Replacing the likes of Gabe Scott, one of college baseball’s most outstanding hitters in 2005, talented all-around contributor Morrow Thomley, and gifted fielder/reliable bunter Matt Grooms will be no easy task for Coach Wells, as several new and relatively inexperienced faces will be vying for playing time in the 2006 Crimson Tide outfield. The departure of projected right field starter Michael McCallister to Jacksonville University dealt yet another blow to what was already a rather precarious depth situation.
The lone returning starter is junior center fielder Emeel Salem, arguably one of the top defensive outfielders in the nation. In addition to his remarkable closing speed and uncanny knack for dazzling highlight reel-catches, Salem features an impressive big league arm. While he possesses the skill set required of a prototypical leadoff hitter, the talented speedster was unable to firmly establish himself in that role in an up-and-down sophomore season, his first as a full-time starter. However, with some improvement in specific areas, he should have no trouble fulfilling his potential as the table-setter at the top of the order. With his sprinter’s speed, the bunt can and should be one of his most effective weapons, but inconsistency (particularly when bunting to the left side) plagued him in ’05. I’m not sure what exactly went wrong in the base-stealing department last season, but when a player with Salem’s wheels is successful on a mere 13 out of 20 attempts (65%), something isn’t right and needs to be corrected. Eliminate those factors that contributed to the disappointing success rate of last season, and I see no reason why Salem can’t swipe 30. Now with a full season as a starter under his belt, 2006 may very well have the makings of a breakout campaign for the junior from Mountain Brook, one in which he hits well over .300 and challenges for the SEC stolen base crown.
Although Tommy John surgery will prevent two-way player Brandon Belcher from taking the hill in ’06, he will likely be able to swing the bat and handle the duties in left with no trouble. While pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery generally require around a year before they are adequately healed and able to pitch with the requisite level of effectiveness, the recovery timetable for position players undergoing the procedure is much shorter. Major Leaguers Luis Gonzalez and Tony Womack, for example, were able to play within six months of their surgeries (considered the average time frame). Belcher wants to hit, and should definitely be given the chance to showcase his talents on an everyday basis. While he may be limited during the fall, I’d have no reservations whatsoever about penciling him in as my ’06 starter in left. The guy can flat-out rake.
Junior college transfer Andrew Rodgers is being counted on to take over at one of the outfield corners while serving as a heart-of-the-order run-producer. Let’s keep our fingers crossed - similar things were being said this time last year about another junior college outfield transfer, Scott Mitchell, who after fall practice found himself buried at the bottom of the outfield depth chart and promptly bolted for NAIA Oklahoma City University, where he would hit an altogether uninspiring .225 in a reserve role. Of course, Rodgers isn’t Mitchell; I’m just hoping that we have better luck with Rodgers.
Spencer Pennington will likely get a look in left during the fall, but has a lot of room for improvement defensively. If Pennington’s bat warrants his inclusion in the starting lineup, he is best suited for the DH role. Lacking much experience in the outfield, his previous efforts in left in both scrimmages and games (’03 against LSU, ’05 against MVSU) have been, well, lacking. He has a good arm, but his reads off the bat were the main problem, not to mention range. If he returns this fall an improved, more confident fielder, then we’ll be in great shape. However, regardless of his previously suspect defense, Pennington’s primary role on this team is one based upon what he is capable of at the plate – we need him to hit more than anything else. The senior will also help provide depth on the infield corners.
Vestavia Hills product Tyler Odle, a highly-decorated All-State performer as a senior in ’05, could also find himself in the corner outfield mix. Odle was a very polished high school hitter who hit for a remarkable average, yet without a whole lot of power. The lefthander has a decent arm and is considered a solid fielder. Depending on the circumstances, he may be a redshirt candidate.
Freshman Ryan Rhoden is another corner outfield consideration in addition to his duties behind the plate. The versatile Rhoden is considered to be one of the incoming freshmen most likely to make an early impact and those who have seen him play all speak very highly of his potential, particularly as a hitter. Considering that runs will likely be at a premium next season, Rhoden will get a chance to play somewhere if he demonstrates that he is ready to produce offensively at the collegiate level.
Offseason interviews seem to indicate that Coach Wells is enamored with freshman Alex Avila’s hitting, so much that it is almost a certainty that the youngster will see his fair share of playing time next season. The question is where. Primarily a corner infielder, Avila is blocked by the presence of Evan Bush at third and Matt Bentley at first. As a result, he will likely get a chance in practice to at least see what he can do in left or right.
Another newcomer to keep an eye on is talented freshman Kent Matthes. Though he spent most of his time in high school on the left side of the infield, he does have the advantage of some outfield experience. He is considered to have legitimate power potential (blasted 10 homers as a senior to lead all of Central Florida) and decent speed. He has an absolute cannon, and his big league-caliber arm may help open the door to opportunities in the Tide outfield. I’m not sure where he will end up on the field or how much he’ll play, but all of the scouting reports show that Matthes is indeed an intriguing prospect.
