Next year’s roster?

[sami]

This trophy will be a magnet for some studs in the portal.

As well, if not more so the amount of kids getting drafted out of the program. Stud players want to win, but are also thinking about the best path to that next step.

 

[AllThingsTN]

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.

So the reports of him getting Tommy John were wrong? That’s good to hear.

 

[dale1998]

Are we sure Dreiling is gone? he is young. Seems like I saw a post where Tony was pitching for him to come back? I would never find it again, though.

Dreiling is currently listed as 72 on MLB's draft prospects so if he is drafted anywhere near there no way he comes back.

 

[Backwards K]

Are we sure Connell is not coming back for his 17th year?

 

[lukeneyland]

It should also be noted that Tony is recruiting is Ass off. We were the number one class this year and are in the top 5 for next year

 

[Volfan1000]

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.

I think Snead stays in the closer role for 2025.

Keeping Dreiling for next season would be huge.

 

[lukeneyland]

I think Snead stays in the closer role for 2025.

Keeping Dreiling for next season would be huge.

I think Snead is starting material. He can make his fastball sink, cut and “rise” plus he’s got a good slider. I’m not saying you are wrong and I’m right but I could easily see him turn into a dominant starter

 

[TechnoVol]

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?

Yes, it was the brace procedure.

 

[TechnoVol]

Are we sure Connell is not coming back for his 17th year?

He'll hopefully be back on the staff as a coach.

 

[fearsvols]

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

If he can cut down on his swing and miss you are looking at a 30 hr type of season

 

[runthrutheT]

I would be highly surprised if Villineuve pans out. He will need to do serious work. He was a non-factor the final 2/3 of the season. He cannot hit the offspeed. Hope he can develop and seems like a strong hitter, but seems like he can't pick up the offspeed. My gut would bet on Manny's son as a true freshman.

 

[NighthawkVol]

I would be highly surprised if Villineuve pans out. He will need to do serious work. He was a non-factor the final 2/3 of the season. He cannot hit the offspeed. Hope he can develop and seems like a strong hitter, but seems like he can't pick up the offspeed. My gut would bet on Manny's son as a true freshman.

If he can cut down on his swing and miss you are looking at a 30 hr type of season

Villaneuve looked really good in the fall and even early in the season. He has serious power. It can sometimes be deceiving when guys aren't playing every day in baseball and struggle. It's such a rhythm sport. Trying to turn it off and on is really hard for a hitter (which is why great pinch hitters are so rare). He may not pan out, but it wouldn't surprise me if he gets a chance and you see a different hitter. Same for Bargo, Peebles, and even maybe Backus. I'm not saying they'll definitely make a jump, but all could with the chance to play every day.

As for Chapman, yes, he needs to cut down on swing and miss. I'd like to see him make the jump Dreiling made this past year. But 30 HR seasons are rare. There has been one in the history of UT baseball. If he got 20, that would be great.

 

[Vol4gzus]

Are we sure Connell is not coming back for his 17th year?

Well he mentioned at celebration that he and Zander are getting another year....chuckle...

 

[preacherman20]

I won't get into who will play where because I think we will get 3 freshmen who will contribute or start and 3 from portal that will start. So that changes everything. I will remind us all that no one, including Zander himself, we had this conversation on Monday at lunch, thought he would be the guy that would start for the biggest games of the end of our season. So don't count out the ones you think won't contribute or make us successful.
DD made a huge jump and will make a lot of money with it.
Burke became an elite first baseman and his stock went way up.
KT became a great hitter and proved his arm was elite.
Cal became a force behind the plate. Most of ya'll said he had no chance of starting at catcher over Cannon.
We started a freshman at SS and even though you guys want to say he can't play SS, I think he was incredible there most of the year. And has an elite bat.
Billy will be an OF or first basemen in pros.
Ensley will get drafted and leave, just my opinion. He made money this week with his play.
We will need to replace Kirby's spot with someone who can pitch in the high situational positions and I think it will be DLoy but who knows. Austin has that same make-up.
Then realize someone will come in who you would not expect. We did not think Snead would be as good as he was or AJ Causey.

Trust in the proven decisions of Frank and Tony.

 

[Bigvalley84]

I’m guessing the player exit meetings will start today and hopefully Tony has somewhat of an idea on our highly ranked recruits and the draft , I’m sure we’ll have some others hit the portal as well , the next month will give some clarity , we have talent returning just not a lot of star power type guys

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

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.

