Next years team returns to Omaha IF

[Dawgs'n'Grizz]

NM

 

[msstate7]

We find some pitching

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

They win a super regional

 

[8dog]

And we are gonna have to find a lot of it. 2 of 3 weekend starters gone and our 3 long relievers gone

 

[WutheringDawg]

Still only believe there is a microscopic chance of this happening but if Ginn gets to campus. I think that puts us in great shape to come back.

Also if Plumlee returns to the team pumping gas as has been advertised. Also if Keegan James figures it out in the offseason. Also if Denver Mccquary figures it out in the offseason.

So yeah, pitching.

 

[tatedog]

We can avoid hosting the OVC champions as a high national seed.**

 

[maroonmania]

As already mentioned, next year is all about what we have in the pitching department. As of now, the only quality pitchers we believe will be coming back or Small and Self. Pretty much every other pitcher that was a key contributor this year is gone. Gotta hope guys like James, McQuary, Price, Ashcraft, Breaux and some FR or transfers can fill the void. REALLY wish Gordon would come back for his SR year but apparently he has already decided to move on.

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

Neff, France, and Gordon are losses for sure. Billingsley isn’t a loss. You can stretch anyone out to replace him. Pilk is a loss but not as big of a loss as everyone might think. A 4.56 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP isn’t exactly irreplaceable. We need to be active on the grad transfer wire and guys need to step up. Somebody beg Gordon to stay. The big thing is we know who our ace is. I think we’ll be fine. For most of the season this staff wasn’t great so they won’t be impossible to replace. I think if you can fog a mirror you should be able to coach this team to 40 wins next year. It’s the years after that is where I’m concerned.

 

[LandArchDawg]

I think we still have Wes Johnson to thank for that.

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

Does this mean what i hope it means?:

[tweet]1010730950693736448[/tweet]

 

[8dog]

I think so. He can be a millionaire next year

 

[8dog]

If you look at our numbers as far as bodies go its impossible to conclude we couldnt use billingsley next year. Does he have the potential for a terrible outing? Sure. But he also has the ability to keep us in games

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

You have to be strong up the middle...: P, C, SS, 2nd and CF.... P and C are our weakest....

 

[fader2103]

If we play our best baseball at the right time is the correct and only answer. How many times can the best teams all season do great and lose at the end? Because they don’t get hot at the right time.

 

[harrydawg.sixpack]

So what do you think it means.....Small has already announced he is returning

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

When did he announce? Must've missed that.

 

[ArrowDawg]

If we play our best baseball at the right time is the correct and only answer. How many times can the best teams all season do great and lose at the end? Because they don’t get hot at the right time.

If we don't improve our talent level, in particular the pitching and power hitting, then all we can probably ever really expect is to get hot at the right time and "get there" once every 5 years or so. Once we get there, we'll always likely run into a team like Oregon State that is just flat out better than us from top to bottom. If winning a title is our goal, then our recruiting(and actually getting them on campus) has to improve significantly and stay consistent. Otherwise, just getting to Omaha is going to remain the pinnacle of our program.

 

[Willow Grove Dawg]

Even a really good team needs a ton of breaks to make it to Omaha see 1984, 1989, & 2016 and 10 SEC weekends can be brutal. We have the roster to potentially be very good in 2019 & 2020.

 

[BonzoGoesToCollege]

You have to be strong up the middle...: P, C, SS, 2nd and CF.... P and C are our weakest....

I agree with this line of thinking. So who is projected at 2B next year?

 

[8dog]

He didnt. An in fact he told brett hudson he still has to decide. Not sure why he tweeted that

 

[Lawdawg.sixpack]

He could definitely make a HUGE jump next year in the draft and still have leverage. But they are surely factoring that into the offer he gets right now...

 

[MSUDawgFan86]

If you look at our numbers as far as bodies go its impossible to conclude we couldnt use billingsley next year. Does he have the potential for a terrible outing? Sure. But he also has the ability to keep us in games

Its not hard to find a guy to start that can replace a 5.57 ERA and 1.7 WHIP. Just about Any one of us can replace that.

 

[Shamoan]

This is going to sound harsh or unrealistic, but we need a lineup and staff that looks like Arkansas or Oregon state. The freshman are already good, but they will develop, so I'm not worried there, but we need a lineup that is a nightmare to face from top to bottom AND an elite shut-down starter, a couple of prospect aces with 2 great pitches and get a coach that can help develop a 3rd where needed. To get the latter, we need to cast a wider recruiting net imo. A team BA around .300 and a team ERA of around 3.10 should do it. Is that too much to ask?