How I think the Beavs wiil approach this UK series
Jun 6, 2024 20:37:34 GMT -8
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Post by chinmusic on Jun 6, 2024 20:37:34 GMT -8
My best guess at how the Beavs will approach this series with Kentucky. Kentucky is a veteran team, well coached, very athletic, that’s plays together with enthusiasm. I expect to see the Beavs make some adjustments for this series.
1. This is always true in baseball but against UK is extremely important. Limit their ability to get the first batter on base every inning. They like to play inside the diamond (small ball) and they execute that best when leading off an inning with a baserunner. A runner at first with nobody out opens up several possibilities including a sacrifice to move the runner, a steal, hit and run, “Butcher Boy”, etc. If a UK batter reaches base with one out, the Coach has a much tougher decision to make – does he want to give up a second out with a sacrifice, or with a risky SBA, or possible inning ending DP on the hit and run? UK can’t create the same level of pressure they want to apply if the Beavs retire that first hitter.
2. Coupled with #1, UK is really effective at putting pressure on opposing defenses. They are accomplished bunters, have exceptional speed, and they want to run and create havoc with the defense. A big key to this series will be the Beaver pitchers’ ability to hold their runners close. Kentucky base runners are very good at distracting the opposing pitcher. Beaver pitchers will use a laser like focus on the upcoming pitch and not allow themselves to be distracted by any base runners.
3. We might see Beaver pitchers quicken their slide step to allow our catchers some chance of coping with their speed on the bases. Kentucky is 113 for 143 to date with Waldschmidt, Pitre and Burkes totaling 66 for 83 of those SBA this year. UK averages 2 stolen bases per game, Smith and Weber would like to cut that in half. The ability of Beaver pitchers to hold runners close keeping in check their leads and breaks, will be a major factor in winning this series.
4. This a veteran UK team. Their top nine position players have all played 3 years or more of college baseball. The same is true for their top-9 pitchers. The Beavs can’t count on benefiting from many Wildcat mental mistakes.
5. The Beavs will be ready to swing the bats. UK pitching and defense allows an average of 6.2 baserunners/9 to reach first base via BB, HBP and ROE. That is some help but not much. The Beavs won’t take as many strikes against this team.
6. Kentucky pitching is consistent and reliable. Their staff is “moderately good”. We will likely see Mason Moore, Trey Pooser and Dominic Niman although not necessarily in that order. They use 8 relievers, with the middle innings group the strength of the bullpen. UK pitches to contact, throws strikes and allows their stellar defense play behind them. To date, they have a .980 fielding %. Their team ERA is 5.11 with a WHIP metric of 1.39.
7. Harnessing Ryan Waldschmidt will be a priority. Ryan is a transfer from Charleston that has a .359/ .461/ .657 slash line this year. He has hit 14 HR’s and stolen 24 bases this season. He is their “Energizer easy shot”, a Bluegrass Travis Bazzana if you will. Beaver pitches will be focused on keeping him off base. The book on him is mix your pitches and don’t be predictable. He’s being projected to go very early in the MLB Draft.
8. Kentucky presents a challenge for our pitching and defense. They’re built for small ball but can beat you deep as well. They have rapped out 214 extra base hits this year (121-10 – 83 HR). The Beavers will be looking for an early lead forcing them into a hitting contest which UK definitely wants to avoid.
1. This is always true in baseball but against UK is extremely important. Limit their ability to get the first batter on base every inning. They like to play inside the diamond (small ball) and they execute that best when leading off an inning with a baserunner. A runner at first with nobody out opens up several possibilities including a sacrifice to move the runner, a steal, hit and run, “Butcher Boy”, etc. If a UK batter reaches base with one out, the Coach has a much tougher decision to make – does he want to give up a second out with a sacrifice, or with a risky SBA, or possible inning ending DP on the hit and run? UK can’t create the same level of pressure they want to apply if the Beavs retire that first hitter.
2. Coupled with #1, UK is really effective at putting pressure on opposing defenses. They are accomplished bunters, have exceptional speed, and they want to run and create havoc with the defense. A big key to this series will be the Beaver pitchers’ ability to hold their runners close. Kentucky base runners are very good at distracting the opposing pitcher. Beaver pitchers will use a laser like focus on the upcoming pitch and not allow themselves to be distracted by any base runners.
3. We might see Beaver pitchers quicken their slide step to allow our catchers some chance of coping with their speed on the bases. Kentucky is 113 for 143 to date with Waldschmidt, Pitre and Burkes totaling 66 for 83 of those SBA this year. UK averages 2 stolen bases per game, Smith and Weber would like to cut that in half. The ability of Beaver pitchers to hold runners close keeping in check their leads and breaks, will be a major factor in winning this series.
4. This a veteran UK team. Their top nine position players have all played 3 years or more of college baseball. The same is true for their top-9 pitchers. The Beavs can’t count on benefiting from many Wildcat mental mistakes.
5. The Beavs will be ready to swing the bats. UK pitching and defense allows an average of 6.2 baserunners/9 to reach first base via BB, HBP and ROE. That is some help but not much. The Beavs won’t take as many strikes against this team.
6. Kentucky pitching is consistent and reliable. Their staff is “moderately good”. We will likely see Mason Moore, Trey Pooser and Dominic Niman although not necessarily in that order. They use 8 relievers, with the middle innings group the strength of the bullpen. UK pitches to contact, throws strikes and allows their stellar defense play behind them. To date, they have a .980 fielding %. Their team ERA is 5.11 with a WHIP metric of 1.39.
7. Harnessing Ryan Waldschmidt will be a priority. Ryan is a transfer from Charleston that has a .359/ .461/ .657 slash line this year. He has hit 14 HR’s and stolen 24 bases this season. He is their “Energizer easy shot”, a Bluegrass Travis Bazzana if you will. Beaver pitches will be focused on keeping him off base. The book on him is mix your pitches and don’t be predictable. He’s being projected to go very early in the MLB Draft.
8. Kentucky presents a challenge for our pitching and defense. They’re built for small ball but can beat you deep as well. They have rapped out 214 extra base hits this year (121-10 – 83 HR). The Beavers will be looking for an early lead forcing them into a hitting contest which UK definitely wants to avoid.
