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Aaron Fitt

2:56

Thanks everybody! See you back in the chat room in February.

Aaron Fitt

2:56

I can't speak for any other rankings. As for us, we like Miami's team and felt like we ranked the Canes in an appropriate spot, considering there are still some question marks here. Can Alejandro Rosario harness his talent? Can Gage Ziehl and Karson Ligon take steps forward to become big-time dudes in the rotation? Yoyo is a monster and I love CJ Kayfus, and I think Ian Farrow was a really nice addition, but there's not a lot of other proven commodities in that lineup. There is talent though. We think it's a Top 25 team, but as with any Top 25 team, it would not be some huge surprise to see the Canes wind up closer to being a top 10 team.

Canes

2:56

Why is Miami considerably lower than other rankings ?

Kendall Rogers

2:56

All right gang -- that's all the time I have for today. Really enjoyed talking some Top 25 Rankings .... let's get the season preview rolling!

Aaron Fitt

2:52

Boy, they lost some vital guys, tough to say who they'll miss most between Wallace, Moore, Turner, Battles and Noland. But I suppose I'd say Battles, because shortstop is the position I'm most concerned with for the Hogs; I think that's the biggest key to their season, finding the guy they can trust at that position, whether it's John Bolton, Harold Coll, or somebody else. I really like the Arkansas pitching staff, but they also really need Jaxon Wiggins to put it all together in year three. We all know he's an elite talent; now it's go-time.

WooPig

2:52

Thoughts on Arkansas this year? Who do you think they will miss most from last year’s team?

Kendall Rogers

2:51

Zac -- I think the Terps are the clear-cut number one, but I do really like what Iowa has on the mound and Rutgers was heavily in the mix for our Top 25 as well, albeit a few spots behind some other teams. I don't want to step on Patrick and Burke's toes, but I think you could put Indiana right behind those teams. I also am looking forward to seeing Iowa against someone like LSU opening weekend. Should be a blast.

Zac

2:51

I noticed only one Big Ten team in the Top 25, Maryland, and they were quite high (13th). Do you think they are far and away the best this year? Who is second? (Rutgers, Iowa, Indiana, etc)?

Aaron Fitt

2:50

Huge fan of Etzel -- one of the best newcomers I saw in my fall travels, just really physical and athletic with a great approach and feel for the barrel, and he can really go get it in center field. I think he is the best player in a very good Southern Miss lineup.

Jordan

2:50

What’s your thoughts on Mathew Etzel?

Aaron Fitt

2:49

Yeah that's some serious star power with that trio, plus they still have other really good veteran pieces back like Nick LoRusso, Kevin Keister and Bobby Zmarzlak. Savacool and Dean is a great one-two punch in the rotation, and I liked the sound of their newcomers on the mound after reading Shotgun Spratling's fall report on the Terps. If you're looking for a breakout, consider CF Elijah Lambros, who had a strong fall and is pretty tooled up.

Bents

2:49

Maryland lost a lot of star power (Bubba, Ramsey) but are still in your top 15. Is their ranking more about the trio of Shaw, Shliger and Savacool or an expectation of more breakout guys?

Aaron Fitt

2:47

If you look at recent history, the SoCon has been a one-bid league consistently over the last decade, even though Wofford deserved to get a bid last year (and still got snubbed). So that will probably be the case again this year, but you never know. Feels like it should be a great race between UNCG, Mercer, Wofford and Samford -- I expect all four of those teams to be right in the mix. UNCG has some pretty talented arms; if Hayden Summers can stay healthy, he and Rob Ready give the Spartans two power-armed weekend starters who can get into the mid-90s, and UNC transfer Caleb Cozart was really good for them this fall. Lineup looks solid too. Should be a good club.

Guest

2:47

Is UNCG the team to beat this year in the socon? Will it likely be a one bid league again?

Kendall Rogers

2:46

I love the fact Gonzalez is back offensively, and certainly the pitching should be solid with Levi Wells and a few others back. I think the position I'm really intrigued to see with this team, and ultimately will be their 'X-factor' is shortstop with Davis Powell. Trouty LOVED that kid during fall baseball. If he can replace Dalton Shuffield and play at a high level, that changes my tune on the Bobcats a bit IMO. I will definitely be making my way to San Marcos for a couple of games this spring.

