BB G1 Final: Louisiana 11, Coastal 9

[Dad04]

Starting Pitching

Rawls Fri
MeGehee Sat
Rawls Sun

Then may the Committee take over

...at the first sign of trouble. The Committee is undefeated.

[Dad04]

Remember the Jay Johnson conversation last week? I'm concerned we are going in that direction and that will make it even harder to recruit good pitchers.

Not sure that is even possible. The one thing supporting it is the success of the Rays in MLB. They can't afford starters.

I am confused at the state of college pitching. MLB cut back on the draft, forcing more players to college. Yet, ERA's seem like they are higher than ever. Coastal is 6.47. We lead the league at 4.72 after years and years under 4. Every Sun Belt team sucks at pitching. We just suck a little less.

Sun Belt Average Team ERA

2017: 4.81
2018: 4.83
2019: 5.39
2020: 4.03 (COVID Season)
2021: 4.92
2022: 5.34
2023: 6.03

[CajunVic]

Other than for the victory against LSU, the rotations used the last two weekends has not worked. As a result of the games dropped, it is now highly unlikely that we will be fortunate enough to gain a post season bid other than to do what golf did yesterday.

What better way to shake things up this weekend and try something different than to set the rotation up by committee and then have the determined rotation to finish out the season and the conference tournament determined by the results from the committee system.

While it may be somewhat unorthodox, maybe that is what is needed at this point.

One thing that is sure is that coming here and completely dismissing the process certainly will not help.

Let’s show up at Russo and support our boys, whoever is on the mound.

[ULvictory]

Other than for the victory against LSU, the rotations used the last two weekends has not worked. As a result of the games dropped, it is now highly unlikely that we will be fortunate enough to gain a post season bid other than to do what golf did yesterday.

What better way to shake things up this weekend and try something different than to set the rotation up by committee and then have the determined rotation to finish out the season and the conference tournament determined by the results from the committee system.

While it may be somewhat unorthodox, maybe that is what is needed at this point.

One thing that is sure is that coming here and completely dismissing the process certainly will not help.

Let’s show up at Russo and support our boys, whoever is on the mound.

The support is there. The problem is the inconsistency and lack of development that exists on the mound that directly takes away any potential progress that is made with our bats. In the last 2 Friday Night games, we have averaged 7 runs; yet we are 0-2.

The indictment for the "pitch by committee" approach isn't due to seeing what works. It's an indictment on what got us to this point. We just can't pitch.

[ManAboutTown]

The support is there. The problem is the inconsistency and lack of development that exists on the mound that directly takes away any potential progress that is made with our bats. In the last 2 Friday Night games, we have averaged 7 runs; yet we are 0-2.

The indictment for the "pitch by committee" approach isn't due to seeing what works. It's an indictment on what got us to this point. We just can't pitch.

And 200+ years of baseball history. Throwing fewer pitchers more innings has never ever worked in the history of ever.

We all support the players. I’ve not seen one kid get lambasted here, outside of a few moments during in game threads.

We’re questioning the pitching management by the guys who get paid. And for good reason.

[Dad04]

I just think it's absolutely foolish to even think of this scenario at this point in the season. This is what you call realizing that you have barely mediocre pitching after 43 frickin games. It's mind boggling.

The choice is this or keep doing the same thing. What is there to lose after giving up 32 runs to some school 90% of college baseball doesn't even know exists?

[CajunVic]

Since “what has worked for 200 years” is not working now with this staff and “we just can’t pitch” is the sentiment, why not give a different concept a chance?

[Dad04]

And 200+ years of baseball history. Throwing fewer pitchers more innings has never ever worked in the history of ever.

We all support the players. I’ve not seen one kid get lambasted here, outside of a few moments during in game threads.

We’re questioning the pitching management by the guys who get paid. And for good reason.

Responsibility belongs with the decisions makers. The kids are not at fault. The coaches sole purpose is to help put players in position to be successful on an off the field.

College baseball can look very unorthodox. That is built in. The 2023 D1 home run leader Jac Caglianone (Florida) is the Gators' Saturday starter. He has 23 bombs and DH's every game. He is 4-2 on the mound.

[CajunVic]

I’m just an ordinary fan looking for a silver lining and looking forward to our opportunity to shake up the Covid Chickens.

While we must realize the competition was light this week, no one can say that use of a pitching rotation by committee for those two games did not reach the ultimate goals:

a) Two Wins; and

b) Our entire pitching staff available and on deck to face the Covid Chickens beginning tonight.

And who knows, it may be a great system to not have any Chicken batter face the same pitcher for the second time until Sunday, two days after first seeing that pitcher.

As indicated earlier, under this concept, any pitcher who has been achieving success could go into the third inning and possibly complete that inning.

[ManAboutTown]

Since “what has worked for 200 years” is not working now with this staff and “we just can’t pitch” is the sentiment, why not give a different concept a chance?

Mostly because it has failed everytime it’s been tried. More uncertainty for these pitchers is the opposite of what they need, in my opinion. We need defined roles, adequate rest and communication from the staff to the pitchers exactly what the plan is during the weekend.

You can speak to this better than I can, but isn’t it true Cooper found out he was starting Tuesday minutes before the game? Now, maybe he can handle that kind of handling from the staff but I’ve been around pitching for a long time, as many here have, and I can tell you from my own experience, most pitchers can’t.

[ManAboutTown]

I’m just an ordinary fan looking for a silver lining and looking forward to our opportunity to shake up the Covid Chickens.

While we must realize the competition was light this week, no one can say that use of a pitching rotation by committee for those two games did not reach the ultimate goals:

a) Two Wins; and

b) Our entire pitching staff available and on deck to face the Covid Chickens beginning tonight.

And who knows, it may be a great system to not have any Chicken batter face the same pitcher for the second time until Sunday, two days after first seeing that pitcher.

As indicated earlier, under this concept, any pitcher who has been achieving success could go into the third inning and possibly complete that inning.

I respect your optimism. Playing Devil’s advocate though, if half of the committee is ineffective, by Sunday, we will have burned through a large majority of experienced arms and if we’re good enough to hit our way to a rubber match Sunday, what do you do then?

[CajunVic]

Somebody posted here pretty much the entire rotation used in the 2 midweek games sometime during the Tuesday game, I believe.

So, if Coach Deggs gave the entire pitching staff a couple days notice of the specific rotation he planned on using this week and weekend, are you now on board?