What!!???
- Thread starter sluggercatfan
- Start date
Every head in that dugout needs to roll. Minge and company need to update their resumes. Season ticket holder since 2008 and I have zero desire to attend any more games this year.
I waffle. I don’t think many coaches could have done what Mingione did in his first year. Henderson would have never pulled off the results that Mingione did. So, how far does that go, and how long do we give him to repeat or come close to it?
Last year should have been a banner year. 3 starting returners was huge. Yet, we were very vulnerable and fragile and one or two injuries derailed us. So, how much of this was bad luck? How much of it was poor recruiting or planning? UK had their three top pitching prospects sidelined due to injury before they ever reached campus. Also, Maccocchi was injured early in the year. So, depth in the pitching staff was an issue. However, do we give them a pass for this, or do we blame them for poor planning? I, personally, lean a bit towards giving a bit of a pass, but wouldn’t blame anyone for being mad about the year.
This year the wheels have come off. The first two years under Minigone the hitting was outstanding. Last year we hit .294 as a team and had 4 guys hitting over .300. This year we have two guys hitting over .300 and our batting average is .253, and is .225 in conference compared to .271 a year ago. We struck out a lot in those first two years, but we hit the ball extremely well when we weren’t striking out. This year, the strikeouts remain, but the hits have disappeared. Is this just a bad hitting team, or have opposing pitchers figured out how to attack UK hitters? These are largely newcomers, so do we give them a pass? Even still, outside of Cam Hill and Schultz, they are all either juniors or seniors and they are still hitting this poorly. Will they improve in another year? Heyer improved a ton, as did Becker. Can they do the same, or will we be looking at a similar average? I guess we will see how the second half of the SEC play goes. Keep tabs that the BA was .225 at the halfway point.
Pitching is worrisome. However, do we give them a little bit of a pass, or do we still place all the blame on the coaches for this? Andrew Miller transferred to Kentucky and had to sit out a year. By all accounts he was going to be a big help out of the bullpen. He was picked in the 40th round and decided to head to the Marlins instead of pitching for UK. Haake struggled a year ago, and even worked through injuries. Did the staff expect him back? Even still, neither of those two really appeared to have the ability to be starters, so they really wouldn’t have helped this year in terms of filling two of the three starter roles. So, did the staff expect Jordan and Dobzanski and Morazas to emerge to fill up starter positions? Did they expect or think that Harper, Ramsey, and Hazelwood would develop enough? The worst part of thinking about the pitching is the future. We lose the one true weekend starter we have and no clear replacements are emerging. Marsh is the only freshmen to throw more than 5 total innings in SEC play, and he got bumped from weekend starting. Heck, in all honesty, I don’t really know the names of all the freshmen because there are so many and none of them have really emerged as being worth remembering (as mean and sad as that sounds). Hazelwood, IMO, appears to be the only one that might be a weekend starter going forward, but that is probably more as a Saturday guy than anything else. Ramsey, IMO, is terrible. I think he put on weight, but it is bad weight and not good weight. He’s the worst defensive pitcher I’ve ever seen outside of Little League, he walks too many, and he hasn’t really shown an ability to throw a strikeout pitch while also throwing middle/middle fastballs way too often. That is just the harsh truth of it. Harper is solid, but nothing special, and I think should continue to grow as a good bullpen option. So, where is the help? Are we going to rely on freshmen again next year? Jackson Rutledge is an option and a good one, but I highly doubt he sees campus. So, we look to once again be looking for 2 or 3 weekend starters in the Spring of 2020 unless these pitchers make major leaps. That being the case, it definitely makes it harder for me to give them passes in this aspect.
I don’t know if we have an infield and defense coach, but he needs fired. No excusing our atrocious defense this year. I don’t care if they are new players. They have played this game their entire lives and this many mistakes and mental errors are inexcusable. Making it worse is that we play on turf, which should make defense improve instead of make it worse.
