Next year's baseball team......

[Russ Wheeler]

So let's all assume the worst, and that's that we get beat in our own regional. It likely won't happen, but since doom and gloom over Hoovuh is the name of the game today, let's just say we blow it and then look to next season.

I really don't see why some say it's a rebuilding year. If anything, THIS was the rebuilding year, camouflaged by the fact that we got Rowdy and TA back. The lineup, without accounting for freshmen:

C: Tanner, who will make a huge jump and be a 1-2 rounder
1B: Clark most likely, who we all see is talented and will be a great hitter, maybe James here
2B: Meche
SS: Forsythe, a year older
3B: James or Clark, and James will also be better
DH: Hancock or anybody
LF: Cumbest
CF: Skinner
RF: McDonald

Tell me why we aren't fired up about that lineup? I know many have tunnel vision and can't understand development, but James/Tanner will be one of the most formidable duos in the country next year. Add Clark to that, and we all know the 80/20 rule. That's all we need. McGowan will also be a year older.

And pitching will truly be an embarrassment of riches. Fristoe, Tepper, Cade Smith and Carmouche, all uber talented and will all step up, have to expect a couple starters there. Brandon Smith, one year further from TJ. Johnson, Tullar, Stone, Stinnett all likely back. Oh yeah, that guy named Sims, whether he's a starter or reliever, who cares. Hunt and Lovett playing in the Cape, who knows what happens there.

Sure, we'll probably have a couple injuries or defections, but that's strong to me. Again, this is not including freshmen at all. We are in reload territory.

 

[Drebin]

So let's all assume the worst, and that's that we get beat in our own regional. It likely won't happen, but since doom and gloom over Hoovuh is the name of the game today, let's just say we blow it and then look to next season.

I really don't see why some say it's a rebuilding year. If anything, THIS was the rebuilding year, camouflaged by the fact that we got Rowdy and TA back. The lineup, without accounting for freshmen:

C: Tanner, who will make a huge jump and be a 1-2 rounder
1B: Clark most likely, who we all see is talented and will be a great hitter, maybe James here
2B: Meche
SS: Forsythe, a year older
3B: James or Clark, and James will also be better
DH: Hancock or anybody
LF: Cumbest
CF: Skinner
RF: McDonald

Tell me why we aren't fired up about that lineup? I know many have tunnel vision and can't understand development, but James/Tanner will be one of the most formidable duos in the country next year. Add Clark to that, and we all know the 80/20 rule. That's all we need. McGowan will also be a year older.

And pitching will truly be an embarrassment of riches. Fristoe, Tepper, Cade Smith and Carmouche, all uber talented and will all step up, have to expect a couple starters there. Brandon Smith, one year further from TJ. Johnson, Tullar, Stone, Stinnett all likely back. Oh yeah, that guy named Sims, whether he's a starter or reliever, who cares. Hunt and Lovett playing in the Cape, who knows what happens there.

Sure, we'll probably have a couple injuries or defections, but that's strong to me. Again, this is not including freshmen at all. We are in reload territory.

Looking at that lineup, I hope a couple of our incoming freshmen are studs. Because that lineup is nothing to get excited about. At all.

 

[The Peeper]

Thinking about that lineup next year depresses me personally.

This year was supposed to be an "embarrassment of riches" for pitching too if you listen to hype

 

[Leeshouldveflanked]

I don’t see many runs scored with this lineup.

 

[Russ Wheeler]

I don’t see many runs scored with this lineup.

Obviously many people feel this way but I don't get it. The SEC as a whole loses a ton next year too, so overall it'll be a down year, though a down year is still likely the best conference. Tanner, James and Clark will all hit over .300. If Cumbest and McDonald get reps, no telling what they'll do. Forsythe will get better.

 

[8dog]

Yikes.

 

[Drebin]

Obviously many people feel this way but I don't get it. The SEC as a whole loses a ton next year too, so overall it'll be a down year, though a down year is still likely the best conference. Tanner, James and Clark will all hit over .300. If Cumbest and McDonald get reps, no telling what they'll do. Forsythe will get better.

