worked harder this fall and spring than they did over the past couple of years combined. I think they believe they can compete, which is a big part of the battle.

I tend to look at the glass half full. I agree that it helps to have at least a few upperclassmen as leaders. However, there are worse things than being a young team without a lot of baggage from seasons past. Young teams tend to not believe or pay attention to naysayers and sometimes don’t realize that they are “not supposed to be good”.

If this team takes on the tough mentality of the coaching staff and continues to come to the park to work hard everyday, I think they can have success...regardless of what they look like on paper.

Maybe I’m just an optimist....but Go Vols!!

 

[BaseVol Fan]

I wasn't around last year, I think you have very good comments. And I agree. They have been working extremely hard, and I think CTV will have these kids with the right mindset going into Maryland. And I do believe if some of the upperclassmen from last year aren't buying in, that would pose a problem for the new coaching staff....not saying there is,,,,I don't know if there is or not...Sometimes change is good,,,,Sometimes change can be great,,,,I think with what I have seen personally from CTV, I like,,,,Small sampling,,,Yes,,,But if he has the boys wanting to play for him and work hard for him and their school,,, that's half the battle,,, looking forward to Friday... Go Vols!!!!!