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D1Baseball's Weekly Chat: Feb. 24
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Aaron Fitt
12:03
Hey gang. I'm coming to you live from Atlanta Hartsfield International, as usual... Let's pull up our socks and get after it.
Sam Jackson
12:06
What are your thoughts on Clemson so far? Pitching looks solid but having trouble scoring runs. Only 21 total so far.
Aaron Fitt
12:06
Yeah, so far it's pretty much what I expected from Clemson -- figured they'd pitch well, and figured the offense would be a work in progress. Of course, their pitching has been downright elite so far; it's awesome to see Spencer Strider back and pitching very well earlier than I think even the Tigers were expecting. And Sam Weatherly seems to have taken to his new starting role, which is huge for Clemson, because he's got big-time stuff. I think they've got enough athletes in the lineup to stay competitive offensively, and I suspect they'll improve as the season goes along. I still have high hopes for Dylan Brewer as a freshman, and I expect much bigger things are ahead for Teodosio and Hall.
Chris
12:09
Thoughts on Tulane's start to the season and what do you expect from them moving forward? Also, what are your thoughts on the AAC? Big statements made by Tulane, UCONN, and UCF early on. Add ECU and Houston and it looks like this could be a really competitive league
Aaron Fitt
12:09
The American is off to a great start -- that league looks stronger than I anticipated, and I'm almost always high on that league. I was really intrigued by Tulane in the preseason -- we talked long and hard about putting them in our preseason Field of 64, but I just wasn't yet convinced that the pitching would hold up. We knew they would hit, but it sure has been impressive the way they've pitched so far. I think that's a regional team, and they were team No. 26 in our Top 25 deliberations this week. UCF sweeping Auburn on the road simply stunned me. The Knights are a completely different team now, with arms like Joe Sheridan and Trevor Holloway healthy again, and Colton Gordon leading a strong group of newcomers. And UConn is athletic and versatile in the lineup, with solid depth on the mound. Those are all contenders, along with ECU and Houston, of course.
Adam
12:11
With Florida sweeping Miami on the road, is it time to sound the alarm in Coral Gables, or will Miami be just fine, come May and be in the mix for a Regional & Super Regional Host, or will they struggle to make the field of 64?
Aaron Fitt
12:11
I'm not even a little bit worried about Miami -- that's still an Omaha team for me. They lost three very tight games (two in extras) to an elite opponent; they'll be just fine, and I'm willing to wager they wind up as a top-8 national seed. The starting pitching is elite, I still think the lineup will be elite even without Freddy Zamora, and I think they've got enough pieces in the bullpen to figure out that piece of it.
Adam F.
12:15
With getting swept at the light is it time to sound the alarm in Coral Gables or will the U be just fine
Kendall Rogers
12:15
I still think Miami will be fine. Obviously, it misses Freddy Zamora a little bit right now. But the rotation is still in strong shape with Brian Van Belle and Chris McMahon leading the way, and the bullpen, for the most part was OK over the weekend with Carson Palmquist leading the way with three shutout frames. We will see how Miami responds to this series loss, but I don't have any major concerns about them at the moment. Still an Omaha team in my book.
Mike
12:15
How does the quality of this Florida team compare to other UF teams under Sully?
Aaron Fitt
12:15
Sully's had so many insanely talented teams over the last decade that it's hard to keep track of them and hard to compare them -- but I definitely think this team stacks up well with most of them from a pure talent standpoint. Jack Leftwich and Tommy Mace seem to have answered any lingering questions about whether they were ready to become bona fide stars as juniors, and that was really the only question I had about Florida heading into the year. Hunter Barco is going to be a superstar as the Sunday guy, and Josh Rivera is going to be a superstar at shortstop -- just a reminder that this is not the same team as last year, in part because they brought in the most impactful group of stud freshmen in the country, and in part because the young guys who took their lumps last year are now more mature, and they're very talented also. I said in the fall that Florida was the best team I'd seen — and I saw Louisville, Vandy, Georgia, Mississippi State, and a bunch of other elite teams. Really feel like that now.
Mark
12:17
How about CHRISTIAN CHAMBERLAIN for the Beavs the last 2 weekends!
