Let’s talk Texas Baseball

[TB14]

I am craving baseball badly. Someone chat with me!

How are we looking for next year? What are everyone’s predictions?

I saw D1 Baseball ranked us 21 in their preseason poll and Baseball America had us at 14 in theirs. 

I’m not sold. I’m confident in the rotation but am worried about the bullpen getting the ball to Ridgeway. 

And the lineup... Oh boy. I don’t know if we have a .280 hitter on the team. Hopefully, the lineup is patient as always but this is my biggest question! Maybe Todd and McCann take another step. And Hamilton can get on base enough to use his speed. 

The newbies, Zubia and Hibbeler better be as good as advertised or I think we take a step back this year!

All in all I think we finish 4 in conference. Behind TCU Tech and WVU. Oklahoma may challenge but screw those guys. 

Hook em!

 

[Jameson McCausland]

I am craving baseball badly. Someone chat with me!

How are we looking for next year? What are everyone’s predictions?

I saw D1 Baseball ranked us 21 in their preseason poll and Baseball America had us at 14 in theirs. 

I’m not sold. I’m confident in the rotation but am worried about the bullpen getting the ball to Ridgeway. 

And the lineup... Oh boy. I don’t know if we have a .280 hitter on the team. Hopefully, the lineup is patient as always but this is my biggest question! Maybe Todd and McCann take another step. And Hamilton can get on base enough to use his speed. 

The newbies, Zubia and Hibbeler better be as good as advertised or I think we take a step back this year!

All in all I think we finish 4 in conference. Behind TCU Tech and WVU. Oklahoma may challenge but screw those guys. 

Hook em!

I will be rolling out some positional previews in the coming weeks leading up to opening day. It is going to be interesting to see how Texas performs at the beginning of the season against a tough schedule. David Pierce is tasked with replacing all 3 starting Outfielders, Kacy Clemens, Brett Boswell and 2/3rds of the starting rotation.

As far as strengths go, it still has to be starting pitching despite losing Morgan Cooper and Kyle Johnston. Nolan Kingham could be one of the top pitchers in the Big 12, and Blair Henley showed flashed potential when he filled in as the Sunday starter as a freshman last season. The real wildcard is Chase Shugart. He will be making the transition from the bullpen to the rotation, and he looked dominant during the fall series. There are high expectations for him. The bullpen is going to be be biggest question mark. After Ridgeway, there are not a lot of proven arms. Josh Sawyer has been injured for much of the past 2 season, but by all accounts is ready to go this season and help out the bullpen. Sawyer is a lefty who can run it up to 97 with his fastball.

Masen Hibbeler flat out rakes. I talked to a few people who played against him in Junior College, and they raved about him. He will step into the 3 or 4 hole right away. 

TCU and Tech will be the popular picks to win the conference. Texas would probably rank 3rd or 4th, in my opinion. It should be an exciting year at the Disch, and I’m looking forward to bringing some solid baseball coverage to HornSports.

 

[TB14]

Thanks @Jameson McCausland

Wow Hibbeler going into the middle of the order?! Didn’t realize we were that high on him. How did he do in the fall series?

And I completely agree on the pitching staff. I’ve known Shugart from his time in high school in SETX. I fully think he can start. As far as the bullpen goes, we have enough new guys at least 1 of them has to be the real deal and step into the back of the bullpen role!

 

[Jameson McCausland]

Thanks @Jameson McCausland

Wow Hibbeler going into the middle of the order?! Didn’t realize we were that high on him. How did he do in the fall series?

And I completely agree on the pitching staff. I’ve known Shugart from his time in high school in SETX. I fully think he can start. As far as the bullpen goes, we have enough new guys at least 1 of them has to be the real deal and step into the back of the bullpen role!

Hibbeler went deep in game one of the fall series. He hit a ridiculous .493 last year at Odessa Junior College with 10 home runs.

Several of the junior college pitchers that signed will factor into the bullpen. Pierce hit the JUCO ranks hard for this season, and several players will have big roles on the 2018 team. 

 

[TB14]

How did Hibbeler not get drafted???

 

[HORNfromETX]

I love watching college baseball, especially Texas. Wish my shoulder would have held up longer so I could have played in college. Now I'm just trying to get into college umpiring. Can't wait for the season to start! 

 

[tejasrulz]

Well I am watching "From Grit to Glory: 2005 Texas Baseball" on the LHN right now so yea, I'm ready!

 

[TB14]

I love watching college baseball, especially Texas. Wish my shoulder would have held up longer so I could have played in college. Now I'm just trying to get into college umpiring. Can't wait for the season to start! 

How does one get into umpiring? I’d love to do it. 

 

[HORNfromETX]

Where do you live TB14?

My dad was a coach so he knew umpires and I got in doing high school about 3 years ago. Plus I do youth all over East Texas. I start umpiring each year in February and get done in October. 

 

[TB14]

I’m originally from the Golden Triangle but now live in Red Oak. South of Dallas almost to Waxahachie. 

 

[HORNfromETX]

I’m originally from the Golden Triangle but now live in Red Oak. South of Dallas almost to Waxahachie. 

Do you have selective hearing and thick skin? Lol

 

[TB14]

Do you have selective hearing and thick skin? Lol

Lol for sure. I think I have heard a lot. I won’t say all but a lot. 

my wife can vouch for selective hearing!

 

[tejasrulz]

How does one get into umpiring? I’d love to do it. 

Start here:  http://www.taso.org/

 

[Jameson McCausland]

The countdown is on

 

[TB14]

New poll out:

The USA Today Coaches Poll

20. Texas 

Others of note:  

3. Texas Tech

4. TCU

11. Aggy

Others receiving votes: 28. Oklahoma and 30. West Virginia

 

[MikeV73]

New poll out:

The USA Today Coaches Poll

20. Texas 

Others of note:  

3. Texas Tech

4. TCU

11. Aggy

Others receiving votes: 28. Oklahoma and 30. West Virginia

I like how you put Texas at the top with the "others of note" below them, solid work

 

[TB14]

I like how you put Texas at the top with the "others of note" below them, solid work

Got to have your priorities straight!

 

[Jameson McCausland]

 

[joeywa]

@Jameson McCausland did you attend UT Baseball Media Day today?