|
|
Post by flyfishinbeav on Jan 19, 2023 13:30:44 GMT -8
Well, when you put it like that! We return Bazzana, Forrester. We should be better at 3rd. Guerra has a very high ceiling, and should produce better than Dukart/Gretler, etc... That Cedillo kid looks legit. Trosky is gonna be a baller. Some very competitive AB's last season Pre-season Pac 12 frosh of year in Turley Tyree Reed should be ready.. McDowell breakout? He lit it up over the summer. Brady Kasper is developing Smith/Weber behind the plate....ton of potential there. TJ Wheeler is back. Krieg is a monster of a man....looking forward to seeing him hit some bombs. As for pitching....I think Ferrer or Kmatz take Friday.....Lattery could be Sat.....Quinn closer? Mundt? Cope? Lawson? Lots to prove......just like always. Didn't Canham say this is the most team speed he's ever had? I believe it. Should be a fun season. Guerra has a high ceiling, but Guerra is a shortstop. And Guerra was trying to pick up third base and did not the entire year. It may click this year, but, sometimes, it just never does. I tend to think that third base is a very undervalued defensive position. I took Gretler for granted, but Oregon State still misses him. A third baseman, who is consistently good playing the hot corner and also hitting is a rare breed. Guerra might be that guy. He was a highly-valued prospect, but he is still trying to pick up a new position. I hope it clicks for him in year two, but, sometimes, it just never does. You threw out seven pitchers. All of them are righties. I don't know. I hear words like "ceiling" and "potential," and I start to worry. I start to see that every pitcher, who everyone is throwing around as seeing significant playing time is a RHP, and I start to get real nervous. I probably will worry less , once the first pitch is thrown. Until then............ Every infielder (almost) we recruit is a HS SS....usually your best infield athlete. The lack of lefties is glaring.....but my understanding is it's mitigated by having a stable of really good righties. Some analytic thing....I think chinmusic talked about it at some point....and I trust in Dorman. I think he's been very good in pitcher development since Yeskie left. As for "potential" and "ceiling" that's every season.....unless your talking about a going into '18 from '17 kind of season....or even '21 into '22......the reality is, this squad does have a lot of talent. The recruiting ranks say so. Our eye tests so far, say so. Now will our coaches develop this talent into an Omaha type squad? Time will tell. All that said, I feel like pitching is almost always the big ? Going into every season.....guys emerge every season.....guys take that next step, ie Kmatz.....we expect him to be a dude this season. |
|
|
|
Post by ag87 on Jan 19, 2023 13:37:22 GMT -8
Michael Conforto - high school shortstop
|
|
|
|
Post by wilkyisdashiznit on Jan 19, 2023 13:46:07 GMT -8
Guerra has a high ceiling, but Guerra is a shortstop. And Guerra was trying to pick up third base and did not the entire year. It may click this year, but, sometimes, it just never does. I tend to think that third base is a very undervalued defensive position. I took Gretler for granted, but Oregon State still misses him. A third baseman, who is consistently good playing the hot corner and also hitting is a rare breed. Guerra might be that guy. He was a highly-valued prospect, but he is still trying to pick up a new position. I hope it clicks for him in year two, but, sometimes, it just never does. You threw out seven pitchers. All of them are righties. I don't know. I hear words like "ceiling" and "potential," and I start to worry. I start to see that every pitcher, who everyone is throwing around as seeing significant playing time is a RHP, and I start to get real nervous. I probably will worry less , once the first pitch is thrown. Until then............ The lack of lefties is glaring.....but my understanding is it's mitigated by having a stable of really good righties. Some analytic thing....I think chinmusic talked about it at some point....and I trust in Dorman. I think he's been very good in pitcher development since Yeksie left. As for "potential" and "ceiling" that's every season.....unless your talking about a going into '18 from '17 kind of season....or even '21 into '22......the reality is, this squad does have a lot of talent. The recruiting ranks say so. Our eye tests so far, say so. Now will our coaches develop this talent into an Omaha type squad? Time will tell. All that said, I feel like pitching is almost always the big ? Going into every season.....guys emerge every season.....guys take that next step, ie Kmatz.....we expect him to be a dude this season. You did not mention Jaren Hunter, who also should factor into the rotation. Hunter and Kmatz were the two best starters in 2022. As I understand it, one of Hunter's pitches has a cut that is opposite most of the other righties, which might come into play at some point. There is no final roster yet, but I think that Oregon State is looking at the fewest LHPs on the roster at any point since at least the '90s. After watching Auburn completely shut down the offense with two quality lefties out of the bullpen, I still worry. |
|
|
|
Post by wilkyisdashiznit on Jan 19, 2023 13:48:43 GMT -8
Michael Conforto - high school shortstop That's not true. Conforto's primary position was outfield in high school. |
|
|
|
Post by ag87 on Jan 19, 2023 14:06:37 GMT -8
I heard an interview with MC kind of recently, maybe five years ago, where he said he expected to move over and play 3B at OSU. But OSU had an "upperclassman" (Carter Bell) at that position so they put him into LF to see if he could do it.
