I know one is just returning to the program in Becker, but technically we landed the top two players in the portal according to 64analytics.
Any chance Nick makes it to Grounds too?
It’s by no means a final projected lineup yet, still got quite a ways to go but with the Becker news we’re at least beginning to get a sense of what next year’s starting nine could look like:
- AJ Gracia, CF
- Eric Becker, SS
- Joe Tiroly, 2B
- Sam Harris, 1B
- Kyle Johnson, DH
- Luke Hanson, 3B
- Noah Murray, RF
- Jake Weatherspoon, C
- Zach Jackson, LF
Again a LOT of this is subject to change based on more of our guys taking their name out of the portal, and also HS commits that make it onto Grounds being factors for us day one. I think the only stone cold locks to be in our lineup are Gracia, Becker, and Harris, even Tiroly who will probably be a starter isn’t a 100% guarantee. But with Becker and Gracia at the top of the lineup, you are guaranteed to have one of the best 1-2 punches offensively in the country. Would like to get back Aiden Harris and Walker Buchanan for some more OF depth, and maybe add another catcher to compete with Weatherspoon and incoming 1st year Thomas O’Connell. Gonna be a balancing act with the shortened roster though, we’re already starting to reach the problem of running out of spots.
He’s projected to go in the first 50 or so picks pretty much all across the board in draft mocks, so it’s gonna come down to how much he wants to play a season with his brother.
You don’t think Tiroly is a lock? Just too hard to project up a level?
Yeah pretty much. I don’t want it to come across like I’m saying it’s not likely he starts, because it is. Would say it’s highly likely. But wouldn’t consider it 100%, sometimes guys struggle making the jump up and we do have really solid infield depth now, especially if some of these HS guys end up making it here.
Yeah I assume Noah Murray will put up a fight for the job. He started 9 games for Duke last year. Ultimately they probably both start, as you suggest.
What’s the story with Zach Jackson? Any reason why you’d pencil him in as a starter over others?
To be honest he’s kind of a placeholder there as the only LFer we have on the roster right now outside of Johnson, who I suspect will be DHing quite a bit if he continues to be a two way player. Don’t wanna project a player that’s still in the portal for us or a HS prospect when we still have the draft to get through so he’s there for the time being until we have a more clear roster picture.
Jackson is talented though, good arm from the outfield along with great speed. He’s putting up really solid stats in the Appalachian League so far this summer.
What do you think Kyle Johnson’s role looks like? Obviously the easy answer is it depends how his game improves but curios where he will slot in, both as a pitcher and hitter/fielder.
I would have him part of the weekend rotation right now as either the Friday or Saturday night starter along with Zatkowski. Pollard is extremely high on him as a two way player but I do wonder if he starts to focus more on the pitching side of things this season, I think that’s where his future is as a pro. Could limit his AB’s if that’s the case.
If he does make the starting lineup I suspect it would be mostly as a DH, with a couple spot starts as a corner outfielder.
I imagine we’d say something similar about Stroman, if he’s even on the team? Obviously less experienced than KJ so probably fewer reps/less likely to start but he’s similarly very talented.
Yeah it would be a similar trajectory. I think Stroman’s future is more than likely on the mound, he’s still pretty raw as a prospect but the stuff this summer has been very good. Been up to 97 on his fastball with a good amount of cut, just like his brother. I don’t think he’d be in the weekend rotation right off the rip or anything but he could be a really valuable high leverage reliever as a first year and maybe get some starts in the midweek.
The main concern about him as a position player has been his bat. The fielding/athleticism are great, the power is great, but he strikes out a ton. And with his potential growing as a pitcher that might be enough to have his hitting take a backseat.
Yoder could project as a Sunday guy, I’d think. 94 with a plus curve….
I think it’s gonna depend on how we finish up our portal recruiting. If Bryson Moore comes back you could have your weekend rotation right there with Johnson/Moore/Zatkowski. Or if you add in Proksch or Healy, assuming they don’t get drafted they would factor in as well.
Better to give ourselves options though, and Pollard isn’t gonna be shy about giving all the arms at his disposal opportunities.
Expected but officially official now
Unexpected. My speculation is that he saw the number that Tennessee threw at Ford.
I imagine we’re not going to push too hard to keep him, as he’s likely gone regardless and we’ve got a pretty full infield. Also, like the kid, but he had a disappointing season. Sub .900 OPS is pretty ugly for someone with his abilities.