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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 6:51 PM
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Over the course of the last several days, I have attended Clemson’s first two intra-squad scrimmages. While watching these scrimmages, I have accumulated a list of notes and observations which I would like to share with all interested. First, let’s delve into what I believe will be our squad’s starting lineup:
Catcher: Cooper Ingle/ Jonathan French We are in a fantastic spot regarding our catching position entering the 2022 season. In today’s scrimmage, Cooper Ingle delivered a two RBI double with two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Additionally, he threw out an attempted base stealer earlier in the game. French also showed poise at the plate and is clearly respected by his teammates. I think its fair to assume that our catcher’s will be sharing their starts throughout the year.
First: Caden Grice Through the first two scrimmages, Caden Grice has blasted two bombs. Neither were cheap shots either!
Second: Blake Wright/ Tyler Corbitt Corbitt and Wright appear to be battling it for the second base position. Wright has made several jaw dropping plays in the field and has shown pop with his bat (hit a home run this afternoon). He has also, however, botched a couple of routine plays. Corbitt, on the other hand, looks comfortable and enters the season with a proven bat (in the SOCON). It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out.
SS: Benjamin Blackwell Blackwell seems to have established himself as our starting shortstop. I believe that he will prove to be a better defensive SS than James Parker was, but I don’t expect him to have as large of an impact in the batting lineup.
Third: Bryar Hawkins Although Bryar Hawkins appears to be the favorite for the third base position, watch for Max Wagner to make a run. Wagner hit an absolute bomb in today’s scrimmage in addition to making a diving stop in the field yesterday.
Right: JD Brock JD Brock is a highly touted individual who has yet to make a legitimate impact because of injuries that he has suffered. He appears to be healthy as we approach opening day, and I am looking for him to make his presence felt.
Center: Dylan Brewer Dylan Brewer has proven to be a solid fielder with tremendous upside over his career at Clemson. He robbed one of our batters of a home run in yesterday’s scrimmage and continues to flash his speed. The main question for Brewer will be whether or not he can improve upon his batting average.
Left: Chad Fairey Coach Lee has made it clear that he has high expectations for Fairey. If Fairey is going to live up to these expectations, he will have to cut down on his strike out numbers and improve upon his batting average. Personally, I believe that Fairey will accomplish both tasks. I expect a great year for Fairey.
SP1: Mack Anglin Anglin served as our Friday night starter last season and will do the same this year. He looked confident and in command during yesterday’s scrimmage.
SP2: Nick Hoffman Hoffman notched several starts last season and will notch many more this year. His pitch velocity was lower than I was expecting yesterday but I expect it to rise as we advance through the preseason. For us to make a run this season, we need Hoffman to step up and eat 5-6 innings a start.
SP3: Geoffrey Gilbert/ Nick Clayton/ Jay Dill Honestly, I’m not sure who will separate himself as our Sunday starter. Both Gilbert and Clayton looked stellar in their starts today and Jay Dill flashed in his appearance out of the bullpen as well. This will definitely be a battle to track throughout the preseason.
Now that we have briefly touched on our potential starting line-up, I would like to highlight a couple of my observations that I found most interesting:
- Based off what I’ve seen in our first two scrimmages, we will be much more aggressive on the base paths this coming season. Our lineup encompasses many “speedsters” and Coach Lee has shown a willingness to highlight their abilities.
- Coach Lee is counting on several freshman players to be key contributors. I suspect we will see Casey Talent frequently out of the bullpen, and I think that we will see Camden Troyer make a run at one of the corner-outfield positions. If Jay Dill doesn’t win the Sunday job, I believe that he will be our predominant weekday starter. Also, I expect to see Gavin Abrams and David Lewis contend for significant reps. Additionally, expect to see Billy Barlow and Rocco Reid to some extent throughout the season.
- This team appears to have much more energy than last years and I think that this development will pay immense dividends. I am highly optimistic about what this season has in store!
I hope you enjoyed my projections and observations. I look forward to seeing y’all in Doug Kingsmore this season!
Go Tigers!!!
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CU Medallion [53241]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 7:07 PM
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Thank you for the update.
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 7:12 PM
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Anytime! I hope you found it helpful!
Go Tigers!!!
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Freshman [3]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 9:01 AM
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Thank you for sharing. Glad to here some positive changes. Hoping for a great season.
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Hall of Famer [20143]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 7:14 PM
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Great scouting report thru the early preseason practices for the 2022 Tiger Baseball team,Thanks.Hopefully all this translates into a very very good season and especially after what went down last season having the first losing record since 1957.
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 7:18 PM
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Thank you for your kind words Horry!
Go Tigers!!!
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110%er [6499]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 7:20 PM
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Thanks so much for the information! Hoping to make it to the opening weekend vs Indiana. This will be an interesting season, a lot on the line, especially for Monte. Really hoping to see players like Fairey and Brewer be more consistent in the batter’s box. Monte had mentioned Ricky Williams possibly in the weekend rotation. Any opinion on him? Got a lot of young pitchers, eager to see how they will progress and develop.
