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D1Baseball Weekly Chat: March 13
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Kendall Rogers
1:30
More velocity and such certainly contributes, but I also think the ball is very much juiced to some degree. I actually like it -- although I've seen a few home runs this year that had zero business leaving a ballpark, much less going 420 feet. But yes, anytime you see 6 or 7 instances so far this season of guys hitting 470-480 foot bombs, something is awry.
Spencer
1:31
A little surprised to see Bama still in the rankings after losing their series to Columbia, especially considering their schedule up to their point. What kept them in over teams on the outside with much better resumes?
Aaron Fitt
1:31
Just the fact that Bama had been unbeaten before this weekend, we felt like they deserved another week in the Top 25. We dropped them a bunch, and I think that's appropriate, but we do still believe in their talent and experience, which is why we had them ranked in the preseason.
PackFan
1:35
Any indication/thoughts on what NC State’s plan is with Sam Highfill?  His stuff has looked 2021 ish but pitching some pretty meaningless innings in middle relief lately.  After Whitaker was shelled for an 8 run inning Friday that ended up essentially deciding the series at Miami does he start game 1 vs UVA? Feels like he’s the key to the Pack’s season.  Offense still scored plenty of runs at Miami
Aaron Fitt
1:35
It feels like they are being very careful with Highfill, easing him along gradually, wary of putting too much of a burden on him. I think that is the right approach; it is very important to have him healthy and peaking down the stretch, I think. I do agree that he's a huge key to this season, and if he can actually return to a starting role and give them more innings than he is right now, that would be great. I don't have a good feel for how long it might take for everyone to be comfortable with an increased workload, but clearly it's something to monitor.
Brian, Seattle
1:36
Washington or Washington State? Which is more built to maintain its hot start?
Kendall Rogers
1:36
Brian -- that's a really good question. Washington State has certainly proven more to this point after taking the series at Oregon State, but I do think UW has more upside, namely because I like some of its front-line pieces a little more. With that said, again, the Cougs have proven more to date. I really like both of those head coaches -- so excited to see what both can do this season.
Pokes Fan
1:37
A month into the year, who do you see as the favorite to win the big 12?
Kendall Rogers
1:37
I still like Oklahoma State to win the league. I still really like TCU, too, but TCU's rash of injuries on the mound has me a little concerned about their sustainability throughout an entire conference slate. I would have Texas Tech in the mix with Oklahoma as my sleeper. The Sooners are quietly starting to play really, really well. Same with WVU.
Jake
1:38
How good is the B1G? At this early stage, is it likely they could get 4 or 5 into regionals. Illinois, Nebraska, and Iowa all look like borderline top 25 teams and I still think Maryland will be good as well. Who knows about Rutgers and Indiana too.
Aaron Fitt
1:38
Five feels too rich for me, but I could envision the Big Ten being a four-team league this year -- it has been in the past. Ultimately I think three is more likely, but I do agree that Iowa, Maryland, Nebraska and Illinois all feel like legit regional contenders, and Rutgers started to get on track this weekend too, so don't count them out. I think Indiana probably winds up just behind that group when the dust clears, but you never know. If I'm betting today, I'm gonna say three out of those five wind up in regionals.
cool 1
Jeff
1:41
What are your thoughts on DBU so far & chances of another NCAA tourney bid?
Aaron Fitt
1:41
Nice bounceback week for DBU against a solid Oral Roberts team. Even during their little five-game skid, the Patriots generally pitched it well, so I think they will have staying power as a contender in C-USA. Very solid chance to keep that regionals streak alive. I'm looking forward to seeing DBU in a couple weeks at Charlotte, I believe. Two talented teams there.
Matt
1:42
What are your thoughts on SBC as a whole so far this year and how it compares with other conferences? I've been hearing of some quality wins so far this year against Power 5 teams.
Kendall Rogers
1:42
Matt -- this is a really interesting league for me. I think you could look at the SBC right now and make a legitimate case for six postseason bids. Do I think that happens? Nah, but some very solid cases. ODU, Louisiana, Texas State, Coastal Carolina, Troy, Southern Miss all look very solid, while I also think Georgia Southern will be fine and Georgia State is off to a nice start.
cool 1
Panic in Music City
1:45
I know you guys won't go it, so I'll do it for you. I'm officially pushing the panic button on Vanderbilt. Pitching has held up for the most part against out-of-conference, somewhat sub-par opponents, and hitting has been highly suspect, and inconsistent at best. At this rate, once they hit SEC play, they are going to get obliterated. Overreaction perhaps, but the trend is very alarming right now.
Aaron Fitt
1:45
Yeah I'm gonna go with overreaction here. First off, Vandy has played a pretty strong schedule -- they won some low-scoring games against a UCLA team that has really good pitching, and they scored double-digit runs in back to back wins against Oklahoma State and Texas. It's not like that's ancient history, the season is only four weeks old. Bats run hot and bats run cold; I get that Vandy is not currently lighting the world on fire offensively, but they are winning, and that matters most. And I still think a core of Bradfield/Austin/Schreck/Diaz/Vastine is good enough to be competitive in the SEC, given the caliber of their pitching. Obviously they need almost all of those guys to pick it up, and it would be great to see steps forward from a Parker Noland or a Bulger or LaNeve (where have those guys gone? Felt like they were very promising bats a couple years ago). But it feels like there are still enough pieces for this to be a respectable SEC offense, it's just a matter of jumpstarting some of those guys
Marc S.
1:48
Curious as to your thoughts on Loyola Marymount. They're only 7-7, but have taken games against Vanderbilt, UC Irvine, Oklahoma State and Long Beach State. Would've been curious to see how they fared against UCLA had it not been cancelled. The WCC looks like it could be theirs, and I definitely would be nervous playing them in a regional. Seems like they could make some noise this year.
