Lots of hopes and speculation as we approach the scrimmages and season. My take is that you want quality pitching; starting, mid relief and closing; and you want timely clutch hitting, smart baserunning and defense. The new Park does not play well for power so go the other way- damn it. For success, need a mix of veterans and young guys to come together and leadership on the field to emerge. The team is a question mark and only if more senior guys play up to their potential and 3-4 new guys step up will we know how good or not we can be. My expectation is we have a great year. We'll see the alchemy that emerges... that is the best part of college ball.
Agree that pitching will determine the results for this season. The return of injured pitchers may be most important. Slater had just a few innings, probably fewer than 50 pitches, but looked very good. Hartmann and Abner were my favorite frosh, but still frosh. I felt Sully will be able to fill the positions with whoever has a hot bat and there will be MANY options. I see very few Guiscette comments, but I felt he and Jud were the only players who won positions. The other catchers were playing for backup innings.
Guscette comments were not meant to be left out because he certainly had a hot bat last year and a decent catcher. This past fall we saw Riopelle and Lastres get the most time behind the plate in scrimmages. Plus both of them showed better arms behind the plate in throw downs to second. Guscette was getting looks around the infield and behind the plate so he might be looking for a position other than appearances at DH. He did fine at 3rd in the few opportunities I saw him but Armstrong seems to be the first option there. I think Guscette can still be very useful this year depending on how other positions play out and if we have any injuries to deal with.
Agree that pitching will determine the results for this season. The return of injured pitchers may be most important. Slater had just a few innings, probably fewer than 50 pitches, but looked very good. Hartmann and Abner were my favorite frosh, but still frosh. I felt Sully will be able to fill the positions with whoever has a hot bat and there will be MANY options. I see very few Guiscette comments, but I felt he and Jud were the only players who won positions. The other catchers were playing for backup innings.[/QUOTE] Of the new pitchers-- Abner was the most impressive- poised, in command and with three good pitches- maybe the Sunday guy. Hartman also looked good. Hoping Sproat can step up and deliver as the Saturday. Couple of other newbies can help and would like to see 2nd year guys like Manning step up. Do have any news on Pogue and Nesbitt progress and availability for later in the year? Not sure I fully agree on your catchers comment: my take is Sully will have to find a way to get Guscette, Lastres and Riopelle some playing time- somewhere. Guscette solid no doubt but Lastres and Riopelle got more playing time behind the plate in the fall and I see Lastres as a future star- may have to bide his time but has all the tools and good command on the field- a bit like Mike Rivera but bigger and with more bat.
Of the new pitchers-- Abner was the most impressive- poised, in command and with three good pitches- maybe the Sunday guy. Hartman also looked good. Hoping Sproat can step up and deliver as the Saturday. Couple of other newbies can help and would like to see 2nd year guys like Manning step up. Do have any news on Pogue and Nesbitt progress and availability for later in the year? Not sure I fully agree on your catchers comment: my take is Sully will have to find a way to get Guscette, Lastres and Riopelle some playing time- somewhere. Guscette solid no doubt but Lastres and Riopelle got more playing time behind the plate in the fall and I see Lastres as a future star- may have to bide his time but has all the tools and good command on the field- a bit like Mike Rivera but bigger and with more bat.[/QUOTE] Nothing on Pogue from my end. I'm hoping we see him getting some work in when we start back next week.
In projecting who among the new pitchers may be able to help this year, we've overlooked Coppola who was very highly recruited. Tall lanky kid -- a little like Puk-- but leaner. I didn't see him pitch except his not so good appearance in the Ga. Southern exhibition but have others seen his scrimmage performances? He's a top 50 in Perfect Game scouting.
I’ve seen him twice in the fall and one outing was absolutely lights out. The other was good not great. I have a feeling he will be the Sunday starter by the time we start SEC play and the Friday night starter the next two years. But that’s just my opinion, I could be wrong.
Thanks for the intel Matside- that makes two pretty solid freshmen left handers-- Abner- whom I saw a few times in the Fall and he looked the part as a Sunday guy- and Coppola- highly touted and great projection. Plus a promising freshman righthander Hartman- big, hard throwing and throws strikes. Looking good but agree with 87... TBD
I agree more with you about Abner as more likely a chance at being the Sunday guy. Coppola reminds me more of Manning, not to slot him in the same minor reliever like last year, but we'll see how it goes. It seemed to me like Coppola was limited at his chances this fall.
With 26 days until Opening Day, yes I said Opening Day, here's number 26...... Sterlin Thompson - Baseball - Florida Gators I think he's from Ocala.
Yes, from Ocala and in my view- the best pure hitter on the team. Expect a breakout year and hope to see him in the 3-hole in the lineup where his RBI total will increase - also see him with a bit more pop this year though more of a smart line drive hitter to all fields- -I can see him with 10 HRs and 20 doubles on the sheet.
I'm keeping him batting second for now. Either way we are all hoping and believing this will be a breakout year for ST. Sully has a tough decision for the leadoff spot. Sure we have some young guys that might get a shot but its hard to see any of the returning players ending up batting first. I wouldn't be surprised if we start the season with Jud back leading off since he started his Gator career there and has been batting first most of the fall. I hope we get our first look at how the lineup is shaping up this Friday.
Michael Robertson may end up being the guy as leadoff batter. I'm sure Sully will experiment with the lineup the first few weeks of the season, but it wouldn't surprise me if Robertson earns his way into that slot. Hard to do as a true freshman, but the kid is mature for his age and can fly.
Ocalaman- (which one?) may be on the something. Robertson can fly- maybe faster than J. Young- and a contact hitter. Halter too may be lead off guy. 87-- Jud has far too many Ks for lead-off spot in my view.. I see him down in the order at 4 or 5 hole- but Sully may hesitate to drop him for confidence purposes. Interesting to see who emerges in pre-season scrimmages.
I certainly agree. But it was just 2020 when we started 16-0 and Sully kept Jud leading off and he batted .294 and led the team in HRs up until the season was halted. All the while Jacob Young ended up batting .450 and Sully kept him lower in the order. It didn't make sense to me then either but the move saw Jud have his best average as a Gator and Young was red hot. That ended up a win win for Sully and the Gators 16-0 start. I think Jud makes a great 3-4-5 hitter depending on the situation and his willingness to go oppo when needed. Sully keeping Jud leading off in the fall might be to see more pitches at the plate until he moves them around after the first few weeks. Like @ocalaman says Robertson is fast and didn't even mention he can bunt. He is probably my pick for leadoff if he can find a place in the outfield. My guess Robertson is Jud's replacement in CF for next year. I'm not sold on Tucker Talbott in LF so let's see how we open on Friday if Sully has made any decisions who he'd like to narrow in on. Either way, great bleacher conversation to be having the week before they hit the diamond.