FB Recruiting Five questions facing Kentucky this season
- Thread starter Derek Terry
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I hit reply before I meant to and started to edit. Still, I suppose I can ask some questions and see what you think.
Has Lewis developed some second and third pitches? I think doing so will be imperative to whether or not he is successful if he is a weekend pitcher.
Right now I imagine that the only questionable position in the outfield is right field. Pompey is likely in center and Reks in left. Who takes the position in right? Do you think Storm Wilson can shake everything up and take center back? I think we have 5 outfielders on our roster. This seems extraordinarily low. Does this raise the odds that White heads to the outfield?
Good questions. When I talked to Belanger a few months ago he said a pitcher can't make the rotation unless they can throw three pitches. Belanger also said Lewis has the best changeup he's ever coached, so he definitely has two. His third pitch is a breaking ball but I don't know much about it. I think it's pretty certain he's a lock for the weekend rotation though.
As far as right field, I'd expect Storm Wilson to start there. Pompey is UK's best center fielder defensively and they'll want to keep him there. As far as Evan White, I think T.J. Collett's injury diminished any chance White had of moving away from first -- at least early in the season. My thinking was -- if they decided to play White in the outfield -- Gunnar McNeill would move to first base and T.J. Collett would DH. McNeill will probably just stay in the DH role now unless someone surprises and really hits well. Regardless, McNeill would be a big step below White defensively. You could probably say that about anyone playing first besides White though.
Lewis seemed to do excellent last year, but once hitters got a good look at him he also began to struggle. I thought that might have been because they figured out that he really only had good command of one or two pitches. So, I think getting a third pitch down may really help him to break out.
Any freshmen/newcomers expected to come in an contribute on the offensive side of the ball? Bellini, Combs, Bitzenhofer, Lewis, and Heyer are all new faces. Can any of them step up and take a position in the field and/or DH? What about Marshall Gei? He had some fan fare before coming here, and he continues to be on the team, but I haven't heard a real peep about any progress with him.
Any freshmen/newcomers expected to come in an contribute on the offensive side of the ball? Bellini, Combs, Bitzenhofer, Lewis, and Heyer are all new faces. Can any of them step up and take a position in the field and/or DH? What about Marshall Gei? He had some fan fare before coming here, and he continues to be on the team, but I haven't heard a real peep about any progress with him.
I believe Tyler Marshall could fill the bill at 3rd base some during the season. He has done pretty well in limited playing time.
Becker at 3rd is a possibility, if Heady is healthy he is a good defender at SS, Mahan had too many errors last season at short, and may benefit moving to 2nd or the outfield.
The outfield could be pretty good with Wilson, Recks and Pompey manning it, all need to avoid the injury bug, especially Wilson, and Carson is a solid fill in.
Cottam is a solid catcher, who could have a breakout season, and there are capable back ups also.
Becker at 3rd is a possibility, if Heady is healthy he is a good defender at SS, Mahan had too many errors last season at short, and may benefit moving to 2nd or the outfield.
The outfield could be pretty good with Wilson, Recks and Pompey manning it, all need to avoid the injury bug, especially Wilson, and Carson is a solid fill in.
Cottam is a solid catcher, who could have a breakout season, and there are capable back ups also.
The problem is that defensively I'm worried about pitching and not fielding. I'm only worried about position players as it relates to hitting.
Don't think much is going to be expected of Bitzenhofer this season. Heyer will definitely see some time and Combs should get some at bats early in the season. Bellini looked pretty good when I saw him in the fall but he has several guys in front of him.
My best guess at a lineup, at least early in the year:
1. Riley Mahan - 2B
2. Zach Reks - LF
3. Evan White - 1B
4. Tristan Pompey - CF
5. Kole Cottam - C
6. Gunnar McNeill -DH
7. Storm Wilson - RF
8. Luke Becker - 3B
9. Connor Heady - SS
Think it's a lock that Mahan hits leadoff and White hits third. Everything after that was just a guess.
1. Riley Mahan - 2B
2. Zach Reks - LF
3. Evan White - 1B
4. Tristan Pompey - CF
5. Kole Cottam - C
6. Gunnar McNeill -DH
7. Storm Wilson - RF
8. Luke Becker - 3B
9. Connor Heady - SS
Think it's a lock that Mahan hits leadoff and White hits third. Everything after that was just a guess.
Hitting is a scary prospect. I really don't know what to think. White has always hit well so I trust him. Mahan hit extremely well last year, but I don't know if that was a great year, or what. Pompey has some amazing power, especially for his frame, but needs to hit a bit more consistently. McNeill struggles with certain pitches and I think every coach is now aware of that weakness. He can be good if he can correct that. Wilson is like a yo-yo, always up and down. Becker is solid and I think he will be better suited at the bottom of the lineup seeing a few more fastballs. Cottam will be a good one.
That is a pretty good lineup, lots of experience. What do you think about Austin Keene as a mid-week starter/long relief man. He had a very good summer league season, and might be a pleasant surprise for us.
Honestly, I look for Keen to be in the weekend rotation before the year is over. Also, don't sleep on Zach Thompson. He was drafted in the 11th round but opted to come to UK instead.
I went to the UKathletics web site, they have updated pictures and the roster there. Interestingly enough is the fact that no player is smiling in this years' pictures, all business !!
I have a question DT, has coach Maingione discussed his hitting approach? I hate passive approaches and think they have a negative affect on hitters which I think was a failing of our last coach. Also, what is his approach on the base paths will we see more hit an run, stealing.
Thanks for the free access.
Thanks for the free access.
If you look at Todd Guilliams past stops, he teaches to be very aggressive at the plate. I would say Mingionne and Guilliams will be similar here. Just take a look at what Mississippi State did while he was there should be a telling sign of what he will do here. At least I hope so.
What is latest on startup for new stadium...Live in Otis illegal, but may get season tics when it opens possibly starting this year to give me a leg up. Have had season fb tics for years , but they are not in my name. A few of us make the trip down 6-8 times a year.
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