You are viewing the chat in desktop mode. Click here to switch to mobile view.
X
Return toD1Baseball
D1Baseball Chat: Feb. 25
powered byJotCast
View Full Chat Next Page
Kendall Rogers
2:40
All right gang -- that's all the time we have today. Make sure you Subscribe to D1Baseball!
2:28
PD -- I've been encouraged by TCU's performance the past two weeks. The Frogs are clearly much better offensively and the rotation will be strong with Lodolo-Janczak-Williamson. The one, maybe, concern I have right now is not having Caleb Sloan and Russell Smith in the bullpen. TCU will need to avoid further injuries or that will become an issue. But so far so good.
PD
2:27
After a couple of weeks, I'm pleasantly surprised by my Horned Frogs.  We seem a lot deeper and versatile in the lineup and much better defensively.  Pitching has been up and down, but once Janzcak gets into the flow of things I really think this team could make another Omaha run.  Too soon?
Kendall Rogers
2:26
Guest - I think you'll see that happen unless Pat Casey decides by June he wants to come back for another season. Remember, Casey has the option to say he's coming back until June. Pat B and his staff have done a phenomenal job so far this season.
Guest
2:25
What will take to remove interm label on OSU coach Pat Bailey?
Kendall Rogers
2:25
JK -- I was impressed with the sweep for Sam Houston State, but I also thought the Bearkats were going to be pretty good this season. SHSU has a really deep staff and I think what stood out to me is they get in trouble with the starter on Saturday and are able to turn it over to a quality arm like Matt Dillard. SHSU has a chance to make a big, big splash this weekend.
jkolek
2:22
What are your takeaways from the Sam Houston State sweep of Louisiana?
Kendall Rogers
2:14
Luke -- Nah. It's just one weekend. Everyone knows he's a premier hitter. There's a reason in baseball getting a hit 30% of the time is considered impressive. It happens.
Luke
2:14
Everyone was reporting that Wallner looked electric in pre-season practice. Do you think this weekend takes a huge hit to his draft stock?
Kendall Rogers
2:14
TD -- I think it will be a solid series, but I like LSU two out of three. I think I trust LSU's bullpen and offense a bit more right now, though, I still have major reservations about Zack Hess as the Friday night starter. This is a big weekend for him, IMO.
TD
2:13
LSU on the road to Texas this upcoming weekend for a stiff test with the Longhorns. How do you see it playing out?
Kendall Rogers
2:10
Dozsa, Love to see Coop getting the Lions going so far this season, but they definitely have something to prove with their opponents so far this season being Monmouth and Fairfield. With that said, Bailey Dees was an intriguing arm to watch. Dees has struck out 12 and walked just three in 12 innings, with teams hitting him at just a .167 clip. That Duke series this comping weekend should tell us a lot about Penn State's improvements.
Dozsa2
2:09
Penn State is 6-0. Are the Nittany Lions a threat in the Big Ten?
Aaron Fitt
2:04
Guys that's all for me this week, KR will take you home.
Kendall Rogers
2:03
Brandon -- I think Tech has plenty of quality depth, the key is getting consistent outings. I thought Mason Montgomery was solid over the weekend, allowing just two runs in five innings. I think Tadlock will continue to tinker with things until he finds the right formula. My money is on Tech finding that formula. But in the meantime, it's impressive that when the pitching isn't the greatest, the Raiders have an offense that can mask those issues for now. Love their club.
Brandon
2:02
Early season thoughts on TT's pitching depth?
Aaron Fitt
2:02
I think the new Dudy Noble is the new gold standard for college baseball parks -- it's got every amenity, and every little detail is so carefully considered (much like South Carolina's park in that regard). And they did a fantastic job maintaining the character of the LF Lounge while bringing it up to modern safety standards. Also very high on MSU's team -- check out last night's Fitt Bits for my takeaways on the Bulldogs.
Fred
2:01
After spending the weekend in Starkville, what are your thoughts on the team and new stadium?
Aaron Fitt
2:00
Shotgun Spratling will be there! He's usually on the West Coast, so I know he's really looking forward to getting a taste of that atmosphere.
Chris
2:00
Will any of you guys be at Carolina-Clemson series this weekend?
Aaron Fitt
2:00
Yeah, as Kendall alluded to, ASU is very much on our radar, but the standard SOS caveats apply — they have feasted on lesser competition early. Still, as I wrote last week, I think ASU will be one of the very best offensive teams in the country — maybe even THE best. They’ve come a long way. I think their offensive talent is very legit.
Nate
2:00
SEC guy here but really curious to see how Arizona State has gotten off to a hot start offensively. How do you see that playing out for them over the next couple of months?
Kendall Rogers
1:59
Chris -- In terms of standouts, I loved Nolan Crisp. Such a bulldog on the mound and he isn't wasting time getting the ball to the plate. Sully said more veterans need to pay attention to how he approaches the game, which I think is telling. Offensively, Kendrick Calilao, Brady McConnell and Jud Fabian were all impressive, especially Calilao. He has power to all fields. The Gators will go through some ups and downs offensively as these young guys gain experience, but I think they'll finish strong with Nelson Maldonado, Brady Smith and others potentially heating up. On the mound, Tommy Mace was awesome over the weekend. 94-96 with his FB and electric overall stuff. If I am a betting man, he's UF's Friday night starter to being SEC play.
