How Do We Improve - Who Stays & How Many New Starters

[BaseVol]

Pitching. Period. Look at the SEC team stats to see where we under- or over-performed compared to our overall finish. The pitching stats show without a doubt where this team falls short.

 

[BaseVol]

SEC team stats:
The Automated ScoreBook - Team Statistics
Not real pretty in any category, but particularly ugly in pitching.

 

[RichRollin]

Promises made, promises broken. Let's not forget there are young students with hopes and dreams under those uniforms. I venture to guess that each and every one of them worked their butts off to be the best they could for UT. imho, each has given far more to the school than has Serrano. As was so patently obvious from the product on the field the last few years, this is not professional baseball and it strikes me as unfortunate when we start talking about throwing kids to the side of the road because the coaching staff either did not evaluate properly or did not help them reach their potential this year. I hope and expect things to improve, but I would much rather see us build with what we have than to start over each year.

I'm not in the locker room so I really can't say much. There's a lot of things that could have went into who got cut. Bad attitudes, lack of talent, etc. It's not Serrano's fault Raleigh brought in guys who simply were not very good. Some of the guys he inherited would NEVER be SEC quality players no matter who coached them. He was brought here to clean up a toxic mess. Until he falls on his face and fails I'm gonna support him and his decisions.

 

[Backwards K]

For starters, it will behoove every returning player to meet the minimum physical standards when they return in the fall. Last year, less than half of the players met these standards and most of them were incoming freshman.

 

[KnoxBound]

For starters, it will behoove every returning player to meet the minimum physical standards when they return in the fall. Last year, less than half of the players met these standards and most of them were incoming freshman.

Yes, because part of being a baseVol is the speed and judgement we've seen in their baserunning over the last two years:birgits_giggle::birgits_giggle:

 

[TechnoVol]

For starters, it will behoove every returning player to meet the minimum physical standards when they return in the fall. Last year, less than half of the players met these standards and most of them were incoming freshman.

What physical standards are you referring to? I'd be curious to know what CDS expects in general as it relates to physical standards.

If more than half of the team didn't meet these standards then wow, we have a bunch of guys who aren't willing to work hard and hold each other accountable.

 

[BruinVol]

If more than half of the team didn't meet these standards then wow, we have a bunch of guys who aren't willing to work hard and hold each other accountable.

Or the test has zero basis for being a good baseball player.

I wonder if Cabrera, fielder, howard, sabathia, need physical test that half a team can't pass to determine their readiness for a season???

 

[508mikey]

Or the test has zero basis for being a good baseball player.

I wonder if Cabrera, fielder, howard, sabathia, need physical test that half a team can't pass to determine their readiness for a season???

A Rod does

 

[TechnoVol]

Or the test has zero basis for being a good baseball player.

I wonder if Cabrera, fielder, howard, sabathia, need physical test that half a team can't pass to determine their readiness for a season???

Sure, that's a possibility but I'm going on the assumption that CDS has used this type of thing everywhere he's been.

 

[State of the Vols]

What physical standards are you referring to? I'd be curious to know what CDS expects in general as it relates to physical standards.

If more than half of the team didn't meet these standards then wow, we have a bunch of guys who aren't willing to work hard and hold each other accountable.

Really really really hard for me to believe that more than half a team of SEC recruited athletes are unable or unwilling to meet some set standards. Either they did not know that they would be subjected to whatever tests these were, or I am highly suspicious of this allegation.

 

[BaseVol]

Risky to jump in here, but ... I'd thin kthat in order for the conditioning standards to be effective, there should probably never be more than about 2/3 of the team meeting/exceeding them, nor should there be more than about 1/2 the team falling short. Anything outside of those ranges, and they could do more harm than good. Just like goals in business or in general, they should challenge the team to excel, but be reasonably attainable.

I would also hope that they're dependent on some sort of individual or position-specific benchmarks, not just one-size-fits-all standards that would always put your big, beefy closer-type at a disadvantage to your speedy, pint-sized centerfielder-type.