|
|
|
|
Post by flyfishinbeav on Jan 19, 2023 14:20:31 GMT -8
The lack of lefties is glaring.....but my understanding is it's mitigated by having a stable of really good righties. Some analytic thing....I think chinmusic talked about it at some point....and I trust in Dorman. I think he's been very good in pitcher development since Yeksie left. As for "potential" and "ceiling" that's every season.....unless your talking about a going into '18 from '17 kind of season....or even '21 into '22......the reality is, this squad does have a lot of talent. The recruiting ranks say so. Our eye tests so far, say so. Now will our coaches develop this talent into an Omaha type squad? Time will tell. All that said, I feel like pitching is almost always the big ? Going into every season.....guys emerge every season.....guys take that next step, ie Kmatz.....we expect him to be a dude this season. You did not mention Jaren Hunter, who also should factor into the rotation. Hunter and Kmatz were the two best starters in 2022. As I understand it, one of Hunter's pitches has a cut that is opposite most of the other righties, which might come into play at some point. There is no final roster yet, but I think that Oregon State is looking at the fewest LHPs on the roster at any point since at least the '90s. After watching Auburn completely shut down the offense with two quality lefties out of the bullpen, I still worry. I actually had hunter listed and forgot to include him after an edit.....he's got dirty stuff for sure. |
|
|
|
Post by ricke71 on Jan 19, 2023 16:42:23 GMT -8
AJ Lattery:
Outstanding WCL summer 2022 (imho, one of the top 3 pitchers in the league). Between downtime (for mono-) he had a very good 2022 at OSU: 28 ip / 21 H / 24 SO / 8 BB and only 1 HR given up. After his return from mono (May 28) - he pitched vs. UCLA - Stanford - Vandy - Auburn and gave up 3 hits in 5 innings.
Did very well against Gonzaga in the Fall 2022 game.
Velocity is not eye-popping, but he knows how to pitch and he has a very tough mentality (he's from Minnesota for God sakes!!).
He'll be a quality weekend starter, I believe.
