2024 Texas Baseball

[Rickylovesweed 14262]

5 minutes ago, chase25 said:

Skenes wasn’t Skenes until this year. His last year at Air Force he was topping out at 95. Burns had a phenomenal Freshman year, struggled a little bit this year but that was true of pitching across the board for the most part. Biggest thing he struggled with was keeping the ball in the park. Allowed 10 HRs in 72 IP, still coupled that with 114 Ks to just 22 walks.

He is the best pitcher in the portal.

 

Huh? Skenes had a 2.73 ERA last year with 96 strikeouts in 85.2 innings pitched. That's also while having 153 at bats. Skenes was already really damn good and focusing just on pitching was always going to be big for his improvement on the mound. 

I think Burns definitely has the most upside in the portal but I don't think he's anywhere close to as a "sure thing" as Skenes. 

[Rickylovesweed 14262]

Also, Burns struggled more than "just a little bit" this past year. 

He was hammered in the middle of SEC play giving up 7 earned runs to Missouri, 6 earned runs to aggy, 5 earned runs to LSU, and 7 earned runs to Florida. Tennessee had no choice but to move him to the pen. 

With all that said, Burns definitely has Friday night stuff and I can understand why teams would try to money whip him. He's a top talent that just hasn't been able to put it all together. 

[chase25 2048]

25 minutes ago, Rickylovesweed said:

Huh? Skenes had a 2.73 ERA last year with 96 strikeouts in 85.2 innings pitched. That's also while having 153 at bats. Skenes was already really damn good and focusing just on pitching was always going to be big for his improvement on the mound. 

I think Burns definitely has the most upside in the portal but I don't think he's anywhere close to as a "sure thing" as Skenes. 

You and everybody thought Skenes was going to add 5 mph to his fastball in one offseason and be able to hit triple digits with it 40+ times in one outing? I don’t think anyone saw that type of improvement coming.

He had 96 strikeouts in 85 innings in a 1 bid conference whose best team UNLV finished 111 in the RPI. The two best teams he faced were Texas and Iowa. In those 2 starts he went 7.1 IP, 14 hits, 10 runs (8 earned), 2 walks, and 12 strikeouts. Good for a 9.82 ERA. 

I know he was playing both ways but to be as dominant as he has been coupled with the jump in competition, no one saw coming.

LSU did with Skenes what you do with anybody, which is bet on their upside, he wasn’t a sure thing. Burns had an average Sophomore year that followed him being a 1st team Freshman All American and 3rd team All American in 2022. 

Just saying people always evaluate with hindsight. 

Edited June 25, 2023 by chase25

[Rickylovesweed 14262]

21 minutes ago, chase25 said:

You and everybody thought Skenes was going to add 5 mph to his fastball in one offseason and be able to hit triple digits with it 40+ times in one outing? I don’t think anyone saw that type of improvement coming.

 

I thought Skenes was definitely going to improve once his focus was on pitching. The strikeout numbers were insane in both his FR and So seasons while being a 2-way player. 

The guy had a 2.70 ERA in 100 innings pitched (combining 2 seasons) while being in the lineup on days he wasn't pitching. Regardless of the competition, that's elite-level talent. How much of an improvement was I expecting? No clue but it was pretty obvious Skenes was already damn good with room for improvement if he focused on pitching. 

But you are right there were some questions based on level of competition and struggles against the top competition. 

Edited June 25, 2023 by Rickylovesweed

[chase25 2048]

22 minutes ago, Rickylovesweed said:

I thought Skenes was definitely going to improve once his focus was on pitching. The strikeout numbers were insane in both his FR and So seasons while being a 2-way player. 

The guy had a 2.70 ERA in 100 innings pitched (combining 2 seasons) while being in the lineup on days he wasn't pitching. Regardless of the competition, that's elite-level talent. How much of an improvement was I expecting? No clue but it was pretty obvious Skenes was already damn good with room for improvement if he focused on pitching. 

Not going to continue to hound the point but you evaluate the upside and what you project someone to be. That’s what I’m saying. Everybody now knows that Skenes is a generational talent, nothing about pitching well in the Mountain West says “sure thing”. If that’s how it worked then Chase Burns would have dominated this year after posting a 2.91 ERA his Freshman year.

There isn’t a single program that isn’t calling Burns first if they feel like they have a shot to land him.

Skenes had 112.1 IP with 126 strikeouts against average at best competition.

Burns had 152.1 IP with 217 strikeouts against the best competition in baseball.

The same points you are making for Skenes you could make for Burns had Chase Burns spent the first 2 years of his career in the Mountain West.

Edited June 25, 2023 by chase25

[Rickylovesweed 14262]

2 minutes ago, chase25 said:

Not going to continue to hound the point but you evaluate the upside and what you project someone to be. That’s what I’m saying. Everybody knows now that Skenes is a generational talent, nothing about pitching well in the Mountain West says “sure thing”. If that’s how it worked then Chase Burns would have dominated this year after posting a 2.91 ERA his Freshman year.

