My best guess for Freshman All-American would be Dansby Swanson, the shortstop. Campbell might have difficulty breaking into the line-up right away, what with Kemp currently at 2nd base. I can see the situation developing where Kemp goes back to left and Campbell takes 2nd, however.

Campbell's HS stats are hard to see, but it appears he hit over .500 for the season.

1975grad wrote: My best guess for Freshman All-American would be Dansby Swanson, the shortstop. Campbell might have difficulty breaking into the line-up right away, what with Kemp currently at 2nd base. I can see the situation developing where Kemp goes back to left and Campbell takes 2nd, however.

Campbell's HS stats are hard to see, but it appears he hit over .500 for the season.

I'd like to see one of our freshman arms become dominant during the weekday games, gain notoriety and get into some SEC games towards the end of the season.  It would be nice to see a freshman get some mid-relief innings during the weekend too and also gain some notoriety and be a notable player going into the post-season. 

I keep thinking back to Karsten Whitson and what a huge difference he made for the smurfs.  It would be good to see one of our pitchers distinguish himself similarly.

FRGVandy81 wrote:

1975grad wrote: My best guess for Freshman All-American would be Dansby Swanson, the shortstop. Campbell might have difficulty breaking into the line-up right away, what with Kemp currently at 2nd base. I can see the situation developing where Kemp goes back to left and Campbell takes 2nd, however.

Campbell's HS stats are hard to see, but it appears he hit over .500 for the season.

I'd like to see one of our freshman arms become dominant during the weekday games, gain notoriety and get into some SEC games towards the end of the season.  It would be nice to see a freshman get some mid-relief innings during the weekend too and also gain some notoriety and be a notable player going into the post-season. 

I keep thinking back to Karsten Whitson and what a huge difference he made for the smurfs.  It would be good to see one of our pitchers distinguish himself similarly.

I think Carson Fulmer is the most likely freshman pitcher who gets the weekday start.  I can envision Carson emulating Karsten (only 3 letters need to be changed.)

1975grad wrote:

FRGVandy81 wrote:

1975grad wrote: My best guess for Freshman All-American would be Dansby Swanson, the shortstop. Campbell might have difficulty breaking into the line-up right away, what with Kemp currently at 2nd base. I can see the situation developing where Kemp goes back to left and Campbell takes 2nd, however.

Campbell's HS stats are hard to see, but it appears he hit over .500 for the season.

I'd like to see one of our freshman arms become dominant during the weekday games, gain notoriety and get into some SEC games towards the end of the season.  It would be nice to see a freshman get some mid-relief innings during the weekend too and also gain some notoriety and be a notable player going into the post-season. 

I keep thinking back to Karsten Whitson and what a huge difference he made for the smurfs.  It would be good to see one of our pitchers distinguish himself similarly.

I think Carson Fulmer is the most likely freshman pitcher who gets the weekday start.  I can envision Carson emulating Karsten (only 3 letters need to be changed.)

I'm hoping to see a lot of Carson Fulmer, Walker Buehle, Tyler Ferguson and Adam Ravenelle. All of them have great potential and I hope they help give us a pitching staff with some of the lowest staff ERA in the country.

I would not count Campbell out at shortstop.  He didn't play shortstop during the B&G series, but he did play ss all high school and there is a write-up on the Area Code game website that basically says that pro scouts see him sticking at shortstop.  TC does not seem like he will be in a hurry to move Kemp back to the outfield.  So, shortstop may be the only place for Campbell to play.

I know everyone likes Swanson at shortstop, but I understand Campbell outhit Swanson and McKeithen, significantly over the fall.  By all accounts the kid is an excellent defensive shortstop (not as big and strong as the other kids but makes every play).  I like him better at second and that would be a great freshman duo to watch if him and Swanson played the middle.  But, if the only spot on the field is shortstop they are going to have to play the biggest bat.  And, from what I understand Campbell has shown the strongest bat thus far.

Another thing, everyone seems to like this kid.  Several of the older players have commented about his maturity and how he carries himself with a "quiet confidence".  And TC spoke very highly of him after the B&G series.  I think he might be a dark horse for the position, but I would not be surprised if he eventually gets an opportunity at the spot and keeps it.

79dore wrote: I would not count Campbell out at shortstop.  He didn't play shortstop during the B&G series, but he did play ss all high school and there is a write-up on the Area Code game website that basically says that pro scouts see him sticking at shortstop.  TC does not seem like he will be in a hurry to move Kemp back to the outfield.  So, shortstop may be the only place for Campbell to play.