Kendall Rogers
12:17
Mark -- I know Aaron really liked Christian, but I've been on Team Chamberlain since he got there. I love the moxie he has out there. For instance, when he got a big K on Friday, he strutted off the mound like he's a total bad dude. And he is ... the thing that stood out to me is that Aaron said he held his FB velocity for six innings. That's a big development moving forward and proves he can handle the starting role IMO.
BossHog
12:18
Arkansas looked very impressive this weekend against a good Zag team.  The bullpen looked especially good.  Does this affect how you expect the SEC to shake out this season since some of the high quality SEC West teams have stumbled a bit out of the gate?
Aaron Fitt
12:18
Yes, Arkansas has been awfully impressive so far. I knew Robert Moore was a stud, but he looks even better than I expected; you just don't expect an early enrollee to hit the way he has against D-I competition when he hasn't even had a fall to prepare. Anyway, we already had Arkansas as the top team in the West, and I actually feel more convinced about that now than I was in the preseason, when I kinda liked Mississippi State a tick better (I'll credit Kendall for us ranking Arkansas higher). With JT Ginn's status uncertain, Arkansas looks clearly better, I think.
Joe Cook
12:18
What team has the most to prove this weekend in Houston?
Kendall Rogers
12:18
Joe -- Hope you are well buddy. For me, it would be Texas and LSU.

Texas would top my list. Really like how the Horns have played the past two weeks, but those two teams are a combined 0-for, so who knows what the Horns are right now? Huge tests this weekend with LSU, Arkansas and Missouri.

As for LSU, just something has been a little off with the Tigers so far this season, and I'm intrigued to see how they look at the Shriner's Classic this weekend. LSU needs a strong showing to get confidence rolling just a few weeks ahead of SEC play.
cool 1
Eric Simmons
12:20
Why isn't Texas ranked when their 8-0?
Kendall Rogers
12:20
Texas will answer this question this coming weekend. Strong start for David Pierce's boys, but you have to beat someone to earn respect. So far -- they've beaten up on two teams who will be average to below average at best this season IMO.
Jeffrey
12:20
What are your thoughts on DBU after the road win at UNC? Do you think they can make Supers or Omaha this year possibly?
Aaron Fitt
12:20
Huge road series win for DBU. I don't think North Carolina is elite this year -- I think we were probably lower on those guys than all the other polls -- but UNC is still a solid club, and the Patriots showed a lot by shutting down the Heels those last two games, after getting blown out in the opener. On paper, yes, I think DBU has super regional potential, but I'll reserve further judgment until I get a chance to see them in person. But I really like the arms there.
SECBaseball
12:21
This TAMU offense hasn't been tested like they will in SEC play but nevertheless they look night and day from last year. Thoughts on them once they hit conf. play?
Kendall Rogers
12:21
SEC -- A&M's big test is this weekend against UCLA, Oklahoma State and Illinois. But I am definitely encouraged by its offense the past two weekends. The Aggies were pretty much screwed last year if they got three or four runs down. Yet, yesterday, they made comebacks look pretty easy against Army. A&M is hitting .359 right now and couldn't hit anyone last season ... so they are clearly better. How much better? We'll find out this weekend.
John M.
12:24
Are there any particular matchups you are most excited to see in Houston at the Shriners tournament? Can be specifically a certain pitcher vs. a certain offense, etc.
Kendall Rogers
12:24
Texas vs. Arkansas and Texas vs. LSU will be fun. Astros are expecting the entire lower bowl to be filled on Saturday with the Tigers and Longhorns. The other one for me is Oklahoma's Cade Cavalli against that potent Arkansas lineup on Friday. That is grown you know what man against grown you know what lineup.
Mike
12:24
When do statistical performers who people don't know as much about yet start getting scouted by clubs, and are there any that stand out to you as guys who are performing that no one really knew about before the season started, who have both stats and tools to go along with it?
Aaron Fitt
12:24
I think most clubs have a list of statistical performers for scouts to follow up on heading into the spring, and I'm sure the stat guys for every organization are monitoring the numbers closely. A couple of early performers who strike me as breakout prospect types with some legitimate tools are NC State's Devonte Brown, Tennessee's Zach Daniels, Alabama,'s Sam Praytor, South Carolina's Wes Clarke, Ole Miss' Anthony Servideo (a personal favorite), Louisiana Tech's Parker Bates, JMU's Fox Semones, UNC's Dylan Harris...
