Roster Predictions

[RTR Rube]

So, we're quickly approaching opening day vs. VMI. What are your predictions for the starting roster/depth chart and the weekend rotation?

This team truly is "two deep" as CMG said recently, and after watching a couple scrimmages, I'm not sure I could definitively tell you who will start a week from Friday.

 

[heathco9]

RTR, what do think of our offense in the scrimmages?

 

[bench]

i'll venture a guess -
booth - cs
mith - 1b
overstreet - 2b
white -ss
roberts - 3b
moore - rf
salem - cf
blanchard - lf
dh - carlise, miller, baxter, goodson

just a guess. wass out with broke leg or broke something, miller hurt arm. cujen, vincent, dye may push for some time on the field. rtr

 

[RTR Rube]

I hate that about Wade. He was impressive with the arm, and his communication behind the plate in the limited scrimmage time I've seen. I wouldn't be shocked if the Booth-C Roberts-3B scenario works out, but Poe (Fresh.) looked pretty serviceable behind the plate as well. Like you said, there are several other guys who will see PT. Cucjen especially looked like he could contribute early.

As far as the hitting goes, the scrimmages I saw weren't offensive explosions, but it's early and it was pretty cold. We'll have to see. Hopefully the team doesn't have some kind of mental monkey on its back about last year's Team BA.

 

[RoyDMercer]

Well I rolled out to the yard a few times the last couple of weeks when La'Tisha had her Welding classes. I think Poe, Cujen, Goodson, Ambler, Colburn, could be asked to red shirt because Blanchard red shirted last year and he is one of the better hitters this year. Offensively we only have 5 guys who hit with authority and one of them is hurt being (Wass) and one of them is being used to pitch and may not see any at bats (Greer). Like i said in a earlier post, we need to fill out a line up card and that be it for the first couple of weeks to see who can gel with chemistry instead of substitution by putting #s in a hat shaking it up and making wholesale changes. The guys that don't make the starting line up are to be told they got beat out of their position and until one of the starters struggles at the plate, then make a designed change.
This will be another year that we travel with every pitcher on our staff.
My lineup would be

White SS
Moore RF
Smith 1b or DH
Greer 1b or DH
Blanchard LF
Salem CF
Overstreet 2B
Roberts 3B
Booth C

Friday Night: Turnboil
Sat: Kamplain
Sun: Keller

but their starters will look like this

Fri, Sullivan
Sat, Turnboil
Sun Gilbo

Speaking of pitching, are we that good on the mound to pick off 5 different base runners or do we need to work on base running? When Turnboil pitched the other day none of batters sniffed a hit off him which tells me when we run up on others Fri night guys throwing 93+ we really need to work on our bunting.

I still have my reservations made in Omaha with this group because it's the deepest we've had in a long time. RTR

 

[bamamick]

I guess it's pretty easy to cancel reservations?

I think that we have the deepest staff we have had in a long time, and I really pray that some of those arms have matured to the point that they can show a little more consistency than what we saw last year.

From a hitting standpoint, could it be any worse than last year?

rtr

 

[RoyDMercer]

A couple of guys I left off my earlier post that could have a big impact if they're given a chance would be

Alan Dye I cant remember him getting out the few times I seen him

Colt Freeman LHP He is the only freshmen pitcher that is 50/50 with consistency. If he could stop the walks he could be really good for us


I just fear we are worrying about way to much about things that don't matter. We are worrying about haircuts, cleaned shaved, and what to wear to pre game meals. Last weekend most of all the players looked like a middle school team that hasn't hit puberty. I'd like a couple of guys to at least look mean with a beard or a rat tail or a mullet.

 

[BAMASHAQ]

The point is do everything as a team and to show a little discipline.

 

[JoJoforHeisman]

If he could stop the walks he could be really good for us

That about sums it up.

 

[BamaBriar]

I am not worried about Omaha or the SEC, I am worried about VMI next weekend.

 

[RoyDMercer]

I'll go tell Coach Saban his team lacks discipline because of all the dreadlocks, beards and the mate from down under sporting tats all over his body. The football team was the least penalized team in the SEC and thats true discipline. From everything I see and hear of this group, they try to be the "the politically correct" bunch that may hurt someones feeling. Wheres the fire? You see all these Press Conferences with Coach and a couple of players and its all Coach speak, crediting this coach or this trainer. Put a loose canon on the mic! When we make a bad play, blow that guy up about how bad "he" was and that he is better than that. The ole Nice saying of "We'll get em next time" Screw that!! How about getting it this time. "Pitch to contact", How about pitch to strike every guy out! Accountability!