Kyle Hutson

2:46

Why no Texas State? With all our returning pitching and with great early returns with our new hitters I expected us to be ranked?

Aaron Fitt

2:44

You can bet your grandma's secret boudin balls recipe that D1Baseball will be in the house for that one.

Dan

2:44

Any of you great reporters planning on getting down to Baton Rouge for the possible 1vs2 LSU Tennessee series this year?

Kendall Rogers

2:43

Guest -- yes, I think so. I think if you look at the Bulldogs, they have a true staff ace in Jonathan Fincher. Lane was really excited about Greg Martinez during fall ball with his higher velocity (up to 98) and electric overall stuff, and there are some really nice JUCO pitching pieces + A&M transfer Rawley Hector, who was a command machine in the fall. LT is going to be pretty dang good IMO.

Guest

2:43

Does Louisiana Tech have the arms to be a top 25 program this season?

Kendall Rogers

2:41

Two names: Blake Burke and Jared Dickey. I think those two guys are going to have monster offensive campaigns for the Vols.

Dan

2:41

Obviously Tennessee has one of if not the best rotation in D1, but how do you all see them replacing all the firepower from last season to have them ranked 2nd?

Aaron Fitt

2:41

My response would be, read our Ole Miss fall report, or today's Top 25 breakdown. That's a really, really good position player group once again, and it should be an elite defense, with a premium No. 1 starter and a strong bullpen. I am just a little bit nervous about some of the inexperience on the mound after Hunter Elliott, but I'm all-in on Grayson Saunier, a true freshman who will be a superstar.

Bob

2:41

What would your response be to anyone who feels that putting the Rebels at #4 is just about how they finished last year (hot)?

Aaron Fitt

2:39

I wish we had gotten better reports on Sullivan this fall, that would have made me feel more bullish on the Bulldogs. But it sounded like he didn't have a great fall, and he's a very important piece. If he can put it together, that's a very good one-two punch -- I'm certainly in on Jaden Woods this year. I know David Seifert was very high on their young arms when he saw the Bulldogs this fall. Wouldn't shock me if Georgia is that SEC team that makes a jump up and surprises everybody this year -- feels like somebody always does, and this team has a chance to be that club. But let's see how the pitching develops before we fully buy in on this group -- that was our thinking.

EzleeAmused

2:39

We all know Georgia should have a prolific offense. Is the starting pitching what concerns you even with Woods and Sullivan? How far away are they from Too 25?

Kendall Rogers

2:38

Andrew -- I think questioning Florida as a whole is perfectly valid given the fact it hasn't gotten out of a home regional in each of the last two seasons. But when I look at this team, I see a bonafide superstar in the one-hole on the mound in Hurston Waldrep, a surpremely talented weekend starter in Pierce Coppola and a high upside guy like Brandon Sproat back in the mix. Neely is another talented arm. I also think the Gators have plenty of strong pieces from an offensive standpoint. And I'd be lying if I didn't just come out and say it -- the vibe around this program top to bottom just seems to be better right now. We'll see if that ends up being the case this spring.

Andrew

2:38

Florida has struggled to live up to its pre-season rankings over the last few years in spite of some highly regarded recruiting classes. It's been a particular struggle to get the pitching on track. Why will this season be different?

Aaron Fitt

2:37

Feels about the same to me. Besides Maryland, Rutgers was really the only Big Ten team that was legitimately in our Top 25 discussion, which feels telling -- usually there are a handful of Big Ten teams in our mix. Right now I'm just not sure who the No. 3 team in the league is after the Terps; it feels wide open. I could see Iowa being that team, or Illinois, maybe Michigan or Nebraska. Should be a free for all.

2:37

Is the Big Ten in line for a bounce back year, the same, or worse? Maryland seems to be the only team there that can make any noise

Aaron Fitt

2:34

We just don't quite see the same horses on the mound that Louisville usually has. They have plenty of nice pieces, but do they have the DUDES? We aren't sure. Maybe they don't need to have those guys to be a top 10 team, because we know they're going to be well coached and Roger Williams will get the most out of the arms he's got, and the lineup is very athletic and should be fun to watch. Perhaps we will prove to be too light on Louisville, but we have them ranked as a super regional team heading into the season, which feels appropriate to me.

