What's the difference between last year's team and this year's team? I haven't been able to watch many games this season. What are the deficiencies from this year's team vs last year's team? Pitching, hitting, infield defense or outfield? Or a combo of the aforementioned?
Leadership as well Langford, BT and Rivera all brought that last year and we don't have it this year.
Two things.... Night and Day Here's a different sort of list. Third baseman Left Fielder Catcher Designated Hitters Back Ups Friday Starter Saturday Starter Mid Week Starter Relievers Closer Leaders Only real improvements are right fielder and Jac's pitching.
Beyond the lack of team leadership- which I see as vital for a winning team- the most striking aspect of this team is how many guys one would have expected to have good to great years have regressed. The list is a long one. That fact,plus we failed to secure major contributors in the Portal-- yes, I count Shelton as one of the guys that regressed. Garrison was solid but now out. Still a chance to get to e Regional but have to significantly up our game as our SEC schedule gets as tough as it gets.
Nobody at the level of Waldrup, Sproat, or Langford. Maybe Cags has elevated his pitching to the Sproat level and hitting to the Langford level. But we really don't have another truly elite pitcher or position player. We have some good ones and some that show potential but not this year.
Well that, and timely hiitting, untimely k’s, no range in the infield, minimal arm strength in the infield, no true team leaders…
Last year we hit .267/.366/.504 in SEC games and averaged 6.8 runs. This year it's .238/.341/.441 and averaging 5.1 runs.
I was hoping the the bigger the NIL, the more wins.. Has certainly helped AU in recruiting, being able to offer full rides like rest have last 20 years. But they havent used it to hit the portal like football & basketball have. They do have a few transfer starters, but just guys from Jax St, UAB, etc they always get. Think this is more of a Butch philosophy though, if not a fit(off field) hes not interested.
Certainly part of it; here's just looking at the difference in starting pitching in conference play: 2023: 5 IP per start, 1.53 WHIP(+HBP), 5.16 ERA, .216 BAA, .396 SLGA, .345 OBPA, .742 OPSA, 1 3B 2024: 4.1 IP per start, 1.84 WHIP(+HBP), 7.25 ERA, .279 BAA, .504 SLGA, .386 OBPA, .890 OPSA, 4 3B Go GATORS! ,WESGATORS
Just seems to be one of those points at which either the development Of the players or the evaluation of their potentials just didn’t ‘hit’ with this cycle. Hopefully the next batch of highly regarded recruits that Sully always brings in will be the real deal. At the D 1 level:
