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Projected lineup

Pretty spot on, IMHO, although I think Gray might be the odd man out in the OF. I'd guess Felker gets some run too as a swiss army knife type.
 
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Yeah I think the question is who is the odd man out going to be? Ewell, Gray, Byars or Pitre? Byars could play 2B with McCoy at 3B and Ewell and Gray in OF. Or it could be Pitre at 2B, McCoy at 3B, Ewell or Gray in OF. I actually think it will depend on who is making plays in the field. It sounds like there has not been the cleanest play in the field in the scrimmages. Its just going to depend on whether the coaches want to put the best fielders out there and hope they hit, rather than rolling the dice with the best hitters and hope they can play the position they are put in.
 
Some pretty interesting thing there.

The outfield is something. Seems like the OF is often used as a catch-all when infielders lose their roles, and for the second time in Mingione's tenure we'll be pushing a relatively inexperienced player into the OF at essentially the last minute. Waldy playing left. It was my understanding that Waldy was essentially a true CF with some great range and hustle. Is he in left because the LF wall provides more challenge to the OF? Is Ewell stuck as a right fielder? Terry has the backup to Gray in CF as McCarthy rather than noting that Waldy could be moved to CF and Ewell possibly moving into right.

Lee is called a 'trending weekend arm.' Not entirely sure what that means. On one hand, it might mean that Lee is doing well and will be heavily relied on out of the bullpen. I think that is what we expected from a senior and former weekend starter, so that isn't necessarily news. Or is Terry telling us that he's trending as a possible weekend starter again? Now, that would certainly be a surprise and something impressive from Lee.

Giles and Herrera being behind Felker at second is pretty surprising.

The McCoy thing is just strange to me at this point. McCoy spent all fall working to become a 3rd baseman. Now, a week before the season starts and he's not even the backup at third.

Church only being listed as a backup 3rd baseman. Not as a DH or a 1B. That isn't wholly surprising, but does tell me that we likely won't see Church a ton this season unless something really clicks.

What are thoughts on Austin Fawley? One of the two freshmen to appear in this project depth chart. Shows up at third and at C as backups. Is this a product of a good fall, or a product of being shorthanded on experienced catchers after Burkes and Stanke?
 
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Good read. Hopefully will be able to mix and match some. Only Pitre, Stanke, Gray are true left handed bats, so assume they’ll get their fair share of at bats against righties.

McCoy being age eligible for the draft stinks. Obviously want him to have a big year, but potentially getting one season of him would be a bummer.
 
I know Derek is close to the program, but I am just honestly surprised by a lot of this. It is a good bit different than what I have been hearing has been happening in the scrimmages. I have heard Giles has been making a lot of errors in the scrimmages, so it doesn't surprise me that he isn't higher in the depth charts, but I think we will see him on the mound for sure.

But I haven't heard anything about McCoy playing OF rather than 3B, which would mean either Byars or Pitre at 2B. Or, I guess it could possibly mean Byars or Pitre at SS if Smith starts there and doesn't hit. I don't think it would be a stretch to see Felker at 2B either. From what I have heard, until I saw Derek's report, I had felt like most of the other roles are pretty much locked up at this point with I 2B being the one that is the most open right now, and it feels like there could be 3 guys competing for that spot, Pitre, Byars and Felker. But... like I said, it seems like Derek is closer to the program so he may know best. I would love to know his sources on the info though :). Derek, are you here?
 
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McCoy played OF in each of the last three scrimmages at least. He's a natural OF so that makes sense. Byars, from what I've seen, is the real deal. Winner. He's been at 3B. Giles is one of the closer types and insurance in the field. Herrera was sick most of the fall and lost a ton of weight and strength he's just now getting back.
 
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Good to know. Sounds like Derek may be right, as usual :). I tend to think we may see more fluidity in who is playing where than we have in the past. I imagine a little more of a rotation at 2B and some of the outfield spots depending the pitcher we are facing. That hasn't been the trend for this coaching staff, but it seems like it would make sense based on the lineup we have. Although, these things usually tend to sort themselves out with injuries or someone not hitting or fielding. I guess it feels good though to know that it sounds like we do have some depth where there wont be a big fall off from starter to 2nd on the depth chart in most positions.
 
