https://x.com/64analytics/status/2061416049128411271?s=46&t=lMa7F-gR141SbjqqmdY87A
I wish we could merge Odom and Pollard into one coach. Their strengths/weaknesses kinda complement one another.
I have zero doubt about Pollard’s ability to acquire talent. He is clearly one of the best recruiters in the game. And we’re probably making too big of a deal about his ability to “win the big one” but I think questions about roster construction and development are possibly appropriate (or at least something to monitor).
This season is hard to evaluate. On one hand, losing a HOF coach and actually having a better season than last year is a good thing. On the other hand, we are obviously well resourced and put together a roster that was ranked in the top 10 at one point.
This offseason and next year will be critical. I don’t think it’s inappropriate to expect to either host next year or make Supers. There’s a lot of young talent on the roster and I imagine we will be aggressive in the portal. I’m going to wait until this time next year to really evaluate Pollard and staff.
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I went back and read @UVApride7 ’s summary of the Pollard hire. It all pretty much tracked - although he didn’t have the horses in the pen this year. I’m hopeful that can be addressed.
That said, I abhor the hitting philosophy. I watch it nightly with the Orioles. Analytics love the exit velo and the strategy but it leads to a lot of cold streaks. It seems some of my Orioles have have finally rebelled against their organizational philosophy (a couple even now employing their own hitting coaches) after the Ben McDonald comments and shocker fundamentals and offense has improved,
I hope there’s a bit of an introspective by the team here in their approach for next year. Hit to contact - especially with college defenses. Jump on those mistakes early in the count - don’t waste a good pitch in hopes of a better pitch. Seems odd to suggest theirs rhythm in baseball, but there is and we spoiled a lot of it.
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