I know everyone likes Swanson at shortstop, but I understand Campbell outhit Swanson and McKeithen, significantly over the fall.  By all accounts the kid is an excellent defensive shortstop (not as big and strong as the other kids but makes every play).  I like him better at second and that would be a great freshman duo to watch if him and Swanson played the middle.  But, if the only spot on the field is shortstop they are going to have to play the biggest bat.  And, from what I understand Campbell has shown the strongest bat thus far.

Another thing, everyone seems to like this kid.  Several of the older players have commented about his maturity and how he carries himself with a "quiet confidence".  And TC spoke very highly of him after the B&G series.  I think he might be a dark horse for the position, but I would not be surprised if he eventually gets an opportunity at the spot and keeps it.

I kept stats for myself at the fall series and Swanson and Campbell were basically tied as the top hitters (average-wise) along with Kemp.  Hardly any of the returning players hit very much, although hitting was at a premium the entire weekend.  If you recall, it was great weather on day 1, then lousy cold weather on days 2 and 3.  Swanson seemed to have more pop in his bat with Campbell being a classic singles hitter.  Swanson has incredible range and a strong arm, but Campbell looked pretty good as well at 2nd.  I believe, without consulting my notes which are not handy right now, McKeithan had 1 hit but I believe it was a clutch hit to help the final game.

The most impressive part of the fall series, to me, was our corps of freshmen pitchers.  Almost too many good arms to mention, with quite a variety of pitching styles.  I was particularly impressed with Fulmer; I would venture to guess he could be the freshman who is the first to be a starter.  However, Walker Buehler, who many say is the best of all the freshmen pitchers, did not participate in the fall so I'll be very interested to see him in action.

1975grad wrote: I kept stats for myself at the fall series and Swanson and Campbell were basically tied as the top hitters (average-wise) along with Kemp.  Hardly any of the returning players hit very much, although hitting was at a premium the entire weekend.  If you recall, it was great weather on day 1, then lousy cold weather on days 2 and 3.  Swanson seemed to have more pop in his bat with Campbell being a classic singles hitter.  Swanson has incredible range and a strong arm, but Campbell looked pretty good as well at 2nd.  I believe, without consulting my notes which are not handy right now, McKeithan had 1 hit but I believe it was a clutch hit to help the final game.

The most impressive part of the fall series, to me, was our corps of freshmen pitchers.  Almost too many good arms to mention, with quite a variety of pitching styles.  I was particularly impressed with Fulmer; I would venture to guess he could be the freshman who is the first to be a starter.  However, Walker Buehler, who many say is the best of all the freshmen pitchers, did not participate in the fall so I'll be very interested to see him in action.

With the lack of run production last year, I would think the coaching staff would want to go with as much punch in the bats as they can find.  It will be interesting to see what lineup he starts with.

I'm excited by the freshman pitchers too.  I hope we get to see them.  I'd like to see Rav and Pffiefer get some good innnings in also. 

Are all the new pitchers big arms or are there some finesse pitchers too?  I can't forget about how effective Roth at SC was with his accuracy and effective pitches. 

The lack of run production was a strange last year, particularly since many of the players had much better stats the previous year.  Here's (raising a toast with a cup of tea) to a return to the good stats throughout the lineup.

Of the new pitchers, five are power arms (Buehler, Fulmer, Stephenson, Ferguson and Delano -- all RHP) and one is a change of pace (Raasch -- a sidearming RHP).  Raasch has, I understand, a delivery lower than Dramamine Miller's and he is often compared to SC's John Taylor (which is not fair to Raasch given Taylor's incredible success -- but it's a style comparison, not an expectation of results).

WhenItStrikesMe wrote: Of the new pitchers, five are power arms (Buehler, Fulmer, Stephenson, Ferguson and Delano -- all RHP) and one is a change of pace (Raasch -- a sidearming RHP).  Raasch has, I understand, a delivery lower than Dramamine Miller's and he is often compared to SC's John Taylor (which is not fair to Raasch given Taylor's incredible success -- but it's a style comparison, not an expectation of results).

Thanks.  I hope that they get some good innings.  The Long Beach State series will give us a good indication of both pitching and hitting prowess for the upcoming season.  I hope the weather holds out and it's not one of those 5 degree weekends.  I hope that the coaching staff can get lots of kids into the games too to give them a feel for play and a good start to the season. 

Buehler didn't participate in the B&G game.  Was that because he needed a rest or is it part of a potential red-shirt season or some other reason? 

Do you think that the staff will give Rav and Pffiefer in innings this spring?

FRGVandy81 wrote:


Buehler didn't participate in the B&G game.  Was that because he needed a rest or is it part of a potential red-shirt season or some other reason? 

Do you think that the staff will give Rav and Pffiefer in innings this spring?