With all this in mind, I can’t necessarily say that I get rid of Mingione yet. However, he is on a short leash for me. At the very least I get rid of Belanger. I just don’t really see the good that he has done in the three years he has been here. I also would love to see Mingione change his recruiting strategy and begin to get fewer JUCO guys and to get and develop more young players. Dawson had a solid year last year and we lost him instead of getting 2 years from him. Schultz is showing out in his first year and we should have him for at least two more. Balance out the roster and rely less on the JUCO kids. This goes a lot into the recruiting coordinator as well, which I believe is Fanning. I’d take a long look at him and decide if he needs to stay or go.
Last year should have been a banner year. 3 starting returners was huge. Yet, we were very vulnerable and fragile and one or two injuries derailed us. So, how much of this was bad luck? How much of it was poor recruiting or planning? UK had their three top pitching prospects sidelined due to injury before they ever reached campus. Also, Maccocchi was injured early in the year. So, depth in the pitching staff was an issue. However, do we give them a pass for this, or do we blame them for poor planning? I, personally, lean a bit towards giving a bit of a pass, but wouldn’t blame anyone for being mad about the year.
This year the wheels have come off. The first two years under Minigone the hitting was outstanding. Last year we hit .294 as a team and had 4 guys hitting over .300. This year we have two guys hitting over .300 and our batting average is .253, and is .225 in conference compared to .271 a year ago. We struck out a lot in those first two years, but we hit the ball extremely well when we weren’t striking out. This year, the strikeouts remain, but the hits have disappeared. Is this just a bad hitting team, or have opposing pitchers figured out how to attack UK hitters? These are largely newcomers, so do we give them a pass? Even still, outside of Cam Hill and Schultz, they are all either juniors or seniors and they are still hitting this poorly. Will they improve in another year? Heyer improved a ton, as did Becker. Can they do the same, or will we be looking at a similar average? I guess we will see how the second half of the SEC play goes. Keep tabs that the BA was .225 at the halfway point.
Pitching is worrisome. However, do we give them a little bit of a pass, or do we still place all the blame on the coaches for this? Andrew Miller transferred to Kentucky and had to sit out a year. By all accounts he was going to be a big help out of the bullpen. He was picked in the 40th round and decided to head to the Marlins instead of pitching for UK. Haake struggled a year ago, and even worked through injuries. Did the staff expect him back? Even still, neither of those two really appeared to have the ability to be starters, so they really wouldn’t have helped this year in terms of filling two of the three starter roles. So, did the staff expect Jordan and Dobzanski and Morazas to emerge to fill up starter positions? Did they expect or think that Harper, Ramsey, and Hazelwood would develop enough? The worst part of thinking about the pitching is the future. We lose the one true weekend starter we have and no clear replacements are emerging. Marsh is the only freshmen to throw more than 5 total innings in SEC play, and he got bumped from weekend starting. Heck, in all honesty, I don’t really know the names of all the freshmen because there are so many and none of them have really emerged as being worth remembering (as mean and sad as that sounds). Hazelwood, IMO, appears to be the only one that might be a weekend starter going forward, but that is probably more as a Saturday guy than anything else. Ramsey, IMO, is terrible. I think he put on weight, but it is bad weight and not good weight. He’s the worst defensive pitcher I’ve ever seen outside of Little League, he walks too many, and he hasn’t really shown an ability to throw a strikeout pitch while also throwing middle/middle fastballs way too often. That is just the harsh truth of it. Harper is solid, but nothing special, and I think should continue to grow as a good bullpen option. So, where is the help? Are we going to rely on freshmen again next year? Jackson Rutledge is an option and a good one, but I highly doubt he sees campus. So, we look to once again be looking for 2 or 3 weekend starters in the Spring of 2020 unless these pitchers make major leaps. That being the case, it definitely makes it harder for me to give them passes in this aspect.
I don’t know if we have an infield and defense coach, but he needs fired. No excusing our atrocious defense this year. I don’t care if they are new players. They have played this game their entire lives and this many mistakes and mental errors are inexcusable. Making it worse is that we play on turf, which should make defense improve instead of make it worse.
