Some proven power for next season.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
Some proven power for next season.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
They are gonna score runs but where is the pitching?Nice portal rank so far.
xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media
There are quite a few arms coming back, including of course, Cole Carlon. Hopefully some of those guys improve. It does seem like another solid starter would be good, though, at a minimum.They are gonna score runs but where is the pitching?
I’m not sure that is a wise strategy if that is what Willie and staff are actually thinking…hoping guys improve who are returning. I’m hoping guys like Halvorson and Schaefer, among others, go play summer ball and they find something and return being able to take their elite arms up a notch or two.There are quite a few arms coming back, including of course, Cole Carlon. Hopefully some of those guys improve. It does seem like another solid starter would be good, though, at a minimum.
PJ Moutzouridis is supposed to be very good, especially on defense - I am looking forward to seeing him next year at SS.Current list of incoming transfers:
Kole Klecher (P) TCU
Colby Guy (P)-UNC-Asheville
George Bilecki (OF)- Lewis University
Dominic Longo (SS/3B) Utah Valley
Mathew Polk (OF) Vandy
Dean Tiogu (IF) UNLV
Garrett McMichael 1B VaTech
Austin Roelig 3B Utah
Coen Niclai C Oregon
Dominic Smaldino 1B/DH CAL
PJ Moutzouridis SS CAL
Alex Overbay P UNLV
I would expect a few more guys to be brought in and I would expect those to be pitchers
I think this last year was a bit of an underachievement but the number of draft picks doesn’t tell the story. Elsewhere, I said I think observations like yours shows a lack of fundamental analysis of why guys are drafted. So let’s break this down:Such underachievement last season, given the talent Bloomquist and Co. had to work with.
I’m glad you included the last paragraph because it’s important. The fact that so many were drafted means professional talent evaluators see the tools. But these are kids. The tools are meaningless without great coaching. If there were so many toolsy guys that were erratic or underperformed, where should the scrutiny be? I mean, it could be that they’re all uncoachable or all unable to fully maximize their talent, or all on the beginning phase of reaching their potential, but I think you also have to take a hard look at those tasked with getting them where their tools should take them. Not saying can Willie, but having this many drafted does cause a question mark for me on the staff.I think this last year was a bit of an underachievement but the number of draft picks doesn’t tell the story. Elsewhere, I said I think observations like yours shows a lack of fundamental analysis of why guys are drafted. So let’s break this down:
Compton - he had a bad year given the expectations surrounding him. In fact it was so bad that it not for measurables and hope, I could make the argument he should have gone undrafted.
Ben Jacobs - at times this year he looked the part and then he was prone, not just to giving up a run or two, but blowing up and blowing leads. He throws hard and he is a lefty so he is getting drafted no matter what and if he can somehow get it together he might be something good but he hurt the Devils a fair amount. Again, production didn’t come close to expectations.
Martinez - another dude who looked really good at times and then would give up a crazy crooked number. He pitched better than Jacobs imo
Lucas Kelly - expected to be a big bullpen arm, he was like the rest of the bullpen save Carlon. Wildly inconsistent. Throws hard and throwing hard is enough to get drafted.
Koger - another hard thrower who could not control his pitches, went from closer to doghouse in record time and sub devil fans far and wide were done with him blowing leads. Throw hard you get drafted.
Vu - very good year but missed a bunch of time due to injury. He will be missed.
Matt King - phenomenal year. Deserved to be drafted
Kyle Walker - very good year. His fielding is shaky at times and that cost the Devils in a couple of games. He has some holes and tendencies at the plate that will be exploited by professional pitchers if he doesn’t get coached properly
Jackson - great year (first couple weeks were shaky) great defender and deserved to be drafted.
All talented but most of them cost the Devils wins that lead to the underachieving season. Most of these guys were drafted for projection purposes (hope).
Not giving Willie a pass for his role in the underachievement because he and the coaches are not without blame
Maybe that should have been the first paragraph.I’m glad you included the last paragraph because it’s important. The fact that so many were drafted means professional talent evaluators see the tools. But these are kids. The tools are meaningless without great coaching. If there were so many toolsy guys that were erratic or underperformed, where should the scrutiny be? I mean, it could be that they’re all uncoachable or all unable to fully maximize their talent, or all on the beginning phase of reaching their potential, but I think you also have to take a hard look at those tasked with getting them where their tools should take them. Not saying can Willie, but having this many drafted does cause a question mark for me on the staff.