The A&M players and coaches have done a great job the last 2 years. Really exciting baseball.

I was wondering what some of you that know more about the program that I do expect this year. Perhaps some of you observed fall practices or know about the players we expect to take the field for us

There have been a few write-ups on performances, mainly comments on individual performance and who emerged where at their individual positions.

But let's talk bottom line - - what y'all expect from the team this year?

Is the team talented enough to make another run through conference and host a regional?

Are we a middle of the pack team looking at a post season #2 or 3 seed?

Rebuilding year in danger of missing the post season altogether?

We really had some guys step up big for us at the plate and on the mound the last couple of years. Above what I thought they would do.

But we are losing a lot of offensive power, and maybe I missed something, but the pitching seems as uncertain as it's been in a while.

What is your assessment of this year's bottom line?

a couple of trends to consider...

in the Childress era, the Ags best teams (and regional hosts) have come in pairs:

2007 & 2008
2011 & 2012
2015 & 2016

and in SEC play...the years in which A&M had a great offense (2015 & 2016), the Ags finished above .500 in league play. The 2015 team was 18-10. The 2016 team was 20-10.

the 2 seasons where A&M had an average to below average offense, the Ags finished below .500 in conference play. The 2013 team was 13-16. The 2014 team was 14-16.

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the 2017 team has only 2 returning hitters that are proven .300 hitters against SEC competition; and they combined to hit 1 HR in 337 AB's last year.

the new players in the lineup will have to get up to speed very quickly

I could see us being a #3 seed somewhere. The big challenge will the NCAA's stance on allowing the SEC to have a large number of teams make the playoffs again after last year's weak showing with 10 in the tournament.

twk said:

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I'm expecting some bumps starting out, but hoping that we can finish strong. I think it's possible for us to host a regional, but wouldn't necessarily say that would be the benchmark for a successful season.

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I wouldn't say it's a benchmark, but would limping into somebody else's Regional as a number 3 and getting bumped out be an unsuccessful season?

I think hosting a regional should be a reasonable goal for this year.

rmarshall2014 said:

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I think hosting a regional should be a reasonable goal for this year.

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I think it's a good goal, but what is your assessment of the team's ability to achieve this?

Captain Pablo said:

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twk said:

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I'm expecting some bumps starting out, but hoping that we can finish strong. I think it's possible for us to host a regional, but wouldn't necessarily say that would be the benchmark for a successful season.

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I wouldn't say it's a benchmark, but would limping into somebody else's Regional as a number 3 and getting bumped out be an unsuccessful season?

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I think it really depends on the trajectory of the season. If this team is getting stronger as we go along, and plays its best ball in May, and makes the tournament while doing that, I'd be OK even if it was a lower seed. If, on the other hand, we started hotter than I expect, but stumbled to the finish, end up on the road and make a quick exit, then I wouldn't consider that a success.

Quick thoughts, what I think I know from last year.

We have the arms, and depth to be a very good pitching staff, that's a great place to start, will allow us to be 'in' every game.

Infield defense could be a bit better, if we can find a legit D-1 SS.

Big shoes to fill, defensively, is C Michael Barash, Cole Bedford was his backup last year, not sure if he's the answer, hope so.

Barash' leadership will also be very difficult to replace, he was the glue.

A lot of offense graduated / left the program.

IF Austin Homan started last year, hit over .300, will hit at top of lineup.

OF Walker Pennington and 3B / 1B / OF Joel Davis played last year, both showed promise, both can hit with power, will need to provide punch in middle of lineup.

CF Nick Choruby will hit at top of lineup, not much pop in his bat, I love Nick, but still have concerns about him offensively.

OF / P Blake Kopetsky returns from 2016 injury season, is a wildcard, good athlete, can hit, and run, I have hope.

The rest will depend on the newcomers, none of which I know anything about.

But, I have hope for the guys I haven't seen.

The most under-appreciated coach at A&M is Justin Seely, he's the recruiting coordinator, and is very good at what he does.

i.e., I'm guessing that many of the new guys can play, let's hope so.

RR

The big question for me is who are our top 3 starters? I know there are a few new guys that have really good arms. I am curious if any will get into the starting roles.

I have faith our bats will be active. I don't think we will hit as well as last year with some key guys gone, but we will produce plenty of runs.

Mr.Ackar07 said:

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I could see us being a #3 seed somewhere. The big challenge will the NCAA's stance on allowing the SEC to have a large number of teams make the playoffs again after last year's weak showing with 10 in the tournament.

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The SEC received seven bids last year not ten. The ACC did get ten and both leagues did under perform with host schools being quickly elminated and each only getting only a single team to CWS.

Is Kopetsky going to be an option for middle relief this year as well or did his injury last year squash his chances of pitching again.

I believe Kopetsky will be a position player only. There is still some question whether he will be able to play in the OF or will DH given his recovery from surgery. Regarding the team, our offense will be quite different this year compared to last. We scored runs in bunches (except for the last Super Regional game) and power was a hallmark of the offense. This year's team will need to group more hits together but we do have more team speed and will have to rely on one or more freshman and a sophomore to succeed. TCU's team last year was not slated to be as good as they were overall. Their pitching was very strong and I believe our arms will be strong as well this year. Hopefully, we can emulate the Frogs success.

What JP said.

RR

This year's team might be similar to what LSU was for the '16 season. Replacing just about all of the everyday lineup, but returning a strong stable of arms. If the Ags can have some of the new players step up, and come close to the production of those that were drafted or graduated. I think they could have a very successful year.

That's how I see it, too.

