Next year’s roster?

[TrippieRedd]

Hard time seeing any SS transfer in with Antigua in place.

Then you stick Antigua at 2nd

 

[CAVPUT]

Then you stick Antigua at 2nd

I know this team has a culture and kids doing what it takes to just win, but I have to wonder if he'd be agreeable to that move? Admittedly, I don't follow recruiting that closely, but from what I've seen and read, he's an elite glove/arm at SS. Would he accept a move to 2B? I'd always figured Curley would move to 3B and Antigua moves to start at SS assuming his bat improves?

 

[TrippieRedd]

I know this team has a culture and kids doing what it takes to just win, but I have to wonder if he'd be agreeable to that move? Admittedly, I don't follow recruiting that closely, but from what I've seen and read, he's an elite glove/arm at SS. Would he accept a move to 2B? I'd always figured Curley would move to 3B and Antigua moves to start at SS assuming his bat improves?

Antigua looked good at both positions this past week

 

[jp1]

Well Blake Burke is coming back that is huge. Give it some time see what the roster looks like going to be really good team again.

I think you misinterpreted his tweet. He was reposting that he made a great decision when he came back last year. He will go early in this year's draft.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I know this team has a culture and kids doing what it takes to just win, but I have to wonder if he'd be agreeable to that move? Admittedly, I don't follow recruiting that closely, but from what I've seen and read, he's an elite glove/arm at SS. Would he accept a move to 2B? I'd always figured Curley would move to 3B and Antigua moves to start at SS assuming his bat improves?

You can also put Kilen at 2nd if that’s what it takes lol

You can play guys in multiple spots

 

[CAVPUT]

You can also put Kilen at 2nd if that’s what it takes lol

You can play guys in multiple spots

True, but in today's world, getting them to embrace the move can be problematic. Hey, if anyone can sell that, it's Vitello.

 

[lukeneyland]

Well Blake Burke is coming back that is huge. Give it some time see what the roster looks like going to be really good team again.

No he’s going to be a high draft pick. He’s mastered college baseball. I wish it was financially viable for him to stay but it’s just not

 

[PKT_VOL]

It will be a bridge/retooling/rebuilding year regardless of transfers. We have the best class in the country coming in, but they will be freshmen.

The year after next will be a team that can make another run.

 

[hatingbamaisawayoflife]

I know it may be too early to project or too early to think about after winning Natty but throwing it out here.

How many incoming freshman could we lose to the draft? And who is most likely to sign? I know we have two incoming pitchers ( Seibert and Kuhns) that are listed in MLB’s top 100 draft prospects.

Hunter Ensley coming back?

How many guys do we get out of portal to plug and play?

Does AJ Russell play next year?

lets have a few days to enjoy this

 

[AllThingsTN]

Russell is projected to be back in February. He'll start at some point, barring setbacks.

Oh my bad I didn’t realize it was that quick of a turnaround if that’s indeed the case. I thought it was around 9-12 months recovery, and then you have to get back into pitching shape after that.

 

[Z06Vol]

So if Russell had a brace procedure that wouldn't be considered TJ surgery. Sounds similar what Strider had done. Am I correct on that?

 

[Rocky Top T]

Gonna need about 4-5 good transfers

 

[a vol n tears]

All college athletes are now free agents. Impossible to predict until 2025 spring semester starts.

 

[CeJayVols]

Antigua is elite defensively

 

[StarBar33]

So if Russell had a brace procedure that wouldn't be considered TJ surgery. Sounds similar what Strider had done. Am I correct on that?

That’s right. And Strider is projected to be back for Spring Training next year.

 

[cncchris33]

I think Curley and Chapman will develop into star hitters. But we'll need more than that.

I agree, but they are both liabilities in the field. Curley, especially, has an advanced bat for a freshman, so he's gotta play, but he has to improve his fielding.

 

[orangemadam]

seems there will be a major drop in power unless major transfers happen.

Hopefully the pitching will have some slight improvement overall. (NOT SAYING our pitching was
not good, but it could have been better)

 

[cncchris33]

Sure. Not in 8 months though.

He didn't need reconstructive UCL surgery (a total "Tommy John"). He instead got the brace repair surgery...see Spencer Strider...that cuts recovery time done by roughly ⅓.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

seems there will be a major drop in power unless major transfers happen.

Hopefully the pitching will have some slight improvement overall. (NOT SAYING our pitching was
not good, but it could have been better)

3 CWS in 4 years. We good!

 

[NighthawkVol]

Sure. Not in 8 months though.

Well. The surgeon who performed the surgery says 8 months. But poster guy on VN says no. Who should I believe?

 

[NighthawkVol]

If we can snag Kilen and Kash, we will be right back in the picture next year.

C: Clark (HS)
1st: Gavin Kash (Texas Tech)
2nd: Antigua or Southsiene (HS)
3rd: Curley
SS: Gavin Kilen (Louisville)
LF:
CF: Ensley
RF:

I think Chapman is one of those corner OFers. He's going to be good next year.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I think Chapman is one of those corner OFers. He's going to be good next year.

Yeah I’d prob slide him in at RF.

 

[CAVPUT]

3 CWS in 4 years. We good!

When I see it written like that, I just shake my head in amazement....especially when I consider many a year was considered a success if we made Hoover.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I agree, but they are both liabilities in the field. Curley, especially, has an advanced bat for a freshman, so he's gotta play, but he has to improve his fielding.

Curley will be an improvement over Amick at 3B. Antigua will be an improvement over Curley at SS. Chapman needs to get better to match what Dreiling was in LF (although Dreiling had to do that between last year and this). Chapman does have a better arm than DD, though.

 

[Mccage]

Here's my way too early projection, only including returnees.

Lineup

C: Cannon Peebles/Stone Lawless/Charlie Taylor
1B: Robin Villeneuve/Blake Grimmer
2B: Bradke Lohry /Hunter High
SS: Ariel Antigua/Camden Bates
3B: Dean Curley/Alex Perry
LF: Colby Backus/Cole Eaton
CF: Hunter Ensley
RF: Reese Chapman/Brayden Sharp
DH: Dalton Bargo

Weekend Starters

Nate Snead-RHP
Marcus Phillips-RHP
AJ Russell-RHP

Bullpen

Derek Schaefer-RHP
Dylan Loy-LHP
Andrew Behnke-LHP
JJ Garcia-RHP
Austin Hunley-RHP
Luke Payne-LHP
Brady Robertson-RHP

Russell is supposed to be back by February, but I wonder how long it'll take him to get up to top form. I don't have the incoming freshmen in there. Not sure who makes it to campus and who goes pro. Some of those infield spots are interchangeable. Also, the JUCO arm Thomas Crabtree should factor in. I think Marcus Phillips will make a big leap.

It'll be interesting to see which players develop, who TV can sign from the portal, and who will make it to campus from the recruiting class. Those things will tell the story.

I could see this being a team that struggles early, then comes together late. There should be talent, but a lot of inexperience.

Quess I’ve missed something….Tears not coming back?