While this is true, in none of those situations were we expecting to return almost a full squd next year with high expectations. That could play a large role in someone like Strentz or Kjerstad wanting to come back for another year. The team chemistry is very solid right now from what I've heard... hell, Strentz even referred to the team as his brothers in one article. These guys are solid... he may want to stick around and try to make a legitimate run to Omaha.
In the recent history you spoke of, it was greener pastures to leave... because we were never looking at returning such star caliber players.
I could be wrong, but hopefully it makes a difference in their decisions.
I'm hoping you are right. I really do, but players signing for small money short of a degree and washing out in three years just doesn't even raise one eyebrow on the front of my head anymore. These kids have lived their entire lives waiting to hear their name called on draft day. Of course, after a month of riding buses from nowhere to nowhere they all ask themselves why the hell they threw their lives away.
If the pollsters do their homework, we should be in line for some top 25 votes if not a preseason ranking. We have a team that was in the top 5 of almost every offensive category with at least 7 guys returning. We picked up some pitching depth, return all 3 weekend starters and went to finals of a national seed regional. I know football season is going to be fun, but I'm glad to be excited and looking forward to Cajuns Baseball again.
The biggest recruit we need to keep is Matt Deggs. I'm sure a lot of schools will come calling after the offensive improvement the Cajuns showed this year. If we keep him then I think anything worse than hosting a regional and going to the Supers will be a disappointment. I hope the arms coming in are as good as advertised.
About a week ago, Baseball America released their latest list of top 500 prospects for the upcoming draft (which begins tomorrow). The only Cajun listed was Strentz, who was projected somewhere between the 9th and 12th round.
That isn't the know all, of course. My understanding is Kjerstad's stock has gone up quite a bit.
But we're getting ready to find out.
I wonder if the news that Kjerstad will have elbow surgery will cause teams to be skeptical about drafting him. That means he won't play any low level minor league ball this year.
I hope whatever is best for the kid happens. Obviously it would be great if he was a Cajun next year. That said, it is great to see players coming to the UL program getting attention from pro scouts. The more that happens, the easier it is to recruit quality talent.
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