There were times last season where it looked like we wouldn't even make the NCAA tournament, like almost getting swept at home by Bama to start SEC play. But eventually the young guys figured it out. Just unlucky to draw the eventual national champs in the super regional.

What the SEC looking like this year? I know LSU will be among the favorites. Likely a Top 5 preseason team.

i've got my eye on the series in baton rouge. i've never been to a LSU venue before. if i did go, what would be some gameday stuff to do?

I think Childress has shown that he can develop a good pitching staff so I feel that with Hill, Larkins, and Martin along with Sherrod, Kilkenny, and Kolek we can find a pretty good staff. I don't like that we don't have a closer lined up like the two previous seasons but hopefully we can find one early in the year.

I see our season being defined between March 21 - April 9. If we can win 8/12 games during that stretch we'll have a very good team on our hands. 6/12 I think we are still pretty good. That is a tough stretch of games.

I sometimes wonder about RC as a pitching coach.

Yes, he's had a number of impressive individual successes (latest example, Brigham Hill).

But, look at last year's staff, which was good enough, but how much better could it have been if..........

he'd have 'developed' four of the best arms on the team.........

i.e. Ryan Hendrix, Corbin Martin, Jace Vines, Tyler Ivey?

None contributed much during the latter part of the season.

RR

Not commenting on the others but Martin has the potential to be REALLY good, but he has head-game issues and once he gets a string of bad pitches he is done for (at least in the past).

Can a great coach, coach that out of a player? I never played baseball so I don't know...


I think his development of Stripling and Wacha was excellent. We also haven't had anyone that talented come through since then. I would believe that good development rests more on teaching them how to hit their pitches in good order to strike guys out or get the expected outs (pop-ups, ground balls, etc). Both those those two guys really developed well their last year on campus, and while RC was still calling pitches most of the time for those two I believe they had the ability to know the best stuff to throw most of the time.

I thought perfect game or one of those baseball sites said Martin was a closer the last 2 summer leagues he played in and was MVP each time and those were the top 2 summer leagues by most scout's opinions?

Maybe he can be our next stud closer

MMantle said:

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I sometimes wonder about RC as a pitching coach.

Yes, he's had a number of impressive individual successes (latest example, Brigham Hill).

But, look at last year's staff, which was good enough, but how much better could it have been if..........

he'd have 'developed' four of the best arms on the team.........

i.e. Ryan Hendrix, Corbin Martin, Jace Vines, Tyler Ivey?

None contributed much during the latter part of the season.

RR


I think you may be surprised to find out how "off hands" RC is as a pitching coach.

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Dirk,

Had no clue re RC, and what he does, or doesn't do, I live in B/CS, but don't attend practices.

Seeing as how he has nothing to do with the offense, or very little to do with recruiting, I just assumed he spent most of his time working with pitchers.

Not true?

RR

MMantle said:

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Dirk,

Had no clue re RC, and what he does, or doesn't do, I live in B/CS, but don't attend practices.

Seeing as how he has nothing to do with the offense, or very little to do with recruiting, I just assumed he spent most of his time working with pitchers.

Not true?

RR

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RC doesn't receuit?

Definitely gonna need a few freshman to step up offensively. I've heard Shewmake and Foster are the two names to watch there. Guys who were in the back half of the rotation like Turner Larkins are gonna need to take a big step forward this year. Turner specifically is a guy that I feel like has shown glimpses of what he could be, the only only thing holding him back is consistency.

I have no idea what to expect or where we'll finish, but if the bats show up again, Im willing to triple WIll Bolt's salary. I dont think there's a lot of question that he's been a positive influence; but if he manages it again this year....

MMantle said:

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Seeing as how he has nothing to do with the offense, or very little to do with recruiting, I just assumed he spent most of his time working with pitchers.

Not true?

RR

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That is what I would assume also but I'm told that may not be the case.

Larkins has had trouble staying healthy ever since his freshman year. Hopefully he can stay well this year and contribute like he was expected to.

In response to Captain Pablo: RC doesn't receuit?

RC does recruit. He goes to out of state and in-state ballgames to watch players. I know it for a fact. As far as hands on pitching coach he is very hands on. He watches BP on every pitcher and helps them with many facets of pitching. Your are correct though in leaving the offense up to coach Bolt. Will has done a tremendous job since he has come to Texas A & M. Seely is the main recruiter and I have to say he also has done a fabulous job. Hats off to all our coaches. Looking forward, as I am every year, for baseball to start.

I like several of our fish: Shewmake, Foster, RIchardson, Miner and Gutierrez. I have attended many practices and the fall series.

I do feel we should have an excellent pitching staff this year if we can go without injury.

technoviking said:

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i've got my eye on the series in baton rouge. i've never been to a LSU venue before. if i did go, what would be some gameday stuff to do?

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Tailgating is great for SEC games. Tons of great restaurants in and around campus. Also a golf course not far away, if you're into golf. Good casinos and nightlife in downtown BR, like 5 minutes from the Box.

When the LSU series approaches, I'll make a thread recommending some things you can do to maximize your trip to BR.

Metten is no longer on the roster but I think he is still a student.

I believe Metten will be attending San Jac and will play JUCO ball beginning in January. He will no longer be a student at A&M after this semester.

Yikes. Sounds like we think we might have a decent pitching staff, but we're not really sure, and we're hoping that a bunch of freshmen come through on offense.

Really appreciate JohnnyBB's analysis of the team and hope you will continue through out the season. If anyone knows our team Johnny does.

" ... I like several of our fish: Shewmake, Foster, RIchardson, Miner and Gutierrez. I have attended many practices and the fall series...."

What position will Gutierrez play? He did some catching and I believe second base during the fall.