The following is in specific regards to Tech, the Big 12, and any teams that we have on our schedule that I find to be noteworthy notes:
Josh:
Pick one Big 12 hitter of the year: Kody Clemens, Steele Walker, Luken Baker or Shea Langliers?
Kendall Rogers: Josh - Without a doubt for me, Kody Clemens. He's been the straw that stirs Texas' drink so far this season, and he's doing a terrific job of hitting left handed pitchers, too. He's got power, he can go opposite field, and he's just an overall terrific player. His draft stock is really rising right now.
Grant Gohlke:
Thoughts on the pokes chances of being a host come regionals? Team seems to be surging and are only getting healthier.
KR: Grant - Pokes still have a lot of work to do with an RPI of 32, but they've got a nice Big 12 slate of games left AND they have a nice RPI series at Iowa still left. Take care of business in strong fashion the rest of the way and it's absolutely not out of the question . OSU was right on the cusp of our rankings this week. We had lengthy discussion about the Pokes, whom we like.
Kevin: What are you thoughts on South Alabama? They seem to have turned the corner after a rocky couple of weeks against a brutal schedule non-conference.
Aaron Fitt: Yeah, I like the Jags - but I've had to revise my overall assessment downward a bit, because they are not quite the offensive juggernaut I expected them to be in the preseason. Losing LaBounty, Thomas and Paparella really changed the complexion of that lineup a bit. I figured it was only a matter of time before Brendan Donovan and Wells Davis got hot, and we started to see that this weekend - this can still be a very dangerous offensive club. I think the Jags are a little light on the mound, but they should hit enough tot get into a regional.
Austin: Halfway through SEC conference play, the teams at the top in the overall standings are UF, Arky, Vandy, Georgia and LSU. Who is your top 4 at the end of the season?
Fitt: I'll go with UF, Arky... Ole Miss... and... man, who knows? It's so wide open. Vandy, Georgia, LSU, aggy, even Kentucky - could see any of them making a strong run down the stretch.
Cowtown Bill: I know TCU had a good week, but still have a long ways to go. To me, the encouraging sign besides the pitching is there are some other bats coming around besides Luken. While I think the RPI will keep them from hosting this year, can the Frogs still make a run?
Rogers: Cowtown - I'm with you. I feel like the Frogs have played a much better overall brand of baseball the past few games, so maybe, just maybe, TCU is starting to figure things out. I'll see them against Tech in two weekends. With that said, the Frogs are still at 56 in the RPI. I could see them potentially getting back in that mix if they won series against Tech, Texas and WVU, while also making a strong run in the conference tournament.
Sportsfan: Why didn't DBU enter the top 25 with being on the bubble last week and a 4-0 week which included beating Texas Tech?
Fitt: Once again, DBU was right there on the cusp, but when we looked at the big picture, we liked UConn's and Minnesota's bodies of work more than DBU's. Still love DBU's talent, but they're still a bit light on high-end wins.
TTU RR: What's your projection for some of the Tech stars in next year for Little and Jung in the MLB draft? Also, do you think Gingery stays another year or just goes ahead and leaves for the draft this year?
KR: TTU - Both guys are going to be pretty high picks, I think. Little is getting some really good buzz, and you know we love Jung around these parts. As for Gingery, he will still be a very high pick, so I would be shocked if he returned to school another season.
UTguy:
Guys...David Pierce has been an excellent hire for Texas (in my opinion), not an easy sport for anyone to come into and fill those shoes...RIP AG! With that being said, how are you guys looking at Texas' chances of hosting a regional? If they can keep this up and win the Big 12, or even finish top 3, I would think it would be close to automatic, no?
KR: UT - if UT won the Big 12 regular season title, it would probably have a top 20 RPI, which would certainly put the Horns in terrific shape for a regional host. Right now, I have them down for a series loss at Tech, and around 50/50 against TCU. Take one of those two, go chalk in other series, and do well in OKC, and I would like the 'Horns chances.
Of note, I'm going to list the hitting stats for Clemens and Little below:
Little - .410 BA, started 37-37 games, 39R, 57H, 43 RBI, 98 TB, .705 slg%, .509 OB%
Clemens - .369 BA, started 38-38 games, 37R, 52H, 37 RBI, 100 TB, .709 slg%, .467 ob%
Josh:
Pick one Big 12 hitter of the year: Kody Clemens, Steele Walker, Luken Baker or Shea Langliers?