Looking forward to Derek's write up about the pitching staff tomorrow. Guessing Martin, Bosma, Williams and maybe Lee mid-week?
 
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CockyCat3 said:
Looking forward to Derek's write up about the pitching staff tomorrow. Guessing Martin, Bosma, Williams and maybe Lee mid-week?
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I would be pretty frustrated and disappointed if we went Lee midweek. Just because, IMO, the midweek games are there for the young guys to grow up so that when we get late in the year they have seen a pretty good chunk of innings and can contribute in the tournaments. I think it should go to someone like Smith. Young arm with great potential. Should be healthy and he can have a few growing pains against some opponents who aren't as difficult as those we play on the weekend. He'll also get some solid matchups against top talents like Louisville. Develop him to be that weekend starter for you in 2024. Lee is a senior and should be contributing out of the bullpen, especially in long relief.

To show the value... Logue was mostly a midweek pitcher a year ago. He had 14 appearances and threw 34 innings. Compare that to Nove who appeared in 15 games, but threw just 12 innings. Nove faced just 51 batters compared to Logue facing 142.
 
CockyCat3 said:
Yep, that could make sense too. Or someone like Mason Moore maybe.
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Moore could make some sense there. An interesting aspect is that, if I looked at it right, we're only playing 2 midweek games one time this year. Usually we play 2 or 3, which allows for 2nd midweek starter to grab a few starts. Don't have that this year.
 
Hope I’m wrong, but that starting 9 looks extremely underwhelming on paper. No clue how any of them outside Burkes will handle quality pitching. Going to need the pitching staff to be really good cause I’m not sure that lineup will produce enough runs in SEC play.
 
Aday117 said:
Hope I’m wrong, but that starting 9 looks extremely underwhelming on paper. No clue how any of them outside Burkes will handle quality pitching. Going to need the pitching staff to be really good cause I’m not sure that lineup will produce enough runs in SEC play.
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It isn't a ton different from what we looked like going into last year. I mean, Estep, Ritter and Plastiak returned last year. Estep was great, but from the sounds of it, Byars will be a worthy replacement for him. We won't replace Ritter very easily at short from either a defensive perspective or offensive perspective. But, Plastiak was pretty streaky and I think it won't take a ton to replace him defensively and not much offensively either.

Other than that, it's a toss up if these transfers are better or worse than last years. And I feel like our pitching staff is upgraded for sure.

I'm still pretty optimistic. It sounds like so far, the defense is where we would need to have concerns if we have any.
 
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CockyCat3 said:
It isn't a ton different from what we looked like going into last year. I mean, Estep, Ritter and Plastiak returned last year. Estep was great, but from the sounds of it, Byars will be a worthy replacement for him. We won't replace Ritter very easily at short from either a defensive perspective or offensive perspective. But, Plastiak was pretty streaky and I think it won't take a ton to replace him defensively and not much offensively either.

Other than that, it's a toss up if these transfers are better or worse than last years. And I feel like our pitching staff is upgraded for sure.

I'm still pretty optimistic. It sounds like so far, the defense is where we would need to have concerns if we have any.
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Felt like Mingione was most optimistic about the defense. Said he thought it would be top 3 defense UK has ever had.
 
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Comebakatz3 said:
Felt like Mingione was most optimistic about the defense. Said he thought it would be top 3 defense UK has ever had.
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Maybe trying to inspire confidence in his fielders?! 😀 I've heard there has been a bunch of errors in the scrimmages, but maybe those are from guys who aren't gonna be playing much.
 
CockyCat3 said:
Maybe trying to inspire confidence in his fielders?! 😀 I've heard there has been a bunch of errors in the scrimmages, but maybe those are from guys who aren't gonna be playing much.
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Can't wait to find out.
 
