Got to chat with coach Tadlock this afternoon after the football press conference. Some highlights.
How has the fall gone so far? Seems like a lot of new faces on your roster...
"Fall's been really good, going into this week, the guys have gotten after it. From day one, we've got roughly 45 guys out there, and been intrasquading for about a month. We've got a lot of versatility within the roster, a lot of pitching, and the guys are playing pretty good right now."
What have been your initial thoughts on Peyton Schulze?
"He's played some third base, played some first base. He's proven he can hit, probably one of the better guys in the portal as far as swinging the bat goes. He's had some ups and some downs in the fall but seems like a guy that is on time an awful lot. Seems like a guy that sees the ball really well most days. He's played both corners in the infield, played some left field in his college career, gives you some options there."
What was the one thing that you felt you needed to address in the portal and do you feel like you got what you needed from the portal?
"I mean, really, with the portal, I mean, you're going in and you're trying to turn over every stone that's in there and make sure you don't have to look back a go 'hey we had an opportunity to get better,' and you didn't. I guess it would be the case. Just felt like bringing in the guys we brought in with the junior college guys were brought in, really, it's a good mix. Felt like the Villenueve kid has obviously hit a little bit. The arms with Bevis, Cebert, those guys. I didn't mention Logan Hughes from Stetson. He's an outfielder, first baseman. We got some really good baseball players in there. Got some guys on the mound that Lucas Pirko is a kid from Cal Baptist, can really pitch. Got an above average change up. Bevis has got an above average fastball. Crotchfelt from Auburn, left handed. He's been up to 97, it's hard to turn it down, even though it's not going to be that all the time. And I would tell you, 97 is not what it once was. It's, you know, it's a fastball, you've got to locate it. Some of them get hit, but he's throwing the ball really good in the last couple of weeks. Probably missing a couple there. I mean, we added some good hgih school guys too, but as far as what we wanted to address, last year we pitched really well when we went with six or seven guys so we wanted to make sure we had the right depth. As far as position player wise, you're always looking to try to get better, whether it's high school, junior college or transfer guy."
How's Brady Trombello doing?
"He's thrown two times. I think, live last two weeks, thrown the ball good. I don't think he's as strong as he was, but he's not far off. He can still pitch, obviously still got the breaking ball, so that's the secondary pitches. And he not scared throw it in there. I mean, it's, it's been really fun to watch."
What's the strength of this team as you see it now?
"I would say overall, this group is really deep on the mound and a lot of really good baseball players, and there's a lot of versatility within our lineup and within our position player group, where we can move them around if we need to. I think we're going to build around a little bit. I think we're going to show some power. Obviously. You know, the ability to learn the strike zone is is a day to day process, and that's something that all hitters kind of struggle with. You're trying to get better at that each day. I think, more than anything, I think we're talking about red, black. I mean, we're talking about Wednesday, Friday, Saturday. It's an opportunity for people to get out watch us the next Wednesday, and then the Friday for the Colorado game. And, I mean, you come out and make that judgment for yourself, but we like our group. We like the way they go about their day to day, and like the competition."
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