Of course you don't get it. I'll just say this: If you're expecting all of those guys to be so much better next year just because they're a year older, you're going to be really disappointed. Is it possible that Forsythe makes a big jump? Sure. Is it possible that Meche turns out to be a stud? Is it possible that LoTan gives us what TA gave us this year? If all the stars align, sure. But that's all wishful thinking.

As far as the rest of the SEC, you have no idea what everyone has coming in next year so I'd stop making overgeneralizations about how "down" the league will be.

 

[57stratdawg]

We need some bats at the top of the lineup. You feel good about the RBI guys: Tanner, James, Hancock, Clark & Cumbest.

Cumbest needs to focus on baseball. It doesn't seem like he's going to take a big jump if he's running routes at DWS between July & December 2021.

 

[philduckworth]

need to hit the transfer portal.

 

[PreacherDog]

need to hit the transfer portal.

I think we have some incoming outfielders who could push for playing time next year. One signee, James Wood, will probably be a high draft pick. But a couple others may make it on campus

 

[ronpolk]

I’ll be pretty disappointed if we can’t figure out something better than skinner in CF and Forsythe at SS. Forsythe is a poor hitter and a below average SS.

 

[Bucksnort_Dawg]

We need some bats at the top of the lineup. You feel good about the RBI guys: Tanner, James, Hancock, Clark & Cumbest.

Cumbest needs to focus on baseball. It doesn't seem like he's going to take a big jump if he's running routes at DWS between July & December 2021.

I think I heard that he had moved to defensive end, which sounds like they don’t really plan on him making any kind of impact if they’ve moved him this late in his career.

 

[johnson86-1]

So let's all assume the worst, and that's that we get beat in our own regional. It likely won't happen, but since doom and gloom over Hoovuh is the name of the game today, let's just say we blow it and then look to next season.

I really don't see why some say it's a rebuilding year. If anything, THIS was the rebuilding year, camouflaged by the fact that we got Rowdy and TA back. The lineup, without accounting for freshmen:

C: Tanner, who will make a huge jump and be a 1-2 rounder
1B: Clark most likely, who we all see is talented and will be a great hitter, maybe James here
2B: Meche
SS: Forsythe, a year older
3B: James or Clark, and James will also be better
DH: Hancock or anybody
LF: Cumbest
CF: Skinner
RF: McDonald

Tell me why we aren't fired up about that lineup? I know many have tunnel vision and can't understand development, but James/Tanner will be one of the most formidable duos in the country next year. Add Clark to that, and we all know the 80/20 rule. That's all we need. McGowan will also be a year older.

And pitching will truly be an embarrassment of riches. Fristoe, Tepper, Cade Smith and Carmouche, all uber talented and will all step up, have to expect a couple starters there. Brandon Smith, one year further from TJ. Johnson, Tullar, Stone, Stinnett all likely back. Oh yeah, that guy named Sims, whether he's a starter or reliever, who cares. Hunt and Lovett playing in the Cape, who knows what happens there.

Sure, we'll probably have a couple injuries or defections, but that's strong to me. Again, this is not including freshmen at all. We are in reload territory.

I mean, sure, all we have to have is for every projected starter to make a small to significant leap and we'll be great.

Certainly we should have some players make a leap and keep us ok, but it certainly doesn't look likely that enough of them will make significant enough jumps for us to not have a decent dropoff from this year. And for all those arms you are listing as an embarrassment of riches, not a single one outside of Sims is reliable. One or more will probably make a leap this off season, but you would have thought one of our many options would have turned into a third starter or reliable option out of the bullpen, and that didn't really happen.

 

[Joe Schmedlap]

At times it has been an “embarrassment” for damn sure

Thinking about that lineup next year depresses me personally.

This year was supposed to be an "embarrassment of riches" for pitching too if you listen to hype

 

[Russ Wheeler]

Of course you don't get it. I'll just say this: If you're expecting all of those guys to be so much better next year just because they're a year older, you're going to be really disappointed. Is it possible that Forsythe makes a big jump? Sure. Is it possible that Meche turns out to be a stud? Is it possible that LoTan gives us what TA gave us this year? If all the stars align, sure. But that's all wishful thinking.

As far as the rest of the SEC, you have no idea what everyone has coming in next year so I'd stop making overgeneralizations about how "down" the league will be.

Most players get better. Haven't your 25 years taught you anything?