|
|
|
|
Post by ricke71 on Jan 19, 2023 18:45:23 GMT -8
The general lack of lefty pitchers is worrisome. Cooper Hjerpe leaves a gargantuan hole in the staff. Probably the best pitcher in at least 25 years at Oregon State. Truly a generational talent. Please somebody let me know, who fills that hole, just so I can stop worrying. You lose all three members of the best outfield in Oregon State history. A second just huge hole. You lose the best catcher since Rutschman. A third large hole. You lose your second-best starter in Jake Pfennigs. A fourth gaping hole You have a huge question mark at third base. A fifth hole to fill. There are a ton of empty boxes there. Seven of your best players from 2022 are gone. Hopefully, Canham checks all those boxes. Otherwise, I generally agree with you. Well, when you put it like that! We return Bazzana, Forrester. We should be better at 3rd. Guerra has a very high ceiling, and should produce better than Dukart/Gretler, etc... That Cedillo kid looks legit. Trosky is gonna be a baller. Some very competitive AB's last season Pre-season Pac 12 frosh of year in Turley Tyree Reed should be ready.. McDowell breakout? He lit it up over the summer. Brady Kasper is developing Smith/Weber behind the plate....ton of potential there. TJ Wheeler is back. Krieg is a monster of a man....looking forward to seeing him hit some bombs. As for pitching....I think Ferrer or Kmatz take Friday.....Lattery could be Sat.....Quinn closer? Mundt? Cope? Lawson? Lots to prove......just like always. Didn't Canham say this is the most team speed he's ever had? I believe it. Should be a fun season. The return of a healthy Wheeler, along with the debut of Turley is what I'm most looking forward to. I'm hoping the best for Trosky, but other than his huge 'desire' upside, I've not yet been encouraged. Maybe another year (2023) of D-1 will be what he needs. Agreed: Krieg is a monster (DH?). I feel confident tha t either Smith or Weber will be sufficient at Catcher.
4 keys to pitching: Kmatz, Lafferty, Ferrer and Brown
Wild cards: Tyree Reed / Mundt / Guerra / Cedillo / McDowell |
|
|
|
Post by chinmusic on Jan 20, 2023 0:38:46 GMT -8
When College Baseball writers and analysts publish their first polls, they base their rankings on several things that include a teams’ performance the previous year, who is returning to the roster, and their best assessment of transfers and returning players that might be moving into the lineup. Experience and previous production are heavily weighted.
The 2023 season at OSU comes with more questions than answers. The Beavers return only three position starters from the 2022 team, Forrester, Bazzana, and Dernedde. With so much still unknown about who will fill those other five open positions, one can only wait for the answers to come once the season is underway. And while some answers will come soon, others might take longer to reveal themselves. And while the wait sometimes seems endless, the reality is that we are less than 30 days away from college baseball games being played.
I suspect our pre-season poll ranking will improve once the season is under way. Baseball writers and analysts are accustomed to seeing the Friday night Stud highlighting our roster, names like Thompson, Rasmussen, Heimlich. Abel, Chamberlain, and Hjerpe. That is missing this year as we await the next dominant arm to emerge. We have several candidates that could fill that role but for now, that job is open. Who will lay claim to the hot corner? Who will replace one of the best outfields in college baseball last year? Can freshmen, Turley, Reed, Reeder, Talt, Krieg or Macias step up and minimize the loss of Meckler, Boyd and Melton? Who will fill our DH slot? How productive will Smith and Weber be with the bat?
The Beaver’s pitching will need defining. Who will be the front line, mid-week and who will be the inning-eaters coming out of the pen? Finally, who can close, or is Ferrer our guy?
There are many questions for Beaver fans, who know their team well – you can imagine what the pollsters are trying to determine in their assessment of the ’23 Beavers. What they do know and have expressed it repeatedly, Oregon State was very good winning 48 games last season but lost a ton of talent to professional baseball.