With all this in mind, I can’t necessarily say that I get rid of Mingione yet. However, he is on a short leash for me. At the very least I get rid of Belanger. I just don’t really see the good that he has done in the three years he has been here. I also would love to see Mingione change his recruiting strategy and begin to get fewer JUCO guys and to get and develop more young players. Dawson had a solid year last year and we lost him instead of getting 2 years from him. Schultz is showing out in his first year and we should have him for at least two more. Balance out the roster and rely less on the JUCO kids. This goes a lot into the recruiting coordinator as well, which I believe is Fanning. I’d take a long look at him and decide if he needs to stay or go.
What Mingione did was with guys he did not recruit! No excuse for not making the tournament last year and it sure looks like he can't recruit for squat! All the rah-rah stuff only takes you so far. At the least to save face for him, he needs to surround himself with guys who can either recruit or coach up players because right now we don't seem to have either
I didn’t want to quote the whole post above me but I do want to hit a few points.
1) I don’t necessarily think Minge should be fired this year. Although I have said it. What really concerns me is the future. Yes, injuries derailed the pitching staff last year and ultimately let to UK missing the tourney which should have never happened. But going from a super regional to missing the tournament in back to back years and more than likely missing the SEC tourney is a tough pill to swallow. At the very least, a complete overhaul of the staff is a must.
2) Recruiting has to change. Relying on JUCOs every year is not a good way to build a consistent winner. If you look bad at some of the better UK teams, they were comprised of 2 and 3 year guys.
3) This team needs an identity. It seems to change from game to game. One game we rely on small
ball. Next, UK is a “power” hitting team. Decide what you want to be and build around that.
I’m just frustrated.
1) I don’t necessarily think Minge should be fired this year. Although I have said it. What really concerns me is the future. Yes, injuries derailed the pitching staff last year and ultimately let to UK missing the tourney which should have never happened. But going from a super regional to missing the tournament in back to back years and more than likely missing the SEC tourney is a tough pill to swallow. At the very least, a complete overhaul of the staff is a must.
2) Recruiting has to change. Relying on JUCOs every year is not a good way to build a consistent winner. If you look bad at some of the better UK teams, they were comprised of 2 and 3 year guys.
3) This team needs an identity. It seems to change from game to game. One game we rely on small
ball. Next, UK is a “power” hitting team. Decide what you want to be and build around that.
I’m just frustrated.
I can see it from both sides. It is why I largely go back and forth. This year, IMO, is pretty inexcusable. Last year, I give a bit of leeway to, and 2017 I give him all the credit for, even if it wasn’t his players.
This year is a disaster. One question...looking at this year's roster and assuming we lose the guys we've discussed , how do you see any way we are not worse next year than this year? I think the answer is clear. Changes MUST be made whether it's cleaning(Mingione) house or letting NM revamp the entire staff . No excuses and standing by guys who are not getting the job done. I'm guessing the latter will be done, but under no circumstances should nothing be done.
Just a suggestion and it is probably stupid...I would love to see John Shelby come back in some capacity. He seemed to have a great relationship with the guys last year and find someway to use Doug Flynn and Keith Madison in some capacity if they would be willing to help. Can you have volunteer help?
That’s a tough question. I sorta feel like I did when Joker was here. Yeah, went to a bowl his first year than the wheels fell off the bus. I’m feeling that way about the baseball program. I think right now, firing Minge doesn’t cross your mind if your MB if somehow the guys can end the season respectable. There are 5 SEC series left. Depending on how those go determines, or at least it should, who is in the dugout next season. That 49 million dollar park won’t look good setting empty.
I don't believe that Barnhart will pull the trigger and fire Mingione. The cost of building the stadium will put pressure on Mingione to get rid of the Belanger at the end of the season.I think that Barnhart will sit down with Mingione and inform him that making the NCAA tournament is a must next year or Mingione can update his resume'.
