JotCast | D1Baseball Weekly Chat: March 4

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D1Baseball Weekly Chat: March 4

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OwlFan

1:42

Do you think rice’s performance the last two days was an aberration or a turn of the corner?

Kendall Rogers

1:44

Owl -- As my dad used to say, 'the proof is in the pudding'. We will see how the Owls do later this week when they host a really solid Oklahoma team down here in Houston. But the last two days , the Owls looked like a much different team. The energy level just looked different, and Jackson Parthasarathy and Evan Kravetz threw really well. My man Justin Collins also was terrific over the weekend. Though this team looked different the past two days, we'll see how things progress moving forward.

Baseball fan

1:44

Are there any updates to your heat sheet? I heard Pitt’s Derek West was up to 97 this past weekend.

Aaron Fitt

1:46

We have four new additions this week -- the new heat sheet will be posted shortly, so keep an eye out for that. Remember that the rule is one of our writers has to be there to see it in person in order to make the list, so even when we get reliable reports (for instance, I heard Tennessee's Andrew Schultz touched 100 this week), we can't add it unless we're there. But that doesn't surprise me about Derek West, he's got a big arm, always has.

1:47

Oregon State pitching stayed lights out but the bats went on a little Vacation!!! Thoughts moving forward with the Beavs?

Kendall Rogers

1:48

JD -- The Beavers just don't have the same talent offensively as they had last season, so they're going to have some games with offensive lulls. Sunday was one of those games. I will say this, though. I'm getting really strong reports on SS Beau Philip. He was solid for me opening weekend and he's continued to show very good defense and solid power at the plate. Good thing the Beavers are loaded on the mound

Carson

1:48

Who yall leaning towards for the Miami/GT series this weekend?

Aaron Fitt

1:49

I think that’s a really intriguing series to kick off ACC play — two teams I am quite high on, who have both gotten off to pretty good starts. Whoever wins it could well find itself in the Top 25 next week — I think they’re both Top 25 caliber teams, to be honest. I suppose I’d give Miami a slight edge at home, but that one should be fun to watch.

Jason

1:49

Minnesota is off to a rough start, how much do you read into this?

Kendall Rogers

1:50

Jason -- Well, do I think Minnesota will be a good team at some point this season? Absolutely. They were impressive in my one-game sample size out in Surprise a few weeks ago. But there's no doubt they are experiencing some tough luck. The problem now is that Minnesota is so far behind the eight ball from a record standpoint it will need to roll through the Big Ten to have any chance at all of making the postseason. The Gophers doing that wouldn't surprise me at all.

Troy

1:51

What does a team like Dallas Baptist need to do to get ranked? Love your stuff guys.

Aaron Fitt

1:51

The Patriots are definitely on the radar — they were our preseason pick to win the Valley, and we like their talent. They have two nice series wins on the ledger, a sweep of Kent State and two of three from Minnesota (who has scuffled but still has talent). It’s just a crowded field of candidates for those Top 25 spots, not easy to squeeze in there. If DBU keeps winning, it will find its way in at some point. A midweek game against Oklahoma and road series at ORU offers another nice resume-building chance.

Coogs

1:52

What are your thoughts on Houston going forward? They just can't seem to get it together at the Shriners classic in any year. But would love to know your thoughts on them and conference play coming up later this month. Pitching is still my concern there.

Kendall Rogers

1:55

Coogs -- You are right, the pitching is the concern here. I think guys like Grayson Padgett and Co., will have as the season progresses. But Carter Henry being banged up really, really hurts, and I know Todd Whitting was really excited about Derrick Cherry, who was up to 95 in the fall. Guys like Freddy Villareal must have strong seasons if the Cougars want to meet expectations.

Sean

1:55

A couple weeks in any thoughts on the WCC teams? USD looks much improved from last season. St. Mary's and Gonzaga look solid too.

Aaron Fitt

1:55

I was really high on Saint Mary’s heading into the season and after the Gaels swept Wazzu in a four-game set to open the year, but they’ve lost six of their last seven since then, so they need to regroup. USD seems improved, great week for those guys — looking forward to seeing the Toreros in Seattle this weekend. I like BYU’s veteran club too, and still think USF’s big arms will make them a factor, and I expect Gonzaga and Pepperdine to heat up after starting off with losing records through three weeks. But how about Pacific at 9-2? That’s a club we need to start paying attention to after winning series from Sac State and Seattle, definitely a team of interest in an already crowded WCC picture. As always, that league will be a free-for-all.

Grayson G

1:55

If the reigning Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Cody Bradford can't get healthy, what do you think the Baylor Bears ceiling is this year?

Kendall Rogers

1:56

Grayson -- I think Cody will be fine moving forward. Clearly, the Bears are being very safe with his pitch count right now. But he was up to 92-93 mph with his FB along with solid stuff in a short stint yesterday. But yes, if the Bears for whatever reason don't have Bradford in league play, that's a tough tough loss and would require some inexperienced arms to step up in roles they might not be ready for just yet. I think Cody will be fine, though.

