FRGVandy81 wrote: Can you believe that we're just 3 weeks from Opening Day? 

I wonder if there's going to be some sort of school celebration...maybe the sororities and fraternities can host a parade and a post-game party. 

With the premium on getting hitters into the game, I wouldn't at all be surprised to see some of the freshman make their way into the lineup this year.  I'm looking forward to seeing it on TV/computer since I haven't had a chance to see them play yet.  As for three freshman infield starters, that would be great if they're the best hitters at their positions. 

I hope that the young arms, particularly Rav and Nev, get into their groove. Like you mentioned, I was very happy to see Sam have such a great year his last year with us, but also wish he'd found his groove earlier.  He had such a great year in the pros last year, it would have been nice for him to have had an extra year like that with us.  He's a great kid and I hope he gets some "promotions" this spring and is equally effective right through the big show.

It should be an exciting season and will be fun for a couple reasons.  First, the pitching and hoped-for explosiveness of the team will make for some big highlights.  Second, it will be a pleasure watching the young bucks develop into their potential.

One thing Corbs doesn't do is push pitchers too fast or too far.  He lets them come into their own, at their pace.  With guys like Selman, this took a few years, but Sam's reaping the benefits of Corbs' approach now with his MLB career. 

I see him doing the same thing with Rav and Nev, and I can't wait to watch them when it all comes into place for them -- both have great arms.  However, Corbs can afford to take this slow, safe approach due to the wealth of arms he has in the bullpen. 

In the long-term, this approach is also a good recruiting tool.  A number of college coaches have the reputation of burning out kids' arms (Wayne Graham at Rice, for example) and I think that scares some kids away from those program.  Corbs reputation for how he and DJ handled pitchers is a draw for Vanderbilt IMHO.

NOTE:  I only single Graham out here because I have a friend who's son, who had an MLB quality arm, went to Rice so I have the details on that horror story, as well as other Rice pitchers.