Aaron Fitt
1:48
Yeah, give LMU credit for playing a stout schedule and handling it pretty well -- going on the road to Oklahoma State and Vandy, and not getting swept at either place, is admirable, and those midweek wins vs. UCI and Long Beach look great on the resumé. This isn't a team I had particularly high expectations for heading into the season, but given Gonzaga's struggles and USD's topsy turvy first month, it does feel like LMU has a chance to make a run at being the best team in the WCC. Portland and Santa Clara in that same discussion -- kinda surprise teams in the first month, some good things on their resumés too. Feels like another free-for-all in that league, and it will likely wind up as a one-bid league so it all will come down to the conference tourney.
Marc
1:50
Can Texas turn it around and compete in the Big 12 this year? I am perplexed as to why Lebarron Johnson is the Tuesday starter. Seems like he and Lucas Gordon would give the Longhorns a chance to win most weekend series, if the offense can do enough.
Kendall Rogers
1:50
Marc - I think Texas can compete for a spot in the NCAA tournament, but I don't consider it - for now -- as a huge threat to win the Big 12 regular season title. I just don't think this team, right now, has a ton of juice. I do really like what Peyton Powell has provided, however, and Porter Brown is having a nice year. They really need Dylan Campbell to heat up during league play to have a chance to win it.
Garrett
1:51
Thoughts on ECU’s rotation after this weekend
Aaron Fitt
1:51
Feel really good about the Yesavage-Spivey-Grosz trio. ECU has enough depth and stuff in the bullpen that it can afford to stick with Spivey in the rotation, and I think that is a winning formula. They won't face a team the rest of the regular season who can match up with that rotation.
Joel
1:54
How do you see the Mountain West so far? UNM seems to be on a roll
Kendall Rogers
1:54
Joel -- I've been pretty impressed with UNM's start, but I've also really liked what I've seen some San Jose State at times, too. If you want to talk about coaches and overcoming obstacles to be successful, Brad and SJSU would be up there. That's a tough place to win, but they're making due so far this season. But UNM is the big surprise for me thus far.
Tannor
1:55
Overall thoughts on Nebraska?  Iowa seemed to be the big tens best team to this point, where do the Huskers stand, and how do you see the rest of the season going for them?
Kendall Rogers
1:55
Tannor -- I feel pretty good about where the Huskers are right now. Sure, they had that rough first weekend out in California, but they've played impressive baseball since that point. I know last season was frustrating, but that was just a blip and an aberration for me when you consider that coaching staff. It's back to business in Lincoln.
cool 1
Pete
1:55
For several years now we’ve seen the same few mid major programs contend in June every year. What is it about teams like ECU, USM, and DBU that separate them from other mid majors who are working on similar resources and infrastructure?
Aaron Fitt
1:55
In the case of ECU and USM, part of it is that they have wonderful traditions and passionate fan bases that make players grow up wanting to play there. And those things are self-perpetuating -- once you start to win it helps build your fan base, which helps you win, which helps strengthen your fan base, etc etc. DBU doesn't have that kind of fan base, but they've had incredible coaches that know how to identify and develop talent and built a unique culture that appeals to a certain subset of deeply devout Christian players. They've also invested plenty in their facilities, as the Pirates have. And there's just so much talent in the state of Texas. But the DBU model does feel a little different from the USM and ECU models, which feel very comparable.
Rigsby
1:57
How do you all feel about Southern Miss at this point in the season?
Kendall Rogers
1:57
Rigsby -- I'm still sky high on USM's potential, but there's no doubt it has been very much a mixed bag of results, even on the mound at times. The pitching has been iffy at different times. With that said, I would be very surprised if the Golden Eagles aren't rocking and rolling as Sun Belt play begins. Just seems like a team that will turn up things a few notches once things mean a little more.
FittsMagic
1:57
How high is your panic meter now with regards to Stanford as an Omaha contender?
Aaron Fitt
1:57
Not concerned! I don't think it's an elite pitching staff, but I still think it's good enough to get to Omaha behind that position player group, once they get those guys healthy. Sounds like Tommy Troy is going to miss a few weeks, but hopefully he comes back strong, that is an important piece.
Ryan
1:59
What do you see that is holding OK State back from jumping up in the rankings? The competition?
Kendall Rogers
1:59
Ryan -- good question. I actually feel very good about the Pokes right now. I was rightfully a little concerned at times during the Globe Life tournament, but they've stabilized things since that point and are playing pretty well. I would look for a sizable jump with a series win at Texas Tech this weekend. I still think this team has elite potential.
Glenn J
2:01
Do you guys see the CAA as a multiple bid league this season?
Kendall Rogers
2:01
The CAA could definitely be a multi-bid league. Northeastern has positioned itself well in non-conference play, and Charleston is a really solid club as well. I don't really see another team in that league with at-large potential at this point, though.
1985
2:01
How discouraged should I be about the Heels loss to Virginia this past weekend?
Aaron Fitt
2:01
Not too concerned. UNC has a few things to clean up defensively, and I'm still waiting for the bullpen to really coalesce, but there's no shame in losing two of three to a really good UVa club. UNC still feels like a solid Top 25 team that will be in the hunt to host a regional -- although at this point I would revise my assessment of that club down slightly, moving them behind UVa and Louisville (two teams we had ranked behind UNC in the preseason). Those teams play better defense and are stronger in the bullpen.
Dan
2:02
Why is it that Stanford suffers injuries and drops a road series to a dangerous USC team that has talent and good coaches, they drop 7 spots, but when Tennessee drops road games to Arizona and Grand Canyon, they drop 1 spot?  SEC bias is absurd
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