Portal Activity (News and Rumors)

[WGWTFA98]

If you have great pitching, you can hide a bat or two in the lineup. That's a big if. If Do and Burns had the years they were supposed to have, you wouldn't have noticed those auto outs as much (except for number one). I'm not arguing that we should favor defense over offense in all cases. I'm arguing that there is no substitute for solid defense at SS, CF, and C, and 2B. You gotta have it. If that wasn't true, Dickey would have been our catcher.

Dickey getting moved from catcher to the OF was an offensive move. They didn’t feel like they were getting his usual offense at catcher and they desperately needed it. He exploded offensively once he got out behind the plate.

 

[WGWTFA98]

Situational hitting in both LSU games and the Vols could have won either game.
You have to hit the ball deep in today's game.
You absolutely cannot got o'fer at the 8,9, 1 position and expect to win
Tony knows the lack of big bats cost them a shot in the championship series. He's fixing that, I imagine he has a plan for SS as well..

Really don’t understand the Maui hate. Very bizarre. Guy was lights out in Omaha lol. Also played well in supers.

Had a bad back most of the year, and still hit .312 with a .962 OPS and elite defense. I truly do not understand why so many fans act like he was horrible this year.

Did he strike out too much? Yes. Did he make a few routine errors earlier in the year? Sure. But by the end of the year he was absolutely lights out defensively when it matttered. He wasn’t a natural leadoff guy, but the team didn’t have one. Ive just really never seen so much hate on a guy who was statistically as good as he was, it’s bizarre

 

[cardvolfan]

Really don’t understand the Maui hate. Very bizarre. Guy was lights out in Omaha lol. Also played well in supers.

Had a bad back most of the year, and still hit .312 with a .962 OPS and elite defense. I truly do not understand why so many fans act like he was horrible this year.

Did he strike out too much? Yes. Did he make a few routine errors earlier in the year? Sure. But by the end of the year he was absolutely lights out defensively when it matttered. He wasn’t a natural leadoff guy, but the team didn’t have one. Ive just really never seen so much hate on a guy who was statistically as good as he was, it’s bizarre

It was over-the-top by those who had unrealistic expectations. When you hit .396 at your last stop, fans are going to look at that and expect it again. His struggles early defensively, lack of steals, strikeouts and body language at times all combined for this blowback that happened. Those fans less knowledgeable will never understand how much injuries and adjustments factored in to each of those areas mentioned. I’m sure Maui expected more of himself, but sometimes things happen.

He had a really good year, but those expectations can be a bear.

 

[Walkman]

It was over-the-top by those who had unrealistic expectations. When you hit .396 at your last stop, fans are going to look at that and expect it again. His struggles early defensively, lack of steals, strikeouts and body language at times all combined for this blowback that happened. Those fans less knowledgeable will never understand how much injuries and adjustments factored in to each of those areas mentioned. I’m sure Maui expected more of himself, but sometimes things happen.

He had a really good year, but those expectations can be a bear.

I have to admit that I got a little bit frustrated with Ahuna and all the strikeouts but the way he finished helped make up for it. All in all he ended up being a plus for our team….hope he gets healthy and does well in the pros.

 

[cardvolfan]

I have to admit that I got a little bit frustrated with Ahuna and all the strikeouts but the way he finished helped make up for it. All in all he ended up being a plus for our team….hope he gets healthy and does well in the pros.

I think he’s got some good days ahead. He has the tools. He’ll work hard and improve and make his family proud. Glad he was a Vol for a year.

 

[Volfanatic_20]

 

[cncchris33]

It was over-the-top by those who had unrealistic expectations. When you hit .396 at your last stop, fans are going to look at that and expect it again. His struggles early defensively, lack of steals, strikeouts and body language at times all combined for this blowback that happened. Those fans less knowledgeable will never understand how much injuries and adjustments factored in to each of those areas mentioned. I’m sure Maui expected more of himself, but sometimes things happen.

He had a really good year, but those expectations can be a bear.

And to add to this, the snafu with the NCAA at the beginning of the season didn't help his cause. Being ready to go like he was, and then being put on pause by something outside your control is difficult to process mentally. Then add in the back injury almost immediately upon his clearance and return, it caused a major delay in his development and adjustment.

