1975grad wrote: No way to know for sure, but here's my picks:
1. Dansby Swanson ... should be our #1 shortstop / he can hit AND field
2. Tyler Campbell ... will get a shot at 2nd [if so, Kemp goes back to left]
3. Xavier Turner... will get a shot at 3rd
4. Rhett Wiseman ... will get a shot in left unless Kemp goes back there
5. Zander Weil and Kyle Smith could push for a DH spot

I could envision 1 of the freshmen pitchers making it as a weekday starter -- several to choose from (and perhaps the best one, Buehler, didn't participate in the fall either.) Carson Fulmer was particularly impressive to me. Several freshmen pitchers will get considerable work as middle relief and perhaps closer.

To me, this freshman class is head and shoulders above last year's (based just on fall ball.)

What are the chances that we have 2b, ss and 3b all as Freshmen?

FRGVandy81 wrote:

1975grad wrote: No way to know for sure, but here's my picks:
1. Dansby Swanson ... should be our #1 shortstop / he can hit AND field
2. Tyler Campbell ... will get a shot at 2nd [if so, Kemp goes back to left]
3. Xavier Turner... will get a shot at 3rd
4. Rhett Wiseman ... will get a shot in left unless Kemp goes back there
5. Zander Weil and Kyle Smith could push for a DH spot

I could envision 1 of the freshmen pitchers making it as a weekday starter -- several to choose from (and perhaps the best one, Buehler, didn't participate in the fall either.) Carson Fulmer was particularly impressive to me. Several freshmen pitchers will get considerable work as middle relief and perhaps closer.

To me, this freshman class is head and shoulders above last year's (based just on fall ball.)

What are the chances that we have 2b, ss and 3b all as Freshmen?

I wouldn't necessarily be surprised if it eventually happened, although I doubt it starts out that way.  I think Conde definitely gets the shot at 3rd to show he can hit; if not, Turner will have a great shot at beating him out.  Campbell at second would be my "surprise" starter from the get-go; quite impressed with him in the fall, he just seems to carry himself well and exude confidence beyond what you'd expect from a first semester freshman.

As for short, I fully expect Swanson to get that job.  He handles the bat extremely well, he's got a great arm and range, and, to be truthful, looks more like a veteran player than he does a freshman.

All of the freshmen pitchers impressed me, especially Fulmer.  Buehler, the more highly touted kid, didn't play so he could be another pleasant surprise for us.

When you look at the 2013 schedule, it's possible our only "tough" series prior to the SEC will be @Oregon.  That will be a real test for us and should give us more insight into how we stack up with respect to the better teams around the country.

The first half of our SEC schedule is much "easier" than it was last year, Florida being the biggest test (2nd weekend home series.)  If all goes well, we could have 28-30 wins heading into April, with at shot at winning 50 total.

About the schedule, Corbin usually likes to do a tough away series to start the season, but that doesn't seem to be the case this year. Anyone know why that is? Long Beach State isn't exactly a perennial star in the college baseball arena.

Actualy LBSU has a great baseball history. 

Our West Coast Power this year, though, is Oregon and it's too north to actually open the season there (Palo Alto was a stretch for an early season start last year, but OR is too cold to play that early). 

I bet we'll be back to West Coast weekend openers next year. Getting Oregon on the schedule was great and I'm sure Tim's involvement consulting on the restart of their program (and then later turning them down for the job) opened the door to us going out there.