There isn’t a single program that isn’t calling Burns first if they feel like they have a shot to land him.

Skenes had 112.1 IP with 126 strikeouts against average at best competition.

Burns had 152.1 IP with 217 strikeouts against the best competition in baseball.

The same points you are making for Skenes you could make for Burns had Chase Burns spent the first 2 years of his career in the Mountain West.

Oh I agree, Burns has an insane upside and I understand why teams would want him. My main point was that I think Burns being a stud Friday night guy is much more projection than it was with Skenes. 

The problem with Burns is it's going to take top dollar to land him. Would you prefer Burns over the Bama/Xavier starters who are also good options and potentially arms you could get for cheaper while left-over NIL resources could be allocated to other portal options? 

 

 

[Had Enough 2078]

The wildcard is the cost. I think you go after Burns unless the cost is extraordinary and limits other objectives.

It’s worth noting that Burns finished giving up 1 HR in his last 25 or so innings. Only 5 runs with 3 in one outing. Also as a team, Tenn was giving up HRs during that time from what I recall. Dollander had a stretch of 10 straight games giving up a HR. He only had 17 more IPs and 4 more HRs given up.

You have to at least kick those tires.

[chase25 2048]

Not all that surprising if true

 

[Hookem2147 21194]

1 hour ago, chase25 said:

Not all that surprising if true

 

Known troll account

 

[Hookem2147 21194]

nvm

Edited June 26, 2023 by Hookem2147

[Fletch 5800]

On 6/24/2023 at 3:53 PM, Balcones said:

2021? Nixon, Witt and Hanson? Almost all of our post-season wins and saves that season were from these guys. Pretty sure they were all Freshmen All-Americans that season too.

 

On 6/24/2023 at 8:09 PM, Balcones said:

That wasn’t his point. He was asking for elite freshmen pitching.

Hanson was a Freshman All American in 2021. I guess COVID.

Yeah Witt was obviously great as a freshman, same as Nixon. But I’m talking more of the Chance Ruffin, Taylor Jungmann, Brandon Workman, Dillon Peters types. Dudes that are weekend starters the second they step on campus 

[Rickylovesweed 14262]

Based on reports on other sites, twitter, and who coaches have followed these are the portal players I believe Texas has an interest in. A lot of big names. 

Pitchers: 

Chase Burns (Tennessee SP-moved to bullpen)

Luke Holman (Alabama SP)

Ethan Bosacker (Xavier SP)

Craig Yoho (Indiana relief pitcher)

Sam Garewall (Northwestern SP)

Payton Tolle (Wichita St SP-two way player)

Conner Thurman (San Diego relief pitcher)

James Gladden (VCU SP)

Outfield: 

Clayton Chadwick (Sam Houston State)

Mac Bingham (Arizona-draft risk)

Infielder:

Cannon Peebles (NC State catcher)

Kolby Branch (Baylor SS)

Elijah Hainline (Washington State SS/3B)

Christian Almanza (St Mary's 1B)

Jakob Christian (D2 1B and OF) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fletch 5800]

Just based off proximity, Branch and Chadwick seem likely to end up here. I’m guessing Branch was recruited by Rodriguez. Thurman may be a safe bet too considering our run of west coast studs. So can we have those 3, Peebles and Bosacker plz?

[Rickylovesweed 14262]

10 minutes ago, Fletch said:

Just based off proximity, Branch and Chadwick seem likely to end up here. I’m guessing Branch was recruited by Rodriguez. Thurman may be a safe bet too considering our run of west coast studs. So can we have those 3, Peebles and Bosacker plz?

Well if that happens Texas is going to be a top 5 preseason team next year so I'm on board. 

[Fletch 5800]

11 minutes ago, Rickylovesweed said:

Well if that happens Texas is going to be a top 5 preseason team next year so I'm on board. 

Fuck it, get Holman and Burns while we’re at it. We’re Texas dammit 

[Hookem2147 21194]

OB Mod portal update:

Texas misses out on DII power hitting transfer 1B Jakob Christian. He was down to Ole Miss and Texas but choses to stay closer to home and will attend San Diego.

Texas is very much in contention for a Non P5 3B that is in the final stages. He had a very productive year and would add some fire power to the lineup.

[Hookem2147 21194]

I wonder if this is the 3B he's referencing

https://gotigersgo.com/sports/baseball/roster/logan-kohler/10460

[Fletch 5800]

35 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

I wonder if this is the 3B he's referencing

https://gotigersgo.com/sports/baseball/roster/logan-kohler/10460

Hit .306 with 17 homers. Yes please 

Assuming he comes here and Powell stays, do we slot this dude at 3rd, put Powell at first and Thomas in right? Or keep Thomas at first and have Powell play left?

