I'd like to see a lot more small ball next year anyway. The Tigue is a graveyard, playing for the homerun in that park is not a strategy.
We have guys who can run, but we don't steal bases at all. bunts for base hits, hit and runs, steals and putting pressure on the defense is the best option for the kind of lineup we will put on the field next year
Smith will be the pop in our lineup, when Whipple comes back in a year he'll have pop too. We will also have a lot of speed; Fuse, Olasin, and Goulas are capable of stealing a lot of bases.
The outfield is large. WKU hit 80 bombs this year, about 1.5 per game, but none at the Tigue. Credit UL pitchers...and the Tigue. We need speedy gap hitters that can hit for average and doubles, not necessarily home runs. We will improve when the team BA is over .300 again.
First of all, when and where did you guys hear that Whip is out next year?
Next, you guys are forgetting the Porrier and Bowman will be big contributors next season, if not starters.. bringing in some corner JUCO's, so that could also play a role. Third, if you guys don't think the long ball plays a big factor, check out the HR stats for the top 3 teams in the SBC. All 3 had big power numbers. This is not your daddy's SBC. We need (at least the threat) of the homerun ball. Especially considering that our Pen will not be a dominant one again next season.
Apparently Robe commented on Mr. Bitter Whipple misses 2010. Nearly everyone else in the belt plays in a smaller ball park. The wind blows in from right at the Tigue at least 10 MPH 80% of the time. The rest of the league plays here 3 games every other year. Finding power hitters and signing them sounds easier than it is.
But the Teague isnt a homer friendly place, even in UL's best years, we dont have crazy home run numbers. Our success has and will lie in defense, ability to manufacture runs and BULLPEN.
These are the 3 things that all of our good teams of the past have had. Dont fall in love with the bomb if you dont have a field that caters to it.
Thats why I said at least the "threat" of the long ball.
Especially on the road. HR's are game savers. They play a key role in a long season. It's exciting, makes up for errors, and gives a team and a crowd an extra jolt. Even though Hawk didn't hit 20 bombs, we're going to miss his presence, as far as the home fun aspect is concerned. Les Smith is not a power hitter. He's a complete, pure, lefty hitter. He has the ability to go long, but it won't be his M.O.
I hope Smith's shoulder comes out ok. He is the prototypical Tigue outfielder who will hit for average and slugging % and can run a little. I hope Bowman's hip comes out OK. Same type player potentially.
well technically Lucroy wasnt a home run hitter either.
Let's not worry about getting the big power guys. They get drafted or go to the SEC. Let's build a team around our park and go from there. (the last 2 SBC championship teams are good examples of this)
This is what pitchers fear. They fear getting stuck in a 5 run inning with only 1 earned run. They really fear a line up with no holes, a bunch of guys with .340 averages who hit good pitches. Decent pitchers can work around one baller in a weak line up. Hawkins got worked alot.
There are currently 3 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 3 guests)