re: Marceaux needs to be the Friday night guy

Fact

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look no further than last year. When Hilliard was healthy and dominating, and Hess and Gilbert were both struggling, he had Hilliard starting on Sunday. It takes Mainieri a long time to move freshmen ahead of veterans. When a freshman cracks the weekend rotation out of the gate, it speaks volumes.

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So. Can you think of a reason for that? Any reason at all?

When?

High school and fall practice. Again, what's your point. Get to your point quickly.

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So. Can you think of a reason for that? Any reason at all?

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Of course I can. He doesn't trust freshmen. What gave you the impression that I don't get that? It takes Mainieri a little longer than most to realize that maybe, just maybe, the freshman is better than the other guys.

The question posed to me was (paraphrasing) " if Hess is the Friday guy now, doesn't that mean that the coaches saw something in him to make him the Friday starter?"

And I'm saying no, it doesn't necessarily mean that they saw anything more in Hess, it's just that Mainieri is going with the vet.

I didn't expect anything, otherwise. I'm merely saying that if Marceaux lives up to his billing over the next few weeks, he should start by SEC play. I think that will ultimately happen at some point, but I don't know that it will be by week one of SEC.

I am only forecasting. It's all part of the fun of being a fan. I don't know why people get so worked up. And Hess, whether he starts on Friday or Saturday, I think will be very good this year. I said that before the season, and I stand by it.

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And you’ve been to all the intrasquad games to come to this conclusion? Or (more likely) just talking out your arse? Please explain how it “seems” this way before the young man has thrown one pitch in a game.

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No, I haven't. Have you been to every intrasquad game to say he isn't?

I have read all of the scouting reports out there, and listened to coaches talk about him, and have also followed his stats against a very good lineup. I line this up with everything I remember about Nola at this stage of his career, and I am saying it SEEMS he is more advanced at THIS stage. Is "seems" too strong of a word for you? Really?

I have a question for you: Do you not even want Marceaux to be good? Because you seem hell bent on downplaying one of the most talented pitchers the Tigers have ever gotten to campus.

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I'm merely saying that if Marceaux lives up to his billing over the next few weeks, he should start by SEC play.

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Perfectly logical statement IMO. My earlier comments were directed more towards the idea that he's ready to start in the Friday role right now and that people had come to that conclusion after a few innings tonight.

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So no other reason.

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No. When a freshman is outperforming others, but behind them in the rotation, there is no other reason than seniority winning out.

Do you have a point you want to make, or what?

That many college coaches like freshmen in limited roles early. One is for seniority. One is the physical demands of starting.

If you have a talented arm you may bring it along slower for the benefit if the team over time, highest and best use

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Well there you go

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You aren't really saying anything, but I'm going to try to read between the lines and assume that you are trying to say that Mainieri goes with the vets because they have pitched in games and the freshmen haven't.

But you were asking me if I could think of any reason why Mainieri took so long to move Hilliard up in the rotation last year. I brought that up specifically because you couldn't say that Hilliard hadn't pitched in a real game yet. He was dominating, and the other two were struggling, and yet Mainieri took a long time to Move Hilliard up one day.

The point is simple. The current rotation order is not an actual ranking of the pitchers. It's just the way Mainieri manages freshmen.