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 7:26 PM
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Thanks for the kind words LC! I haven't seen Ricky Williams pitch this preseason but I expect to see him throw tomorrow. With that being said, I could see him contending for our midweek starter slot. We've definitely got a lot of young and talented pitchers on our roster. Let's hope a couple of them step up!
Go Tigers!!!
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All-In [49051]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 7:51 PM
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Ty Olenchuk get to bat? He had a monster summer. This is close to fall ball. Wouldn't shock me if Wagner doesn't end up at 3rd. Will be interesting to see who out of those have the better bat.
Dylan, imo will win the most improved player award this year. He was a monster in center over the summer. He's been working on his 2 strike protection as well as loading later so the off speed doesn't ###### him as much. Just hope Monte hasn't screwed his head with the bat. Much better player if you leave him alone.
Not sold on Hoffman, sorry. Hope I'm proven wrong. Think you're totally overlooking Ricky Williams ability.
Ty should be a good middle inning reliever and hope he gets some midweek pitch by committee starts ... But idk what's going on with him. Leave it that. But he definitely needs some AB's.
Chad Fairey??? Hope he's improved.
You didn't see P.J. pitch at all? Surprised, unless he got hurt. He too had a good summer in Florida against stiff competition. Or at least that's what I've been told.
Don't sell Will Taylor coming back sooner than later. At least at the DH spot anyway.
Thanks for the updates.
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 8:10 PM
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1) I have yet to see Ty Olenchuk bat in any of the scrimmages. He has pitched a couple of times this preseason but neither outing has gone well.
2) Dylan may very well have a breakout season. When he flashes, he looks like a first round talent. He just needs to improve upon his consistency.
3) As I hinted in one of my previous replies to this thread, I am confident in Ricky Williams as well. I just haven't gotten to see him pitch this preseason. Just out of curiosity, why aren't you confident Hoffman will improve upon his previous outings? For an individual who began 2021 as a bullpen piece, I thought he looked pretty good when he was forced out of his comfort zone and tasked with starting several games last season.
4) Chad Fairey has honestly looked pretty good in the first two intra-squad scrimmages. We'll see if his preseason success translates to regular season (and hopefully postseason) success!
5) I haven't seen Labriola pitch yet but I wouldn't be surprised if he gets a start tomorrow. I too have heard some promising information about him!
6) I too expect to see Will Taylor return sometime this season, I'm just not sure when. He still hasn't even been cleared to swing the bat. If I had to guess, I would say Taylor returns sometime Mid-April or Early-May!
I hope you find these responses helpful! I know you're as excited about the upcoming season as I am!
Go Tigers!!!
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110%er [6698]
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Thanks, any sight of the fast FB player who was injured at
Jan 29, 2022, 7:53 PM
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start of FB season. He made brilliant punt return and lot is expected of him in FB, however I remember he said he wanted to play BB too, as he was a high round pick.
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Oculus Spirit [80474]
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Will Taylor is who you’re referring to . . .
Jan 30, 2022, 12:42 AM
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They covered their hopes for him well.
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Legend [18914]
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Awesome, thank you!!
Jan 29, 2022, 8:16 PM
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As a casual baseball fan, this really helps!
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Awesome, thank you!!
Jan 29, 2022, 8:17 PM
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Thank you for your kind words! I hope that all is well!
Go Tigers!!!
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Walk-On [123]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 8:17 PM
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Great information! Thanks for providing the update! Blake Wright did some nice things and had a pretty good Summer Season with the Forest City Owls.
I think we are going to have a good year in baseball!!!
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 8:19 PM
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I completely agree TinCan! I have high expectations for this team!
Go Tigers!!!
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110%er [5179]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 8:31 PM
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Great analysis. I appreciate it very much.
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 8:32 PM
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Anytime Newman!!!
Go Tigers!!!
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Asst Coach [740]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 9:36 PM
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Great analysis TFL54. Thanks for sharing your insight Looking forward to this season!
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Legend [16170]
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Thanks for posting this! I'm looking forward to this...
Jan 29, 2022, 8:35 PM
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...season. I think we'll surprise some folks!
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Thanks for posting this! I'm looking forward to this...
Jan 29, 2022, 8:37 PM
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Thank you Moab!
Go Tigers!!!
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Orange Blooded [4175]
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You get a super Thumbs Up for bearing the cold weather!
Jan 29, 2022, 9:29 PM
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Thanks for the report. I really thought about going to today's scrimmage, but decided it was too cold to sit out there. I wish that I could give you a thumbs up for your informative post and another one as hazard pay for weathering the unseasonably cold weather today!
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CU Guru [1939]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 9:45 PM
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How do we look in the bullpen?
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110%er [9015]
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Thanks for the detailed update.
1
Jan 29, 2022, 10:04 PM
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See you soon at Beautiful TIGER FIELD!
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All-American [576]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 29, 2022, 10:21 PM
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Really appreciate your recap… God willing, plan on having my dad, Doug Kingsmore there for opening day against Indiana, we have missed last two opening days, so I never know when his last will be… Even with dementia, he still loves his Tigers!! 89 years strong… GO TIGERS!!