CockyCat3 said:
I know Derek is close to the program, but I am just honestly surprised by a lot of this. It is a good bit different than what I have been hearing has been happening in the scrimmages. I have heard Giles has been making a lot of errors in the scrimmages, so it doesn't surprise me that he isn't higher in the depth charts, but I think we will see him on the mound for sure.

But I haven't heard anything about McCoy playing OF rather than 3B, which would mean either Byars or Pitre at 2B. Or, I guess it could possibly mean Byars or Pitre at SS if Smith starts there and doesn't hit. I don't think it would be a stretch to see Felker at 2B either. From what I have heard, until I saw Derek's report, I had felt like most of the other roles are pretty much locked up at this point with I 2B being the one that is the most open right now, and it feels like there could be 3 guys competing for that spot, Pitre, Byars and Felker. But... like I said, it seems like Derek is closer to the program so he may know best. I would love to know his sources on the info though :). Derek, are you here?
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I'd say Burkes, Stanke (DH), Gilliam, Pitre, Smith, Byars, Waldschmidt and McCoy all have locked up spots to start the season. I'd imagine these players will get a fairly long leash to prove themselves. Ewell is going to play, especially against lefties, but I didn't include him as a starter because the most recent info I heard is that it wasn't a sure thing he'd be starting.

I just think there's a decent chance a lot of guys end up getting a chance. What if Gray or McCarthy don't swing it that well but Ewell and McCoy are producing? Would Waldschmidt move to CF and those other two would man the corner OF spots? I wouldn't predict this, but what if Gilliam struggles at the plate and McCoy, Stanke, Burkes, etc. go to play 1B in order to get another bat in the lineup? There are a lot of possibilities that are hard to project right now.
 
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Derek Terry said:
I'd say Burkes, Stanke (DH), Gilliam, Pitre, Smith, Byars, Waldschmidt and McCoy all have locked up spots to start the season. I'd imagine these players will get a fairly long leash to prove themselves. Ewell is going to play, especially against lefties, but I didn't include him as a starter because the most recent info I heard is that it wasn't a sure thing he'd be starting.

I just think there's a decent chance a lot of guys end up getting a chance. What if Gray or McCarthy don't swing it that well but Ewell and McCoy are producing? Would Waldschmidt move to CF and those other two would man the corner OF spots? I wouldn't predict this, but what if Gilliam struggles at the plate and McCoy, Stanke, Burkes, etc. go to play 1B in order to get another bat in the lineup? There are a lot of possibilities that are hard to project right now.
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Yep, all that makes a lot of sense!
 
I think it is fascinating that on a team where we had 0 Preseason All-SEC guys, we are talking about a Golden Spikes nominee not cracking the starting lineup. Something isn't adding up and I'm not sure what. Either the golden Spikes nominators are not paying attention, or the preseason all conference voters aren't paying attention, or the coaches aren't paying attention. Or some combination of all of them. Just a curious combination of things.

 
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CockyCat3 said:
I think it is fascinating that on a team where we had 0 Preseason All-SEC guys, we are talking about a Golden Spikes nominee not cracking the starting lineup. Something isn't adding up and I'm not sure what. Either the golden Spikes nominators are not paying attention, or the preseason all conference voters aren't paying attention, or the coaches aren't paying attention. Or some combination of all of them. Just a curious combination of things.

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That is wild! What a good observation.

Many people were not excited about Guilfoil or Harney and they turned out to be two of the better pitchers UK has ever had. Maybe there are a few more of those types this spring!
 
Looks like the lineup is:

1. Waldschmidt LF
2. McCoy RF
3. Burkes C
4. Pitre 2B
5. Gilliam 1B
6. Ewell DH
7. Byars 3B
8. McCarthy CF
9. Smith SS

Martin SP
 
CockyCat3 said:
Yeah he really has been hitting well recently apparently. Obviously I guess.
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Yea, some big props to him for that. I guess it's just more surprising because we traditionally see that 4 spot be the power hitter and that isn't a role I pictured Pitre being in.
 
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