Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
Fall Ball Notebook: Competition Growing Intensely
10/5/2017 1:00:00 PM | Baseball
Through two weeks of fall camp, the Blue Raiders baseball team has hosted eight competitive intra-squad scrimmages. Neither team seems to be giving up ground either, with the Team White winning four, Team Blue winning three and one matchup ending in a 1-1 tie.
In an attempt to prepare the team for the Blue & White World Series, Head Coach Jim McGuire has set scrimmage conditions to simulate a game-time atmosphere, even including official umpires. With only six scrimmages remaining on the schedule until game one of the series, here are some notes and observations of the diamond nine.
McGuire Pleased with Progression on the Mound.
With the addition of new pitching coach Caleb Longshore, the emphasis this fall has been placed on the pitching staff, both old and new, to acclimate to his program as quickly as possible, and they seem to be responding positively.
One of the first things McGuire notes regarding positives from the fall is consistency from his pitching staff.
"The first thing is, I think our depth in the pitching staff has been the best part," McGuire said. "It's not just depth but it's quality depth."
Among the newcomers, freshmen Peyton Wigginton and Zach Keenan have made the most noise on the mound. In three starts, Wigginton has gone 7-1/3 innings while only surrendering one earned run (1.23 ERA) while striking out eight hitters. He's also only allowing a .231 batting average from his opponents.
On the other side, Zach Keenan has made four appearances on the mound, going 12 innings (the most for any pitcher this fall) and only surrendering four earned runs. His strongest outing came in relief work, where he went three innings and only gave up three hits and one unearned run.
However, it's not just the newcomers that have fared well on the mound.
"Our returning guys all look better too. They're all competing for their spots just like everyone else." Coach McGuire added. "We want to build on some of the momentum that showed at the end of last season."
Perhaps the most dominant pitcher for the Blue Raiders this fall is Andy Wright. Coming off a redshirt season where he had Tommy John Surgery, Wright has thrown 6-2/3 innings, while only allowing a 1.45 ERA and an opponent batting average under .180.
Additionally, Carson Lester has looked strong on the mound as well. In four appearances, Lester has only surrendered three earned runs and striking out five batters.
McGuire highlighted that he wanted to see these same strides on the mound as the Blue Raiders get deeper into fall, when pitch counts are extended and pitchers face lineups multiple times through. Though yesterday's scrimmage was the first time he let his starters go beyond two innings.
"We'll be able to tell a lot more when these intrasquads start to go nine or ten innings. That should give us a little better grade on the hitters too." McGuire said.
Newcomers Add Depth in Batter's Box
In 2017, nobody questioned the Blue Raider's ability to hit and score runs. Last season, they were second in C-USA in batting average (only .001 points behind Southern Miss for first) and they averaged almost seven runs scored a game. The Blue Raiders are returning five of their best hitters from last season (Ryan Kemp, Aaron Aucker, Drew Huff, Austin Dennis and Blake Benefield).
However, with the loss of some key bats, the question being asked is, "Can they replace the production in the lineup and duplicate their success?"
Although it's still early, the early returns point to a strong yes. All of the returners have successfully gotten back into the swing of things and many of the newcomers have looked comfortable and confident in the batter's box through eight scrimmages.
LA Woodard, potentially the leading candidate to replace Riley Delgado at shortstop, has caught some eyes as the leadoff spot. On the first pitch of the first scrimmage of the fall, Woodard took a pitch to deep left field for a home run, his first of two thus far. Overall, he's hitting .350 with five walks, four RBIs and four stolen bases.
Additionally, Myles Christian has shown early flashes as well. Christian also has two home runs in eight starts to go with his four runs scored and five RBIs. He has also been versatile on defense, with the ability to be a defensive asset at second base, or anywhere in the outfield (although he has primarily played center and left).
Brett Stratinsky is yet another newcomer that has played well in fall ball. The junior college transfer set the McHenry County College career home runs record in his two years and although he has yet to get his first one at Reese Smith Jr. Field, he has hit .360 with two doubles and three RBIs. Stratinsky, along with Aaron Aucker, has worked mostly at first place trying to lock that spot down.
And although he's not a newcomer, there is something to be said about the way Manny Lopez is playing. Lopez only started seven games last year for the Blue Raiders, but in his 18 games played he showed some potential, hitting .314. However, his momentum built from playing in the Show-Me League this summer has carried over into the fall.
Lopez has started all eight games this fall, and in his five starts for the White team, he's 7-for-11 with two doubles, six runs and seven RBIs. This gives McGuire yet another option in the outfield or as a designated hitter.
Scout Day Standouts
Yesterday's practice/scrimmage gave all of the Blue Raiders the opportunity to show their tools in front of 15 scouts from different organizations in Major League Baseball.
Austin Dennis lead the way for the Blue Raiders, going 2-for-4 with two runs and a run batted in. He also flashed his speed both in workouts, finishing just a half-a-step behind LA Woodard in the 60 yard dash and in game, with three stolen bases.
With his strong performance this summer garnering some hype, Andy Rivera also looked good in his only inning of work. Rivera was the starter for the White team, only giving up one hit and zero walks or runs.
