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Gator Baseball 2023 Official Roster Tracker/Lineup???

Discussion in 'GatorGrowl's Diamond Gators' started by Matherly87, Jun 12, 2022.

  1. Seems like a good kid, like others it's always fascinating how some guys slip through the cracks and end up where they do originally but if the portal's there it's Sully's job to use it to our benefit.

     
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  2. ocalaman

    ocalaman GC Hall of Fame

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  3. gatorjjh

    gatorjjh A Gator with a Glass half full attitude Moderator VIP Member

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  4. ocalaman

    ocalaman GC Hall of Fame

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  5. gatorjjh

    gatorjjh A Gator with a Glass half full attitude Moderator VIP Member

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  6. gatorjjh

    gatorjjh A Gator with a Glass half full attitude Moderator VIP Member

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  7. gatorjjh

    gatorjjh A Gator with a Glass half full attitude Moderator VIP Member

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  8. shelbygt350

    shelbygt350 VIP Member

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    Looking at the weekend starters as Sprout, Coppola, and Waldrep leaves the question, who do you all think will be the mid week starters and the next in line for weekend?

    Abner (another lefty) or Jac C (lefty) or Slater or ???
     
  9. Matherly87

    Matherly87 GC Hall of Fame

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    Neeley has got to be in the mix. Right now I have Neeley as the mid week starter, ready to step back into the weekend when needed. Cags seems more like the closer at this point the way they used him at the end of fall. I certainly think Cags could still be a starter based on the info I was hearing over the summer. I really like the 3 weekend guys as long as Coppola's back holds up. Waldrep has more pitches he throws but consistency is off every so often. Otherwise he might be the Friday night starter. I prefer the R-L-R approach for the weekend but Coppola might be the better choice for Sunday since he sat out last year. Sproat has been throwing at a high level every time I saw him throw this fall. Even when he got in trouble he pitched his way out with little damage, but mostly he got through innings very clean. If I were Sully my first Friday night rotation would be Sproat for 6-7 innings, Slater in the 7-8, and Cags closes the 9th. Abner would complement Waldrep really well with the two of them together.
     
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  10. Matherly87

    Matherly87 GC Hall of Fame

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    In weeks where we play two midweek games I could see Sully, on Wednesdays, going to any one of 3-4 freshmen pitchers for 2-3 innings each.
    Arroyo, Clemente, Fisher, Tejeda in no particular order.
     
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  11. 74nole

    74nole GC Hall of Fame

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    87—

    Normally I like the R-L-R weekend rotation too. Hopefully any combination Sully uses will click.

    You make a good point with going R-R-L holding Coppola for Sunday’s to see how his back holds up and giving him the chance to get some innings under his belt. That’s exactly what I would lean towards out of the gate. Can’t you just imagine the frustrations in the other dugout if Sproat and Waldrep are dealing and then they have to face the likes of Coppola on Sunday…….I like it!

    You have to feel like Neely will be strong for a midweek assignment and be ready to move if he is needed on a weekend spot.

    I feel like we’re in for an exciting year of baseball across the board.
     
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  12. ocalaman

    ocalaman GC Hall of Fame

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    What I notice is that it seems like there are a lot more quality options on the mound and at most other positions on the field than in recent years.
     
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  13. Matherly87

    Matherly87 GC Hall of Fame

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    Question with a reminder I'm not a pitching minded person so go easy on me oh wise one. If Coppola's back gives him any minor troubles, and I mean very minor, is it possible he only pitches every other week? Or is that too much rest for a pitcher to stay in the groove? The thought came to me because I could see Neeley easily taking the other week if needed.

    If I'm the other team and Sproat and Waldrup have already dominated us on Friday and Saturday, to see Coppola step to the mound, if he is on, is almost unfair. It wouldn't surprise me to see many other SEC teams, like Georgia and South Carolina, hold their Friday starter until Sunday trying to salvage a win.
     
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  14. 74nole

    74nole GC Hall of Fame

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    No argument about the other teams holding their Friday starter-Ky Wildcats have had multiple seasons with only their Friday guy as their only legit starter and pitched backwards throwing their Friday guy on Sunday in the attempt to avoid a sweep.
    I wouldn’t want to speculate on how to use Coppola if back problems persist-those injuries can effect much more than a baseball career. If that ends up being a real problem I would say you’d have to tread lightly.
     
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  15. apkgator

    apkgator GC Hall of Fame

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    Was thinking the same...IF there were issues doubt it would be as simple as week on/week off. That's really not sustainable and simply indicate the kid isn't healthy. Thankfully haven't heard anything like that
     
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  16. gator1977

    gator1977 GC Legend

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    I agree, it would be ideal to start R-L-R or less ideal R-R-L on the weekend. But Coppola has to be evaluated as Spring scrimmages progress. The way Neely finished the 2022 season he has to be in the mix for weekend starter- and certainly would be your mid week #1.
    I was at that Park for a few of his late season starts - all against SEC or Sooners in Regional - and he was for the most part solid to excellent. Best of all he is a strike thrower and works fast. The game vs USCe in late May was a masterpiece- 7 inning O runs, 3 hits, 0 walks and 10 Ks. Brilliant. And he was breezing in the deciding game vs Sooners in Regionals- 6.2 innings before the torrential rains came... and who knows what would have happened with an early start time. Neely has great upside.
     
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  17. Matherly87

    Matherly87 GC Hall of Fame

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    All good points 77, if Coppola holds up, we have 4 to fit in 3 spots. Not many other teams have that luxury. I don't see much wrong with Neely either other than the three better arms in front of him. Its almost hard to think and believe it.
    I hope all the other options out of the bullpen are good so we have consistent rotations when needed on the weekends so Neely can stay a midweek starter and be ready to take a weekend start at any time. I've listed the main arms out of the bullpen like Cags, Slater, Abner, Nesbitt and a few freshmen as well. Imagine if Sully wanted to add Neely to that list. Spring practice is going to be very interesting to see how many of these arms look ready to go by the end of February.
     
    Last edited: Dec 27, 2022
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  18. gator1977

    gator1977 GC Legend

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    Agree- the way Coppola looked in last Spring scrimmages and in his limited action in season he's got to get a long look but he's not face SEC comp yet so we will see. It's a good dilemma for Sully- a supply of quality arms- a key challenge is keeping every one sharp, ready to compete and happy.
     
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  19. 74nole

    74nole GC Hall of Fame

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    Agree completely 77–

    With the big word being IF—If the newer guys can prove that they can get the job done in our midweek games out of the gate then we could look at “piggybacking” Neely and Coppola on Sundays—by that I mean the first Sunday start say Coppola for 5 IP followed by Neely for 4 IP. Then the next Sunday start Neely for 5 IP followed by Coppola for 4 IP.

    That would give you a good gauge on both our RHP and our LHP in question to continue on into the season. Just something to think about IMHO.
     
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  20. gator1977

    gator1977 GC Legend

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    Yes, excellent suggestion. I assume how the Spring scrimmages play out will guide Sully' decisions but if it remains a near toss up between the two then your proposal should be seriously considered. I'm expecting great things from this Gator squad and (of course). it all starts with the quality arms we have on roster. Looking forward.
     
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