It seems that we may see a couple of familiar names back on the baseball team next year. A good source tells me that Chad White will have a chance to be re-instated and Spencer Pennington will have Coach Shula's blessing to play baseball in the spring. Apparently he gave up baseball, thinking it would enhance his QB-playing time with Mike Price.
2004
- Thread starter BAMATRAML
- Start date
Refresh my memory regarding Chad. What happened? Some holes to fill for '04. SS jumps out as well DH/OF slot left by Beau. Hope Tank can regain his form of old and become the ace once again.....
Chad White was dimissed from the team with Peter Stonard last fall. Hopefully he will be reinstated in 2004, as he could be a major contributor in a relatively inexperienced outfield. Ryan Beagle is likely the only sure-fire starter at this point.
By forgoing the Cape and finally having the opportunity to rest a tired arm, Tank should be back at 100% by next season. It will be interesting to see where he ends up on the staff. Obviously he is capable of being an effective starter, but his work out of the pen has been remarkable. With the graduation of Brian Reed, Tank could possibly move into the closer role. IMO, with talents such as Carter, Woodward, Johnson, LaRocca, and Ponder all competing for slots in the rotation, I would be inclined to let Tank serve as the stopper. He's been sharp in relief throughout his career, he appears to have the "closer mentality," and you certainly need a capable, reliable arm out there in the late innings. In the past, closers weren't really acknowledged by the big league organizations as much as they are now, because many felt that if a pitcher was good enough to pitch at the pro level, then they should be starters in college. This is clearly no longer the case, as there has been a monumental increase in the emphasis placed on closers over the past decade or so. If you move Tank to the pen, I seriously doubt that his professional draft stock would be hindered in any way. You never know - it may help him even more. His pro future may be as a closer.
It will also be interesting to see whether Spencer is allowed to return to the team. Not that my opinion matters, but it seems to me that he already made his decision that football was more important to him, regardless of whatever Mike Price may have convinced him. If he does come back, then I wish him the best because he has a tremendous amount of talent. Unfortunately, football has prevented him from fulfilling his potential on the diamond. Such is the nature of the dilemma faced by two-sport athletes in Spencer's situation.
Richard, you are right - there are some major holes to be filled, but we've got a lot of young talent coming in, with several guys capable of making immediate impacts. I am extremely pleased with this year's recruiting class. Shortstop is wide open, and Allen Rice, JUCO transfer Mark Haske, Carlos Sosa, Evan Bush, and freshman Greg Paiml will all get looks. There could be another JUCO transfer brought in as well. You really can't replace Beau's power and presence in the lineup, but my early guess is that JUCO transfer and former Auburn outfielder Matt Grooms moves into right field and hits somewhere in the heart of the order. He pretty much dominated at Chipola last season, and can flat-out rake. Of the incoming freshman, Michael McCallister looks to have a lot of potential as a power-hitting outfielder and may be called on to play early. Emeel Salem is more of a speed/average type hitter than a slugger, but his defense and fundamentals are all significant pluses. JUCO transfer Jake Manning provides a good combination of power and speed, capable of playing any outfield position. Brandon Avalos will play, but I believe that as long as he continues to play football, he too will be unable to fulfill the vast amount potential he has in baseball. If any player needs the benefit of summer league ball and fall practice, it's Brandon. He has so much ability, yet is very "rough around the edges." Commitment to baseball on a full-time basis would elevate him to the next level, among the elite outfielders in the conference. But when you are away from the game for the entire offseason and miss a full month of the regular season for spring football, it makes it extremely difficult to improve in the necessary areas. I may be off base in that assessment, but I guess that may be my baseball bias talking. I love Tide football, but baseball is ignored by so many of our fans that it makes me sick. My slogan for the team would be: "Bama Baseball - A winning tradition without the soap opera."
[This message has been edited by JoJoforHeisman (edited August 07, 2003).]
By forgoing the Cape and finally having the opportunity to rest a tired arm, Tank should be back at 100% by next season. It will be interesting to see where he ends up on the staff. Obviously he is capable of being an effective starter, but his work out of the pen has been remarkable. With the graduation of Brian Reed, Tank could possibly move into the closer role. IMO, with talents such as Carter, Woodward, Johnson, LaRocca, and Ponder all competing for slots in the rotation, I would be inclined to let Tank serve as the stopper. He's been sharp in relief throughout his career, he appears to have the "closer mentality," and you certainly need a capable, reliable arm out there in the late innings. In the past, closers weren't really acknowledged by the big league organizations as much as they are now, because many felt that if a pitcher was good enough to pitch at the pro level, then they should be starters in college. This is clearly no longer the case, as there has been a monumental increase in the emphasis placed on closers over the past decade or so. If you move Tank to the pen, I seriously doubt that his professional draft stock would be hindered in any way. You never know - it may help him even more. His pro future may be as a closer.
It will also be interesting to see whether Spencer is allowed to return to the team. Not that my opinion matters, but it seems to me that he already made his decision that football was more important to him, regardless of whatever Mike Price may have convinced him. If he does come back, then I wish him the best because he has a tremendous amount of talent. Unfortunately, football has prevented him from fulfilling his potential on the diamond. Such is the nature of the dilemma faced by two-sport athletes in Spencer's situation.