 

[Backwards K]

Most college athletic programs have some sort of conditioning tests that will be administered when the teams return from their off season. This is not unusual and it is supposed to make sure the players are doing the necessary work in the off season.

 

[BruinVol]

Most college athletic programs have some sort of conditioning tests that will be administered when the teams return from their off season. This is not unusual and it is supposed to make sure the players are doing the necessary work in the off season.

Correct. How many have half fail them??

From what I can gather here the insinuation is the Raleigh recruits didn't hold their end of the bargain by working toward these test??? Fwiw I don't buy that

 

[feathersax]

Here in Hoover @SEC fest I've talked tp other fans & watched great play. All say that pitching & experience are key. Incidentally, vandie fans are still jerks.

 

[Backwards K]

Bruin, I'm not insinuating anything and you can spin it as negatively as you want. All I know it that I was told that only 14 of the 41 players who reported in the fall met the requirements set by the coaches. The majority of those were freshman. I didn't confirm this so if you have facts, let us know.

There were no surprises this season. Most of us were estimating about 20 total wins and hoping the Vols could sneak into the SEC tournament. Some days they looked pretty good and others they looked very bad. Most knowledgeable baseball fans expected this.

Some of you want to spin this as negatively as possible and you can certainly do that when the team has this record. I still look at the glass as half full and you look at it as half cracked.

 

[BruinVol]

Bruin, I'm not insinuating anything and you can spin it as negatively as you want. All I know it that I was told that only 14 of the 41 players who reported in the fall met the requirements set by the coaches. The majority of those were freshman. I didn't confirm this so if you have facts, let us know.

There were no surprises this season. Most of us were estimating about 20 total wins and hoping the Vols could sneak into the SEC tournament. Some days they looked pretty good and others they looked very bad. Most knowledgeable baseball fans expected this.

Some of you want to spin this as negatively as possible and you can certainly do that when the team has this record. I still look at the glass as half full and you look at it as half cracked.

I have no idea about the test. What I do know is there has been a prevailing line of thinking on this board that once the bad apples(CTR recruits) are gone that everything will be much better. I don't believe that lumping all those kids into one big group is fair. IMO there were kids recruited by CTR that were extremely hard workers and in no shape form or fashion failed on the hill because they wouldn't put in the sweat needed to pass a fitness test.


I am damn glad I never had a professor in college that gave a test that only 14 of 41 passed. If I had I would have just passed it off as a foolish professor that didn't have a clue how to teach anything.

 

[Backwards K]

I don't care who recruited them, they are Volunteers. I never mentioned any names or made any distinctions regarding who recruited the players. However, if the standards are set at a level that a lot of incoming freshmen can meet them, they can't be impossible to reach.

To paraphrase Dan Hawkins statement, "IT'S DIVISION 1 BASEBALL. IT'S THE SEC." Go play intramurals brother!!

My main point was not about last year's group but about the ones coming back. They need to take this seriously and put in the work necessary to compete at the SEC level.

 

[vol66]

I think the best way to get to the heart of the OP's question is to check out the stats. It also helps to know who is already gone, due to graduation or "retirement". Zach Luther and Zack Godley graduated and Bennett and Thomas retired. That's four spots and there will be a need for more spots.

I'm going to look at each class, starting with what will be the Sophomore Class. Due to the size of the class there will likely be some attrition.

Sophomore Class

3 players saw little or no action.

