What's your portal strategy for baseball?

[Faustdog]

I think we all would like some bullpen help, but we lose every position player but Parker, Woodson, and possibly Milewski. And of those three, only Parker should be locked in as a starter for next year. There is a decent chance we're looking at 6+ guys in the lineup who weren't on our roster this year.

Which young guys develop into everyday players? Chone James? Mershon? Just doesn't look like a ton else there that could help us in '27.

What are your portal priorities?

 

[Anon1749038494]

Back of the bullpen is priority 1,2 and 3 then find a shortstop that’s elite defensively and hopefully a strong bat too.

 

[00Dawg]

1. Closer who throws strikes (aka low walks, don't care as much if the outs are Ks). Looking for guys who can give me 3-4 innings in a weekend, with a slant towards showing they can handle at least two appearances in that window.
2. Two Corner IFs and at least one OF with at least one big power bat, and high averages for the other two.
3. Two Relievers who can give me 2-3 innings. Would love an effective side-armer.
4. A stud Catcher. I just don't know if I can take the chance that Milewski and Brick are both on campus this fall.

Looking at the portal so far, #2 has some serious OF candidates. Struggling to find any pitchers worth trying.

 

[Xenomorph]

Gonna need some of everything and a lot of some things.

Middle infield starters and backups look to be up for grabs (if we can move Woodson to 3rd).

At a minimum our outfield corners are probably not on the team. Maybe all 3 if Teel doesn't return.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Milewski will be the catcher
OF is Christman from GA Southern, Nunnalee and Parker
Woodson will the SS
Mershon can play somewhere, Chone can play somewhere

We have 2-3 needs in the lineup for sure

 

[aTotal360]

Gotta find a couple of stud SPs that don't mind the idea of being an RP.

 

[HotMop]

Any 6'6" pitchers from Air Force available?

 

[Msuirondawgs]

Lots of offense to replace. Need 2 corner infielders and an outfielder. 2 arms bare minimum.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

I think the first call I'd make would be Quinton Coats from Cincinnati. The 1B position is yours, buddy.

That's just how it's done these days, your home regional isn't just for the fans, it's an official visit.

And the best bang for your buck is the smaller schools. Certainly does not seem to be any geographic bounds anymore.

 

[WrightGuy821]

The Starting rotation is pretty locked up which means I think it'll be kind of hard to recruit really high level pitchers unless they're closer type dudes. Parker, Milewski, and probably Woodson should all be coming back. Like Hadad said this morning, Parker you can write in the lineup in sharpie. Every other spot is open and should be competed for

 

[Faustdog]

Is Chone James good enough to be an every day second baseman?

 

[aTotal360]

The Starting rotation is pretty locked up which means I think it'll be kind of hard to recruit really high level pitchers unless they're closer type dudes.

I agree. Will probably have to get some top-tier Sunbelt SPs who are ok with being a closer. To your point, I don't think an elite P5 SP will come in wanting to pitch relief. And I don't think a P5 school will let an elite closer walk over money. Way too valuable.

 

[patdog]

Any 6'6" pitchers from Air Force available?

Unfortunately we don’t even Have a gymnastics team.

 

[Anon1749038494]

Gonna need some of everything and a lot of some things.

Middle infield starters and backups look to be up for grabs (if we can move Woodson to 3rd).

At a minimum our outfield corners are probably not on the team. Maybe all 3 if Teel doesn't return.

Jacob Parker will be in right field.

 

[Xenomorph]

Jacob Parker will be in right field.

Oh… well, yeah there’s that….

 

[MSUDC11-2.0]

Will be curious to see what happens with the 2-3 Virginia transfers that could be back (Teel, James, and Nunnalee). I think there’s a world where all three are in the starting lineup next year. It’s not a talent issue with any of them and I think all three have big jumps in them, potentially. Feel pretty confident Nunnalee and James will be back, Teel is one that probably leaves if he gets drafted though, but he might be back, TBD.

I think you’ve probably got to bring in 2-3 power bats from the portal. Sounds like one is already coming with the Christman kid.

Our starting rotation is likely already on campus, just need to beef up the bullpen.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Is Chone James good enough to be an every day second baseman?

I think so. Just like Nunnallee can be an outfielder.

Just like the 4 freshmen guys that no one has even mentioned except Mershon and that's only because of name recognition.

Nobody wants to allow players to grow up anymore. Fans are sheep, just rabbling portal portal portal.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Oh… well, yeah there’s that….

0-4 day for you man

 

[TrueMaroonGrind]

Is Chone James good enough to be an every day second baseman?

His bat is good enough. We’ll see about his defense. If it’s not we do need a DH.

 

[howboutthemdawgs]

Any Chance Will Brick makes it to campus? listed as #31 best in draft per the internet.

 

[Perd Hapley]

I think we all would like some bullpen help, but we lose every position player but Parker, Woodson, and possibly Milewski. And of those three, only Parker should be locked in as a starter for next year. There is a decent chance we're looking at 6+ guys in the lineup who weren't on our roster this year.

Woodson and Milewski absolutely are locked in as starters, if they are both back. Woodson may need to move to 2B or 3B, but he’ll play somewhere. Milewski is guaranteed to be a Top 2 option at C or DH….maybe even 1B since we have a hole there and he’s a big target. Had a better year at the plate than his BA showed.