Edited June 26, 2023 by Fletch

[HenryJames 66037]

 

[Hondo 682]

We need to answer the question of "Why would a kid choose LSU/Baton Rouge, LA over UTexas/Austin?" and figure out a solution.  There's no reason we shouldn't be the Alabama of baseball and get pretty much whoever we want, but as it is, Tommy White, Dylan Crews, and Paul Skenes are wearing purple and yellow.

 

[Hookem2147 21194]

48 minutes ago, Hondo said:

We need to answer the question of "Why would a kid choose LSU/Baton Rouge, LA over UTexas/Austin?" and figure out a solution.  There's no reason we shouldn't be the Alabama of baseball and get pretty much whoever we want, but as it is, Tommy White, Dylan Crews, and Paul Skenes are wearing purple and yellow.

 

It’s a real my$tery.

[Hondo 682]

8 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

It’s a real my$tery.

That may be the answer to the question, but it begs another question - how does that happen?  Does LSU really have more money than Texas?  Does the LSU alumni base have more money than the Texas alumni base?  Does Baton Rouge have more money than Austin?

[Levi 2585]

6 minutes ago, Hondo said:

That may be the answer to the question, but it begs another question - how does that happen?  Does LSU really have more money than Texas?  Does the LSU alumni base have more money than the Texas alumni base?  Does Baton Rouge have more money than Austin?

It’s helps when the CEO of Marucci is a Lsu alum. 

[Hookem2147 21194]

Just now, Hondo said:

That may be the answer to the question, but it begs another question - how does that happen?  Does LSU really have more money than Texas?  Does the LSU alumni base have more money than the Texas alumni base?  Does Baton Rouge have more money than Austin?

Does LSU have more money than Texas? Probably not. But when you get a 7 figure donation from Marucci in a sport like baseball it is going to put you about 10 steps ahead of everyone when it comes to the NIL game. Baseball isn’t a sport that people are usually lining up to give buckets of money towards. It’s not a money maker for 90% of schools. 

There seems to a lot of fans who just assume we are the leader in everything NIL without realizing there is actually action required to make that happen.

[Hookem2147 21194]

I don’t keep repeating the same point to be an ass. It’s just the reality and I don’t think all of our fans have accepted it. Many still seem to believe we are oozing NIL money and it’s some other thing that is keeping high profile transfers from Texas.

We aren’t broke by any means. It’s gotten better. But it needs to continue to improve if we want to be competitive against the best of the best.

Donations are still be matched through June so feel free to help out. Baseball donations go even further than majority of sports because most of these guys aren’t on full rides.

https://gift.idonate.com/texas-one/baseball

Edited June 27, 2023 by Hookem2147

[Hondo 682]

Yeah, I get it.  My questions were more rhetorical than anything.  I've taken a lot of flack in other threads for saying "being Texas isn't enough anymore."  

There's zero reason we should be sucking hind tit to LSU in baseball, Alabama/Georgia/LSU in football, and Kansas in basketball.

Texas should be able to manage being the top dog in at least one major sport.

[Etexhorn13 3045]

5 minutes ago, Hondo said:

Yeah, I get it.  My questions were more rhetorical than anything.  I've taken a lot of flack in other threads for saying "being Texas isn't enough anymore."  

There's zero reason we should be sucking hind tit to LSU in baseball, Alabama/Georgia/LSU in football, and Kansas in basketball.

Texas should be able to manage being the top dog in at least one major sport.

Sure, but google Jack Marucci and you have your answer. 

[David Dennison 18848]

1 hour ago, Hondo said:

We need to answer the question of "Why would a kid choose LSU/Baton Rouge, LA over UTexas/Austin?" and figure out a solution.  There's no reason we shouldn't be the Alabama of baseball and get pretty much whoever we want, but as it is, Tommy White, Dylan Crews, and Paul Skenes are wearing purple and yellow.

 

They might not want to go to school with a bunch of bed-wetting libtards.

/s

[tx 3 putt 76869]

1 hour ago, Levi said:

It’s helps when the CEO of Marucci is a Lsu alum. 

the Marucci connection is huge 

[Kyrie Eleison 9312]

Jack Marucci was director of training (now director of sports innovation) at LSU for 25 yrs, and his company is headquartered in Baton Rouge.  it’s an advantage.  
 

and Hondo…fyi, Dylan Crews came to LSU out of high school, not by way of the portal.  in fact, the only position player out of the portal is Tommy White, the rest were signed out of HS. 

[chase25 2048]

LSU getting #7 will hopefully nudge everyone involved with baseball from donors on down. 

If we are going to judge Pierce against his peers, we are going to have to put him on a level playing field. 

