Ponatoski (sp?)
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Draft was going on, haven’t seen or heard if he was drafted. Looks like day 2 of the draft is today, we need to hope he doesn’t get drafted high enough to want to bypass college today. He could really help us in two sports. We need pitching bad.
He was rated the 56th best prospect when he was a shortstop, but he wants to pitch and DH in college. He dropped to 158th while just pitching last year. 90–92 mph fastball, his changeup is a work in Progress. That may be a saving grace especially if we can convince him to play spot starter/reliever and his best position at short in college or something. I really want to see his FB skills.
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Neither Ponatoski or Willoughby were drafted in the first 10 rounds. That bode really well for both being on campus.
Jelkin picked at 135. Gonna be a tough call for him and depends on the upfront money. But if he comes back gotta like the arms available to coach Minge next year.
He won’t come back. It won’t even be a hard decision.
I think our SS got taken 5th rd. Pretty sure he’s gone - bad news there.
We will have some pieces - Tharnish, Brown, Van Cleave, Hindle…that’s 4 good, experienced bats. Harris and Cleaver (bounce back for both) and Willoughby/Ponatoski will be good rotation. Bullpen, as always, the likely problem.
Need Hindle to announce he’s back and Ponatoski will depend on how much he prioritizes football if he does come to campus.
18th Round to Cincinnati Reds
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Well he definitely will come to UK now amirite?
If Ponatoski starts next year then it means our current QB either is not very good or has a serious injury. Minchey is listed as a 3rd year Jr. This means he has at least 2 more years left, and now they have 5 years to play 5. I'm not sure how the math works out for Minchey, but I think he has a minimum of 2 years of eligibility left.
Ponatoski will have to pick a sport. It’s the sec. Days of playing both
have passed especially for a qb. He said pro baseball is his dream and priority.
We have 2 years of Minchey and have a top 5 qb coming.
Heck, he could possibly start at ss or 2nd base or even pitch next season if he gets into baseball early.
have passed especially for a qb. He said pro baseball is his dream and priority.
We have 2 years of Minchey and have a top 5 qb coming.
Heck, he could possibly start at ss or 2nd base or even pitch next season if he gets into baseball early.
We likely lost our SS today. Anyone if this kid is a good SS? Or simply a P prospect?
He was primarily a shortstop and a very good one. It looks like he only pitched 30 innings between his junior and senior years while playing some at third base as well.
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He is viewed by scouts as a pitcher first, despite the small sample size. He should be able to play both sports, especially as a freshman, and figure out which path is best for him.
Based on where he was picked, surely he will be here. I am concerned about two sport attempt these days. I just don't see how a qb will ever reach their true potential if they aren't in 100%.
Jmo but if he wont focus on football we'd be better off if hed just choose baseball and open a slot for Stein to get a different QB.
Jmo but if he wont focus on football we'd be better off if hed just choose baseball and open a slot for Stein to get a different QB.
Agree. His stated objective is to play baseball and pitching help is a priority for next season.
We will be really short on infield depth with the roster as it stands now. The SS transfer we have Owen Lee has had error problems. We only have 6 infielders that I count and that’s with 2 first baseman.
Plus the Reds drafted over slot value on several of their picks. Will be interesting to see what they can even offer him.
As far as him being on the football roster. He has talent and you take him with open arms.
No
no not with Ethan Hindle,and Hudson Brown back ,there fine in the on infield
Well if he needs development as a pitcher, it seems like he is going to the wrong school imo.
Still need more depth. Second and First are covered. Cloud I assume will play 3B and we have 1 SS who has history of a lot of errors. No backup at SS. 6 infielders is ok if you have versatile guys. We don’t as of now.
Infield depth is nonexistent. The juco guy is gone, which hurts a lot
Uh, it takes more than 2! Especially with the injury issues we have had. I would feel better with 3 more dudes who could play 3b, ss, and 2b. Ponatoski may be needed at SS!
This group of arms will be pretty telling on that. Willougby, Potanski and McClean are all legit arms.
I think you say that in years past. With stein recruiting qbs, he will probably never be better than backup if he is splitting time. If that's all he expects, then why even play at all?
Because we actually appear to have a staff that thinks developing QB's is important.
Yea that’s what I’ve been saying. Hopefully we can get another ss/2b type out the portal. Lee at SS scares me.
Ponatoski is not expected to pitch this year. As a pitcher, he appears to be more of a project. Is Wiloughby ready to be in the rotation? He appears the real deal. How often do true frosh make a pitching impact?
Didn’t Oregon offer MP when Stein was OC? Is he just seen as a potential backup?
Willoughby will be counted on at some point. Too much potential and only 2 years until he’s gone. I think he starts at the midweek and develops there like Nate Harris did. Need cleaver and Harris to take a step forward to have any hope for weekend rotation. Also need the transfer from New Mexico to make it to campus. Ponatoski imo needs to decide baseball or football.