re: Baseball America Preseason Poll

tomato, tomatoe

I don't see Eades starting Friday night. I'd be willing to bet that Nola starts opening night.

I personally hope he is at least good enough to start midweek.

would be nice. broussard would have made a nice midweek starter this year i think.

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I honestly thought Broussard would have been in contention for the Sunday role.

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"Would have" being the key words. And I completely agree with you bubbz. Our staff would be even more complete with him, which would be scary. He was really coming into his own at the end of last year. I love his huge over-the-top curve.

Some stuff from their chat today

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Rick (Arizona): What's you top 3 rotations in the SEC heading into the year.

Aaron Fitt: I'll go Ole Miss, Florida, Vanderbilt, with Kentucky, LSU and Arkansas not far behind. So much pitching in the SEC this year...




Brian (East Lansing, MI): Who do you think are the early front runners for National Freshman of the Year?

Aaron Fitt: Alex Bregman at LSU, Max Schrock at South Carolina, Justin Garza at Fullerton, C.J. Hinojosa at Texas. Those are some of the guys I think will be big stars, and I expect them to have major impacts as freshmen. I think my pick is Bregman.




Brad (Chicago): You have Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Mississippi State and 2, 3 & 5 respectively in your preseason rankings. These programs finished 5, 6 & 7 last year in their conference. MSU was put out of a regional by Samford. Vanderbilt didn't make a Super Regional. Can you explain why you expect these teams to dramatically improve on the field?

Aaron Fitt: I would direct you to read our Top 25 scouting reports, which break down these teams in great detail. I think all three teams are experienced, talented, balanced and deep. The SEC is so competitive that when you lose some key players, like Florida and South Carolina did, you can expect other teams that have more quality veterans back to leapfrog you a year later, even if you reload like the Gators and Gamecocks did. Also, I think it's important to note how well Vandy, Arkansas and MSU played at the end of the year last year. Vandy turned around what looked like a lost season, reaching the SEC tournament final and playing itself all the way up to a No. 2 seed. They lost in a hard-fought regional to a loaded NC State team, but the Dores were very, very dangerous at the end of the year. The same is true of Miss State, which finally got healthy late and won the SEC tournament. Arkansas went all the way to Omaha. Why should we be conservative on those teams because they might have struggled in March of 2012? It's now 2013 -- time to recalibrate expectations.




Glenn (Baton Rouge): Tell me great things about LSU.

Aaron Fitt: You have some of the best food in college baseball! Oh, and Aaron Nola is a stud, JaCoby Jones is going to make the leap this year, Mason Katz and Raph Rhymes are fantastic veterans, Alex Bregman might be the best freshman in the country, Ryan Eades has electric stuff, and the bullpen has plenty of depth. How's that?




Jeff (Bald Head Island): I attended the CWS last year with some buddies and had a blast. We all decided we would go to a game on-campus this year. Where should we go to get the best college baseball experience?

Aaron Fitt: Pick an SEC venue, really. You can't go wrong with LSU, Arkansas, South Carolina, Ole Miss. Some non-SEC candidates: Florida State, Texas, Texas A&M.

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quote:

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Aaron Fitt: You have some of the best food in college baseball! Oh, and Aaron Nola is a stud, JaCoby Jones is going to make the leap this year, Mason Katz and Raph Rhymes are fantastic veterans, Alex Bregman might be the best freshman in the country, Ryan Eades has electric stuff, and the bullpen has plenty of depth. How's that?

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:faptastic:

If Jacoby Jones makes the leap to elite status, I can see LSU winning it all. I know those are strong words, but he has the talent and ability to be great. He just has to put it together.

It would make the transition into football a bit easier for all of us.