We had our QB blow up his Center on National TV and I loved it. Later when Saban was asked to comment, "They're firey guys ultimate competitors!

You can't Coach that kind of fire! These guys are kids in college so if they want to grow their hair out, tat up, have a Duck Dynasty beard I could care less. The one thing I do care about is the passion and fire they play with

If every player in the clubhouse is worried about how they look or what they say then It will be a long year. These guys need to be themselves and play hard and play ....ed off.

Nice guys or Politically correct guys has never finished on top. I remember 3 years ago when Bamamick and I was in Mobile watching the USA game and our team blew a lead when Dax Norris took a Fungo and beat the Gatorade cooler to pieces in front of the team. That's what I talking about!

Bring back the Fire and we got a chance to be to special

Roll Tide

 

[bench]

wow. i didn't check for tats, hair and beards at the last scrimmage i was at and personally don't think they would help us win a single game. however i have noticed that we are better defensively at nearly every position an as good as last year at the others. the pitchers i saw looked better than last year. and as someone said our hitting can't be worse. so regardless of the teams appearance or beat up coolers i see us being a good bit better than last year and with a chance of being a team that goes a long way.

 

[baseballfanatic]

Looks like we're going with:

Friday - Turnbull
Saturday - Keller
Sunday - Sullivan

 

[RoyDMercer]

Sounds like those 3 should come away with a Win this weekend and that leaves Kamplain for the Tuesday night against So. Miss.

So. Miss will be very good and we will have to bring our A game

I can't wait to get started

Roll Tide

 

[RTR Rube]

Sounds like those 3 should come away with a Win this weekend and that leaves Kamplain for the Tuesday night against So. Miss.

So. Miss will be very good and we will have to bring our A game

I can't wait to get started

Roll Tide

It sounds like Guilbeau is most likely going to be the starter Tuesday vs. USM. Also, it sounds like we'll have an evolving lineup, but for Friday it should be:

C- Booth
1B- Smith
2B- Overstreet
3B- Roberts
SS- White
RF- Moore
CF- Salem
LF- Blanchard
DH- ???

 

[bench]

It sounds like Guilbeau is most likely going to be the starter Tuesday vs. USM. Also, it sounds like we'll have an evolving lineup, but for Friday it should be:

C- Booth
1B- Smith
2B- Overstreet
3B- Roberts
SS- White
RF- Moore
CF- Salem
LF- Blanchard
DH- ???

hearing the coach g interview it sounds like we are still competing at 1b, 3b, lf. dh must also be in the competing stage. wish everybody the best. rtr

 

[RTR Rube]

Yeah, CMG seemed to indicate this weekend we'd also see Andrew Miller in left, Chance Vincent at 3B. Who'll be behind Austen at 1B? Baxter?

 

[ptide12]

Can anyone tell me about this Blanchard kid everyone is penciling in?

Like everyone else, a new season brings new optimism, but I just have very little faith in CMG after the continual slide of the program the past few seasons and lack of player development. Here's to hoping I eat my words and we are sitting in Omaha come June!

 

[RTR Rube]

Can anyone tell me about this Blanchard kid everyone is penciling in?

He's a RS Freshman from South Carolina. I don't know too much about him, but, if memory serves me correctly (if often doesn't) he had a couple hits at one of the scrimmages I attended and seemed to have some pop. I believe he had a HR in another.

 

[bench]

He's a RS Freshman from South Carolina. I don't know too much about him, but, if memory serves me correctly (if often doesn't) he had a couple hits at one of the scrimmages I attended and seemed to have some pop. I believe he had a HR in another.

can't wait - i might make saturday but sunday for sure.
lineup sounds good and the fact that there is still competition is a very good sign. figure out the best and put'm out there.
i am concerned about millers arm-hope it doesn't hamper him. the dh spot will probably end up being the try out spot until wass comes back. blancard is pure and simple a very athletic baseball player. whether he is ready now or not we fixin to find out. in all i have heard and read i am more excited than i have been in years. this could be the start of something special. rtr