re: Breaking down the baseball team: Pitcher

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I just don't see a situation where Jay doesn't give Hurd the Friday night role to open the season

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I wouldn't go that far, but I do think you're right that if its a toss up between the two Jay is gonna go with the guy who dominated in Omaha

Thanks for your work.

I based my rankings on how much I think they can contribute in 2024 if they are healthy.

I don't really think Shores will be acitvated this year.

I kind of feel like Little and Moffett can contribute more than Herring if they reach their potential. Will they reach their potential? I don't know.

It's a fall ranking and I'm sure what actually happens will be completely different. I think we would all be guessing with some of these guys.

Is Johnson draft eligible after 2 years? Or normal 3?

Can’t wait to see what Hurd does this year along with Little.

Thanks for the write-up. Always enjoy your threads.

I think Ack is going to end up higher on this list. It feels like he turned the corner in post season. Shores and Noot are talented, but might be too high on the list since we don't know when they will pitch this year. I agree with you on Johnson; excited to see him in p&g next year.

I think the biggest disagreement I have with this list is how low Loer is. I think he will be a top candidate for some of those high leverage innings at the end of games if he doesn't win a rotation spot. I feel like Cam Johnson or Gage Jump can also provide some of the high leverage end of games innings. I am torn between thinking they will be that vs working as a starter. I feel like one of those 2 will get into the rotation with the other being end of game high leverage innings.

This pitching staff is probably the toughest position to have a ranking. A lot of talent that is very deep. Also a lot of potential that hasn't been proven but you know is there with a little more consistency. So I wouldn't take very many disagreements to heart being that it can go a number of different ways come spring time.

Jay said in his press conference there is a group of guys they are looking at to stretch out early in the spring. I would assume he was referring to candidates for the rotation. I will be curious to see who those guys are. My guess would be Hurd, Holman, Jump, Johnson, Loer, Ackenhousen. I'm not sure if the will leave the Little as a starter thing an option or if they will concentrate on having him out the bullpen with consistency. I feel like they may stretch out Little early and see how he handles it for another RHP option.

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Is Johnson draft eligible after 2 years? Or normal 3?

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No he is not. I may be wrong, but I think the draft eligible Sophomore's from this class is Austen Roellig, MJ Seo, and Kade Anderson. Project is usually on top of those kind of things so maybe he can chime in if I'm wrong or missing someone.

I think the answer to that will depend on how the rotation situation goes. Other than Guidry getting a shot at staying a closer. I can see using Loer, Johnson, or Jump as a closer too. I don't think you trust Moffett enough for the closer role yet. He will have to prove he can be consistent in the K zone. Woods also has closer like stuff if he can be more consistent and get his velocity back up to what it was. Just like the starting rotation, they will have options.

Not sure how Noot will come back, but he can potentially provide a closer role type arm.

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I kind of feel like Little and Moffett can contribute more than Herring if they reach their potential. Will they reach their potential? I don't know

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Moffett will have to show the ability to throw strikes. Based on fall numbers, he still is not there. His stuff is electric, when it's over the plate. However, you aren't putting him in a game where you have a one run lead in the 7th, because you absolutely can't walk two people in that spot. For that reason, I think he's below a good number of people on your list.

As far as little, he needs to show he can do it consistently. If he has major ups and downs, he will just be useful in midweeks.