High school recruiting is on the up swing in a big way. Next step is making sure we are in a position with NIL to do what LSU did this year. Maybe not on the same scale, because I doubt Texas will ever have 1 million to throw around in a single season in the near future, but at least at the level where we can go out and get an elite arm when we feel like everything is in place to make a run at a title.

[RollingPresidential 632]

What's the money difference we're dealing with?

[closetohumping 17434]

8 hours ago, David Dennison said:

They might not want to go to school with a bunch of bed-wetting libtards.

/s

[Kyrie Eleison 9312]

9 hours ago, Levi said:

It’s helps when the CEO of Marucci is a Lsu alum. 

he’s not an LSU alum…he graduated from West Virginia and did his masters and interned at Alabama.  

[BurntOrange&White 39930]

2 hours ago, RollingPresidential said:

What's the money difference we're dealing with?

I've heard like 3 to 1 ratio.

[HenryJames 66037]

 

[torre 1285]

9 hours ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

Jack Marucci was director of training (now director of sports innovation) at LSU for 25 yrs, and his company is headquartered in Baton Rouge.  it’s an advantage.  
 

and Hondo…fyi, Dylan Crews came to LSU out of high school, not by way of the portal.  in fact, the only position player out of the portal is Tommy White, the rest were signed out of HS. 

Congrats on a great run.

Impressed by Jay Johnson's demeanor and ability to keep the players focused as a team.   Like most Californians, he is very cerebral and articulate.  He does have a unique style where he seems to make all in game decisions (including calling the pitches) without input from his assistants.   At least as portrayed on TV.    Will be interesting to see who replaces pitching coach Wes Johnson.

[UnhappilyMarried 815]

I was very much against LSU winning, but the same way A&M’s 2022 class spurred us into action, LSU printing the road map to modern success hopefully can be a catalyst 

[troph 24781]

yeah it's clear LSU is way out in front on this one. no reason we can't catch up and be perennial top 5 in NIL money. just needs to be done now that buying championships or at least championship rosters is legal. it's no different than MLB payroll fights - more is always better and will always put you at an advantage.

Edited June 27, 2023 by troph

[BillyGoatHill 4312]

We need to answer the question of "Why would a kid choose LSU/Baton Rouge, LA over UTexas/Austin?" and figure out a solution.  There's no reason we shouldn't be the Alabama of baseball and get pretty much whoever we want, but as it is, Tommy White, Dylan Crews, and Paul Skenes are wearing purple and yellow.
 

C’mon man. Pretty simple for those 3….
….

[Levi 2585]

5 hours ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

he’s not an LSU alum…he graduated from West Virginia and did his masters and interned at Alabama.  

https://lsusports.net/sports/bsb/roster/player/kurt-ainsworth/
 

I was going off of this. 

[Kyrie Eleison 9312]

39 minutes ago, Levi said:

https://lsusports.net/sports/bsb/roster/player/kurt-ainsworth/
 

I was going off of this. 

Kurt Ainsworth's bio?

[Levi 2585]

5 minutes ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

Kurt Ainsworth's bio?

Yeah, the google machine says he is the CEO. 

[Kyrie Eleison 9312]

Try this...

https://lsusports.net/staff/jack-marucci/

Quote

Marucci graduated from West Virginia in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in athletic training and then gained his master’s from Alabama in 1988, serving as a graduate assistant trainer for the Crimson Tide from 1986-88. He also worked with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1987 and the Cleveland Browns in 1985.

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by Kyrie Eleison

[Levi 2585]

10 minutes ago, Kyrie Eleison said:

Try this...

https://lsusports.net/staff/jack-marucci/

 

I don’t really know what angle you’re taking here unless I’m confused. The current CEO of Marucci is an LSU alum. Jack and Kurt co-founded the company. 

[cmontexas 3270]

We havent had a player drafted in the top 30 since Jungmann in 2011. L$U has multiple guys every year.

Pierce is a good coach that can take mid teams and win his regional and get to Omaha every few years. Im not seeing how that is even close to Alabama of baseball

[Hookem2147 21194]

23 minutes ago, cmontexas said:

We havent had a player drafted in the top 30 since Jungmann in 2011. L$U has multiple guys every year.

LSU has not had multiple players drafted in the top 30 overall since 1994.

 

lol

[Hookem2147 21194]

Your boy Chadwick is off the board to Georgia @Rickylovesweed

 

[tx 3 putt 76869]

Very damn cool …

 

 

Edited June 27, 2023 by tx 3 putt

[tx 3 putt 76869]

6 hours ago, troph said:

yeah it's clear LSU is way out in front on this one. no reason we can't catch up and be perennial top 5 in NIL money. just needs to be done now that buying championships or at least championship rosters is legal. it's no different than MLB payroll fights - more is always better and will always put you at an advantage.

that Marucci money is hard to match. A winning lsu is great for their brand. Curious if there are tax advantages for NiL money or it’s just part of their marketing budget