re: Breaking down the Baseball team: Infield/Catcher

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When he hits the ball, good things happen. He is too dangerous to leave on the bench. So let's hope he figures things out.

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He can also tank an offense if the chase rate stays where it is. He became unplayable at a point last season and that was even when our offense was the most powerful thing in the country. We simply can't afford him to have a ridiculously high K% when our offense is already taking a step back from a year ago.

This is a make or break season for him.

Jones isn’t starting until he can figure out how to hit.

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He also said " we rebuilt Braswell's hitting & expect great things out of him."

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What a fricking G. At one of the most critical positions on the team, and a huge position of need this year you go out and find a player from one of your opponents (a contender and prestigious program at that) and think "that guy has a hole in his swing. I can turn him into a stud." And then you go and get him, coach him up, and he immediately starts to rake. That has to really suck for USC fans

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What a fricking G. At one of the most critical positions on the team, and a huge position of need this year you go out and find a player from one of your opponents (a contender and prestigious program at that) and think "that guy has a hole in his swing. I can turn him into a stud."

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If he had a hole in his swing they wouldn't have gone after him. They went after him because his contact rates were very high and his line drive rates were very high. This means he makes a lot of hard contact.

His issue is that his fly ball rates were nearly non-existent. Hitting the ball hard is great. Hitting the ball hard in the air is optimal.

And it's easier to tweak a swing to add loft than it is to increase bat speed and exit velos. (though both are possible)

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am probably one of the few that doesn't expect Tanks to match his hitting numbers from last year.

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Some guys will have to step up to hit around Tommy for the lineup to reach it's potential. I think you have Travinski who can hit behind him. That can put Travinski in a really good spot to take advantage of teams pitching around Tommy. If someone out of Kling/Braswell/Bingham can put together a nice season of getting on base in front of Tommy in the 2 hole, that would set up the top of this lineup nicely.

You have a point, but I think some people act like Braswell was some scrub. He hit .280 as a freshman and .255 as a sophomore in the SEC. Not superstar numbers but not to say he was bad. I think Projects point is you had the potential there and there wasn't much fixing to be had. It seems most of the problem was fixing his swing to top into a little more power to get the SLG numbers up, which to your point it seem Jay and staff has done.

Jay said some of the fix was in the weight room. He knew what he had and just needed to tap into some extra power in his swing. Credit to Jay.

I didn't make anything up, you're just in a mood today.

Regardless, what do yall make of this?

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Re the pitching staff "our best pitcher will close out games." Emphasized the importance of winning close games, especially in League games.

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Re the pitching staff "our best pitcher will close out games." Emphasized the importance of winning close games, especially in League games.

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According to the transcript I read, he said "one of the best pitchers will close out games". I haven't watched the PC yet, but the transcript sounds like coach speak. The other interpretation would sound like one of our presumed starters is going to be the closer.

The only one of those that makes sense would be Jump, I guess, since there are some questions about how he'll handle a starters workload early in the season.

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Re the pitching staff "our best pitcher will close out games." Emphasized the importance of winning close games, especially in League games.

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Not word for word but Jay said something like....as you saw in years past I will have one of our best arms at the back end of games. goes on to say that winning the close games are really important especially in the SEC. Says they have a group of pitchers that they will stretch out early in the season and they will make their decision on rotation and setup/closer guys.

This shouldn't surprise anyone. Jay has said he likes to have his pitching staff set up like this and he has also shown it. Most recently with having Edwards earlier in the season and then Hurd in the back end of games when needed. At the time they were both one of the best arms on staff. Can think back to the year before where Reyzelman and Gervase were those back end guys.

I'm thinking guys that would maybe fit into the back end type top arm would be someone like Loer, Cam Johnson, or Jump. I think others have potential to step into that role also if they can show consistency. Little and Moffet come to mind there.

Q: Anyone you've learned that you can pencil into the lineup this fall:

JJ: Feels great about catching situation. There is a way for all of them to make contribution. Alex defensively & leadership. Hayden offensively, developing as a thrower. We were #1 in country with Brady until he got hurt.

Jared Jones hit .300, feels strongly player make biggest jump into 2nd year.

Braswell will clearly play SS, not even a conversation. His development has been one of the biggest of the fall. Changed everything.

Tanks is in a good spot in terms of recovery. Back into his hitting program, and is running.

OF is deepest position on the team. Not ready to slot everyone in, but mentions Kling first. Found somethings late in the fall that will help him development. Jake Brown, i am really happy about. Speed, dynamic player. Bingham, coached for 2 years. Trust Pearson a lot. There is a lot more to be decided.


Q: Aiden Moffett had a good summer, what is his role:

JJ: Another positive from fall, talent is never a question. We need to turn it into usable skill and we are heading that way. Great fastball, slider is good. Pounds the zone, taking well to Coach Yeskie. Pitched out of a jam vs ULL, and in P&G World series. He will definitely pitch. Super pleased with his improvement.


Q: What was it yall changed with Braswell?

JJ: We went and got him because he impressed me with his skillset. Didn't look at the numbers much. He is a litter further along with defense than i thought. Makes the sure outs, and good internal clock. Offensively, opening up his body to fast twitch and muscle memory. Weight room and sequencing swing, connecting upper and lower body.


Q: What have you seen from Cameron Johnson ?

JJ: His performance has been great. Physical talent jumps out at you. He has good synergy with school and baseball and slowing everything down. The talent is special and the mindset is good. Performance was outstanding vs ULL. Will trust him in important situations.


Q: Where are you with the Alex Box condition?

JJ: SEC has a lot of great venues, but our fans make it the best venue. Loudest ive heard the place was Tre's HR in 1st inning of Super regional. In terms of modernizing, I think if you dont pay attention you can get left behind. We have smart people on top of staying invested in it. Player development is most important to me.

Q: Plans for Brady Neal

JJ: glad to get him about 30 ABs at the end of fall. Missed time can be seen but has hit some ball hard. I think catching 2 games in a row will be difficult. His body may not allow him to do that. Hit HRs off Chase Burns and Hagen Smith last year, prob the only player to do that. We have about 12 guys right now fighting for 9 spots and all 3 catchers are in that.