Chris
1:57
What are your takeaways from the gators this weekend are you surprised with the hitting struggles and maybe Kendall can weigh in since he was there. And who stood out from pitching side and batting side
Aaron Fitt
1:57
I'll be there. Most excited to see Texas Tech (since I just saw MSU). That offense looked scary this weekend. And Sam Houston has a lot of good arms, looking forward to seeing that pitching staff. And can Nebraska bounce back from a rough weekend? Lots of neat things to watch in that tourney.
KD
1:56
Who is going to be covering the Frisco Classic this weekend and what are you most looking forward to out of those 4 teams?
Aaron Fitt
1:55
Because (a) a team in front of Coastal dropped out, so there was room for other teams to move up, and (b) Coastal still had a very good week, going 4-1, with four blowout wins against good programs, and a tough extra-inning loss on Friday — any team would move up after a week like that, provided there was room to go up. NC State, as I mentioned, was team No. 26, and this was a great week for the Pack… but the opening weekend against Bucknell was just not a rigorous enough opponent to give NCSU the edge over Illinois, which went on the road and earned a win over Wake Forest (a good team that has gotten off to a sluggish start), then swept FAU on the road.
Pack
1:55
Why would you have Coastal going up in the poll after losing at home to NC State, who you still have unranked?
Kendall Rogers
1:52
Aaron saw Arizona State out in Arizona two weekends ago, and I'm extremely impressed with what ASU has done as a whole right now, but we're waiting on the Devils to record some wins over better/marquee opponents.. For me, ASU is kind of in the same boat as Tennessee, though UT has played a better opponent than ASU so far this season in Indiana over the weekend. ASU is definitely on our radar. Good to see Tracy get those guys back on track. We'll see if it sticks.
Eric Simmons
1:51
Why isn't Arizona State ranked after a 7-0 start?
Aaron Fitt
1:51
I haven't gotten a report on his stuff yet in these first two starts, but I've seen him before, and he can really, really pitch. He'll get it up into the low-90s, with good feel for his breaking ball and changeup. Just a very advanced, polished strike-throwing veteran lefty. He's gonna win a lot of games this year, and I think he has a real chance to be a Day One draft pick.
Hottub
1:50
Any reports on Michigan lefty Tommy Henry? The stats have been dominant.
Aaron Fitt
1:49
Our first teams out was NC State, that was team No. 26 (we gave the edge to the cold-weather team that has a few more quality wins — sweeping FAU on the road was a good statement for the Illini). Tennessee and Arizona State have played themselves up into the discussion as well. I’d put College of Charleston on the board after winning a series from UConn (which was Team 26 last week). I assume you’re an Oklahoma fan — and yes, your team has played its way into the mix as well. Good week for the Sooners, with a nice midweek win over DBU, and a 2-1 showing at Tony Gwynn. Our Shotgun Spratling saw OU this weekend, and he reported to us that they are “intriguing.” I think that fits. Interested to see how the young guys on that club develop.
Sooner in Austin
1:49
Which programs are right on the cusp of being in the Top 25 rankings?
Kendall Rogers
1:48
Bryce -- We had Texas as a team in the 20-25 range in the preseason with Hamilton, so without Hamilton, I actually thought they might struggle a little more than they have. The big key for Texas right now is the rise of RHP Bryce Elder. I was surprised when Elder was starting on Friday opening weekend, but he's lived up to the offseason billing. He was up to 93-94 mph with his FB and showed excellent feel for the breaking ball the past couple of weeks. The Longhorns have also done enough offensively to win games. The ultimate test is this weekend against LSU, but so far so good. David Pierce and his staff are doing a solid job.
Bryce Lee
1:46
Impressed by the Longhorns early. With David Hamilton healthy, what could Texas potentially do this season? & now obviously without, where do you guys see them?
Aaron Fitt
1:46
I was encouraged by the arms I saw from Fullerton last Friday and Sunday (I missed them Saturday). Michael Knorr is going to be a typical Fullerton freshman weekend guy, kinda like what Bibee was last year -- he's got feel for pitching and decent stuff. Velasquez and Landon Anderson are nice reliable bullpen pieces, and Weisenberg has a big arm. Jury is still out on that staff, but I agree with you that the lineup is quite good, and I think they've got enough on the mound to be right in the mix to make a postseason run as usual.
Alex K
1:43
Fullerton this year is unlike a typical team of year's past. Seems like they have an excellent hitting team, with at least three super freshmen in the line up. Will they figure out the pitching besides their Friday ace Bibee? If they do, they have to be considered a serious CWS contender, agree?
Kendall Rogers
1:41
Frank -- Minnesota is struggling, but I definitely though that was an impressive series win for DBU. I wrote about the Patriots last week and I continue to be impressed with lefty Jordan Martinson, who struck out eight in six shutout innings against the Gophers. DBU got it done offensively the rest of the weekend, too. DBU will be in the Top 25 mix if it continues to take care of business.
Frank
1:40
Were you impressed with Dallas Baptist this weekend? Big mid-week with Baylor this week.
Connecting…