Looking Forward and Beyond
The Blue Raiders host their next scrimmage this Friday at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Next week, scrimmages will be hosted on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Blue and White World Series begins Oct. 26 and will run through Nov. 1. The entire fall schedule is only at GoBlueRaiders.com.
In an attempt to prepare the team for the Blue & White World Series, Head Coach Jim McGuire has set scrimmage conditions to simulate a game-time atmosphere, even including official umpires. With only six scrimmages remaining on the schedule until game one of the series, here are some notes and observations of the diamond nine.
McGuire Pleased with Progression on the Mound.
With the addition of new pitching coach Caleb Longshore, the emphasis this fall has been placed on the pitching staff, both old and new, to acclimate to his program as quickly as possible, and they seem to be responding positively.
One of the first things McGuire notes regarding positives from the fall is consistency from his pitching staff.
"The first thing is, I think our depth in the pitching staff has been the best part," McGuire said. "It's not just depth but it's quality depth."
Among the newcomers, freshmen Peyton Wigginton and Zach Keenan have made the most noise on the mound. In three starts, Wigginton has gone 7-1/3 innings while only surrendering one earned run (1.23 ERA) while striking out eight hitters. He's also only allowing a .231 batting average from his opponents.
On the other side, Zach Keenan has made four appearances on the mound, going 12 innings (the most for any pitcher this fall) and only surrendering four earned runs. His strongest outing came in relief work, where he went three innings and only gave up three hits and one unearned run.
However, it's not just the newcomers that have fared well on the mound.
"Our returning guys all look better too. They're all competing for their spots just like everyone else." Coach McGuire added. "We want to build on some of the momentum that showed at the end of last season."
Perhaps the most dominant pitcher for the Blue Raiders this fall is Andy Wright. Coming off a redshirt season where he had Tommy John Surgery, Wright has thrown 6-2/3 innings, while only allowing a 1.45 ERA and an opponent batting average under .180.
Additionally, Carson Lester has looked strong on the mound as well. In four appearances, Lester has only surrendered three earned runs and striking out five batters.
McGuire highlighted that he wanted to see these same strides on the mound as the Blue Raiders get deeper into fall, when pitch counts are extended and pitchers face lineups multiple times through. Though yesterday's scrimmage was the first time he let his starters go beyond two innings.
"We'll be able to tell a lot more when these intrasquads start to go nine or ten innings. That should give us a little better grade on the hitters too." McGuire said.
Newcomers Add Depth in Batter's Box
In 2017, nobody questioned the Blue Raider's ability to hit and score runs. Last season, they were second in C-USA in batting average (only .001 points behind Southern Miss for first) and they averaged almost seven runs scored a game. The Blue Raiders are returning five of their best hitters from last season (Ryan Kemp, Aaron Aucker, Drew Huff, Austin Dennis and Blake Benefield).
However, with the loss of some key bats, the question being asked is, "Can they replace the production in the lineup and duplicate their success?"
Although it's still early, the early returns point to a strong yes. All of the returners have successfully gotten back into the swing of things and many of the newcomers have looked comfortable and confident in the batter's box through eight scrimmages.
LA Woodard, potentially the leading candidate to replace Riley Delgado at shortstop, has caught some eyes as the leadoff spot. On the first pitch of the first scrimmage of the fall, Woodard took a pitch to deep left field for a home run, his first of two thus far. Overall, he's hitting .350 with five walks, four RBIs and four stolen bases.
Additionally, Myles Christian has shown early flashes as well. Christian also has two home runs in eight starts to go with his four runs scored and five RBIs. He has also been versatile on defense, with the ability to be a defensive asset at second base, or anywhere in the outfield (although he has primarily played center and left).
Brett Stratinsky is yet another newcomer that has played well in fall ball. The junior college transfer set the McHenry County College career home runs record in his two years and although he has yet to get his first one at Reese Smith Jr. Field, he has hit .360 with two doubles and three RBIs. Stratinsky, along with Aaron Aucker, has worked mostly at first place trying to lock that spot down.
And although he's not a newcomer, there is something to be said about the way Manny Lopez is playing. Lopez only started seven games last year for the Blue Raiders, but in his 18 games played he showed some potential, hitting .314. However, his momentum built from playing in the Show-Me League this summer has carried over into the fall.
Lopez has started all eight games this fall, and in his five starts for the White team, he's 7-for-11 with two doubles, six runs and seven RBIs. This gives McGuire yet another option in the outfield or as a designated hitter.
Scout Day Standouts
Yesterday's practice/scrimmage gave all of the Blue Raiders the opportunity to show their tools in front of 15 scouts from different organizations in Major League Baseball.
Austin Dennis lead the way for the Blue Raiders, going 2-for-4 with two runs and a run batted in. He also flashed his speed both in workouts, finishing just a half-a-step behind LA Woodard in the 60 yard dash and in game, with three stolen bases.
With his strong performance this summer garnering some hype, Andy Rivera also looked good in his only inning of work. Rivera was the starter for the White team, only giving up one hit and zero walks or runs.
Looking Forward and Beyond
The Blue Raiders host their next scrimmage this Friday at Reese Smith Jr. Field. Next week, scrimmages will be hosted on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Blue and White World Series begins Oct. 26 and will run through Nov. 1. The entire fall schedule is only at GoBlueRaiders.com.
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