NO Flame, just a seriuos question

[WarEagleBB]

Why does Wells carry so many pitcher? I counted 18 on your roster. You will loose one senior and I counted five new pitchers signed in the early signing period. That's a total of 22 pitchers for the 2004 season.

Looking through your game summaries six of these guys haven't seen any time on the mound and five others have seen little time (less than 7 innings). If you are going to ride 5-7 guys all spring, why waste the scholarships on pitchers you aren't going to use? It just don't make sense to me.

Also, you carry five catchers. Loosing two to graduation and have one signed (who is currently ranked as the #1-#3 catching prospect in the nation). If he doesn't go in the draft, what position will Lyon's play next year? You don't recruit a guy like this to sit him on the bench.

No flame guys, I just don't see why someone would sign at Alabama with this type of over-recruitment?

 

[BAMATRAML]

I guess the old saying that you can never have too much pitching is something Coach Wells believes in. On the roster there is one or two who have history with an injury. Martin LaRocca comes to mind. As far as catchers go, a couple of the guys are local kids that don't use up much of the scholarships.

[This message has been edited by BAMATRAML (edited March 14, 2003).]

 

[newbamabaseballfan]

i wouldn't assume all those pitchers on the roster are on scholarship. some are walk-ons, some will never pitch this year, some are injured, etc. you can never have enough good arms pitchers on a roster. why do all major league teams carry 12-15 pitchers on a roster. the second part of your question tells me you really don't understand college baseball (i suspected it from the first question, but the second confirmed it). charlie lyons is a freshman, not eligible for the draft for 2 more years. every college team has at least 5 catchers, 2-3 are recruited and 2-3 more walk-ons. alabama got caught this year without any top quality recruits...two that committed sign professional contracts. burns, marshall and lyons are good catchers...not jeremy brown quality though. the new ones that come in will compete for the job next year, but burns and lyons should have an edge due to experience.

 

[POWERLINEMAN42]

yes u can never have too much pitching-one reason to over recruit is u dont know how these kids will perform at the college level-why recruit a few and they are a bust then what do u have? a few pitchers that cant get u nowhere. ill give u an example-there is a kid named clark jinks out of childersburg al. that signed with jax st last year. this kids got it all but his era is over 12 now and he has thrown alot of wild pitches against sub par competition so if jax state relied just on him then they would be in trouble

------------------
rip zach culpepper(1980-1998) well miss u #42

 

[38 Special]

Actually, War Eagle's question is a valid one. Why carry so many pitchers if you are only going to pitch 5 or 6?
To answer this question, you have to know Coach Wells' philosophy. He believes pitching wins games. He's right, but I also believe he carries too many pitchers. There is no secret that we have only one ss and are lacking in the outfield. However, Coach Wells has won for years with a pen full of arms. You never know when a Jeffrey Norris will emerge.
And, newbamabaseballfan, that's no way to treat a guest. Yes, you can assume that most of them are on some kind of scholarship. Coach Wells has never been keen on walk-ons and will only invite one or two. By the way, most MLB teams carry 11 pitchers.

RTR
38

 

[WarEagleBB]

NewBBfan,
Why the flaming insult? I simply ask a legitimate question and you insult me. Yes, I do know college baseball. I also am a professional baseball scout and know Charlie Lyons will not be drafted next year. The reference was to the new catching recruit, not Lyons. Re-read it. But, let me rephrase it for you: "If the new recruit does not go in the draft, where will Charlie play (position)? You don't bring top draft picks in by promising them a redshirt or "pine time". If he comes in (recruit), he will likely play. He (the recruit) will be drafted and only promises of playing time will get him to Tuscaloosa.

10-14 pitchers gives any coach plenty of arms for 4 games a week and room for a failed prospect or two and a few injuries. But, 22? Come on guys, you work the numbers! Also, look at what Coach Wells has done so far. Tankersley, Carter, Norris weekend starters. Woodward and Johnson midweek starters. We're up to five (5). Reed as the closer. That's six. Woodward, Ponder and Johnson (7). Throw in a couple of token middle relief appearances by Mennen, Legg and Beagle (10). Let's say four are injured (14). What are you going to do with the other eight?

Look at next year and you will see Reed is your only pitching loss. Tankersley, Carter and Norris are back as weekend starters. Woodward, Mennen, or Johnson back as midweek starters with either Ponder or Johnson taking Reed's place as the closer. I cannot see many of the remaining pitchers being very content to sit the bench or the five newcomers wanting a first year redshirt, can you?

And, if the past three year's pattern holds true you will see another 3-4 signees announced this summer. Again, I mean this as no flame. I believe Wells is a good coach, but I have to believe at some point his Bertman style of over-recruiting is going to come back to bite him. Another constant for Coach Wells is that once he developes confidence in someone he will ride them and leave his bench alone. His rotation is set for this year and next year. Before you flame me, go back to the archives of rolltide.com and see for yourself. Check out how many appearances, Blankenship, Torres (?), Cormier, etc.. had, some after only two or three days of rest.

Good luck to you guys this weekend!

 

[38 Special]

WarEagleBB,
Your point is well taken. It is a question several of us ask each year. You also bring up its roots. It is Bertman style recruiting. However, you must admit that it has worked well for both coaches. How well it works for the pitchers that get lost in the shuffle is another story.


RTR
38

 

[Tidefan in North Carolina]

I would be surprised if Ponder would want a relief role next year. From what I hear he may be looking for a starting role. He seems to have all the mechanics and needs to sharpen them. With the right tutoring I believe he will be one of our best pitchers in years to come.