The outfield is where things are extremely interesting. It is Pompey and then the rest of the field, which includes 4 JUCO guys. First, I don't think Pompey is really good enough defensively to be a centerfielder. I don't think he reads the ball off the bat that well and I don't think his speed is all that great. I think he can do it, but I think he's better suited as a corner outfielder. Macciocchi would be the ideal centerfielder, IMO. The guy should lead off and play CF... he hit .400 and stole 32 bases last year, so he has the skill and speed to lead off and play the middle. However, he has never played there in college. In JUCO he played SS and as far as I know he only pitched a few games for Missouri his freshman year. How will he do moving to the grass? Shinn has home run power for days, but he struck out almost as many times as he got a hit (71 hits to 64 strikeouts). Going to the SEC makes me greatly worry that the K numbers might only go up. Johnson seems like he could be right or left field. Alkiknski was defensive player of the year in D2 JUCO, and I believe he played CF. He could find himself there or in left field.
In summary, I think I'd do it like thi
RF: Pompey
LF: Johnson
CF: Macciocchi/Aklinski (depending on how each hits and if Grant Mac can adjust to the OF).
Shinn would be a big role PH and defensive replacement with an eye towards having him take Pompey's spot if he sticks around another year.
1B: Collett has to show me something at the dish, but I think he'll like be our first baseman. I think that Brayden Combs can also compete here.
2B: Becker - However... JUCO kids are everywhere on our roster and Troy Black is not going to be ignored. Kid hit .450 on the same team as Grant Mac, and even walked 69 times. Top 10 in batting average and top 5 in overall hits in the JUCO D2 ranks. He did this as a freshman.
3B: Marshall - Defense is key at third and Marshall has shown a great ability to make plays there. He's not flashy, but he gets the job done.
SS: I think it is likely Dawson, but there are a couple that could step up.
C: Squires and Cottam will do some switching in and out, but Squires has to continue to hit well.
I think you are right about weekend starters.
Not sure about midweek. Haake would normally be a weekend guy considering he throws a 96mph fastball, but with Lewis returning, that might not be likely. We could possibly see Haake be a closer, but that seems like a bit of a waste when the guy pitched 80 innings in JUCO this past year. Still, that is an amazing problem to have.
Should be very interesting with a lot of new faces, especially JUCO kids.