GoPack

1:57

NC State went 4-0 against some good teams this week and jumped into to the rankings. What’s striking to me about this team is the pitching depth. Legitimately used 12 different arms in key roles this week. My thought all weekend was this could be structured like 2018 Texas Tech where they weren’t getting deep starts, purposely at times, but just had so many options and good power options. Thoughts on that comparison?

Aaron Fitt

1:58

Yeah, that’s the way the game is trending — we talked about it earlier in this chat with South Carolina. So having pitching depth is probably more important than ever, because you can succeed by mixing and matching with 12 guys if you don’t have three weekend rotation horses. That said, give Jason Parker and Canaan Silver credit, they turned in quality starts this weekend, which takes a lot of pressure off the bullpen. But boy, that bullpen is legit. Great to see Dalton Feeney back in action and having success — love the Feeney-Klyman duo at the back, two very different styles.

Chip

1:58

Texas drew 22 walks and stole 6 of 7 in 3 games vs LSU. Now they go to Stanford who is averaging 3BB:10K per game as a pitching staff and their catcher does well controlling the run game. How do you see this series shaking out? Split? 3-1 and who?

Kendall Rogers

2:00

Chip -- I think a series splits sounds like a good bet right now, but this weekend is a much different challenge than LSU for the simple fact Texas has to go on the road to face an elite team with so many young players. That's a fascinating series.

James

2:01

UNC pitching seems to be performing as advertised but the offense has struggled against the best pitching staff they have faced so far (USF). Do you expect the offense to hit closer to the Xavier/Umass Lowell series or more towards the USF series as they enter ACC play. Outside of Freeman, Busch, Harris, and McGee there has been a lot of moving parts and mixed results.

Aaron Fitt

2:01

I think all the moving parts are part of the design there — it’s a very deep group of position players, and UNC used its bench liberally last year too. They’re going to get contributions from a lot of different guys all season long, playing matchups, using pinch-hitters and pinch-runners and defensive subsitutes. But the Busch-Freeman-Harris-Martorano-McGee group is a nice stable core to build around, and Jackson Hesterlee has been really good too — he provides a nice veteran power presence in there. Obviously ACC pitching will present a bigger challenge, and the numbers will settle back to earth some, but this is a good offense.

Guest

2:01

How is Arizona state still receiving no love?

Aaron Fitt

2:02

The Sun Devils were Team No. 26 this week -- we just went with teams that have played better competition. But last week NC State was team No. 26, and now they're ranked. ASU is knocking on the door.

Frodo

2:04

What has Tennessee done to deserve a top 25 spot? They've played nobody. They've also done this before where they feast on bad competition in the non-conference season and then get blasted in SEC play. I hope they enjoy playing at the Hoover Met tomorrow night vs Troy because the Vols will again miss out on the SEC tournament, even with Missouri being ineligible for post season play. You guys never seem to learn!

Aaron Fitt

2:04

Sweeping Indiana was louder than anything many other teams in the Top 25 have done so far — the Hoosiers are going to be good. And there comes a point where you just can’t ignore the sheer dominance of that Tennessee pitching staff, even though some of the other competition hasn’t been as strong. We’ve seen all those arms, and their talent is real — now they’re performing up to that talent. Yes, I’ve been burned on the Vols before, and I’m not 100 percent ready to say this is a regional team yet — still have things to prove, and that league is a meat-grinder. But I will definitely take that bet about the SEC tournament… and I feel like this is a very legitimate postseason contender.

Teddy

2:06

what are you're feelings about Louisiana Tech baseball?

Kendall Rogers

2:07

TEDDY -- I think the Bulldogs are going to have a strong spring. Aaron and I actually struggled with the Rice/La Tech combo when it comes to the C-USA standings and our postseason field of 64 (in the preseason). I really liked La tech on paper coming into the season. Sitting at 9-2 and with David Leal still scheduled to come back soon, I think the Bulldogs have a strong spring and put themselves into postseason shape. I'd probably have LT ahead of Rice in my pecking order as of today.

Erik

2:07

Aaron, you were down at the Frisco Classic. Nebraska put together two good showings, despite blowing a seven run lead. Is this something fans should be encouraged about moving forward or just a good week?

Aaron Fitt

2:07

Yeah, I think it was encouraging. That Saturday loss stung, but I saw plenty of good ABs from the Huskers, and plenty of fight. They pitched very well against a great offense Friday, and there are plenty of solid hitters in that lineup. Schwellenbach is going to be a stud, Hallmark is figuring it out, I like Palensky, and Mojo Hagge is the man.

Brian

2:08

Which non-power five has the best chance to make a deep run in the postseason?

