I just rewatched the Saturday game after today's win and just had to get on here to post. A few thoughts. @RaiderRedTTU @whittb14 @Dogatbat2 @Redraider614 Y'all jump in too.
- Christ as my witness, this is the most talented baseball roster I have ever seen, top to bottom. Y'all, Queen, Montgomery, Dobbins, Rumfield, Marusak, Barrera, dot dot dot didn't even play this weekend. That's how good this roster is.
- Brian Klein is going to be the toughest out in the Big 12. His approach is just brilliant at the plate. He will take a pitcher's pitch and just fight it off for one he likes. Can go the opposite way, can pull the ball with serious pop, it's just fun to watch.
- Bryce Bonnin is a hard nosed guy. After Martin, with arguably the most chicken shit move we've seen this year, called the umpires to check for pine tar, he was clearly rattled, but you could just see there was a fire in his eyes as a competitor. If he can continue to work with Gardner on control, along with limiting pitch counts sometimes, he's going to be phenomenal. (And he's our #2......)
- John McMillon deserves a six pack of shiner. Dude came in to a hostile environment in a tight game and did nothing but strikeout 7 guys in 2.1 innings. You read that right. He hammered em all. Juevos rancheros for Big bad John.
- Micah Dallas is the most important tool in the belt this year for Texas Tech. His role may develop into something similar to Shetter as the year progresses. He can close a close game, he can come in immediately with a starter struggling, or he can pitch all three days. Luxury.
- TTU pitching recorded 42 K burgers this weekend. I would be willing to put some dough on the TTU all-time K record being broken by this staff. The job that Gardner/JBob/Tadlock have done to get this many quality arms on campus can't be overstated. We trot 12+ guys out that throw harder than 93.... it's absurd. TTU pitching has struck out 150 people in 380 plate appearances so far................
- I thought FSU was very mouthy, but what I really liked, was it seemed to light up our guys. They responded to the moment/moments. Baker going yardsauce to tie it up last night. McMillon blowing heaters by people. Stillwell with the bases loaded double. It seems to me like this group of guys just wants the intensity. I loved it.
- Still a ton of season left, but I think you're seeing some guys play themselves into spots, and some that will see themselves on the outside looking in. Masters put himself right back in the mix today for consistent AB's. Neuse is clearly your CF, Baker hits too much to not be the RF, and Carter's speed is tough to keep out of the lineup. I hope O'Tremba and Marusak keep getting a chance, but it's going to be tough with the amount of talent on this team.
- Really impressed with Cal Conley. Hit a freaking nuke today to tie it back up at 3 when the semenholes had all the momentum. Several really good plays in the field too. We've been absolutely spoiled at SS with Proudfoot, Davis, Garcia, and Jung. But Conley has thrown his hat in the ring as well.
- From a pure depth standpoint, this is the best pitching staff tadlock has had, by a lot. Reichmann and Brustoski provide LH weapons. Dallas/Bonnin/Becker/Montgomery/Dobbins/Beeter all provide length and can eat up innings. Hell, sublette came out today tossing 96 mph cheddar with movement! Queen recorded a 0.00 ERA last season and has one appearance. Devine is a bonafide closer. It's insane.
- A stat to keep an eye on? TTU is now 22/24 in stolen bases to start the year. (Not counting Baker trying to steal home today) Tech stole 71 bases in all of 2019, and Gabe Holt was responsible for 28 of those. I think the overall athleticism will allow Tadlock to score runs in a ton of ways.
- All in all, just a ton of fun to watch this weekend, and it had the feeling of an elimination type series. I can't wait to watch more TTU baseball. And I also an stoked to see the legacy these young guys will build as Red Raiders. Jung/Conley/Carter/Baker/Stillwell/Rombach...... someone stop me when I name an upperclassmen.
Y'all saddle up. This year is going to be fun as hell. I will sit down and do some research on the Running Rebels and have at least some tidbits before Tuesday.
Fire the pitching coach! (How stupid could I possibly have been?)