Davis Aiken
Michael Flax (UT has him with no stats, but I remember he did make some appearances)
Michael Parrish

Pitchers

Aaron "Q" Quillen - 12 starts, 51.2 innings pitched (IP), 6.79 ERA, 2-4 W/L, 0 Saves

Andy Cox - 6 Starts, 47.2 IP, 5.29 ERA, 2-2 W/L, 1 Save

Trevor Charpie - 1 Start, 38 IP, 6.87 ERA, 3-4 W/L, 2 Saves

Trevor "BCourt" Bettencourt - 3 Starts, 34.2 IP, 6.49 ERA, 2-3 W/L, 3 Saves

Drake Owenby -1 Start, 27.1 IP, 5.60 ERA, 2-1 W/L, 2 Saves

Matt Esparza - 3 Starts, 13.2 IP, 8.56 ERA, 1-1 W/L, 0 Saves


Fielders

AJ Simcox - 48 Starts, .283 BA, 26 RBI, .379 RISP, .923 FP

Christin "Stew" Stewart - 43 Starts, .310 BA, 27 RBI, .420 RISP, 1.000 FP

Vincent "VJax" Jackson - 37 Starts, .290 BA, 24 RBI, .297 RISP, .976 FP

Davis Houser - 37 starts, .191 BA, 11 RBI, .254 RISP, .979 FP

Jeff Moberg - 25 Starts, .242 BA, 10 RBI, .306 RISP, .953 FP

Andrew Lee - 18 Starts, .187 BA, 9 RBI, .184 RISP

Vance "Vizzy" Vizcaino - 13 Starts, .213 BA, 10 RBI, .367 RISP, .981 FP

Derek Lance - 11 Starts, .143 BA, 2 RBI, .105 RISP, .939 FP

Heath Loyd - 0 Starts (played in 7 games), .200 BA (5 at bats), .200 RISP

Some notes about above. Andrew Lee could not pitch this year. He spent some time at DH and I believe 1st base when Price was out.

Derek Lance (CF) was injured at the beginning of the season, he didn't play until the last 1/3 or there about.

Last year I speculated about who would be gone and who was a "lock" to stay. I was pretty liberal, and ended up being wrong...A LOT. For instance, last year I would have said Houser would be LOCK because Bennett is gone and CDS really seems to like him. This year I'm not going to say that.

So, this yearI'm going to go the conservative route and let someone else do the speculating. Of the list above, I feel confident that Simcox, Stew, and VJax are LOCKS. I know I went WAAAAAAAY out on a limb there.:dance2:

As bad as those ERA's look, somebody has to come back, I'll leave the pitchers to you folks.

I'll put up the other classes when I get a chance. GBO!

 

[vol66]

Junior Class

Pitchers

Eric Martin - 0 Starts, 38.2 IP, 3.49 ERA, 1-0 W/L, 0 Saves

Robbie Kidd - Did not play this year due to injury.
2012 Stats - 7 Starts, 63 IP, 4.86 ERA, 2-3 W/L, 0 Saves

Fielders

Will Maddox - 51 Starts, .333 BA, 20 RBI, .400 RISP, 22-27 SB, .943 FP

Parker "Worm" Wormsley - 21 Starts, .224 BA, 9 RBI, .216 RISP, 1.000 FP

Jason Manis - 2 starts, .125. BA, 1 RBI, .000 RISP, 1.000 FP

Of these, I'd say Maddox is a LOCK. Robbie Kidd is interesting, he pitched a lot of innings last year and ended up being a starter, hopefully he regains form. Martin has a better ERA than any of the Frosh guys, still...

 

[vol66]

Seniors

Pitchers

Nick Williams - 8 Starts, 61 IP, 5.02 ERA, 2-4 W/L, 0 Saves

Dalton Saberhagen - 1 Start, 21 IP, 6.86 ERA, 0-2 W/L, 0 Saves

Fielders

Taylor Smart - 49 Starts, .267 BA, 19 RBI, .274 RISP, .980 FP

Scott Price - 45 Starts, .361 BA, 25 RBI, .314 RISP, .998 FP

Pierce Bily - 45 Starts, .260 BA, 25 RBI, .338 RISP, .974 FP

Some notes. Smart, Price, and Bily were new this year, coming from JUCO...Think about that and look at what's left from the Raleigh Error. Only Maddox and Williams were used as legit starters.

Of this bunch, Obviously, Nick Williams is a lock and I'll go with Scott Price as well...LOCKS.

I'd be surprised if any of these guys go, but hey...it happens.