Now quit ruining every baseball thread.

 

[Russ Wheeler]

I’ll be pretty disappointed if we can’t figure out something better than skinner in CF and Forsythe at SS. Forsythe is a poor hitter and a below average SS.

This is the thought process I'll never understand regarding our fans. Skinner was going to be the starting CF this year before injury. What makes you think he won't make a jump like MOST JUCOs do? And Forsythe is obviously playing before he's ready, even Adam Frazier wasn't great as a freshman.

 

[The Peeper]

Take them off and go in for a trim

View attachment 20417
View attachment 20419

 

[ronpolk]

This is the thought process I'll never understand regarding our fans. Skinner was going to be the starting CF this year before injury. What makes you think he won't make a jump like MOST JUCOs do? And Forsythe is obviously playing before he's ready, even Adam Frazier wasn't great as a freshman.

What have you seen from Skinner that makes him think he’s an SEC player?

 

[Drebin]

Most players get better. Haven't your 25 years taught you anything?

Now quit ruining every baseball thread.

Hey dipshit, this isn't 8 year old baseball. Really good players come in to the program already good. A lot of players get marginally better. You're here suggesting everyone on the team is going to take big jumps next year as if that's normal. It's not. Skinner is what he is. Forsythe is what he is. MacDonald and Meche couldn't get on the field this year and you're expecting them to become key contributors. Who's replacing TA and Rowdey's production at the top?

Pointing out how ignorant you are isn't ruining a baseball thread. It's keeping you from doing so.

 

[Drebin]

This is the thought process I'll never understand regarding our fans. Skinner was going to be the starting CF this year before injury. What makes you think he won't make a jump like MOST JUCOs do? And Forsythe is obviously playing before he's ready, even Adam Frazier wasn't great as a freshman.

Skinner didn't make a jump this year when given the opportunity to win the job. That's how you know.

And are you comparing Forsythe to Adam Frazier? Holy **** indeed.

 

[Seinfeld]

Well, I can’t speak for all, but I will say that any thought of this year’s pitching staff minus Macleod/Bednar and the lineup minus Rowdy/TA gives me chills. Not a fired up feeling

There’s nothing at all wrong with expecting growth from certain players or having blind hope in a couple we haven’t seen yet, but the problem I see is that we need basically everybody you listed to make major strides next year. Outside of Sims, I don’t know that there’s anyone that we can say... just keep doing what you’re doing. People can make all the jokes they want about fan meltdowns following a couple meaningless games, but there’s more than just a little reason for concern with this club

 

[MSUDC11]

Probably will take a step back next year. This is the first real transition year for Lemonis in terms of the old guard phasing out and it really starting to be HIS players. We should be a Regional team but I would lean more toward us being a 2 seed in someone else’s Regional than being any kind of national seed.

 

[o_HuntDawg]

So let's all assume the worst, and that's that we get beat in our own regional. It likely won't happen, but since doom and gloom over Hoovuh is the name of the game today, let's just say we blow it and then look to next season.

I really don't see why some say it's a rebuilding year. If anything, THIS was the rebuilding year, camouflaged by the fact that we got Rowdy and TA back. The lineup, without accounting for freshmen:

C: Tanner, who will make a huge jump and be a 1-2 rounder
1B: Clark most likely, who we all see is talented and will be a great hitter, maybe James here
2B: Meche
SS: Forsythe, a year older
3B: James or Clark, and James will also be better
DH: Hancock or anybody
LF: Cumbest
CF: Skinner
RF: McDonald

Tell me why we aren't fired up about that lineup? I know many have tunnel vision and can't understand development, but James/Tanner will be one of the most formidable duos in the country next year. Add Clark to that, and we all know the 80/20 rule. That's all we need. McGowan will also be a year older.

And pitching will truly be an embarrassment of riches. Fristoe, Tepper, Cade Smith and Carmouche, all uber talented and will all step up, have to expect a couple starters there. Brandon Smith, one year further from TJ. Johnson, Tullar, Stone, Stinnett all likely back. Oh yeah, that guy named Sims, whether he's a starter or reliever, who cares. Hunt and Lovett playing in the Cape, who knows what happens there.

