Thoughts on the first two games

#29
#29
GregAmsler said:
I was going to post in the game thread, but that thread is so chock full of drive-by posters who have no clue about college baseball ("this team is awful!", "we ain't gon' have uh winnin' recurd!", "why ain Vitello got them boys ready?!"), I really didn't want to invite their comments.

Just a few observations:

-I'm surprised we haven't seen Kavares Tears yet. Hopefully, he gets a chance to play today, perhaps in the DH role. Does anyone know how good he is defensively at 1B? I know he plays OF and 1B, but haven't heard his defensive reputation. It occurs to me that if he is solid as a defensive 1B, maybe Burke should DH with Tears at 1B....or at least try it.

-I know this is the part of the season to try on different hats for different guys. But I think it's pretty obvious that Dickey is not a RF and certainly not a CF. I was surprised that he was being pegged there and his play has validated my concern. He can't cover enough ground to play CF and really doesn't have the arm or glove to play RF. You put your worst defensive OF in LF and that's where he should be. Further, you have a guy with all kinds of speed and a great arm in Booker. Why is he in LF? There's your CF. I really wish Dickey was a good defensive Catcher. That would plug a hole in the lineup and get a better OF in the lineup...someone like Drieling, perhaps.

-Will there be a Colby Backus sighting today?

-Burns' pickoff move has improved. I thought he got a guy last night, but he was called safe. His biggest thing is consistency. He'll make 8 incredible pitches in a row, then throw a couple of fastballs that are completely flat or a slider that doesn't slide...and it leads to a rough inning. When he has good stuff (which is usually), he somehow manages to hit a patch where his stuff leaves him for a bit before returning. Maybe he's overthrowing. Not sure.

-I'd like to see Stark get a full game behind the plate. He gives us a big bat at Catcher. I wanna see how solid he is behind the plate for a full game.

-The pitching hasn't been bad. Lindsey struggled some, but TV let him work through it and he did. That's experience that will pay off down the road. I expect both Dollander and Burns will be more dominant as the season goes on, but they're easing in. Kirby has looked really good both days. I heard his mama coached him well. :p Halvorsen getting extended work Friday was a great sign.

-It's obvious that we're experiencing growing pains from breaking in an entirely new lineup. They look uncomfortable right now. Out of sync. Mental errors come along with that and we've seen those in all areas of the game. But these two games aren't all that important in the grand scheme. This part of the season is about getting things figured out, from a coaching standpoint and from individual players' standpoint. They will. They're talented. They might even win some games this year.

-Logan Chambers is getting some good swings on the ball. He'll be a productive hitter this year, I think. Just looks more confident at the plate and better in his approach than last year.

-Jake Kendro getting an at-bat Friday surprised me. Maybe he'll be a top infield reserve. Backup 3B maybe? Or is that Payne? Regardless, I haven't heard much chatter about him, but love seeing freshmen get a chance early because that means he's done something to impress.

-Today, I'm looking forward to seeing Merritt, Tears, Sewell, Evans, Beam. I'd also like to see what this Bimbi talk is all about.
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I think Dickey is being plugged in a spot because Stark is going to be too good to keep out of the lineup. CTV knows that both guys need to play and you certainly aren’t pulling Dickey and he sees enough in Stark to work him in slowly. You may be right about moving him to LF though. I also think that we have been spoiled by the play of Beck and Gilbert over the last 2 seasons.
 
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#33
#33
AthensVol2007 said:
I’m harping on Booker all weekend but going back to last year, every swing looks like he’s trying to launch one to outer space; just get the bat on the ball and let his speed go to work. We don’t need 5+ HR’s from him. Gilbert really changed his approach last year and the HR’s were down the fist half of the season but a .380 hitter with less HR’s is better for long term success than a .270 hitter with more HR’s. Booker needs to approach it similarly.
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This isn't necessarily true.

There's a reason analytics have changed how hitters approach the game. And it's because this thought process has proven to be false time and time again.
 
#34
#34
preacherman20 said:
I will post in here but can't do the other one. I want to scream just reading it.
Just some answers:
I don't think Backus travelled. I heard a mutual friend with parents say on Facebook that he was not there. I have not asked Kirby.

Burns always had a good move to first but did not change his pitch motion. One particular person says I have said they don't throw over but that is not what I said. They don't change their pitching motion with runners on base. FA is fine with throwing over but don't change your pitching motion.

I've never heard much talk about KT's ability to play first. He lacks speed for OF but has a crazy good arm. I think we will see Merritt in the OF somewhere today and maybe Dreiling. Dreiling has a great bat and great speed but lacks strong arm. I think he will get a shot in OF in midweek if not today.

Charlie has become a great defensive catcher and has a great arm. Hopefully the bat comes around. I do not know enough about Cal's ability to play catcher to comment. Plus you also know that the pitchers love Charlie because he was the bullpen catcher last year and stepped up at the end. I don't think Jared became the catcher they needed him to be even with the hard work. I'm guessing they are trying to find a place to get his bat in the lineup.

Everybody is talking about how bad Lindsey pitched but remember he had no earned runs and should have gotten out of it with none except for errors or misplayed balls.

I kept telling ya'll there were some that were being talked about that people were thinking they would see that they would not because of various reasons and I still will not elaborate.

My take away after 2 games. I never expected this to be last year's team. Too many new fielders and hitters. None got enough at bats to know what they would do. Talent does not always equal results. I think our pitching will keep us in games but we will not be able to make errors and have to score a few runs. We have a 2.00 era after 2 games which equates to 2 earned runs per game and you should win if you are giving up 2 runs per game. I'm guessing we are top 10 in the nation with that era right now. Ultimately, you can't judge good or bad after 2 games or even after 2 weeks. I'm reminded that the teams that win the Natty are never the best in the nation but the ones who get hot at the right time. All of this does not matter until SEC play. Maybe it will drive some of the drivebys and the ones who are just coming over from basketball or football. I'm on Tennessee Basevols on Facebook and people who claim to be UT fans are trashing the players and coaches as on here. I don't understand how you can claim to be a fan and trash the players and coaches. I know some of you will not say you are trashing just your opinions but when all you say is critical then that is trashing. When you are calling out individual players or coaches you are trashing. JMO
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You are spot on about Tears’ arm. He made a throw from the RF corner, in the Wake scrimmage, that was a jaw dropper!😮
 
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#36
#36
tombowalker said:
This isn't necessarily true.

There's a reason analytics have changed how hitters approach the game. And it's because this thought process has proven to be false time and time again.
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I would think it depends on the cutoff numbers for each category for lack of better terminology. A .270 hitter hitting 35 HR’s vs a guy batting .380 and hitting 2 then yes, the former like impacts the game more. Drew’s situation for the first half of the season 2021 vs. 2022 was something like .260 and 8 HR (2021) vs. .380 and 5. I would think the latter is more vital to long term team success. He ultimately wound up with more HR’s in 2022 than 2021 so it’s a moot point at years end.
 
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#37
#37
AthensVol2007 said:
I would think it depends on the cutoff numbers for each category for lack of better terminology. A .270 hitter hitting 35 HR’s vs a guy batting .380 and hitting 2 then yes, the former like impacts the game more. Drew’s situation for the first half of the season 2021 vs. 2022 was something like .260 and 8 HR (2021) vs. .380 and 5. I would think the latter is more vital to long term team success. He ultimately wound up with more HR’s in 2022 than 2021 so it’s a moot point at years end.
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Also, Drew missed a couple of weeks with a hammy in early 22.
 
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