re: Bryce Jordan was our best hitter in SEC games

i couldn't agree more..... Well stated. The idea that you don't have to be a track star to be an asset to a baseball team (a skill specific sport) is ellusive to fans. Watching players go through slumps, etc is never pretty and is a test of the players metal. Having Grit, being a grinder, being a dirt bag will lend itself to a player who will develop. Knowing there will be failures and adjustments along the way. Waiting for a freshman class to come along and be 4-5 tool players who have more metal and poise than the 3-4yr players have isn't realistic. Not taking anything away from incoming freshman, they are talented, just as the upper classman were when they showed up on campus. Every player will fail, will hit mental barriers that will require adjustments that the player has never had to make. This is esp true for incoming freshman, regardless of how tall he is, how fast he is, how high he can jump or bat speed off the charts with an impeccable swing. There are intangables a player can have that don't show on paper that coaches see and look for.
As ell_13 said, most successful ballplayers fail before