Kendall Rogers

2:09

Brian - The team that is starting to really intrigued me is UC Irvine. Tanner Brubaker, Trenton Denholm and Andre Pallante hare done a nice job this season and that's a very, very strong weekend rotation, which to me, is the key to the postseason. I've also heard very solid things about UCI's offensive style from the Rice staff over the weekend. I'd keep an eye on Orloff's Eaters. I still think USM will get it going at some point, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned about the weekend series against Gonzaga.

Brandon

2:10

As always guys, thanks for such great content all year. I love following D1. Can you talk about Tech dropping 11 spots? Not the best of weeks for us I know, but it seems like quite a fall. We still picked up a "sneaky solid" shutout win in the midweek game. Compare our week to Florida's a couple weeks ago who lost a couple of games to directional schools (non power 5) and barely dropped. If any other top 5 team has a losing record from here on out, can we expect a major drop like Tech had?

Aaron Fitt

2:10

Definitely more of a harsh drop than Tech deserved, but part of that was the dreaded “poll dynamics” — the rankings had stagnated a bit early because everybody kept winning, so this was our first real chance to shuffle things up and reward some teams that deserved to move up. Also, the fact that Tech only had 7 hits in two games was dispiriting. Finally, we value weekends much more than midweeks, always have and always will — Florida still won a nice weekend series against Miami after those two midweek losses, which cushioned their fall. Anyway, it’s a long season, and I still believe in Tech as a national title contender, but right now there are a dozen other teams that also have talent and have earned better rankings.

Rob Bible

2:11

I know there is a lot of baseball left to be played, but do you think Southern Miss gets out of this slump? Or do they miss the tournament entirely this year?

Aaron Fitt

2:17

I'm probably more concerned about Southern Miss than Kendall is -- I just saw serious issues with the defense and the offense last weekend in Starkville. I think they're capable of turning it around, but it wasn't like one of those weekends where you lose two out of three but still pass the eye test. I walked away wondering if maybe we just misjudged USM in the preseason. Time will tell, and I have a feeling USM will get right in C-USA... but I have less conviction about that that I did a couple weeks ago.

HawkTalk

2:17

JJ Bleday and Austin Martin are off to blazing starts for the Commodores... and their combined numbers are basically slightly ahead of Andrew Vaughn (OK, maybe that's hyperbole, but still). How is Vaughn a Bo Jackson Tecmo plus up-up-down-down-left-right-left-right-B-A-Start all in one person. Who was the last player to have as dominant a 13 month run as he's had since the start of last year? I mean, Kris Bryant never had this kind of BA and K:BB success.

Aaron Fitt

2:18

Great question -- what a bonkers run Vaughn is on. As for the last guy to have a run like this, I'd have to think about it more, but Buster Posey? Dustin Ackley? Rickie Weeks? He's in the conversation with those guys, some of the greats of the 64-team era.

Connecting…

KLucas

4:26

With Mlodzinski out w/ a broken foot, how do you think South Carolina should manage the pitching rotation. Morgan has been the only consistent starter all year, but if it's not broke do you fix it and move him from Sunday?

Sam

4:31

Despite the early season losses, is ECU still in a position to host a regional?

Kevin

4:45

Well Kendall, I'd say LSU fell flat on their face and completely failed their first test of their season. That was not encouraging, to say the least. What worries you more about the team going forward: the 22 walks issued and 2 HBP (1 phantom HBP) by the pitching staff (24 free passes!), or the fact that hitters 5 - 9 went a combined 5/50 on the weekend? Maybe this is the wake-up call this team needed? I hope...

4:47

Thoughts on KY so far? They were competitive in 2 of 3 games vs. Texas Tech but couldn't finish and prob wont know much till SEC play. Thompson is looking good as expected but can rest of pitching hold up? Offense looks like it will be fine.

HawkTalk

5:04

Gents, as a Commodore fan, I'm pretty biased toward my guys, and they've showed out in several ways; however, the pitching staff looks a little more 2018 than 2011 (which was the depth I was hoping for), when it comes to a depth of trust perspective. To my question, if you could turn back the clock and base your Top 25 purely on what you've seen in the first three weekends, rather than the totality of the circumstances, how would you break your top 5 down?

mklein2020

5:05

How close is Miami to entering your top 25? Their biggest question mark appears to be closer and Defense. Offense and Starting pitching as good as most if not all teams in the country.

Steve

5:06

Tulane is off to a hot start, going 9-3 with two losses to a very good Ole Miss team. Obviously a top 25 ranking is far, far from this Green Wave club, but what does this team need to do in the rest of non-conference to get more Regional/Top 25 buzz?

5:08

The huskers had a great win Friday night down in Frisco and a disappointing lose on Saturday do you think this young team can do some damage in the B10?