I believe Walker was sick during B&G or out for some minor health reason like that... but that's based on recollection and not verified fact.  I do remember that it wasn't a big deal and he definitely has impressed this spring. 

I definitely expect that Pfeif will get key innings this year.  He's got a closer's mentality and a starter's stuff, so he could fit in a lot of places.  I expect a breakout year.

Rav and Nev are tougher to predict. Corbin tends not to put pitchers out there that he can't depend on to not be ineffectively wild.  Up until now, neither Rav or Nev have been pinpoint or effectively wild, so unless things click, don't expect huge inning numbers, despite their tremendous potential.

WhenItStrikesMe wrote:
I believe Walker was sick during B&G or out for some minor health reason like that... but that's based on recollection and not verified fact.  I do remember that it wasn't a big deal and he definitely has impressed this spring. 

I definitely expect that Pfeif will get key innings this year.  He's got a closer's mentality and a starter's stuff, so he could fit in a lot of places.  I expect a breakout year.

Rav and Nev are tougher to predict. Corbin tends not to put pitchers out there that he can't depend on to not be ineffectively wild.  Up until now, neither Rav or Nev have been pinpoint or effectively wild, so unless things click, don't expect huge inning numbers, despite their tremendous potential.

I hope Rav and Nev have their accuracy under control and we can get some good innings with them this spring.  With these young guys the matter of accuracy can sometimes be solved as simply as having the patience to let them grow into their bones, many are still growing at this point both in length and breadth.  Then again, sometimes its something that no amount of patience or practice will solve.  I hope its just a matter of maturation and they're ready to play this spring.

I'm glad that Walker's absence during the B&G series was the result of a temporary illness and not something long term or serious.  Sounds like Pfeif will either get some good long relief or some closer innings this year.  I like his pluck, he's dedicated and competitive, a little like Sonny.

I think Rav and Nev will put it together at some point.  Note that it's not that they're really, really wild, just that their not effectively wild.  You don't have to be Greg Maddux to be a great pitcher... you can miss your spots, but you can't either lose the zone temporarily or miss in the middle of the plate.  I think both are a bit more pronounced than, say, Ziomek is during his typical one bad inning per game... but that's a good comparison.  Both have golden arms though.

As for Pfeif, I think he's a bit more spitfire than Sonny... but both are darn competitive.  I think Pfeif's mound presence reminds me most of DP in some ways.  He self-motivates through strikeouts, as an example.

WhenItStrikesMe wrote: I think Rav and Nev will put it together at some point.  Note that it's not that they're really, really wild, just that their not effectively wild.  You don't have to be Greg Maddux to be a great pitcher... you can miss your spots, but you can't either lose the zone temporarily or miss in the middle of the plate.  I think both are a bit more pronounced than, say, Ziomek is during his typical one bad inning per game... but that's a good comparison.  Both have golden arms though.

As for Pfeif, I think he's a bit more spitfire than Sonny... but both are darn competitive.  I think Pfeif's mound presence reminds me most of DP in some ways.  He self-motivates through strikeouts, as an example.

Agreed and thank you.  I think last year, more so than in previous years, our whole staff had that kind of trouble.  We had more walks than I've perceived (haven't looked at the stats) from previous years and we certainly had more "misses" over the center of the plate which resulted in a few more long hits against us than in previous years.  The stats are difficult to interpret though because of the change to bbcor bats.  I think there was much more "pitching around the outside of the plate" before bbcor bats because the penalty for a fat spot over the middle of the plate seemed to be 500 feet.

A disclaimer, it should be noted that we've had particularly fine pitching staffs for the last several years that included Mike Minor, David Price and a couple years ago a weekend staff that featured two first-round MLB picks at the end of the season.  While it's hubris to expect this level of pitching in perpetuum, it is certainly something we can hope for. 

I'm hoping that through the summer, fall and early winter, the pitchers have had lots of time and effort in 'finding their spots' reliably. If they have, it will be a brilliant spring season.

WhenItStrikesMe wrote: I think Rav and Nev will put it together at some point.  Note that it's not that they're really, really wild, just that their not effectively wild.  You don't have to be Greg Maddux to be a great pitcher... you can miss your spots, but you can't either lose the zone temporarily or miss in the middle of the plate.  I think both are a bit more pronounced than, say, Ziomek is during his typical one bad inning per game... but that's a good comparison.  Both have golden arms though.

As for Pfeif, I think he's a bit more spitfire than Sonny... but both are darn competitive.  I think Pfeif's mound presence reminds me most of DP in some ways.  He self-motivates through strikeouts, as an example.

It took Selman 2.5 years to put it together, but when he did, he was unbelievable last year.  I'm hoping those guys can harness their command a little earlier in their careers, but I have confidence we'll see them make major contributions soon enough.