Great news. Specht is the type of player you have to get on campus if you want to compete in the SEC.
2023 Depth Chart
- Thread starter Comebakatz3
- Start date
Specht is interesting to me. Just from reading scouting reports, it seems like there are some scouts who question whether he'll stick in CF long term. His biggest overall question is how much power he'll hit for, so you'd think a team would have to be convinced that he can stay in centerfield or will develop enough power to play a corner spot. It'll take a lot of money to sign him, so a team will have to be a big believer in him.
I have updated the chart with color coordination to reflect each player's eligibility and to note whether they are transfers, etc. Again, if you want me to make some changes just let me know and I'll be happy to do so.
Might add Specht soon if we continue to get the positive news that he may be here in the fall.
Might add Specht soon if we continue to get the positive news that he may be here in the fall.
We're still several weeks from the fall roster being finalized, but based on what we know right now, here's kinda how I see things positionally. I'll note that these are all subject to change as more players are added to the roster. I'm also not going to put the exact position for everyone because I think that's also going to be influenced in some ways by who else is here.
But anyway...
Starters:
OF Ryan Waldschmidt
OF James McCoy
IF Grant Smith
IF Emilien Pitre
1B Hunter Gilliam
DH Haydn McGeary
Those are the six guys that I feel will go into the fall as the front runners at their position. Of this group, I'm most confident that Waldschmidt, Smith, Pitre and McGeary are starters. Gilliam joins this group assuming Jake Plastiak is not back next year. I don't expect Plastiak back but he does have eligibility remaining. I like McCoy's potential and feel like he's going to win a job, but I think there are some more questions with corner outfield compared to other spots. Who else does UK add from the portal? Does Specht make it to school? Does Schramm show up and prove to be too good to keep out of the order?
Switching gears slightly, the one player that I would love to see come back (and not because he's a fellow Redhound) is Chase Estep. Aside from being the best returning player by a long shot, Estep, IMO, could gain a lot from another year of school. He took a massive jump this year in overall numbers but still had his struggles in the league. The non-conference and conference splits with him were rather extreme. Based on my math (definitely take this for what it's worth) he hit over .400 in non-conference with 11 doubles, one triple and eight home runs. He slashed .220/.302/.390 in conference play. The overall numbers are good: .302/.416/.560. I hope he gets a good opportunity in pro ball if that's the route he goes, but I do think there's a reasonable argument to be made that going back to school could help his professional career. I'll be rooting for him either way.
But anyway...
Starters:
OF Ryan Waldschmidt
OF James McCoy
IF Grant Smith
IF Emilien Pitre
1B Hunter Gilliam
DH Haydn McGeary
Those are the six guys that I feel will go into the fall as the front runners at their position. Of this group, I'm most confident that Waldschmidt, Smith, Pitre and McGeary are starters. Gilliam joins this group assuming Jake Plastiak is not back next year. I don't expect Plastiak back but he does have eligibility remaining. I like McCoy's potential and feel like he's going to win a job, but I think there are some more questions with corner outfield compared to other spots. Who else does UK add from the portal? Does Specht make it to school? Does Schramm show up and prove to be too good to keep out of the order?
Switching gears slightly, the one player that I would love to see come back (and not because he's a fellow Redhound) is Chase Estep. Aside from being the best returning player by a long shot, Estep, IMO, could gain a lot from another year of school. He took a massive jump this year in overall numbers but still had his struggles in the league. The non-conference and conference splits with him were rather extreme. Based on my math (definitely take this for what it's worth) he hit over .400 in non-conference with 11 doubles, one triple and eight home runs. He slashed .220/.302/.390 in conference play. The overall numbers are good: .302/.416/.560. I hope he gets a good opportunity in pro ball if that's the route he goes, but I do think there's a reasonable argument to be made that going back to school could help his professional career. I'll be rooting for him either way.
A wild thing about Estep is that he had 2 really strong games where he went 3-4 against Georgia and 3-5 against Missouri. Take those out and he hits just 21 for 114, which means that .220 drops to .184 in league play. These were just 2 of his 5 multi-hit games in SEC play.
Similar happened to Plastiak. Really just feels like they were both in their own heads when the weekend rolled around.
DT, Comebak.
Any snowball chance Ritter comes back? I know he’s looking at second round but if he improves like he did this year. I feel he could work his way into top 20 next year.
Any snowball chance Ritter comes back? I know he’s looking at second round but if he improves like he did this year. I feel he could work his way into top 20 next year.