Richard, you are right - there are some major holes to be filled, but we've got a lot of young talent coming in, with several guys capable of making immediate impacts. I am extremely pleased with this year's recruiting class. Shortstop is wide open, and Allen Rice, JUCO transfer Mark Haske, Carlos Sosa, Evan Bush, and freshman Greg Paiml will all get looks. There could be another JUCO transfer brought in as well. You really can't replace Beau's power and presence in the lineup, but my early guess is that JUCO transfer and former Auburn outfielder Matt Grooms moves into right field and hits somewhere in the heart of the order. He pretty much dominated at Chipola last season, and can flat-out rake. Of the incoming freshman, Michael McCallister looks to have a lot of potential as a power-hitting outfielder and may be called on to play early. Emeel Salem is more of a speed/average type hitter than a slugger, but his defense and fundamentals are all significant pluses. JUCO transfer Jake Manning provides a good combination of power and speed, capable of playing any outfield position. Brandon Avalos will play, but I believe that as long as he continues to play football, he too will be unable to fulfill the vast amount potential he has in baseball. If any player needs the benefit of summer league ball and fall practice, it's Brandon. He has so much ability, yet is very "rough around the edges." Commitment to baseball on a full-time basis would elevate him to the next level, among the elite outfielders in the conference. But when you are away from the game for the entire offseason and miss a full month of the regular season for spring football, it makes it extremely difficult to improve in the necessary areas. I may be off base in that assessment, but I guess that may be my baseball bias talking. I love Tide football, but baseball is ignored by so many of our fans that it makes me sick. My slogan for the team would be: "Bama Baseball - A winning tradition without the soap opera."
[This message has been edited by JoJoforHeisman (edited August 07, 2003).]
JoJo, I think Coach Wells left the door open for Spencer to return. I think I read that when SP left the team.
JoJo,
Obviously, you do your homework!! I think your assesment on Tank is right on. There are things that he has to work on and correcting the flaws will make him a very high draft choice when the time is right. He has a great attitude towards suggestions and IMO there is nothing he won't be able to accomplish.
Speak to 38. We have been discussing Tank for awhile now and he can fill you in on the feedback!
RTR
Obviously, you do your homework!! I think your assesment on Tank is right on. There are things that he has to work on and correcting the flaws will make him a very high draft choice when the time is right. He has a great attitude towards suggestions and IMO there is nothing he won't be able to accomplish.
Speak to 38. We have been discussing Tank for awhile now and he can fill you in on the feedback!
RTR
After spending alot of the summer in enemy territory, I'll add my two cents...
Spencer is coming back. Chad is coming back. Look for a strong emergence from Martin LaRocca. I know that we haven't seen this kid, but he can throw. If he's back to 100%, sit back and watch.
We are actually in a better position, pitching wise, than last year. I have no idea where each guy will end up, but we have about 7 really strong pitchers. You could see a Carter, LaRocca, Johnson rotation with Woodward as the long reliever and Tankersley closing the door. Ponder will also factor in. Everybody here knows that speculation is futile when dealing with CJW. He may even surprise us as he is the master magician.
On a side note...I have been working alongside the players and coaches at LSU this summer. Let me say that though they are not unbeatable, they are pretty damn close. Look for the series in BR to be a hum-dinger. I am getting excited already!!
But first, we have to endure that other sport.
RTR 38
Spencer is coming back. Chad is coming back. Look for a strong emergence from Martin LaRocca. I know that we haven't seen this kid, but he can throw. If he's back to 100%, sit back and watch.
We are actually in a better position, pitching wise, than last year. I have no idea where each guy will end up, but we have about 7 really strong pitchers. You could see a Carter, LaRocca, Johnson rotation with Woodward as the long reliever and Tankersley closing the door. Ponder will also factor in. Everybody here knows that speculation is futile when dealing with CJW. He may even surprise us as he is the master magician.
On a side note...I have been working alongside the players and coaches at LSU this summer. Let me say that though they are not unbeatable, they are pretty damn close. Look for the series in BR to be a hum-dinger. I am getting excited already!!
But first, we have to endure that other sport.
RTR 38
Man, Bama can't get back on the diamond soon enough. You're right, LSU is going to have a heckuva team next year. How's Carlos doing? Will he be ready this year? RTR
You're right, the door was open for Spencer to return and it looks like he will do so. The first thing he needs to do is find a position, because right now, he's a DH. A career infielder in high school, the transition to first base as a true freshman didn't proceed as smoothly as expected for him. He played a good bit at third base in practice and appeared more comfortable over on the left side. He has an oustanding arm, but the difficulties he encountered defensively were rather Pavkovich-esque, i.e. more related to hands than throwing. He was sent to the outfield against LSU (I think), and didn't fare too well in a brief appearance. His offense is his greatest asset, and having a rifle of an arm certainly doesn't hurt. If there is any offensive area that he needs to improve on, it's shortening his swing for hitting pitches on the inside part of the plate. Last year, if you had two strikes on him, a fastball on the inner half was a guaranteed K. He'll have to demonstrate that he can handle the defensive requirements of the hot corner or the outfield as well. Otherwise, with his power, he looks to be a prime candidate to DH. I think it's safe to say that first base is occupied. I'm glad that he is returning and I hope he sticks with it. Spencer is too good of a ballplayer to throw it all away.
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