Portal Activity (News and Rumors)

[NighthawkVol]

Absolutely shocked that both Jaslove and Kendra are in portal. Expected one of them to win SS job. If our offense is what’s expected, we can afford .250 at SS with the elite defense that Jaslove or Kendra would provide. Don’t get me wrong, I trust that the coaching staff has an answer at SS, but still surprised.

You’re shocked at Jaslove? He hit about .181 in the SEC and hasn’t added a pound of muscle since high school. He would’ve been one of the first I projected to the portal. He wasn’t going to win the SS job next year. Kendro surprises me.

 

[Volmeister]

How about develop the ones we have ?

You love college baseball, but you don't have a favorite team? Why don't you just be honest? You won't say which team you support because then you would have to defend that teams actions. It's much easier to always be attacking .

 

[taylorvol]

You’re shocked at Jaslove? He hit about .181 in the SEC and hasn’t added a pound of muscle since high school. He would’ve been one of the first I projected to the portal. He wasn’t going to win the SS job next year. Kendro surprises me.

Yep. You can’t judge on his limited at bats. Sometimes there‘s a big jump from one year to the next plus his defense was elite. My point was he’s been here for 3 years so why leave now when the SS position is wide open? Plus, I’m sure he’s gotten stronger in Q’s program and has one of the best arms on the team.

 

[@1RBFjr]

i grew up a ucla fan. Not really one anymore

I thought a long time ago you said you had a Belmont (Bruins) connection.

 

[BruinVol]

I thought a long time ago you said you had a Belmont (Bruins) connection.

I always liked Rick Byrd and Belmont hoops. Had a close friend that was one of his trainers on staff years ago

 

[WGWTFA98]

Not liking the sequence of the visit. Giving LSU the final shot....no bueno. Wonder if Tony V can lock him up and keep him from making that visit? If not, I really don't like our chances.

I disagree think it says a lot he’s coming to Knoxville first. We will see what happens, but there’s a chance he never even makes it to Baton Rouge

 

[southgatevol]

How about develop the ones we have ?

Baseball recruiting is all about projection of how talent will develop. Some players do not develop enough post high school to compete at a high level. Should a coach keep them on the team knowing they will never play? Or would it be better to be honest and give them an opportunity to go somewhere where they can play?

 

[WGWTFA98]

Kendro

Pretty surprising from what I’ve heard, but I’m not sure if there’s another plan at SS that he was advised of

 

[WGWTFA98]

So all we have at ss is a juco guy coming in?

2 juco guys who will have a shot plus 3 talented freshmen who will all get a look in fall ball. Still a lot of options

 

[BruinVol]

2 juco guys who will have a shot plus 3 talented freshmen who will all get a look in fall ball. Still a lot of options

You don’t recruit an out of state juco guy unless you expect them to play. I’d feel pretty good about their chances

 

[WGWTFA98]

Absolutely shocked that both Jaslove and Kendra are in portal. Expected one of them to win SS job. If our offense is what’s expected, we can afford .250 at SS with the elite defense that Jaslove or Kendra would provide. Don’t get me wrong, I trust that the coaching staff has an answer at SS, but still surprised.

Jaslove was never going to start. Kendro had a shot but was also going to compete with 4-5 other guys who are very talented too. I think it’s a little surprising he left, but it’s still understandable given how much competition is at that spot

 

[WGWTFA98]

The incoming freshmen are every bit as talented (probably more so) than Kendro or Jaslove. We’ll be fine at SS. Antigua is a bonafide stud.

Yep I think people are underrating the talent level of the 3 freshmen coming to campus. Have some juco options too. It’s a log jam that Kendro must have decided he didn’t want any part of

 

[WGWTFA98]

Yep. You can’t judge on his limited at bats. Sometimes there‘s a big jump from one year to the next plus his defense was elite. My point was he’s been here for 3 years so why leave now when the SS position is wide open? Plus, I’m sure he’s gotten stronger in Q’s program and has one of the best arms on the team.