Steve
12:26
What's more likely: Tulane is an actual a top-25 caliber team that can content in the AAC/make a regional, or that they're a club that is destined for another .500 season but got some good early-season pitching plus some lucky breaks that swung the Fullerton series? Asking for all my fellow cynical Green Wave fans!
Kendall Rogers
12:26
Steve -- I actually think there's a better chance they are for real. We already liked what the Green Wave had from an offensive standpoint coming into the season. But the pitching has been strong for the most part as well. How about Braden Olthoff, who struck out 16 in a complete game shutout over the weekend? That's what you call an ace. I kinda like this Tulane team right now.
Kevin
12:27
After 8 games, and L's to Nicholls and Eastern Kentucky, LSU is hitting .231 as a team (dead last in the SEC) and is in the bottom third of virtually every hitting statistic (in the SEC ); they have 10 errors which is third highest (in the SEC); and have walked 37 batters and hit another 9---that's nearly 6 free passes a game (which is most in SEC). At what point do LSU fans start hitting the panic button?
Aaron Fitt
12:27
Ooof... those numbers are ugly. And look, the lineup is going to be a work in progress this year, we always knew that -- the key is that LSU's elite arms will keep them very competitive until the lineup gels. Please keep your fingers away from that damn button until April. In fact, that's my new rule: come April 1, you're allowed to mash that button, if your team is still sounding alarms.
John
12:29
If/when this season continues the way it’s heading, would Rice be right to get rid of Bragga? The team is an unmitigated disaster and is leaving tons of runners in scoring position, when hitting was his supposed coaching strength. Not sure how you can justify it when Rice has great pedigree, decent facilities, and nearly unmatched financial aid.
Kendall Rogers
12:29
John -- No, I would not get rid of Bragga after year two. The Owls are definitely recruiting at a higher level right now. I will place blame in two areas. There's zero doubt the Owls should be better, and that falls on Bragga and Co. They would agree, I bet. They also were left with an absolute mess from a pitching standpoint. Look at the quality of talent on that Rice pitching staff right now and tell me that's a premier staff from a talent standpoint. Not even close.
JD
12:30
I am as humbled as I can be With the slow Start Oregon State Has had. Deep down I knew this could happen but I have honestly seen some good things like competing in two games over the weekend at Mississippi State. Do you honestly still see them as a regional team after a small sample size?
Aaron Fitt
12:30
Said on the podcast today that I view Oregon State as a likely bubble team -- could go either way. There's no question that the talent has dropped off dramatically from where it was two years ago — but I mean, that was one of the most talented teams of the 21st century. The Beavers still compete their tails off, they still defend at a very high level. They're going to have growing pains along the way, but I think they're good enough to get into a regional if they can put it all together. And I will say that Mitch Canham instilled some confidence in me this weekend; he seems to have a very even keel that I think will make him successful as a head coach.
Tyson
12:32
What area of Texas Tech's game do they need to most improve on in order to make it to Omaha and have success there?
Kendall Rogers
12:32
Tyson - I think the offense will be explosive as the season progresses, and I also think Tech will be fine defensively. Frankly, I point to the starting pitching as intriguing moving forward. Bryce Bonnin and Austin Becker are both really talented pitchers and can throw the heck out of the ball. But both also had flashes of brilliance and flashes of lacking pitchabilty at times. WTS, I am still a believe both will have solid seasons, especially Bonnin. I also think Dallas will be in the rotation sooner rather than later.
Packfanatic96
12:33
What is your take on NC State's start to the season? How good is Devonte Brown looking batting behind Pat Bailey.
Aaron Fitt
12:33
I mentioned Brown briefly a bit ago -- I've always liked his bat speed and athleticism, it was just a matter of refining his approach at the plate, and the early returns are awfully encouraging. He could be this year's Brett Kinneman for the Wolfpack. I just think NC State is a very good, balanced club, and obviously they're off to a hot start. Look forward to seeing what they can do against stronger competition, starting this weekend in Minneapolis.
Lloyd
12:34
I thought Brian van Belle pitched pretty well for Miami even though they lost to Florida on Friday. How highly regarded is he as a prospect?
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