It’s not just Belanger who needs a long look in the mirror. I think the entire staff needs to be rebuilt if MB keeps Mingione. You could probably make the case of Gwilliams to stay, but I’m not so sure about Fanning though.
Interesting you talk about the stadium. Didn't get home to watch the u6 game till about the third inning and like almost all the games so far that the big donor seats are almost always empty. I know the money is already in the bank, but how long is that going to last? I know a guy who had excellent seats and has had them for a while and is almost always in attendance. He is the guy you could always see starting the Go Big Blue cheer behind HP. Well he wanted his same seat in the new stadium and couldn't get them because of his points.
It is going to be interesting what happens after the season because this bb program is in bad shape right now and there is a lot at stake going forward. At the least there is going to have to be a major shakeup of the staff. It is plain that this is a bad staff NM has assembled and that is on him.
The, "Throw it in the turf!" guy?
I commented in the game thread that the stadium looked lightly packed because of what was behind home plate. With a zoom out it was a pretty solid crowd, but you wouldn't know it from the seats behind the plate being only 10 percent full. Would be really nice to get some butts in those seats before the end of the third inning when you can move.
Funny about recruiting, Hendo somehow almost always managed to reel in solid recruiting classes. He was also very lucky, take Zack Reks, coach Eckstein sees him throwing with some UK players, and asks him to join the team, he leaves a $23.00/hour job at Toyota and winds up being 2nd team all SEC.
Also Ka'ai Tomm is playing in a juco tournament in Kansas, and Hendo and Eckstein invite him to vist UK, he commits on the spot without ever even seeing campus. You tell me if that isn't 2 Big bowls of Lucky Charms !
Wonder how many people know you can do that, but a lot of folks seem to like the berms because of kids and opportunity for foul balls...wonder what you guys think about the light shinning thru so pitchers and middle infielders cant see? Needs to be fixed ASAP before a pitcher gets seriously hurt!!!!
According to PG, I think his recruiting classes have been lower ranked than Mingione. Still, for the most part, Henderson was able to get some major steals (Reed and White) and then he did a pretty solid job developing a lot of the guys. Mingione is relying too heavily on the JUCO guys and because of it we are developing very few 3-4 year players.
When I went the ushers told me that after the 3rd inning you can move. So, it isn't anything that is hidden anyway.
I imagine that they will figure out a way to address the issue at some point.
I’ll comment a little on the stadium. My family (7) has had season tickets since 2008. Been attending games regularly since 2006. But the only reason I was able to get reserved seats this year was the fuss that a lot of fans raised on how ticket selection was done. I had talked to a woman who had season tickets since 1999 but was left out because of priority points. UK, to me, threw a big middle finger up to the longtime baseball fans and said hello money. Which is fine. They have the right to do that. But, as you saw last night, the money seats was almost empty. The stadium is gorgeous. They did a fantastic job for the team and fans. But something is missing. I’m not sure what it is. But, I’ll be honest. My support of UK athletics have seriously waned in the last two years. Baseball does not have the following like basketball and football. If there is another year like this, I’m afraid the attendance will get Henderson era bad.
I went on opening day. It doesn't really feel cozy like The Cliff did. It was/is super nice. However, it was extremely quiet that day and there seemed to be very little crowd interaction until late in the game when a guy out beyond the right field wall started making noises and a guy in the stands started making the back. It was more so annoying than it was fun crowd interaction. I think that is what is missing.
Yes agree, there is a somewhat local kid from Corbin ( 1and1/2 hrs ) who will be at UK next season, and it is strictly because of NM, he is a devout christian, and he and family love Coach Minge. Chase Estep is the kid I am speaking of, he should be a dandy for us, 2nd generation Cat !!
This may be it. And I agree. Opening day was not nearly as “fun” as in the past.
Love KPP, but UK athletics need to show some loyalty to long suffering fans!!!
Got some "tunnel" connections to CE...pitches and plays 3rd base and qb on fb team. Pretty sure he plays 3rd at UK. Also a couple of kids from Pikeville one being recruited by fb, but could be a bb draftee.
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