Baseball Roster Observation

[GreatestStory]

Basically what I'm asking is have our expectations outgrown the reality of what it takes to be successful?

One of Tony's strengths is his history of "doing more with less". He took us to a high level with minimal resources.

Since the new stadium has gone up, so has the price of being a fan (tickets, parking, concessions, personal seat donations, etc.). When people are shelling out more money, they expect a return on their investment, which has not been the case since Russo Park was constructed. We have seen a decline in the product on the field while the program has more funds and better facilities than ever.

SUMMARY: A lot of fans would rather being paying what they were paying 5 years and watching us go to regionals/supers as opposed to paying more money and us missing the post season tournament.

[CajunVic]

One of Tony's strengths is his history of "doing more with less". He took us to a high level with minimal resources.

Since the new stadium has gone up, so has the price of being a fan (tickets, parking, concessions, personal seat donations, etc.). When people are shelling out more money, they expect a return on their investment, which has not been the case since Russo Park was constructed. We have seen a decline in the product on the field while the program has more funds and better facilities than ever.

SUMMARY: A lot of fans would rather being paying what they were paying 5 years and watching us go to regionals/supers as opposed to paying more money and us missing the post season tournament.

What you are saying is that we have “priced” ourselves out of the “pass”

[Dad04]

I watched the 1st 5 innings. Painfully fugly baseball. It would have been very possible to beat that team last night. Our HS pitching top 2 (when healthy) would be very competitive, way better than the UNO arms last night....our HS hitting would lag at bottom of order. Our top of order would (TCU/OSU commits) are same or better than what UL top of order showed last night.

I see the same thing. Nuttin to write home about.

[cajun55]

One of Tony's strengths is his history of "doing more with less". He took us to a high level with minimal resources.

Since the new stadium has gone up, so has the price of being a fan (tickets, parking, concessions, personal seat donations, etc.). When people are shelling out more money, they expect a return on their investment, which has not been the case since Russo Park was constructed. We have seen a decline in the product on the field while the program has more funds and better facilities than ever.

SUMMARY: A lot of fans would rather being paying what they were paying 5 years and watching us go to regionals/supers as opposed to paying more money and us missing the post season tournament.

I agree but I also think we are seeing the same process play out that it always has the past 20 years. A couple years with a great team followed by a solid-good team rebuild for another few years until the next very good to great team. Only difference now is we are not seeing immediate results and freaking out over a 7-10 start. Are we getting the kinds of recruits we should be or is this solely on coaching at the hitting level? Seems like we addressed some recruiting concerns in the offseason by shifting roles and as fans we are not allowing the process to play out.

Just my opinion that we need to be patient, but I understand wanting to replicate what we had so quickly. I just don’t think its that easy, especially as a mid major in the Sun belt conference. I think its still going to be a process and not a yearly expectation of greatness based on bringing in huge recruits ala top SEC programs.

[Dad04]

Let's look at where this team is at going into conference play....

As bad as our hitting has been, we have to give credit to our pitching staff. Despite some bullpen issues due largely to inexperience our pitching has been good. Not a surprise considering our head coach is in my opinion one of the best pitching coaches at the college level.
4.11 team era (98 out of 300 D1 teams)
Fielding has been solid despite some mistakes.
.972 fielding percentage (95 out of 300) percent
Hitting has been very subpar
.238 average (222 out of 300)
4.5 runs per game (225 out of 300)
This team is above average in speed, but you can't steal your way home.
2.18 steals per game (21 out of 300)
Power is slightly above average.
0.71 homeruns per game (110 out of 300)

Traditional Robe coached teams will pitch and field above average. We pretty much take this as a given year to year. Those that call for changes at the top might want to take a step back and realize how HUGE this is at the college level.
Hitting seems to fluctuate largely based on who the hitting coach is and our recruiting. In my eyes this team currently is performing at its floor which is a .500 team with potential to be much better with only average hitting (.270-.280ish). Pitching should only get better as roles are defined and with more experience.

The hitting is a real concern and hopefully going through a transition period with a new hitting coach in Wells. Keep in mind 17 games is a really small sample size in baseball. A few hitters struggling at the same time equates to a team slump. The reality could be we just don't have the bats needed to be a serious contender this year. I'm not at a point to concede that as I believe we do have some very capable bats and just need better timely hitting and more consistency at the plate 1-9.

Offensively it has been a very disappointing start to the year, but despite a .238 average this team could just as easily be 10-7 vs 7-10. I think everyone would be alot more optimistic if we got a few more late game bounces our way and were 10-7 right now heading into conference play. Regardless we have to accept where we are at and hopefully Improve our offense and continue to solidify our pitching staff for the rest of the year.