I know you tagged others but Ill throw my two cents in. If Ritter goes second round, there is zero reason for him to return next year. Youre right, he could play himself up but the, and before people flip out this is only hypothetically, moment he struggles, has an off year or even gets injured, thats it.
I hope Estep comes back as well. That would be huge for the 23 team
Not them but, no, he’s gone. He has no reason to come back. He’s going to make seven figures and maybe win a Gold Glove this week. He can work on the swing in the minors. There’s a sliver of hope on Estep and Plastiak, but highly unlikely on both.
There’s no way Ritter will get picked in the top 20 if he comes back. But he’s also not coming back so it doesn’t really matter.
There's nothing more, IMO, Ritter can prove. They know what he is and what he can do. He just needs to learn to shorten the swing consistently and he'll hit well. The defense will play. So, coming back to put up better offensive numbers doesn't do much for him as a future SS. In short... he gone.
What if he just loves college. Lol nah just playing he is gone. Thank y’all for the feedback.
Looks like incoming freshman Drew Lafferty is on campus now.
Never thought about kids getting to campus that early. Alwhat restrictions do coaches have on coaching during the summer? Do they have the work arounds?
That's a good question that I don't know the exact answer to. I would assume no organized activity is allowed with the paid coaching staff, but I don't know what the restrictions are when it comes to strength coaches and things like that. Obviously, some players stay in Lexington for the summer for various reasons.
I would think the coaching staff finds them a summer team around Lexington / Louisville and they could use the facilities during the week.
MLB updated its top 250 today. Caden Dana and Ryan Ritter are the UK guys included.
Tommy Specht continues to interest me. I feel like he's spent the better part of a year working on boosting his draft stock. Paraphrasing, but he more or less told a reporter a month or two ago that he wanted to sign. But going by some reputable mock drafts, he doesn't pop up before 185 or so. Baseball America has him in the 230s I think and MLB doesn't have him in the top 250 at all.
I've heard he has a large asking price. I also heard that there are some teams that aren't going to be interested in giving him that much at this point in time. However, the Kansas City Royals are one team I heard that has been on him a while. The Royals also have a large pool to spend from. I don't have a prediction on what he'll ultimately decide to do, but he's probably the guy worth following closest.
Tommy Specht continues to interest me. I feel like he's spent the better part of a year working on boosting his draft stock. Paraphrasing, but he more or less told a reporter a month or two ago that he wanted to sign. But going by some reputable mock drafts, he doesn't pop up before 185 or so. Baseball America has him in the 230s I think and MLB doesn't have him in the top 250 at all.
I've heard he has a large asking price. I also heard that there are some teams that aren't going to be interested in giving him that much at this point in time. However, the Kansas City Royals are one team I heard that has been on him a while. The Royals also have a large pool to spend from. I don't have a prediction on what he'll ultimately decide to do, but he's probably the guy worth following closest.
Seems to me that to be a high school outfield prospect and to get drafted really high you have to be pretty special. Outfielders are a bit easier to make than infielders and pitchers. So, there is more competition and I think teams can be more selective in choosing who they might want. You can wait for a guy like Specht to develop and go into college and prove he can hit or really does have the tools you're looking for rather than having to take a big chance on him like you might need to do with a pitcher or an infielder.
I agree. If Specht's mind is made up already and he wants to start his professional career, then there isn't much you can do. But I think the college angle to him should be very appealing. He'll have high school prospect pedigree and if he puts it together and performs in the SEC, he's almost certainly going to be getting millions more than he'll get now.
Eh.. SEC coaches are paid to win, almost at any cost. Minors coaches are paid to develop. Totally different situation.
Might depend on how much money you get and/or how much of a scholarship you get. These things matter. If you're a 1st round draft pick then you're automatically getting a leg up as a big time investment. You'll get promoted before the undrafted player even if all stats are equal or worse. Similarly, you'll likely get more chances to succeed as a with a big scholarship as opposed to the walkon. Less important in college baseball, but still a factor.
Mason Moore is really excelling as a Starting Pitcher in the Valley League. Assuming his team holds on to win tonight he will be 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA. My favorite part of his line 26 Ks and only 3 walks.
I have added Giles to the depth chart. I have put him as a starter as I believe he'll probably get a chance to start. I think he may be more effective as a reliever, but as of right now, it feels like no one is a safe starter, so Giles should get a chance to go there. If I am not mistaken he started some Fridays for ECU, so I'm putting him there for now.