So that has me at about 6 Locks with:

Nick Williams P
Scott Price 1st
Will Maddox 3rd/OF
AJ Simcox SS
Christin Stewart OF
Vincent Jackson OF

This leaves Catcher, 2nd, 3rd/OF and a whole lot of pitching questions. GBO!

 

[vol66]

Here are the hitting numbers in order of highest BA. Cut the list based on 20 Starts.

Scott Price - 45 Starts, .361 BA, 25 RBI, .314 RISP, .998 FP

Will Maddox - 51 Starts, .333 BA, 20 RBI, .400 RISP, 22-27 SB, .943 FP

Christen Stewart 43 Starts, .310 BA, 27 RBI, .420 RISP, 1.000 FP

Vincent Jackson - 37 Starts, .290 BA, 24 RBI, .297 RISP, .976 FP

AJ Simcox - 48 Starts, .283 BA, 26 RBI, .379 RISP, .923 FP

Taylor Smart - 49 Starts, .267 BA, 19 RBI, .274 RISP, .980 FP

Pierce Bily - 45 Starts, .260 BA, 25 RBI, .338 RISP, .974 FP

Jeff Moberg - 25 Starts, .242 BA, 10 RBI, .306 RISP, .953 FP

Parker "Worm" Wormsley - 21 Starts, .224 BA, 9 RBI, .216 RISP, 1.000 FP

Davis Houser - 37 starts, .191 BA, 11 RBI, .254 RISP, .979 FP

 

[vol66]

For those who are looking for signs of improvement, here's a couple stats. Last years team had no hitters with a batting average of .300. Last years team had two guys over .260, Will Maddox at .297 and Davis Morgan at .296.

This years team has 3 guys over .300, 4 if you include Bennett, and everybody in the regular line up besides Houser is hitting .260 or better.

Last years Team BA was .248, this year .275.

Last years team scored 233 runs. This year 276, tied with UF and ahead of Arky, Auburn, TAMU, UGA and Mizzou.

Now we're still far behind Vandy and LSU, both with team BA's over .300 and around 400 runs...it's a little progress.

 

[BruinVol]

For those who are looking for signs of improvement, here's a couple stats. Last years team had no hitters with a batting average of .300. Last years team had two guys over .260, Will Maddox at .297 and Davis Morgan at .296.

This years team has 3 guys over .300, 4 if you include Bennett, and everybody in the regular line up besides Houser is hitting .260 or better.

Last years Team BA was .248, this year .275.

Last years team scored 233 runs. This year 276, tied with UF and ahead of Arky, Auburn, TAMU, UGA and Mizzou.

Now we're still far behind Vandy and LSU, both with team BA's over .300 and around 400 runs...it's a little progress.

Offense heading in right direction no doubt.


How do the pitching numbers compare??

 

[vol66]

Offense heading in right direction no doubt.


How do the pitching numbers compare??

I can't bring myself to look really. I mean, Nick Blount had either 6 or 10 saves last year, depending on which UT stat you believe. Nobody on this team had more than two.

We also had Steckenrider. Last years team had a team ERA of 4.65, this year 5.37.

As for pitching...I'd prefer to see Williams go back to his role as the Closer. Doubt that will happen because, I don't see any for sure starters on the current roster. IF...young Serrano could come in and be a starter, Kidd could be a starter and 1 more arm that can allow Williams to be the closer, that would be great.

I just don't know how Kidd will do.

I think Martin, Owenby, and Charpie with the new delivery might provide decent relief, maybe BCourt, Q, and Cox also had a chance to prove themselves. Seems like CDS likes Quillen quite a bit.

These guys must improve and I think we need 1 or 2 more stud arms to move up much. Besides Kyle, I mean.

 

[GuRu]

Ralph Ramirez and Bret Marks are two names to watch next year. Both juco transfer pitchers who hopefully can come in and play a huge roll next year. Offensively and defensively should be better next year. The main question is pitching, can the new guys come in and be a big upgrade and how much improvement will we see in the returners?