Obviously our expectations for this program have grown to a level that is not easy to replicate year to year. We are top 20 in attendance yearly, new beautiful renovated ballpark, four years past a #1 ranking, but 2 straight winning seasons without a regional appearance. The expectations chould not be higher for this program. If you look back at our season to season records and results for the past 20 years there is normally a 1-4 year transition period between great teams and average to good ones by our standards. We have been fortunate to sustain winning seasons throughout the process.

Basically what I'm asking is have our expectations outgrown the reality of what it takes to be successful? Or should we be an elite team consistently based solely on recruiting with huge talent that can sustain us on a level of winning that is consistent top 25 year to year. We have never been that but that seems to be the next step for our program based on expectations. Cal State Fullerton being the best example of a non power conference school to perform consistently at that elite level. Can a Sun Belt school in the south do it? I think its possible, but recruiting is the key. Not just regionally but getting players from outside our region. Texas/California/Florida etc...I think this is more important than public vs private school.

Good post. Sounds like 100 RPI to me. The talent level has simply got to be better to get to the next level. I think most are surprised that with all the school and Robe have to offer, that next step has been a little wobbly.

For whatever reason recruiting in Florida has dropped to zero. There are so many good players in Florida, dozens sign D1 out of state every year. The only two Cajun big league players now came from Florida. I think the last Florida player we signed was Tyler Benzel. EDIT: Todd Lott

The FL Panhandle is loaded with players with one state school FSU that recruits nationally. I really think we are missing the boat there.

[cajun55]

Good post. Sounds like 100 RPI to me.

With all that said we still better be one of the top teams in the Belt. Mediocrity in our conference is not acceptable. We will have to improve offensively to be a top team, but It can only get better right? Its too bad the conference tournament holds so much more value than doing well in our conference regular season.

[MetryCajun]

Underwear Models

Maybe so, but no one is going to evaluate a player by what he does in HS. Too many games against inferior competition pad the stats. Travel ball, Camps and showcases are the standard for all sports when it comes to getting a D1 Scholarship.

[LifeTimeCajun]

So Kasuls hit in the 4 hole last night. And wasn't Breaux in the 2 hole? Unsure Lahare is ready for 3-4 hole, especially since BA is below the mendoza line and Slugging% is terrible. Don't think they will ever move Monica because he is their alpha male supposedly. Don't have anyone hitting the cover off the ball right now so it's kind of difficult to put a lineup together at the moment.

Monica and Viellon are the two big issues in the lineup in my opinion. Yes Viellon ran into one last night to win the game AND was able to get the bunt down. BUT those two guys are in the lineup to drive in runs. You have got to make contact. Strike outs don’t cut it. My point of my post was I’d prefer a contact guy in those spots in the lineup rather than strike out guys

[ConfusedFan]

Monica and Viellon are the two big issues in the lineup in my opinion. Yes Viellon ran into one last night to win the game AND was able to get the bunt down. BUT those two guys are in the lineup to drive in runs. You have got to make contact. Strike outs don’t cut it. My point of my post was I’d prefer a contact guy in those spots in the lineup rather than strike out guys

So Lahare? 16 k's? Batting a whopping .169. Doesn't sound like a high contact guy to me.

1. Breaux - CF - Highest BA and OBP
2. Cantrelle SS - Contact guy (hopefully)
3. Kasuls - 2B - Your contact guy. Hits ball hard more often than not, but lately right at people.
4. Toro - DH - was a hot hitter when healthy
5. Monica - C - alpha male supposedly. Questionable at 1B
6. Veillon - RF - hopefully swings and hits more often than swings and misses
7. Wiley - LF - good hitter, will only get better
8. Lochridge - 1B - why not?
9. Windham - 3B - bat should eventually come around

[CajunRage]

So Lahare? 16 k's? Batting a whopping .169. Doesn't sound like a high contact guy to me.

1. Breaux - CF - Highest BA and OBP
2. Cantrelle SS - Contact guy (hopefully)
3. Kasuls - 2B - Your contact guy. Hits ball hard more often than not, but lately right at people.
4. Toro - DH - was a hot hitter when healthy
5. Monica - C - alpha male supposedly. Questionable at 1B
6. Veillon - RF - hopefully swings and hits more often than swings and misses
7. Wiley - LF - good hitter, will only get better
8. Lochridge - 1B - why not?
9. Windham - 3B - bat should eventually come around

Only thing here is I'm not sure Monica will ever be an everyday catcher again. If you think he's a liability at 1B you may be able to just swap he and Toro.