Now that the draft is over, we have a better idea of what Kentucky's roster will look like this fall. It's still not set in stone as some guys could choose to sign UDFA deals, but here's how I have things now:
*In terms of classification, I didn't count the COVID year. So 2020 guys like Zack Lee, Kendal Ewell, Logan Martin, etc. are listed as true seniors.
PITCHERS (22)
GRADUATE STUDENTS (6)
RHP Darren Williams
RHP Alex Degen
RHP Mason Vinyard
RHP Seth Chavez
RHP Ryder Giles
LHP Tyler Bosma
SENIOR (2)
RHP Logan Martin
RHP Zack Lee
JUNIOR (4)
LHP Mag Cotto
RHP Ryan Hagenow
RHP Austin Strickland
RHP Seth Logue
SOPHOMORE (4)
LHP Evan Byers
RHP Colby Frieda
LHP Jackson Nove
RHP Mason Moore
RS/TRUE FROSH (6)
RHP Travis Smith
RHP Christian Howe
LHP Reed Gannon
RHP Drew Lafferty
LHP Hayden Smith
LHP Aaron Blum
POSITION PLAYERS (18)
GRADUATE STUDENTS (3)
1B Hunter Gilliam
1B/DH Jake Plastiak
OF Jackson Gray
SENIOR (3)
IF Jase Felker
OF Kendal Ewell
IF Grant Smith
JUNIOR (1)
IF Reuben Church
SOPHOMORE (5)
C Devin Burkes
OF Nolan McCarthy
OF Ryan Waldschmidt
IF Emilien Pitre
IF Patrick Herrera
RS/TRUE FROSH (6)
OF James McCoy
OF Tanner Kim
IF Carson Applegate
OF Lukas Schramm
C Brandyn Durand (redshirt)
C Austin Fawley
*In terms of classification, I didn't count the COVID year. So 2020 guys like Zack Lee, Kendal Ewell, Logan Martin, etc. are listed as true seniors.
PITCHERS (22)
GRADUATE STUDENTS (6)
RHP Darren Williams
RHP Alex Degen
RHP Mason Vinyard
RHP Seth Chavez
RHP Ryder Giles
LHP Tyler Bosma
SENIOR (2)
RHP Logan Martin
RHP Zack Lee
JUNIOR (4)
LHP Mag Cotto
RHP Ryan Hagenow
RHP Austin Strickland
RHP Seth Logue
SOPHOMORE (4)
LHP Evan Byers
RHP Colby Frieda
LHP Jackson Nove
RHP Mason Moore
RS/TRUE FROSH (6)
RHP Travis Smith
RHP Christian Howe
LHP Reed Gannon
RHP Drew Lafferty
LHP Hayden Smith
LHP Aaron Blum
POSITION PLAYERS (18)
GRADUATE STUDENTS (3)
1B Hunter Gilliam
1B/DH Jake Plastiak
OF Jackson Gray
SENIOR (3)
IF Jase Felker
OF Kendal Ewell
IF Grant Smith
JUNIOR (1)
IF Reuben Church
SOPHOMORE (5)
C Devin Burkes
OF Nolan McCarthy
OF Ryan Waldschmidt
IF Emilien Pitre
IF Patrick Herrera
RS/TRUE FROSH (6)
OF James McCoy
OF Tanner Kim
IF Carson Applegate
OF Lukas Schramm
C Brandyn Durand (redshirt)
C Austin Fawley
Your way too early prediction for this roster? Much improved over last season?
So many new faces it is hard to say. Major concerns are weekend starters. No one, outside of maybe Bosma, has really clearly shown to this point that they can take on this role. Most the transfers seem to be relievers. Martin is the only starter, at this moment, coming in, and he is taking a massive step from D3 to SEC. So, starters will be concerning.
Hitting... basically all new faces. Plastiak and Church might be the only returning players with over 50 at bats. It's possible only one of those two could start, so just not a lot of returning experience. Same as last year, we'll have to see how the new guys adjust to regularly facing league pitching. Stats are good where they come from, but league is a different animal. We got a mixed bag of that this year, with some doing well and others struggling at times.
I'll do a deeper dive later, but starting pitching, and mostly consistency, is what concerns me in 23 and has me reserved to think we'll take any major strides forward. However, I think talented arms are there, so if they get consistent then that could change.
This should bolster that starting rotation some. He's the closest one, to me, to being able to trust to give pretty consistent outings. Guys like Cotto and Hagenow have some nasty stuff and throw real hard, but some games you get an outing that wows you and some games you get one that leaves you kicking dirt. A lot of time to grow up and become consistent between now and February, but still have to point it out as a concern.
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