BearsTruth Board

I have basically kept up the same as you, although it appears as we have one ace on the staff who has pitched lights out so far this year. Trent Black is 6-0 with a 1.76 era.

Blank got a few of those wins in relief at beginning of year. Athough he has thrown really well. They moved him to Saturday starter. Him and Turley have been pretty solid for us. Other than a bad stretch where we played 6 games in 6 days the team has been pretty solid. Don't think there are many teams that have enough pitching to cover that stretch, plus the bats went a little cold.

which of our pitchers are pro prospects (both starters and bullpen)?

who are our best position players?

calling lawbu...

is cooter on this board??

Both Josh Turley and Trent Blank are pitching effectively. Blank dropped his arm slot from overhand to sidearm during the season last year, and it has really been a good move for him. I'm glad Steve Smith moved him into the Saturday starter slot. Don't know that either is a strong pro prospect; Turley is a soft-toss lefty, but he's very effective. I've heard it said that if you're left handed and can throw strikes, you can play major league baseball for a long time. Perhaps that will work for him.

In my opinion, first-baseman Max Muncy, catcher Josh Ludy and centerfielder Logan Vick are our best position players. Vick has bounced back very nicely from a subpar sophomore season caused primarily by a lingering injury. He is leading the Big 12 in doubles, is supremely patient at the plate with a good eye and is a superior defensive outfielder, reminding many of Chris Durbin with his instincts and range. Ludy and Muncy have been consistent hitters all season, and Ludy seems to be doing a nice job handling the pitching staff. This year, Smith moved Cal Towey from the outfield to third base and Jake Miller from third to shortstop; both moves have solidified our infield defense. Also, since Smith made Lawton Langford the starting second baseman, the offense has really picked up. Langford lacks power but is a good contact hitter and gets on base a lot. Finally, transfer Nathan Orf is working out nicely in the DH spot and also playing a little outfield; he came here as a catcher.

How's Jake been hitting?

He throws a good tailgate.

Two guys have come out of nowhere to solidify some important spots. Blanks moving to the weekend has really gone a long way in unmuddling our weekend picture on the mound. The other guy is Langford. Who knew he would do what he has offensively. Since he was moved to leadoff, we have really taken off offensively. .500+ OB% and rarely ever has a poor AB.

The offensive approach of this team as a whole seems to mirror its "team first" attitude. More than half our lineup has a .400+ OB%.

We have nobody who is overpowering on the mound. But, we have alot of guys with a good assortment of ammunition they are willing to use in any count. Velocity is way overrated without deception. If it is a big pitch, you are very likely to get something with some sort of wrinkle in it from this group.

Going back to when Muncy, Vick, and Langford were freshmen we have done a great job of recruiting high baseball IQ guys, so it seems. It has continued with Orf, Brown, Toth, and Howard. This is no accident, IMO. We are recruiting unselfish guys with speed who understand the game and it is showing on the field.

Smith has also brought in a "mental coach" this season. The guy we are using has worked with various college and high school teams. I was told by a local high school coach that the same "mental coach" told him that the Baylor players have bought into his philosophies more than any group he has worked with. His comment before the season started was to "watch out for Baylor. Those kids get it". What ultimate effect it ends up providing in the end? Who knows. But it certainly doesn't appear to have hurt.

This group certainly appears to be more engaged and involved than the last several editions. I noticed it -- and was pleasantly surprised -- in the opening game. Couldn't believe that, from the first inning on, the guys on the bench were standing on the top dugout step, "chattering" throughout. Maybe it's the mental coach, maybe it's the high baseball IQ, whatever, but they're certainly producing right now.

I was, frankly worried that Mitch Thompson's sudden departure might cause a problem, and in the short run, we had our worst stretch of the season so far. But over the last two weeks or so, the team really has played well. Even though we play the majority of our conference games on the road after this weekend, I am excited about the potential for winning a league championship.

also fantastic info. much appreciated.

I am intrigued by this team. the mid season firing was very strange, but the team seems to have responded.