 

[cardvolfan]

And to add to this, the snafu with the NCAA at the beginning of the season didn't help his cause. Being ready to go like he was, and then being put on pause by something outside your control is difficult to process mentally. Then add in the back injury almost immediately upon his clearance and return, it caused a major delay in his development and adjustment.

Exactly!! That was huge. Also, he put a tremendous amount of pressure on himself, even well before the season ever started. We can look at everything and the confluence of issues surely handicapped him this year.

 

[BruinVol]

So you are just guessing? I was hoping to see the actual statistics.

Well here you go with the first batch of actual stats…

Using perfect game website for HS/JC recruits. (Not portal guys). This includes the 18-21 recruiting classes

The Vols have a 33% success rate for players staying with their program thru eligibility or draft

I plan to do a number of other schools to add to the list.

Vols 33%
Arks 42%
Florida 54%
vandy 60%


So yea those claiming I was just stirring the pot…..


well as I told you it’s simple math. When every class is 20 or more the math is easy to predict

 

[TheMookieMonster]

Well here you go with the first batch of actual stats…

Using perfect game website for HS/JC recruits. (Not portal guys). This includes the 18-21 recruiting classes

The Vols have a 33% success rate for players staying with their program thru eligibility or draft

I plan to do a number of other schools to add to the list.

Vols 33%
Arks 42%
Florida 54%
vandy 60%


So yea those claiming I was just stirring the pot…..


well as I told you it’s simple math. When every class is 20 or more the math is easy to predict

I still do not see this as the major issue that you claim it to be and I also think there is a certain degree of nuance that you are willfully ignoring to make your case bashing TV. From 2018 - 2021 TV was building this program. The program wasn’t in a healthy state like it was for Florida or Vandy, two of the iconic powers in college baseball. TV probably recruited to the best of his ability, but we still weren’t recruiting on the same level as those programs and our talent gap was still large.

I would argue that with the 2024 and 2025 classes being filled with elite players finally, and the success of the program paying off, you’re probably going to see a lower rate of turnover. Either way, turnover doesn’t have to be inherently bad especially if the players themselves don’t seem to have a problem with it. They wanted to come here and try and compete at the highest levels. It didn’t work out for someone of them and now they are going to find spots at places that are better fits. Seems fine to me.

 

[BruinVol]

I still do not see this as the major issue that you claim it to be and I also think there is a certain degree of nuance that you are willfully ignoring to make your case bashing TV. From 2018 - 2021 TV was building this program. The program wasn’t in a healthy state like it was for Florida or Vandy, two of the iconic powers in college baseball. TV probably recruited to the best of his ability, but we still weren’t recruiting on the same level as those programs and our talent gap was still large.

I would argue that with the 2024 and 2025 classes being filled with elite players finally, and the success of the program paying off, you’re probably going to see a lower rate of turnover. Either way, turnover doesn’t have to be inherently bad especially if the players themselves don’t seem to have a problem with it. They wanted to come here and try and compete at the highest levels. It didn’t work out for someone of them and now they are going to find spots at places that are better fits. Seems fine to me.

It’s not going to slow down. The math wont
let it

tenn has 37 committed already for the 24 and 25 classes

For comparison vandy has 29 while Florida has 23


Tv learned this from Arkansas(they have 31). The numbers are out of control

 

[TheMookieMonster]

It’s not going to slow down. The math wont
let it

tenn has 37 committed already for the 24 and 25 classes

For comparison vandy has 29 while Florida has 23


Tv learned this from Arkansas(they have 31). The numbers are out of control

Well considering the classes in 2024 and 2025 are both #1, I suspect TV probably has a good idea that roughly 7-10 of those kids will be drafted highly and not making it to campus. Either way. I don’t care. You do what you have to do to win. No one is forcing the kids to commit to us and I’m sure TV isn’t hiding anything from them either.