Message was edited by: Kingtiger1982®
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 12:15 PM
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Thanks for sharing KingTiger! We all are truly Tigers for Life!
Go Tigers!!!
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All-Pro [652]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 8:19 AM
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Outstanding job! Thanks
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 12:21 PM
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Thank you for your kind words Manatis!
Go Tigers!!!
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Orange Blooded [3235]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 8:33 AM
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Thanks for the scouting report. Baseball has always been my favorite Clemson sport.
Quick question. Somewhere through last year (too late to really matter) it seemed like we shifted our offensive strategy. We seemingly threw out the track man and exit velo and started actually focusing on making contact. What have you seen this year? Are we trying to put the ball in play or are we back to trying to hit a hr on every pitch and striking out 15 times a game?
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 12:20 PM
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Hey ibeeskeef! Based off of what I've seen so far, this year's club will be looking to make more contact, targeting average, rather than targeting home runs. With that being said, I still expect home runs to account for much of our offensive production. Hopefully we'll avoid many of those 15+ strikeout games this year!
Go Tigers!!!
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Orange Blooded [4496]
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Thank you for the info! Go Tigers!***
Jan 30, 2022, 10:06 AM
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Orange Blooded [3681]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 11:50 AM
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Thanks. I just hope we are a lot better than last year and we make a run at championship
GO TIGERS
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1st Rounder [612]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 1:00 PM
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Do you think Will Taylor will be back from that knee injury and possible do some DH?
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 1:05 PM
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I fully expect Taylor to return. I just don’t think it will be until Mid-April or Early May. Only time will tell!
Go Tigers!!!
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All-In [49051]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 1:55 PM
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That's kinda dissapointing with Will. In the tci interview, it sounded like he might get cleared to start swinging a little by start of season with possible DH by mid-late March.
I owe you a sincere apology. My original post came across as gruff. I didn't mean to. I can't thank you enough for the reports and will treasure each one. Hopefully a lot. Yes, cranky ole lady that wanted to be there for the scrimmages.
Counting days down.
As for Nick, apologies again. Memory is slipping and I always get he and Rob Hughes mixed up.
So disappointed to hear Ty not looking good. Curious, was he still having some control issues, or not getting any movement on his FB. Breaks my heart if so. Kids got physical ability... If you know what I mean. A little surprised he's not had any AB's. Probably want him to just focus.
Great to hear concerning hitting philosophy. Hence my comment concerning Dylan. These kids get it in their head that stats say HR every 5-7 AB's produce more than 3 hits every AB.
So, hopefully no offense taken and thanks again. Play ball.
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Orange Blooded [4596]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 2:09 PM
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I took no offense whatsoever to your response yesterday Clemgal! You’re by far one of the most educated Clemson baseball fans on this board and I look forward to discussing some ball with you throughout the Spring!
Go Tigers!!!
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110%er [6499]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 5:50 PM
[ in reply to Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations ] |
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Clemgal, I’m also curious to see where Monte places Ty, Dylan B. and Ricky W., and how often they play. They all did really well with the Blowfish this summer. Ricky’s pitching was consistent with throwing strikes. He’s got great control. Ty has got the arm strength, but he may serve better at an infield position and we know he can hit. Also, Dylan had great AB’s and played great defense in the outfield with the Blowfish. We know they have the talent and skill, so it will be interesting to see what Monte does. Go Tigers!!!
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Legend [16342]
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Great coverage.
Jan 30, 2022, 1:10 PM
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Thanks for that rundown.
Go Tigers.
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CU Guru [1429]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 30, 2022, 2:18 PM
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Thanks for the thorough and optimistic report.
What do you see as our glaring weaknesses? There have been a lot of them in the past couple of years and am interested in your thoughts on what they are. Thank you!
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All-In [27237]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 31, 2022, 9:46 AM
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Thanks for the updates. Staff seems to be quietly optimistic about this year's team.
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Asst Coach [733]
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Re: Clemson Baseball Post Scrimmage Projections and Observations
Jan 31, 2022, 2:13 PM
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here is my starting 9 no particular order. Grice 1b corbitt 2b Blackwell ss wright 3b fairy lf brewer cf rich rf hawkins dh French c opening rotation goes anglin, maybe ammons lhp and hoff or Clayton or Ricky. I wish we had some more lhp or experienced lhp. I always like the weekend rotation to have a mix of lefties and righties. I hear we have depth and speed and monte letting players do more meetings then him. One thing is to take is we can’t let the dugout energy and moral get down and think it’s over if we get down or lose a game or so. That’s a huge thing I saw last year and we got some big hr guys but also that’s not gonna come every night. I’m a coach and this game can turn around quick if right mindset and do the little things right. I’m excited and optimistic. Baseball world needs clemson back. I had season tickets last year and it was nice to spread out but I wasn’t in my normal seat. Can’t wait and hope the Doug is packed again and loud and make this one of the best environments in baseball again as well as people around here getting excited and coming out to games again.
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