|
|
|
|
Post by irimi on Jan 20, 2023 16:38:58 GMT -8
When College Baseball writers and analysts publish their first polls, they base their rankings on several things that include a teams’ performance the previous year, who is returning to the roster, and their best assessment of transfers and returning players that might be moving into the lineup. Experience and previous production are heavily weighted. The 2023 season at OSU comes with more questions than answers. The Beavers return only three position starters from the 2022 team, Forrester, Bazzana, and Dernedde. With so much still unknown about who will fill those other five open positions, one can only wait for the answers to come once the season is underway. And while some answers will come soon, others might take longer to reveal themselves. And while the wait sometimes seems endless, the reality is that we are less than 30 days away from college baseball games being played. I suspect our pre-season poll ranking will improve once the season is under way. Baseball writers and analysts are accustomed to seeing the Friday night Stud highlighting our roster, names like Thompson, Rasmussen, Heimlich. Abel, Chamberlain, and Hjerpe. That is missing this year as we await the next dominant arm to emerge. We have several candidates that could fill that role but for now, that job is open. Who will lay claim to the hot corner? Who will replace one of the best outfields in college baseball last year? Can freshmen, Turley, Reed, Reeder, Talt, Krieg or Macias step up and minimize the loss of Meckler, Boyd and Melton? Who will fill our DH slot? How productive will Smith and Weber be with the bat? The Beaver’s pitching will need defining. Who will be the front line, mid-week and who will be the inning-eaters coming out of the pen? Finally, who can close, or is Ferrer our guy? There are many questions for Beaver fans, who know their team well – you can imagine what the pollsters are trying to determine in their assessment of the ’23 Beavers. What they do know and have expressed it repeatedly, Oregon State was very good winning 48 games last season but lost a ton of talent to professional baseball. Nice post. But if you were only going to return three of your starters from last year, Forrester, Bazzana, and Dernedde isn’t too shabby. We’ve got the bedrock for a strong defense right there. |
|
|
|
Post by Judge Smails on Jan 20, 2023 20:52:53 GMT -8
When College Baseball writers and analysts publish their first polls, they base their rankings on several things that include a teams’ performance the previous year, who is returning to the roster, and their best assessment of transfers and returning players that might be moving into the lineup. Experience and previous production are heavily weighted. The 2023 season at OSU comes with more questions than answers. The Beavers return only three position starters from the 2022 team, Forrester, Bazzana, and Dernedde. With so much still unknown about who will fill those other five open positions, one can only wait for the answers to come once the season is underway. And while some answers will come soon, others might take longer to reveal themselves. And while the wait sometimes seems endless, the reality is that we are less than 30 days away from college baseball games being played. I suspect our pre-season poll ranking will improve once the season is under way. Baseball writers and analysts are accustomed to seeing the Friday night Stud highlighting our roster, names like Thompson, Rasmussen, Heimlich. Abel, Chamberlain, and Hjerpe. That is missing this year as we await the next dominant arm to emerge. We have several candidates that could fill that role but for now, that job is open. Who will lay claim to the hot corner? Who will replace one of the best outfields in college baseball last year? Can freshmen, Turley, Reed, Reeder, Talt, Krieg or Macias step up and minimize the loss of Meckler, Boyd and Melton? Who will fill our DH slot? How productive will Smith and Weber be with the bat? The Beaver’s pitching will need defining. Who will be the front line, mid-week and who will be the inning-eaters coming out of the pen? Finally, who can close, or is Ferrer our guy? There are many questions for Beaver fans, who know their team well – you can imagine what the pollsters are trying to determine in their assessment of the ’23 Beavers. What they do know and have expressed it repeatedly, Oregon State was very good winning 48 games last season but lost a ton of talent to professional baseball. Nice post. But if you were only going to return three of your starters from last year, Forrester, Bazzana, and Dernedde isn’t too shabby. We’ve got the bedrock for a strong defense right there. As long as our opponents don’t think to hit it to the outfield. |
|
|
|
Post by chinmusic on Jan 20, 2023 20:57:16 GMT -8
Talent is not an issue with Oregon State (really, when has it been in the last 20 years?), overall it's young talent and the writers/pollsters are hip to that.
My quote: "And while some answers will come soon, others might take longer to reveal themselves."
All things considered, you could label the '23 Beavers a young team.
|
|
|
|
Post by chinmusic on Jan 20, 2023 22:05:08 GMT -8
Addressing the LHP issue - It seems to me after hearing random remarks from interviews and videos, neither Coach Canham or Coach Dorman view LHP's as something they can't do without. I get the feeling they are more concerned with arm speed, velocity, spin rates, sound mechanics and competitiveness.
