Boomer White, Kendall Rogers on A&M's winning streak, strength of the SEC

Key notes from Boomer White interview

• That’s the challenge with the SEC. Conference records aren’t really indicative of the talent of teams. A 17-9 Missouri goes and takes games at Ole Miss. That’s why we call SEC play a gauntlet. You have to really grind out weekends.
   
• The biggest thing that I’ve noticed in the last two weeks was Friday night where A&M was hit in the mouth by Kentucky. They then responded and ran away with the weekend. I’ve been on teams where as soon as you get hit and go down, the game is over. What I’ve seen is A&M plays loose. They’re having fun and just playing. They can come alive at any time.
   
• It keeps the lineup loose and confident when your best players are hitting. It takes pressure off the rest of the guys. They can be confident as role players. When Braden Shewmake gets hot, it lights a fire in the rest of the Aggie lineup.
   
• I hated using video for my swing and I didn’t use a lot of technology. I liked practicing and just hitting. I didn’t like working on my mechanics. I have a God-given ability for hand-eye coordination. I was also prepared for what opposing pitchers were going to throw me. That’s a large part of the battle.
   
• My style wasn’t really to hit a bunch of home runs. My swing wasn’t grooved to elevate the ball. I had the power to do it, but I wanted to get on base and I hated striking out more than anything.
   
• This changes the entire season if Hunter Coleman keeps hitting well. I say this because Logan Foster can be put in the eight or nine spot. That’s amazing. Mechanically, there has never been an issue with Coleman. I think his plan and approach has been wrong, but he’s developing in that. If he has confidence, and he is getting more and more, he’s dangerous.
   
• I would say that long term, the A&M coaches don’t want Jonathan Ducoff batting fourth in the lineup. He’s getting hits, but he doesn’t have that power to drive the ball over the wall. You want him in that sixth or seventh spot to bat runs in during the second inning near the end of the lineup. I think we may see a change if they both stay hot.
   
• Asa Lacy walked quite a few batters this past weekend, but he is really good. It will take him two or three years to really reach his peak, but my goodness the improvement from last year to this year is amazing.
   
• My favorite player is Braden Shewmake. I love the beauty and speed he plays with. He also is super fun to watch when he gets hot.

Key notes from Kendall Rogers interview

• Texas A&M has become a much different team offensively. The production they are getting from their bats has improved tremendously. It’s crazy how quickly baseball can change. It seems like it was yesterday that A&M fans were in panic mode about this team.
   
• It’s always good to have experienced guys like Jonathon Ducoff and Braden Shewmake. They bring a calming presence to the team. When younger players see an older player struggling, they begin to doubt themselves. So, it really benefits a team to see a guy like Shewmake break out of a slump and play well.
   
• I’m not certain if A&M is overly talented, but guys have been better than I expected offensively, like Bryce Blaum and Mikey Hoehner for example. Then there are guys like Asa Lacy. He was already projected as a high draft pick, but now he might even be better than where he was originally projected.
   
• I think A&M needs to take care of business at home against Missouri this weekend. I don’t care if Kentucky was struggling, sweeping a SEC opponent is impressive. You are going to have a weekend where you lose two out of three or get swept, it’s just going to happen in this league. However, if you’re Texas A&M you like where you are.
   
• I feel better about Florida’s team than Texas’s team right now. Kevin O'Sullivan is starting I think six freshmen in his starting lineup. Its difficult to win with that much inexperience in a lineup. I am interested to see what Texas does vs Baylor. The big thing for them is avoiding any further injuries to their team.
   
• I think the biggest thing with John Doxakis is that he needs to get back into a grove. He hasn’t been able to command his breaking ball as well as he has in the past. I think he will be fine. He is a hard-nosed guy so it's hard for me to believe that he won’t get back on track.
   
• I believe this is the year that the SEC could send 11 teams to the tournament. Alabama and Missouri have improved. We’ll have to see how the rest of the season unfolds.
   
• Oregon State is a machine. Their pitching has been phenomenal. I also don’t see Arizona State dropping. Hunter Bishop has increased his draft stock more than anyone I have ever seen. He went from a projected fourth round pick to almost a slam dunk first round prospect.