Expectations next year?

[Justsumvolfan]

We really need a catcher, I think Russel was good, but I’d like to have someone with a strong arm behind the plate. We got hurt a lot from teams stealing this year..

 

[tn4elvis]

Which, unfortunately, wasn’t quite good enough this year.

Baseball is a crazy sport.

 

[malibuvol]

He actually played very well defensively this year.

He did defensively, however, the throws to first were problematic at times...

 

[BP4Prez]

We really need a catcher, I think Russel was good, but I’d like to have someone with a strong arm behind the plate. We got hurt a lot from teams stealing this year..

I agree Russell obviously doesn’t have the best arm. But most of that is on the pitchers. That’s something that both Burns and Doolander have to improve on. They have to develop some sort of slide step to at least use on occasion. I think we could legitimately have the top two pitchers in college baseball if they can do that.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

We will have to wait out the MLB draft on a few freshman .. I think we have a few studs committed but MLB could change that

Do you recall the commits likely drafted?

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Just as important, that starting staff will be a year older.

Agree. I think Tony is still growing.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Agree. I think Tony is still growing.

I certainly hope so. It took many great coaches multiple trips to hit pay dirt.

 

[GRRN7MAXIMS]

As long as Vitello is in Knoxville, Tennessee will be a national championship contender.

Next year’s team should be very good.

This is an easy way to talk about every year’s expectations moving forward. We want to try and be a top 8 national seed at the end of the regular season. Leave it at that because we all know what the end goal is. When we dog pile in Omaha is TBD, but if you are a top 8 seed perennially that gives you the best route to Omaha. Baseball especially is the hardest sport to roll the ball out and “the more gifted” teams don’t always win. Hosting each year will give us the best shot at hoisting the one trophy that still eludes the program. Saying things like Omaha or bust or National Champions or bust is just setting yourself up year in and year out to be upset. We can absolutely host a super regional again next year with the team we have coming back and coming in. Go Vols and continue to support the start of an amazingly entertaining and great brand of baseball on the Hill.

 

[GRRN7MAXIMS]

I certainly hope so. It took many great coaches multiple trips to hit pay dirt.

Amen! How many times did legendary FSU coach go to Omaha and not win?

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

One thing I would like to see next year, is to beef up the non conference games at the beginning of the season. Iona won six games this year, I don’t think we got better playing them.

 

[cobbwebb0710]

I’ll be first to let you know I don’t really follow baseball in general. But obviously being a Vol fan I try to keep up with what happening.
LAST year I guess the hype started and continued to roll through this entire season.
For the baseball guys , can TN consistently be a top 10 team year in year out? Or was this kinda a phase? Thx!

Compete for an SEC title, everything else will take care of itself if you do that.
GBO!!

 

[jeff1vol]

Compete for an SEC title, everything else will take care of itself if you do that.
GBO!!

EXACTLY!!!! Everything after an SEC title is gravy to me. I know I'm in the minority, but for some reason, I just don't put that much stock into NC's. It's such a crapshoot in tournament sports. VERY rarely does the best team win it all.

 

[GOBO-Baseball02]

Unless Mabry, Sewell, and Connell are just ready to move on I see them back. Don’t really project as big league arms in todays game. At least to my untrained eye.

Mabry will probably get drafted and take it, Sewell is 50/50, and Kirby is returning to Rocky Top.

 

[GOBO-Baseball02]

Correct, believe he gave up baseball for good

He's already signed on and has been throwing for months.

 

[taylorvol]

He did defensively, however, the throws to first were problematic at times...

Every player makes errors. Nothing to see here.

 

[TN_gal]

We had a catcher committed from the portal for this year but he decided to take a pro deal instead.

We have a pretty good shot to land the Skenes kid from Air Force. If we miss on him, it’s probably going to be Dickey or someone else in the portal

Yes, this past offseason, we were in a good spot with the catcher from Kentucky before he took a pro deal at the last minute.

The catcher from West Virginia was the one who only lasted several weeks in the Fall before walking away completely (and joined a frat).

 

[NighthawkVol]

1B. Burke
2B. Ortega - Moore if Ortega goes
SS. Ahuna
3B. Lawson
LF. Dickey
CF. Stevenson
RF. C. Moore ( Think they find a spot for him)
C. ? - need a big time transfer

It will be a very talented team that features likely the first pitcher selected in next years draft (Doolander) and another first rounded the following year in Burns.

Hopefully get Skenes at Catcher. I think Ortega goes, but Steenstra, Backus, and Valentine are all guys who will compete for a starting spot. I’m also interested to see how Kavares Tears develops and if the light can come on for Logan Chambers. If it does, he could be the DH.

 

[MoreSteam]

He's already signed on and has been throwing for months.

Not according to this article, written three months ago

Baseball, Brotherhood and a Bond Never Broken: Meet Ben and Zach Joyce

 

[MoreSteam]

Hopefully get Skenes at Catcher. I think Ortega goes, but Steenstra, Backus, and Valentine are all guys who will compete for a starting spot. I’m also interested to see how Kavares Tears develops and if the light can come on for Logan Chambers. If it does, he could be the DH.

Would LOVE to get Skenes. I wonder if he's looking for a place he can concentrate on catching, pitching...or continuing to do both?

If it's catching, you've got to think Tennessee should be at the very top of the list.

 

[SGMVols]

Would LOVE to get Skenes. I wonder if he's looking for a place he can concentrate on catching, pitching...or continuing to do both?

If it's catching, you've got to think Tennessee should be at the very top of the list.

I think we want him primarily as a catcher, but he has 100 mph stuff on the mound. It’s pretty tough physically to alternate pitching and catching, but he’s made it work at AFA

 

[txbo]

Would LOVE to get Skenes. I wonder if he's looking for a place he can concentrate on catching, pitching...or continuing to do both?

If it's catching, you've got to think Tennessee should be at the very top of the list.

My guess is his motivation to leave is the fact that he's now considered a top draft pick for next year. The longer he stays at Air Force Academy, the more money he is going to owe them if he doesn't complete school and serve his commission.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

100-0, we better never be behind in a game, and we better beat the defending MLB World Series champ too. Anything less is 100% failure. Also every player has to hit at least .500.

 

[stillwater5]

Just had a feeling Tn was going to lay an egg with Notre Dame.

 

[GRRN7MAXIMS]

I think we want him primarily as a catcher, but he has 100 mph stuff on the mound. It’s pretty tough physically to alternate pitching and catching, but he’s made it work at AFA

Has Tommy Tanks from NC State declared where he is transferred to? He's who I want. Dude can absolutely rake.

 

[LordBolton]

1. Tennessee will have the talent to again be in contention to win it all.
2. Tennessee will again find a way to lose to a jabronie team in embarassing fashion.