Wait a minute. Kirby isn't coming back?

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Are we sure Connell is not coming back for his 17th year?

Damn. you beat me to it.

 

[AllThingsTN]

I won't get into who will play where because I think we will get 3 freshmen who will contribute or start and 3 from portal that will start. So that changes everything. I will remind us all that no one, including Zander himself, we had this conversation on Monday at lunch, thought he would be the guy that would start for the biggest games of the end of our season. So don't count out the ones you think won't contribute or make us successful.
DD made a huge jump and will make a lot of money with it.
Burke became an elite first baseman and his stock went way up.
KT became a great hitter and proved his arm was elite.
Cal became a force behind the plate. Most of ya'll said he had no chance of starting at catcher over Cannon.
We started a freshman at SS and even though you guys want to say he can't play SS, I think he was incredible there most of the year. And has an elite bat.
Billy will be an OF or first basemen in pros.
Ensley will get drafted and leave, just my opinion. He made money this week with his play.
We will need to replace Kirby's spot with someone who can pitch in the high situational positions and I think it will be DLoy but who knows. Austin has that same make-up.
Then realize someone will come in who you would not expect. We did not think Snead would be as good as he was or AJ Causey.

Trust in the proven decisions of Frank and Tony.

I’d love that for Ensley….but man I’d love to have him back as well.

 

[Vol4gzus]

I’d love that for Ensley….but man I’d love to have him back as well.

I think he has hit the WALL in his development....so get eye black and mark it..

 

[NighthawkVol]

I’d love that for Ensley….but man I’d love to have him back as well.

I highly doubt it. Would love it for him, but he's not being projected to be drafted.

 

[Sam I Am]

I think Snead stays in the closer role for 2025.

Keeping Dreiling for next season would be huge.

I can confirm that Dreiling is 100% gone.

 

[youcancallmeAl]

I won't get into who will play where because I think we will get 3 freshmen who will contribute or start and 3 from portal that will start. So that changes everything. I will remind us all that no one, including Zander himself, we had this conversation on Monday at lunch, thought he would be the guy that would start for the biggest games of the end of our season. So don't count out the ones you think won't contribute or make us successful.
DD made a huge jump and will make a lot of money with it.
Burke became an elite first baseman and his stock went way up.
KT became a great hitter and proved his arm was elite.
Cal became a force behind the plate. Most of ya'll said he had no chance of starting at catcher over Cannon.
We started a freshman at SS and even though you guys want to say he can't play SS, I think he was incredible there most of the year. And has an elite bat.
Billy will be an OF or first basemen in pros.
Ensley will get drafted and leave, just my opinion. He made money this week with his play.
We will need to replace Kirby's spot with someone who can pitch in the high situational positions and I think it will be DLoy but who knows. Austin has that same make-up.
Then realize someone will come in who you would not expect. We did not think Snead would be as good as he was or AJ Causey.

Trust in the proven decisions of Frank and Tony.

A good reminder that we often don't know what we think we know.

 

[feathersax]

I can confirm that Dreiling is 100% gone.

So you are the Seer of Seers, eh?

 

[etmVol]

So you are the Seer of Seers, eh?

He's a borderline first round pick. Short of improving his arm strength, moving to and playing above average CF, and maybe cutting down on Ks, there's not a lot more he can do in terms of improving his stock/leverage by coming back for his junior year. Not saying he couldn't/wouldn't do those things, just that I'm not sure how much his draft stock would improve by coming back.

 

[volfan411]

Villaneuve looked really good in the fall and even early in the season. He has serious power. It can sometimes be deceiving when guys aren't playing every day in baseball and struggle. It's such a rhythm sport. Trying to turn it off and on is really hard for a hitter (which is why great pinch hitters are so rare). He may not pan out, but it wouldn't surprise me if he gets a chance and you see a different hitter. Same for Bargo, Peebles, and even maybe Backus. I'm not saying they'll definitely make a jump, but all could with the chance to play every day.

As for Chapman, yes, he needs to cut down on swing and miss. I'd like to see him make the jump Dreiling made this past year. But 30 HR seasons are rare. There has been one in the history of UT baseball. If he got 20, that would be great.

Didn’t Villanueva get injured early in the season? If so that had to hamper him and by the time he would have been 100% it would have been too late to get him back into lineup. I am with you I think giving the chance he can become a good hitter.