Which young guys develop into everyday players? Chone James? Mershon? Just doesn't look like a ton else there that could help us in '27.

Yes to both. Teel and Nunnalee also maybe still here.

Brick, Rocco Maniscalco, and Shelar are all Top 200 prospects. I’d guess we get at least 1 of the 3 (probably Shelar). Outside chance at little Mani since he’s a legacy and what not. Will Brick looks like a goner, which is unfortunate because a Duke Stone - Will Brick battery would have been hilarious.

We already landed the GA Southern transfer. So, that’s 5-10 guys right there, depending on what happens with Milewski, Teel, Nunnalee, Shelar, and Maniscalco. I’m betting a bare minimum of 2 of those 5 go our way, leaving just a handful of spots up for grabs.

What are your portal priorities?

In order of preference:
1) 3 proven relievers (or lower level starters)
2) SS that isn’t an automatic out in the batting order
3) Best bats we can find, regardless of position.

 

[GloryDawg]

After one season I am pretty sure the coach knows now what he needs,

 

[GloryDawg]

Will there be any coaching changes.

 

[Ghowell]

Gonna need some of everything and a lot of some things.

Middle infield starters and backups look to be up for grabs (if we can move Woodson to 3rd).

At a minimum our outfield corners are probably not on the team. Maybe all 3 if Teel doesn't return.

So you think Jacob Parker is not in the outfielder next year!!!

 

[Ghowell]

Will there be any coaching changes.

No and don't need any coaching changes

 

[Msuirondawgs]

Any Chance Will Brick makes it to campus? listed as #31 best in draft per the internet.

Ehh doubt it however we all were shocked to get Jake and Bauer here. All depends on Brick's demands. I dont think he is using Boras, so that would help his signability.

 

[HWY51dog]

I don’t know…a base running coach wouldn’t be a bad idea. Is Vince Coleman available?

 

[champdawg.sixpack]

Pen,pen,pen… and more pen

 

[olblue]

I don’t know…a base running coach wouldn’t be a bad idea. Is Vince Coleman available?

What made Coleman such a threat on the bases can’t be taught.

 

[MSUDC11-2.0]

Will be curious to see what happens with the 2-3 Virginia transfers that could be back (Teel, James, and Nunnalee). I think there’s a world where all three are in the starting lineup next year. It’s not a talent issue with any of them and I think all three have big jumps in them, potentially. Feel pretty confident Nunnalee and James will be back, Teel is one that probably leaves if he gets drafted though, but he might be back, TBD.

I think you’ve probably got to bring in 2-3 power bats from the portal. Sounds like one is already coming with the Christman kid.

Our starting rotation is likely already on campus, just need to beef up the bullpen.

Well I’m dumb, Nunnalee already in the portal.

 

[johnson86-1]

Well I’m dumb, Nunnalee already in the portal.

I wonder if he was encouraged to move on or just felt like he wasn't going to be able to compete. I'm sure it was frustrating playing less here than he did as a true freshman at Virginia, but he's still just a true sophomore. Seems a little early to give up when we have outfield spots and ABs available.

 

[The Peeper]

Middle infield starters and backups look to be up for grabs (if we can move Woodson to 3rd).

At a minimum our outfield corners are probably not on the team. Maybe all 3 if Teel doesn't return.

-Woodson needs to be moved out of Oktibbeha County
-If Parker wants to stick around he'll be in RF

 

[Hdc]

Quinton Coats at Cincinnati. Big 1B who hit hit .339 and 28 HRs as a sophomore. He also had 10 SB. His strikeout rate was a little high. I visited with his parents at the regional. Super nice family. They loved The Dude. I don't think he is in the portal, but certainly he could be talked into it.

 

[OG Goat Holder]

Quinton Coats at Cincinnati. Big 1B who hit hit .339 and 28 HRs as a sophomore. He also had 10 SB. His strikeout rate was a little high. I visited with his parents at the regional. Super nice family. They loved The Dude. I don't think he is in the portal, but certainly he could be talked into it.

Already said that.

He’s already announced he’s going back to Cincinnati.

 

[Right_Field_Heckler]

-Woodson needs to be moved out of Oktibbeha County
-If Parker wants to stick around he'll be in RF

Woodson didn't light the world on fire, but overall, he wasn't so terrible for a guy in the 7-hole.

If people are expecting players in the bottom 1/3rd of the order to hit .300+ with 15 HRs and 70 RBIs, then they're going to be disappointed.

.270 BAvg with 9 HR & 41 RBIs isn't terrible...yes he could have been more clutch, but (aGAIN) he's the 7-hole hitter.

I think the talent is there to do better.

...and where is Parker going???

 

[HRMSU]

Woodson didn't light the world on fire, but overall, he wasn't so terrible for a guy in the 7-hole.

If people are expecting players in the bottom 1/3rd of the order to hit .300+ with 15 HRs and 70 RBIs, then they're going to be disappointed.

.270 BAvg with 9 HR & 41 RBIs isn't terrible...yes he could have been more clutch, but (aGAIN) he's the 7-hole hitter.

I think the talent is there to do better.

...and where is Parker going???

If he puts in the work hitting above .300 is possible with 3- 5 more dingers. He has the power, needs a better more consistent approach and better pitch recognition and I stayed at a holiday inn express last night***

 

[thekimmer]

At a minimum our outfield corners are probably not on the team. Maybe all 3 if Teel doesn't return.

Parker?