Because it was obvious he wasn’t ever going to have a regular role and he’s already 3 years in. Might as well go somewhere you can play for your final 2 years

 

[WGWTFA98]

You don’t recruit an out of state juco guy unless you expect them to play. I’d feel pretty good about their chances

Yeah I think there’s a very good chance either of the juco guy wins the job. But juco guys are also very unpredictable and there’s a lot of talent there

 

[WGWTFA98]

Guys whoever wins the SS job is going to have really earned it. I know everyone wants a proven commodity, but every proven commodity was unproven at one point. The fact is there are 5 highly talented guys who could win that spot, so odds are whoever wins will have had to play pretty damn well to get that spot

Bradke Lohry
Alex Perry
Ariel Antigua
Blake Grimmer
Dean Curley

 

[WGWTFA98]

Guys whoever wins the SS job is going to have really earned it. I know everyone wants a proven commodity, but every proven commodity was unproven at one point. The fact is there are 5 highly talented guys who could win that spot, so odds are whoever wins will have had to play pretty damn well to get that spot

Bradke Lohry
Alex Perry
Ariel Antigua
Blake Grimmer
Dean Curley

A few of these guys are gonna get to campus and the coaches going to decide they are better at another position, but I bet you end up with 3 highly talented kids battling for that spot. It’s gonna be okay, especially given rest of the lineup

 

[taylorvol]

Because it was obvious he wasn’t ever going to have a regular role and he’s already 3 years in. Might as well go somewhere you can play for your final 2 years

I’m sure same was said about others who ended up being “surprise” starters late in their careers. My point is this would have been the first season there wasn’t a clear cut stud in front of either Jaslove or Kendro. I respect their decisions to transfer but find it surprising to do so before the one season that SS is wide open. You don’t see too many true freshmen start at SS in the SEC. Assume it will be a JUCO or late portal transfer.

 

[WGWTFA98]

I’m sure same was sad about others who ended up being “surprise” starters late in their careers. My point is this would have been the first season there wasn’t a clear cut stud in front of either Jaslove or Kendro. I respect their decisions to transfer but find it surprising to do so before the one season that SS is wide open. You don’t see too many true freshmen start at SS in the SEC. Assume it will be a JUCO or late portal transfer.

If you’re surprised then that should tell you all you need to know. Tony V is honest with kids about where they stand in the pecking order. Jaslove was never going to win the job, all 6 other guys were way more talented than him. Kendro is surprising, but at the end of the day it was nowhere near a sure deal for him to get the job either.

 

[WGWTFA98]

If you’re surprised then that should tell you all you need to know. Tony V is honest with kids about where they stand in the pecking order. Jaslove was never going to win the job, all 6 other guys were way more talented than him. Kendro is surprising, but at the end of the day it was nowhere near a sure deal for him to get the job either.

And I’m not so sure Jaslove is the same as other surprise starters. Everyone knew Lipscomb was a total stud, he was just buried behind Rucker. Same goes for Ortega who was buried behind Fergie. Only one that kind of came out of nowhere was Lawson, but Jaslove is not on his level. And while there might not be a clear cut starter ahead of those guys there’s still 5 very talented options at that spot, so it doesn’t make it any more likely they would get to start or play much

 

[931Vol]

This line up next year will not sniff .250.........none of em...... Enjoy the show.......

Way ABOVE .250---------ALL of em................

I think TV realized what settling for poor hitting at certain position groups gets you this past year and he is going to everything he can not to put mediocre bats in the lineup this year. I mean Jaslove hit .189 against mostly non SEC opponents. Can’t have that.

 

[Spring Hill Jay]

Do y’all think maybe the reason we’ve not heard anything on Denton is Tony doesn’t want to scare off Amick before enrolling?

 

[BruinVol]

Do y’all think maybe the reason we’ve not heard anything on Denton is Tony doesn’t want to scare off Amick before enrolling?

I don’t think so

I expect Denton is trying hard to sign a FA deal. My guess is TV is helping with that

 

[TN_gal]

 

[CAVPUT]

I don’t think so

I expect Denton is trying hard to sign a FA deal. My guess is TV is helping with that

If not, I'm kind of intrigued by Amick at 3rd, Denton at 2B and Moore in the outfield.

 

[taylorvol]

And I’m not so sure Jaslove is the same as other surprise starters. Everyone knew Lipscomb was a total stud, he was just buried behind Rucker. Same goes for Ortega who was buried behind Fergie. Only one that kind of came out of nowhere was Lawson, but Jaslove is not on his level. And while there might not be a clear cut starter ahead of those guys there’s still 5 very talented options at that spot, so it doesn’t make it any more likely they would get to start or play much

Not true. Ortega was the surprise at 2B and certainly wasn't the clear cut starter. I get it—you’re not a Jaslove fan but I stand by my surprise that he’s hitting the portal when SS is wide open. Hope he finds a starting job at a place that suits him.