The lone returning starter is junior center fielder Emeel Salem, arguably one of the top defensive outfielders in the nation. In addition to his remarkable closing speed and uncanny knack for dazzling highlight reel-catches, Salem features an impressive big league arm. While he possesses the skill set required of a prototypical leadoff hitter, the talented speedster was unable to firmly establish himself in that role in an up-and-down sophomore season, his first as a full-time starter. However, with some improvement in specific areas, he should have no trouble fulfilling his potential as the table-setter at the top of the order. With his sprinter’s speed, the bunt can and should be one of his most effective weapons, but inconsistency (particularly when bunting to the left side) plagued him in ’05. I’m not sure what exactly went wrong in the base-stealing department last season, but when a player with Salem’s wheels is successful on a mere 13 out of 20 attempts (65%), something isn’t right and needs to be corrected. Eliminate those factors that contributed to the disappointing success rate of last season, and I see no reason why Salem can’t swipe 30. Now with a full season as a starter under his belt, 2006 may very well have the makings of a breakout campaign for the junior from Mountain Brook, one in which he hits well over .300 and challenges for the SEC stolen base crown.
Although Tommy John surgery will prevent two-way player Brandon Belcher from taking the hill in ’06, he will likely be able to swing the bat and handle the duties in left with no trouble. While pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery generally require around a year before they are adequately healed and able to pitch with the requisite level of effectiveness, the recovery timetable for position players undergoing the procedure is much shorter. Major Leaguers Luis Gonzalez and Tony Womack, for example, were able to play within six months of their surgeries (considered the average time frame). Belcher wants to hit, and should definitely be given the chance to showcase his talents on an everyday basis. While he may be limited during the fall, I’d have no reservations whatsoever about penciling him in as my ’06 starter in left. The guy can flat-out rake.
Junior college transfer Andrew Rodgers is being counted on to take over at one of the outfield corners while serving as a heart-of-the-order run-producer. Let’s keep our fingers crossed - similar things were being said this time last year about another junior college outfield transfer, Scott Mitchell, who after fall practice found himself buried at the bottom of the outfield depth chart and promptly bolted for NAIA Oklahoma City University, where he would hit an altogether uninspiring .225 in a reserve role. Of course, Rodgers isn’t Mitchell; I’m just hoping that we have better luck with Rodgers.
Spencer Pennington will likely get a look in left during the fall, but has a lot of room for improvement defensively. If Pennington’s bat warrants his inclusion in the starting lineup, he is best suited for the DH role. Lacking much experience in the outfield, his previous efforts in left in both scrimmages and games (’03 against LSU, ’05 against MVSU) have been, well, lacking. He has a good arm, but his reads off the bat were the main problem, not to mention range. If he returns this fall an improved, more confident fielder, then we’ll be in great shape. However, regardless of his previously suspect defense, Pennington’s primary role on this team is one based upon what he is capable of at the plate – we need him to hit more than anything else. The senior will also help provide depth on the infield corners.
Vestavia Hills product Tyler Odle, a highly-decorated All-State performer as a senior in ’05, could also find himself in the corner outfield mix. Odle was a very polished high school hitter who hit for a remarkable average, yet without a whole lot of power. The lefthander has a decent arm and is considered a solid fielder. Depending on the circumstances, he may be a redshirt candidate.
Freshman Ryan Rhoden is another corner outfield consideration in addition to his duties behind the plate. The versatile Rhoden is considered to be one of the incoming freshmen most likely to make an early impact and those who have seen him play all speak very highly of his potential, particularly as a hitter. Considering that runs will likely be at a premium next season, Rhoden will get a chance to play somewhere if he demonstrates that he is ready to produce offensively at the collegiate level.
Offseason interviews seem to indicate that Coach Wells is enamored with freshman Alex Avila’s hitting, so much that it is almost a certainty that the youngster will see his fair share of playing time next season. The question is where. Primarily a corner infielder, Avila is blocked by the presence of Evan Bush at third and Matt Bentley at first. As a result, he will likely get a chance in practice to at least see what he can do in left or right.
Another newcomer to keep an eye on is talented freshman Kent Matthes. Though he spent most of his time in high school on the left side of the infield, he does have the advantage of some outfield experience. He is considered to have legitimate power potential (blasted 10 homers as a senior to lead all of Central Florida) and decent speed. He has an absolute cannon, and his big league-caliber arm may help open the door to opportunities in the Tide outfield. I’m not sure where he will end up on the field or how much he’ll play, but all of the scouting reports show that Matthes is indeed an intriguing prospect.