Sure, we'll probably have a couple injuries or defections, but that's strong to me. Again, this is not including freshmen at all. We are in reload territory.

Agree with a lot.. Disagree with some

C- I'll make a bet of any amount of money right now that Tanner isn't a 1-2 rounder next year. Arm is good, catching and blocking skills are suspect. He's more like a 5-8th type talent

Your outfield talent has really issues.. you are putting a lot of stock into Skinner who I'm far from sold on. Cumbest whose going to miss all fall with football, and a freshman.

Like others have said, may work out, but there are some concerns there. Your losing your two most productive hitters. Your losing your Friday night starter and your big gun out of the pen.

Not being Debbie downer by any means. Certainly not going to sink to the Mizzou of the SEC, but to be fired up about it seems like bit of a reach. What makes you think we are any better on paper going into next year than Arkansas, Vandy, Tennessee, Florida, or even Ole Miss at this point? realize the game isn't played on paper, but we've got holes, like most teams do. Im just not as fired up about how we are filling them as you seem to be.

 

[Len2003]

How has Lemonis recruited? Wasn't he supposed to be a good recruiter?

 

[Dawgtruc]

I'm starting to have some Lemonis Lament.

 

[Go Budaw]

How has Lemonis recruited? Wasn't he supposed to be a good recruiter?

Due to the length of the recruiting cycle in baseball, we probably won’t even begin to know until next season at the earliest. We still have several Cohen recruits on the roster as we speak. Very few of Lemonis’ guys have gotten here and gotten on the field.

 

[Seinfeld]

I don’t know, but it sure has seemed like the MLB draft has absolutely decimated the roster two years in a row, and I was just reading that we’ve got another 3-4 major draft risks in the current class as well.

I’m not at all implying that he shouldn’t go after these guys. I just question what we’re left with from these highly rated classes once the draft is over

 

[thekimmer]

I'm starting to have some Lemonis Lament.

Good deal. He's just the fastest coach to reach 100 wins in MSU history and has us in the discussion for a national seed in both his first two full seasons. What the hell were we thinking.**

 

[johnson86-1]

Due to the length of the recruiting cycle in baseball, we probably won’t even begin to know until next season at the earliest. We still have several Cohen recruits on the roster as we speak. Very few of Lemonis’ guys have gotten here and gotten on the field.

How many recruits did we lose because of coaching turnover? Because it seems like we've done a lot of backfilling JUCO's and transfers. I'm assuming Skinner, Dubrule, Koestler, Patrick, Harding, and Leggett were all primarily recruited by Lemonis. How many of our underclassmen were late adds by him? Not really a fair judge of his recruiting ability as you're pretty much limited to late bloomers or diamonds in the rough, but have any of those guys produced?

 

[Forrest4Moore]

For every Renfroe, Rooker, or Frazier, there’s a Detz, Rea, Hatcher, Alexander that didn’t progress and actually regressed.

Rowdy has been the same player for 4 years. Mangum was the same player for 4 years. There’s not always a jump.

In that lineup: 2-3 will improve. 2-3 will stagnate. 2-3 will regress as scouting reports are out on them.

 

[bddawg]

Agree with a lot.. Disagree with some

C- I'll make a bet of any amount of money right now that Tanner isn't a 1-2 rounder next year. Arm is good, catching and blocking skills are suspect. He's more like a 5-8th type talent

Your outfield talent has really issues.. you are putting a lot of stock into Skinner who I'm far from sold on. Cumbest whose going to miss all fall with football, and a freshman.

Like others have said, may work out, but there are some concerns there. Your losing your two most productive hitters. Your losing your Friday night starter and your big gun out of the pen.

Not being Debbie downer by any means. Certainly not going to sink to the Mizzou of the SEC, but to be fired up about it seems like bit of a reach. What makes you think we are any better on paper going into next year than Arkansas, Vandy, Tennessee, Florida, or even Ole Miss at this point? realize the game isn't played on paper, but we've got holes, like most teams do. Im just not as fired up about how we are filling them as you seem to be.

He's projected by scouts right now to be a late first rounder. I'll take your break of 5-8th round. Clueless.

 

[8dog]

He added both Tepper and Fristoe. He has done a good job of getting Jucos and Transfers to help but there is no doubt four coaches in four years has hurt.