Kendall Rogers: Josh - Without a doubt for me, Kody Clemens. He's been the straw that stirs Texas' drink so far this season, and he's doing a terrific job of hitting left handed pitchers, too. He's got power, he can go opposite field, and he's just an overall terrific player. His draft stock is really rising right now.
Grant Gohlke:
Thoughts on the pokes chances of being a host come regionals? Team seems to be surging and are only getting healthier.
KR: Grant - Pokes still have a lot of work to do with an RPI of 32, but they've got a nice Big 12 slate of games left AND they have a nice RPI series at Iowa still left. Take care of business in strong fashion the rest of the way and it's absolutely not out of the question . OSU was right on the cusp of our rankings this week. We had lengthy discussion about the Pokes, whom we like.
Kevin: What are you thoughts on South Alabama? They seem to have turned the corner after a rocky couple of weeks against a brutal schedule non-conference.
Aaron Fitt: Yeah, I like the Jags - but I've had to revise my overall assessment downward a bit, because they are not quite the offensive juggernaut I expected them to be in the preseason. Losing LaBounty, Thomas and Paparella really changed the complexion of that lineup a bit. I figured it was only a matter of time before Brendan Donovan and Wells Davis got hot, and we started to see that this weekend - this can still be a very dangerous offensive club. I think the Jags are a little light on the mound, but they should hit enough tot get into a regional.
Austin: Halfway through SEC conference play, the teams at the top in the overall standings are UF, Arky, Vandy, Georgia and LSU. Who is your top 4 at the end of the season?
Fitt: I'll go with UF, Arky... Ole Miss... and... man, who knows? It's so wide open. Vandy, Georgia, LSU, aggy, even Kentucky - could see any of them making a strong run down the stretch.
Cowtown Bill: I know TCU had a good week, but still have a long ways to go. To me, the encouraging sign besides the pitching is there are some other bats coming around besides Luken. While I think the RPI will keep them from hosting this year, can the Frogs still make a run?
Rogers: Cowtown - I'm with you. I feel like the Frogs have played a much better overall brand of baseball the past few games, so maybe, just maybe, TCU is starting to figure things out. I'll see them against Tech in two weekends. With that said, the Frogs are still at 56 in the RPI. I could see them potentially getting back in that mix if they won series against Tech, Texas and WVU, while also making a strong run in the conference tournament.
Sportsfan: Why didn't DBU enter the top 25 with being on the bubble last week and a 4-0 week which included beating Texas Tech?
Fitt: Once again, DBU was right there on the cusp, but when we looked at the big picture, we liked UConn's and Minnesota's bodies of work more than DBU's. Still love DBU's talent, but they're still a bit light on high-end wins.
TTU RR: What's your projection for some of the Tech stars in next year for Little and Jung in the MLB draft? Also, do you think Gingery stays another year or just goes ahead and leaves for the draft this year?
KR: TTU - Both guys are going to be pretty high picks, I think. Little is getting some really good buzz, and you know we love Jung around these parts. As for Gingery, he will still be a very high pick, so I would be shocked if he returned to school another season.
UTguy:
Guys...David Pierce has been an excellent hire for Texas (in my opinion), not an easy sport for anyone to come into and fill those shoes...RIP AG! With that being said, how are you guys looking at Texas' chances of hosting a regional? If they can keep this up and win the Big 12, or even finish top 3, I would think it would be close to automatic, no?
KR: UT - if UT won the Big 12 regular season title, it would probably have a top 20 RPI, which would certainly put the Horns in terrific shape for a regional host. Right now, I have them down for a series loss at Tech, and around 50/50 against TCU. Take one of those two, go chalk in other series, and do well in OKC, and I would like the 'Horns chances.
Of note, I'm going to list the hitting stats for Clemens and Little below:
Little - .410 BA, started 37-37 games, 39R, 57H, 43 RBI, 98 TB, .705 slg%, .509 OB%
Clemens - .369 BA, started 38-38 games, 37R, 52H, 37 RBI, 100 TB, .709 slg%, .467 ob%