In theory (Most players agree). RH hitters have an advantage facing LHP (and vice versa) because it is easier to pick up the release giving you a longer look at the pitch. Lefty v Lefty and Righty v Righty complicates that "better look". The other advantage of a LHP facing LH hitters, is the breaking balls are moving away from the hitter.
With the advent of throwing two-seam fastballs, with the right grip, right pressure point and release, RHP's throw fastballs that run or tail away from a LH hitter, producing the same affect as a LHP's breaking balls away from a LH hitter.
Add to 2-seamer the popular "circle" or "OK" change-up that tumbles and sinks away from the LH hitter, and you have two quality pitches that like the LHP breaking balls, move away from the LH hitter. In 2018, RHP Kevin Abel destroyed LH hitters with a change that was near unhittable.
I try to keep in mind that on average, most college batting orders will have 3 or less LH hitters in the lineup. Your LHP might be advantaged 3 times while being disadvantaged 6 times going though the order. Last year was unusual, OSU sent 5 lefties to the plate - Logan, Bazzana, Meckler, Melton, and Wheeler/Kasper/Kasper. This year it's Bazzana and maybe one more.
Keeping it real - With a good LH hitter at the plate would you prefer to face him with LHP Cooper Hjerpe and the 81 mph slider away from the hitter . . . or Victor Quinn and the 97 mph gas with 20" of ride away from the barrel?
I like LHP and would certainly welcome one (all things being equal) but I wouldn't compromise my evaluation just to take a LHP. Don't get hung up on which side he delivers from - there are other far more factors to consider.
|
|
|
|
Post by BeaverG20 on Jan 21, 2023 5:38:25 GMT -8
Addressing the LHP issue - It seems to me after hearing random remarks from interviews and videos, neither Coach Canham or Coach Dorman view LHP's as something they can't do without. I get the feeling they are more concerned with arm speed, velocity, spin rates, sound mechanics and competitiveness. In theory (Most players agree). RH hitters have an advantage facing LHP (and vice versa) because it is easier to pick up the release giving you a longer look at the pitch. Lefty v Lefty and Righty v Righty complicates that "better look". The other advantage of a LHP facing LH hitters, is the breaking balls are moving away from the hitter. With the advent of throwing two-seam fastballs, with the right grip, right pressure point and release, RHP's throw fastballs that run or tail away from a LH hitter, producing the same affect as a LHP's breaking balls away from a LH hitter. Add to 2-seamer the popular "circle" or "OK" change-up that tumbles and sinks away from the LH hitter, and you have two quality pitches that like the LHP breaking balls, move away from the LH hitter. In 2018, RHP Kevin Abel destroyed LH hitters with a change that was near unhittable. I try to keep in mind that on average, most college batting orders will have 3 or less LH hitters in the lineup. Your LHP might be advantaged 3 times while being disadvantaged 6 times going though the order. Last year was unusual, OSU sent 5 lefties to the plate - Logan, Bazzana, Meckler, Melton, and Wheeler/Kasper/Kasper. This year it's Bazzana and maybe one more. Keeping it real - With a good LH hitter at the plate would you prefer to face him with LHP Cooper Hjerpe and the 81 mph slider away from the hitter . . . or Victor Quinn and the 97 mph gas with 20" of ride away from the barrel? I like LHP and would certainly welcome one (all things being equal) but I wouldn't compromise my evaluation just to take a LHP. Don't get hung up on which side he delivers from - there are other far more factors to consider. It's too bad. My 7 year old is a lefty. Looks like we are going to have to find a new program. One where we are wanted. Shame. Just kidding. |
|
|
|
Post by chinmusic on Jan 21, 2023 7:13:27 GMT -8
Your progeny will be welcome, as were Boyd, Heimlich and Hjerpe.
As long as he can touch 100, break one off at 2,700 rpm, pull the string, locate everything in the zone
and bleed Orange.
Unrealistic? No, only the gifted can play here.
|
|