Hogfandan

5:08

I don’t like to put too much stock into non-con schedules but with the way LSU has started, do you think Arkansas with Isaiah Campbell pitching well has more of a chance to win the SEC than previously thought? Even with ole miss and msu have playing well, I feel like the Hogs have more depth.

Reed

5:57

Reason to worry about the Sam Houston State pitching staff? Seem inconsistent so far other than Wesneski.

Hunter G

6:22

What were your takeaways from the Palmetto Series this weekend and the strength of the SEC overall this year?

Peter

6:39

Northwestern travelled to the Flats this weekend and managed to win one game over Georgia Tech. This comes a week after almost winning a series at Duke. What are your feelings on the Wildcats this year?

Theo

6:59

Fast-forwarding to SEC play, which team(s) do you see being the more dominant one(s) and holding the top few spots in the conference standings? An interesting field this year, especially with the recent surges of TAMU, SC and Tennessee possibly competing with the perennial "big dogs."

Guest

7:01

How is Georgia not drop from the top 10 and they have lost 2 games to 2 horrible teams(GSU/LIU) and have only played cupcakes? SEC bias?

Ray Tanner

7:02

Did you catch the "Our State" armband that Jordan Greene wore in the Palmetto Series? Good kid, but surprised Monte let it off the bus. (Or in Clemson's case, off the horse-drawn carriage.)

Cam

7:02

Do you think this FSU team has the makeup to make this a special final year for Mike Martin? See any major weaknesses?

Bill

7:11

Thoughts on Louisville’s starting pitching and pitching depth as a whole?

Tony

7:11

Do you guys see Dallas Baptist being ranked in the top 25 anytime soon? What do they need to do? Thanks

4th Street

7:13

What’s up with USM? Can they get it together and get in the at-large mid

Peyton

7:13

Do ya'll believe that Ole miss has solved its pitching it's woes or do ya'll believe they have a little more work to do

John

7:14

What are your thoughts on Ole Miss

4th Street

7:14

What is wrong with USM? Can they get in the tourney mix or does it look like a lost year?

Jake

7:14

If you had to pick 1 team from each power 5 conference to make it to Omaha, who you taking? I know it’s week 3..

Peyton

7:15

Hey guys: do ya'll believe Ole Miss has solved its pitching woes or is more work needed

EagsBy10

7:19

Golden Eagles have been very disappointing this year all around. Do you still see them as CUSA favorite?

Adam

7:23

Highlight of my week, and only a Monday! Big Gators fan here and was wondering what the long term draft potential looks like for Kendrick Calilao? I comp him to a Giancarlo Stanton. Also, could this be one of the best frosh classes ever with Calilao, Crisp, Young and others?! Thanks for all you do with NCAA Baseball!

Kevin

7:24

How do you see Dalton Feeney panning out? At his best, he's got the stuff to be an ace; obviously he's been used in the bullpen to control his pitch count coming off TJ surgery. Not sure he has his full velocity back, but he's hitting his spots and the slider looks great. Think he gets into the rotation at some point?

Scott

7:24

Did FULLERTON just have a bad weekend? Or...is Stanford legit? It took some last inning heroics for CSF to pull one out at their home field.

Steve

7:35

Best odds to make a regional: Tulane or Rice?

Keith

7:39

I'm curious about Texas Tech falling 11 spots. It was definitely a bad showing, but with the specifics Fitt mentioned above (weather, health, out of character, etc.) why the big drop? That's a 2-1 week shutting out a solid NMSU offense and two close losses in Frisco, including against another top team.

Bob

7:41

Are the Ducks for real this year?

Bob

7:42

I'm still worried about the Beaver

Mark

7:43

You guys had Burgmann from UW in the 7th round, has his early numbers bumped him up at all?

wave

7:57

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

7:58

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

8:01

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

8:01

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

Joe

8:03

Thoughts on Ole Miss through the first 3 weekends?

Hunter

8:04

What are your thoughts on Coastal Carolina? Could they play their way into a national top 8 seed this year?

Duck dad

8:07

It's too bad they weren't able to stay in the NW, but Kade Mechals (GCU) and Willie Weiss (UM) seam to be off to a good start. What are your thoughts on then going forward?

Grayma

8:08

Guys, you said earlier that you wanted to see more consistent pitching from Isiah Campbell of the Hogs..Did you take notice of his game this week against Stoney Brook?

wave

8:10

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

8:10

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

8:11

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

8:13

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

8:13

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

wave

8:13

What does Tulane need to do to get into the top 25?

packfanatic

8:17

What is going on in Greenville that has East Carolina so messed up? Do you think the Pirates can right the ship in conference play?

Rob

8:18

Who would y'all like to see as the 6th team for next year's Shriners Classic? I think a strong mid-major from the region would be a great piece to round out the field, like a LA Tech, DBU, Tulane, or Missouri State.

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