Yes, we've overlooked Prevesk- who is a contact hitter and runs well from the left side and covers ground in OF. Plus, I saw Guscette at 3rd in two scrimmages and he looked pretty solid- not bad range and throws well- made a few nice plays. Agree that Halter turns DP well and should remain at second. Sully has many options. A young team with pitching question marks but if the pieces come together we could be looking at an outstanding season.
Has anyone seen any schedule for the first weekend of practice? I assume they start around 2:30 to 3:00 this Friday and get into the scrimmage around 4:00. I hoping the rain holds off until 6 or later.
With 23 days until the lineup card is turned in I give you Fabian 2.0.... Deric Fabian - Baseball - Florida Gators Oh yeah Deric's from Ocala as well.
Date Practice Scrimmage Friday, Jan. 28 2:30 p.m. 4:30 Saturday, Jan. 29 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31 OFF OFF Tuesday, Feb. 1 2:30 p.m. TBA Wednesday, Feb. 2 2:00 p.m. TBA Thursday, Feb. 3 2:30 p.m. None Friday, Feb. 4 2:30 p.m. TBA Saturday, Feb. 5 12:00 p.m. TBA Sunday, Feb. 6 12:00 p.m. TBA
Can't wait for Friday and hoping the rain holds off. I'm looking forward to breaking down who gets the first chance at 3rd, 1st, RF, LF and C. Also wondering if we are dealing with any other injuries or recovery times. I remember Rivera and Halter were out going into the break. Hopefully we don't see a return of the dreading Graduate Assistant in shorts out there in RF. Then we have to wonder how Pogue and Nesbitt are doing with their recovery. I'm sure any answers to the pitching rotation will develop over the next 3 weeks.
87– That’s a great way to put it with regards to the pitching-“answers to the pitching rotation will develop over the next 3 weeks”—and hopefully be settling in to a solid routine and rotation by the start of the SEC regular season schedule.
Lots of good quality info coming from Ethan's twitter feed today from Sully's comments as to some of the primary position players for this Spring. Hopefully Ethan will check in with his own summary. Here's what I've seen. Armstrong will be back at 1B. Deric Fabian will be at 3B. Thompson is in RF but also a midfielder backup, that would be 2B as seen in the fall. Langford is a possibility in LF and has better speed than Sully thought. Rivera is still coming back from his wrist injury. Rivera had been penciled in batting third in the lineup before the injury. A couple of other infielders are out for illness. Scrimmages will be "creative" for the next week or two. Pitching wise Sully says look for one or more freshmen in the weekend rotation. 1977 and I would think that is Abner. Finnvold, Coppola, Hartman, and Neely are also possibilities. Sully is still hopeful Sproat will step into the weekend role. Pogue and Nesbitt are hopeful to be ready in March. I'll update the OP lineups with this info.
More times have been added. This Tuesday has an early scrimmage. That could mean a few more innings are added for more arms to throw. Date Practice Scrimmage Friday, Jan. 28 2:30 p.m. 4:30 Saturday, Jan. 29 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30 1:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31 OFF OFF Tuesday, Feb. 1 2:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3 2:00 p.m. None Friday, Feb. 4 2:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 12:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m.
I'm asking myself the same question. If he is not anywhere in the infield, he sure better be somewhere in the outfield. I wonder, if Sully is putting Thompson back in RF then why not put Calilao in LF? I have to believe Sully is holding him a spot at backup first basemen to keep pressure on Armstrong to perform not only at the plate but also in the field.
Calilao seems a good guy and team player but I've been hoping for him to morph into Nellie Maldonado for a couple of years and hasn't quite happened. The slow breaking pitches on the outside edge seem to get him. Maybe this year as he seems to have added more pop to his bat but there are new guys that are eager for the chance to shine.
Could it be??? Batting Order??? CF - Jud Fabian (R) RF - Sterlin Thompson (L) SS - Josh Rivera (R) 1B - Kris Armstrong (S) LF - Wyatt Langford (R) C - BT Riopelle (L)/Rene Lastres (R) DH - Mac Guscette (R) 2B - Colby Halter (L) 3B - Deric Fabian (R) Kris said Jud is probably their lead off guy. Sully said Rivera had been penciled in the 3 slot from the fall. ST has got to be high in the order so I keep him at the 2 spot. Sully said Deric is starting at 3B so I would think Sully keeps him low in the order. Sounds like its going to be hard to keep Langford off the field out in left with Sully saying he is faster than he thought. If Armstrong and Langford start in the field that opens up the DH spot for Guscette or anyone else that is a hot bat. You can take your pick at catcher between the three of them. Hopefully these guys won't have as many poor hitting weeks as they did last season. Confidence can go a long way to get this team back to their winning ways.
I'd rather see Robertson in left- runs 6.30 60 -- and speed in the OF and on the bases is huge asset- remember the new ballpark has bigger gaps- which makes Robertson speed that more important. (By comparison Jacob clocked at 6.56) Robertson is fast and seems to have good instincts in the field and on the bases..plus he can bunt. Langford DH.
Just my opinion, but I think Calilao has proven himself and needs to be in the lineup somewhere, preferably in RF. Id say most of the team had an issue with slow breaking pitches last year.
Totally agree. Kendrick HAS to be in the lineup somewhere and unless Armstrong has improved dramatically, Calilao is a much better 1st baseman
2x— I also prefer Calilao in RF-his defense is solid and I still think ST’s routes to FB’s are let’s say less than natural. I would like to see ST get a ton of work @ 3rd and Armstrong the same @ 1st.
Hey folks, at the scrimmage today until the last innings- and Kendrick showing new pop in his bat but.... Thompson hit a 415' blast to straight away center, off the batter's eye and followed with an oppo HR to left in his next at bat. That man has to stay in the lineup somewhere. Note: Both Barco and Sproat got hit pretty hard in their two innings each but it's early. 87 may have a full round up soon.