 

[BruinVol]

Well considering the classes in 2024 and 2025 are both #1, I suspect TV probably has a good idea that roughly 7-10 of those kids will be drafted highly and not making it to campus. Either way. I don’t care. You do what you have to do to win. No one is forcing the kids to commit to us and I’m sure TV isn’t hiding anything from them either.

no one is losing more signees to the draft than vandy

 

[Zues1]

no one is losing more signees to the draft than vandy

Vandy sux...that's all

 

[preacherman20]

So I went to the 2019 class which is Kirby's. There were 20 guys totally who committed to UT. Best I can remember and find. 5 never showed on campus. 3 were still there this year. 6 were drafted after 3 years. 4 left because of lack of playing time. 1 never practiced because he came in so physically out of shape he never passed physical. 1 left to move back home near family halfway through fall.
So you can look at that many different ways. Of the ones who stayed 1 year, 64% either were drafted or graduated from UT. Pretty impressive. If you are looking for a higher % than that then you are unrealistic. I'm guessing in today's world there are not much more than 70% of students who start college that graduate from the same college as students, much less athletes. I would have to look at all classes to see what % actually showed up on campus and were cut or left. I have a hard time believing it is 46% of those who actually showed up on campus.
There are 22 committed for 24 class.
There are 14 committed for 25 class.
I know 3 are not coming for 24 class that are still listed and 1 for 25 class. But you also have to know that his 24 class was pretty much set before portal or NIL was started.
20 per year for a HS class is common. (I know you don't like that and not going to start that argument with you again.) But as I have said for years. The players and parents have the choice to make. If you commit to an SEC school, you better have a plan B and C. If not, your bad.

 

[OldTimer]

We’ve been at the College World Series 2 of the last 3 years, easily could have been 3 straight but that’s baseball….. whatever CTV is doing, it’s working. I’ll take competing for a national title over the previous +/-10 years any day of the week.

 

[BruinVol]

For the record after TV was hired I posted this would be the method TV used, I also said it was the only way to win at Tennessee and I didn’t blame him for it but I also said I wouldn’t support it. This was before he coached a single game

now i also said I thought the ceiling for Tenn baseball was 1 trip to Omaha every 5 years. So at this point TV has vastly done better than I thought was possible

 

[preacherman20]

For the record after TV was hired I posted this would be the method TV used, I also said it was the only way to win at Tennessee and I didn’t blame him for it but I also said I wouldn’t support it. This was before he coached a single game

now i also said I thought the ceiling for Tenn baseball was 1 trip to Omaha every 5 years. So at this point TV has vastly done better than I thought was possible

So why are you on here if you don't support him or the team?

 

[BruinVol]

We’ve been at the College World Series 2 of the last 3 years, easily could have been 3 straight but that’s baseball….. whatever CTV is doing, it’s working. I’ll take competing for a national title over the previous +/-10 years any day of the week.

Good post BUT also don’t come here and post what he’s doing is the same as the rest of college baseball like you did a few days back. It’s clearly not the norm

 

[BruinVol]

So why are you on here if you don't support him or the team?

I love college baseball

 

[Zues1]

For the record after TV was hired I posted this would be the method TV used, I also said it was the only way to win at Tennessee and I didn’t blame him for it but I also said I wouldn’t support it. This was before he coached a single game

now i also said I thought the ceiling for Tenn baseball was 1 trip to Omaha every 5 years. So at this point TV has vastly done better than I thought was possible

This is simple and to the point.
If you don't support the way TV is running the program why are you still posting in the baseball forum?
Surely you could find something else to support.

 

[preacherman20]

I don't think your numbers are close. I have done 3 classes so far and the number is closer to 60% for retaining of those who showed up on campus and those who made it through 3 years. You can't just go by the number who committed.

 

[BruinVol]

I don't think your numbers are close. I have done 3 classes so far and the number is closer to 60% for retaining of those who showed up on campus and those who made it through 3 years. You can't just go by the number who committed.

you do realize kids are getting cut before classes start, during the fall and during the spring. That does happen all over college baseball but again at a higher rate under TV

You can spin this all you want but if they are committed to a school on Pg it ain’t some mythical thing


You have made it clear you don’t count players as really members of the program until they make the official roster. That’s plain wrong and clearly you are showing it again here. Plenty of commitments under TV have been cut before that happened

 

[SouthKnoxVOL]

This is simple and to the point.
If you don't support the way TV is running the program why are you still posting in the baseball forum?
Surely you could find something else to support.

Because he feels like he has to have the last word in anything he talks about on here. He feels he is never wrong. It's effin annoying. He loves to beat that dead horse.

 

[Orange.]

no one is losing more signees to the draft than vandy

Please be their fan, go to their board, and do what you do to them.