Self

[Joe Mayo]

I thought Riley looked really good tonight. Looked better tonight than any of his few early outings this year. His stuff looked a lot more like last year. I hope this is a good sign for down the stretch. We really need him.

Also Vansau smoked the ball tonight. I hope that's a good sign. I know the average isn't there this year but he's proven he can hit SEC pitching and I think he gives us the best shot at DH.

 

[Original48]

Vansau batting .154 SEC play. Granted no one that’s been DHing doing much better with Hatcher at .180 in SEC. I’m just thinking toward next year putting a freshman in there but it’s really just a guessing game for DH at this point the rest of the way.

 

[HumpDawgy]

We need to go get a JUCO big boy for next year for our DH. I guy who can crush the ball. A guy who can hit double digit dingers and drive some runs ins. Right now we don't have anyone in the lineup who pitchers fear of giving up the long ball to late in a game. Luke tries.

 

[bulldogcountry1]

I'm glad Self got some work in and got the cobwebs out before this weekend, but the timing is just yet another head scratching coaching decision. If he is healthy and needed some work, put him in earlier in the game.

Vansau is a bit perplexing. He has a nice swing and hits the ball hard when he makes contact. He just doesn't make enough contact. He's the type of guy who would hit .350 with 15 home runs at a smaller school, but he just can't hang with SEC pitching.

 

[Joe Mayo]

With the options we have at DH, I just think Vansau at this point gives us our best shot. He hit 347 in 50 ABs last year in SEC play and 300 overall for the season last year. Yes he has a lot of swing and misses but every candidate we have for DH at this point does also.

I like Vansau more at this point than the others because we've seen him do it before and know he's capable. I really think if Henderson puts him in and leaves him in he can get it going somewhat. Playing every 5th game and getting most of his ABs late in games in pinch hit roles against good relievers isn't completely fair to him. I get he was given opportunities earlier in the year and didn't capitalize but the same could be said for Mac and he started to deliver when left in the lineup. Vansau pissed on one Sunday against bama right at the first baseman. He completely destroyed a ball to center 401 ft last night where the CF caught it with his back against the the wall and smoked an RBI single through the 4 hole also.

I love Hatcher and Westburg's potential and think they will be great players in the future but just don't think they are ready yet so I'd prefer the veteran down the stretch.

 

[8dog]

He tried leaving him in for as long as he could and it was clear something is just not right with vansau at the plate. Hatchers obp is over 100 points higher. Neither is a great option but id go with hatcher

 

[johnson86-1]

Vansau batting .154 SEC play. Granted no one that’s been DHing doing much better with Hatcher at .180 in SEC. I’m just thinking toward next year putting a freshman in there but it’s really just a guessing game for DH at this point the rest of the way.

This is hard for me to fathom. I would have thought you could always find a guy that could hit above the mendoza line that just can't field for ****. I know roster spots are limited and it's hard to have somebody that can just do one thing, but ****, you would think bumping your DH by 100 points would be worth it.

 

[johnson86-1]

Remind me what happened to Self?

Is he recovering from an injury? Or is it just a sophomore slump or something?

 

[Joe Mayo]

I hear you and agree at this point there's not a great option, but I will say Hatcher has started 10 more games in SEC play than Vansau with many of those starts consecutive giving him more of a chance to get it going.

If Hatcher is the choice by Henderson it absolutely has to be against a Righty. Hatcher hasn't figured out Lefties yet at all so he definitely doesn't need to be in there against a Lefty.

 

[MSUDC11]

Remind me what happened to Self?

Is he recovering from an injury? Or is it just a sophomore slump or something?

He had offseason surgery and hasn’t been 100% until now.