Boone

2:34

What is the biggest thing holding Louisville back from a top 10 spot?

Kendall Rogers

2:34

Travis -- I think the reasonable outlook on Texas Tech right now is to expect regionals and anything over that is gravy. The big thing I see with TT right now is that it always seems like Tech has that one or two super star players it can kind of build the lineup around. Who is that player this year? Hudson White is a nice piece -- but does he become that super star this year? I think this is a Tech team that could end up relying heavily on the pitching staff with Molina and Girton, along with freshman talents like Zane Petty. Lots of good buzz out there about him and a few others. I've learned to never doubt Tim Tadlock too much.

Travis

2:34

Kendall, I saw your reply on Twitter to the Red Raider Dugout guys earlier regarding Texas Tech's #24 ranking. I agree with your assessment that this is a largely unproven team this year after the number of key pieces lost to the draft and graduation over the offseason. That said, especially in light of the talented freshman and transfer classes coming in, do you see players that will step up and could will them back to Omaha, or is it more reasonable to make regionals and just see what happens from there?

Aaron Fitt

2:33

I think they are unranked only because we need to see the pitching staff prove it a little bit. There's a whole lot of talent on that staff, but it's time for guys like Parker Stinnett and KC Hunt to put it all together, after teasing us for the last few years. I love how MSU bolstered the roster through the portal, the JC market and the freshman class, however. Other than LSU, I think Mississippi State improved its roster more than any other team since last year, so ultimately I do expect this will be a Top 25 team, at least for stretches this spring.

Thomas

2:33

Where does Mississippi State fall in the top 50 or so? I feel like they have a pretty good team this year so I assume they are unranked because of last season.

Aaron Fitt

2:31

The Pirates lost some important pieces in the lineup, but there's still a lot of experience back in that lineup along with some exciting emerging talents like Jenkins-Cowart and Cunningham. I think the biggest strength is the pitching staff, which I think will be considerably better than it was a year ago, when ECU kinda held everything together with baling wire and duct tape, mixing and matching like crazy. I think they'll get more length out of their starters this year. My biggest concern would be shortstop, where ECU will be much younger after losing Zach Agnos.

Chris

2:31

Nice to see my ECU Pirates at 11. What are your expectations for the club and is this FINALLY THE YEAR for Omaha? Biggest concerns as well

Kendall Rogers

2:31

Brayden Taylor is the slam dunk Big 12 Player of the Year for yours truly -- but keep an eye on Texas outfielder Dylan Campbell. He ended last season on a high note offensively, and I could see him emulating that success this spring.

Honey

2:31

who is a dark horse for Big 12 player of the year and why is it Kale Davis?

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stark dawg

7:28

how close is msstate to being ranked and what do you think their ceiling is?

Gage

9:10

He said we were last 5 out

Gage

9:10

Of the top 25

Lindsay

8:05

Hey Aaron! Curious to hear your thoughts on this year's Auburn team - unranked after losing eight or nine players to MLB, but a great recruiting class and some good transfers should let the reload in fairly short order.

Johnny

8:16

What does Mississippi State’s weekend rotation look like to you?

baseballfan

8:19

What's your outlook for the Auburn Tigers this spring? Lost a good amount of innings in terms of starting pitching, but should be able to swing it.

Chad

8:26

Looking at your ranking of freshman classes, would you view that list as the ranking that will also be most impactful? If not, what freshman group is likely to have the biggest impact on their team?

Jason

8:26

I think we can all agree Tennessee will have the best weekend rotation if healthy But how does their bullpen stack up?

Guest

8:34

I feel this pitching staff as a whole for Vandy could be the best it’s seen, possibly ever. Thoughts on that?

Guest

8:47

I think this seasons’ Vanderbilt pitching staff, as a whole, could be the best they’ve had possibly ever. Thoughts on that?

Guest

8:51

What are some underrated non conference series y’all are looking forward early in the year m?

Guest

8:51

I think this seasons’ Vanderbilt pitching staff, as a whole, could be the best they’ve had possibly ever. Thoughts on that?

Gage

8:52

SEC top 10 as of now?

Guest

8:53

Fsu weekend rotation(besides crowell)?

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