I'm sure I will think of other things to post but damn I just loved how this team came out this weekend and fought their tails off.
- Christ as my witness, this is the most talented baseball roster I have ever seen, top to bottom. Y'all, Queen, Montgomery, Dobbins, Rumfield, Marusak, Barrera, dot dot dot didn't even play this weekend. That's how good this roster is.
- Brian Klein is going to be the toughest out in the Big 12. His approach is just brilliant at the plate. He will take a pitcher's pitch and just fight it off for one he likes. Can go the opposite way, can pull the ball with serious pop, it's just fun to watch.
- Bryce Bonnin is a hard nosed guy. After Martin, with arguably the most chicken shit move we've seen this year, called the umpires to check for pine tar, he was clearly rattled, but you could just see there was a fire in his eyes as a competitor. If he can continue to work with Gardner on control, along with limiting pitch counts sometimes, he's going to be phenomenal. (And he's our #2......)
- John McMillon deserves a six pack of shiner. Dude came in to a hostile environment in a tight game and did nothing but strikeout 7 guys in 2.1 innings. You read that right. He hammered em all. Juevos rancheros for Big bad John.
- Micah Dallas is the most important tool in the belt this year for Texas Tech. His role may develop into something similar to Shetter as the year progresses. He can close a close game, he can come in immediately with a starter struggling, or he can pitch all three days. Luxury.
- TTU pitching recorded 42 K burgers this weekend. I would be willing to put some dough on the TTU all-time K record being broken by this staff. The job that Gardner/JBob/Tadlock have done to get this many quality arms on campus can't be overstated. We trot 12+ guys out that throw harder than 93.... it's absurd. TTU pitching has struck out 150 people in 380 plate appearances so far................
- I thought FSU was very mouthy, but what I really liked, was it seemed to light up our guys. They responded to the moment/moments. Baker going yardsauce to tie it up last night. McMillon blowing heaters by people. Stillwell with the bases loaded double. It seems to me like this group of guys just wants the intensity. I loved it.
- Still a ton of season left, but I think you're seeing some guys play themselves into spots, and some that will see themselves on the outside looking in. Masters put himself right back in the mix today for consistent AB's. Neuse is clearly your CF, Baker hits too much to not be the RF, and Carter's speed is tough to keep out of the lineup. I hope O'Tremba and Marusak keep getting a chance, but it's going to be tough with the amount of talent on this team.
- Really impressed with Cal Conley. Hit a freaking nuke today to tie it back up at 3 when the semenholes had all the momentum. Several really good plays in the field too. We've been absolutely spoiled at SS with Proudfoot, Davis, Garcia, and Jung. But Conley has thrown his hat in the ring as well.
- From a pure depth standpoint, this is the best pitching staff tadlock has had, by a lot. Reichmann and Brustoski provide LH weapons. Dallas/Bonnin/Becker/Montgomery/Dobbins/Beeter all provide length and can eat up innings. Hell, sublette came out today tossing 96 mph cheddar with movement! Queen recorded a 0.00 ERA last season and has one appearance. Devine is a bonafide closer. It's insane.
- A stat to keep an eye on? TTU is now 22/24 in stolen bases to start the year. (Not counting Baker trying to steal home today) Tech stole 71 bases in all of 2019, and Gabe Holt was responsible for 28 of those. I think the overall athleticism will allow Tadlock to score runs in a ton of ways.
- All in all, just a ton of fun to watch this weekend, and it had the feeling of an elimination type series. I can't wait to watch more TTU baseball. And I also an stoked to see the legacy these young guys will build as Red Raiders. Jung/Conley/Carter/Baker/Stillwell/Rombach...... someone stop me when I name an upperclassmen.
Y'all saddle up. This year is going to be fun as hell. I will sit down and do some research on the Running Rebels and have at least some tidbits before Tuesday.
Fire the pitching coach! (How stupid could I possibly have been?)
I'm sure I will think of other things to post but damn I just loved how this team came out this weekend and fought their tails off.
