2010 outfield

Zona · June 16th, 2009, 03:06 AM

I'm beginning to think it will look like this

LF-Dugas
CF-Judd Golson (assuming the Yankees don't throw wads of cash at hom)
RF-Andrew Miller

Wells loved him some Golson when he signed, and if the Yankees did too, then I suppose he's someone who can run and hopefully can hit a little bit. I think Miller will be a guy who challenges for SEC Freshman of the Year.

Regardless, with the veterans we've got coming back, we can bury these two near the bottom of the order, place low expectations on them and let them get their feet wet.

Just curious to what everyone else thinks. I'm not even sure who else among the signees/returning players can play OF.

baseballfanatic · June 16th, 2009, 08:02 AM

Forgive my ignorance, but could you provide a little info on Judd? I'm not familiar with many of our past committments, so I don't know too much about much of the team except the starters and what the Media Guide tells me haha.

Zona · June 16th, 2009, 12:34 PM

spring signee from Mountain Brook, drafted in 31st round by Yankees. I don't know any stats, but Wells loves his speed

resmith · June 16th, 2009, 05:43 PM

	Quote:	baseballfanatic
	Forgive my ignorance, but could you provide a little info on Judd? I'm not familiar with many of our past committments, so I don't know too much about much of the team except the starters and what the Media Guide tells me haha.

I saw Judd play both FB and baseball in HS. He played some QB due to injuries, but was better at WR. He is an excellent athlete with good range and good instincts in the outfield. He is not super fast, but has above average speed, and seems to get good breaks on the ball off the bat. He also has an above average arm.
I am not sure how well he will deal with SEC pitching, but that is one area where our current coaching staff seems to do very well. I would be surprised to see him starting from the first day, but expect that he will play a lot. And, if he can just hit a little bit, then he ought to be starting by the time conference play rolls around because of his defensive skills.

bamamick · June 16th, 2009, 09:03 PM

Where do you think Brandon is going to play?

rtr

Love the Ping · June 16th, 2009, 09:38 PM

I have heard great things about Andrew Miller and think he will start from very early on. I haven't seen Golson play baseball. I saw him play football and he was very impressive but I don't know about his ability on the diamond. I assume he has potential.

crimsonkelly · June 16th, 2009, 11:50 PM

	Quote:	bamamick
	Where do you think Brandon is going to play? rtr

I think he will be in LF and the days he isn't there, he will be DH or 1st base to give Clay a break.

bamamick · June 17th, 2009, 11:24 PM

That's sort of what I thought (left and DH).

rtr

Zona · June 18th, 2009, 03:07 AM

I've always thought May was better suited for DH, since he's not that great of a fielder.

I suppose the best offensive lineup would be to have May in LF, Jones at 1B, and another bat (Hendricks, Baca, Smelley, Trotter) at DH.

No idea how good either of the four I mentioned, except Trotter, will be.

GA Tide · June 19th, 2009, 10:38 AM

Zona - wonder why you always dog Brandon May. His 2 errors this year with over 30 games in the field and only 5 errors as a freshman in his 49 games in the field was the best fielding percentage on the team and highest among SEC middle infielders. Last year he played mainly in left, a position he has never played and was first team all-SEC. One thing is for certain he can hit. Which has you surprised when last year you went nuts when he was in the 3 or 4 hole. Over here in Georgia word is he will not come back to be DH, which is unfortuante because it would be nice to eliminate the 15+ errors we average up the middle and have senior leadership.

Hats off to Maneri at LSU for making changes allowing the players to compete. There has never been a level of competing everyday for your position at Alabama under Jim Wells and you wonder why at times they play unemotional and without energy.

JoJoforHeisman · June 19th, 2009, 01:09 PM

	Quote:	GA Tide
	Over here in Georgia word is he will not come back to be DH, which is unfortuante because it would be nice to eliminate the 15+ errors we average up the middle and have senior leadership.

I may be completely off-base here, but are you implying that May would be a better option at second base than Wilson? When evaluating defensive ability, one cannot rely exclusively on an inherently flawed statistic such as fielding percentage (on the other hand, we don't have access to the other defensive metrics such as range factor, etc.). Would May commit fewer errors than Wilson at second base? Sure, it's certainly possible. However, that doesn't take into account the balls that Wilson is capable of getting to that May simply cannot (Keep in mind that May was the Opening Day starter at second in 2008, with Wilson in left. May committed three costly errors in the first two games against Cal Poly, and ended up trading places with Wilson afterward.). In terms of range at the position, there's just no comparison. That's not a knock on May, but a reflection of just how much ground Wilson covers up the middle.

As for May being named First-Team All-SEC after his first season in left, that recognition was based entirely on what he produced at the plate. Whether fair or not, the reality is that All-SEC honors go to the best hitters at each position. He was All-SEC because he can flat-out hit, not because of his prowess afield.

May's opportunity at the next level is likely at second base because that is the position where his bat profiles best. If he returns for his senior season, however, he figures to start at first base or in left field. I just don't see Coach Wells moving Wilson.

Zona · June 20th, 2009, 12:25 AM

	Quote:	GA Tide
	Zona - wonder why you always dog Brandon May. His 2 errors this year with over 30 games in the field and only 5 errors as a freshman in his 49 games in the field was the best fielding percentage on the team and highest among SEC middle infielders. Last year he played mainly in left, a position he has never played and was first team all-SEC. One thing is for certain he can hit. Which has you surprised when last year you went nuts when he was in the 3 or 4 hole. Over here in Georgia word is he will not come back to be DH, which is unfortuante because it would be nice to eliminate the 15+ errors we average up the middle and have senior leadership. Hats off to Maneri at LSU for making changes allowing the players to compete. There has never been a level of competing everyday for your position at Alabama under Jim Wells and you wonder why at times they play unemotional and without energy.

what JoJo said, GaTide. He's not going to get balls that Smith at 3rd and Wilson at 2nd are going to get. He's certainly exceeded what I thought he would do as a hitter after his freshman season when he hit 0 HRs and I'm guessing his best chance at the next level is to prove himself as a fielder, so I'm sure if he does come back, he'll play LF or 1B because I can't see him overtaking Smith or Wilson unless one gets hurt.

GA Tide · June 20th, 2009, 10:41 AM

I am not implying that May should replace Smith or Wilson. Only that when you look at teams like LSU, Georgia, Florida, Ole Miss or other top teams in the country there is one consistent that the other head coaches do that Alabama does not, and that is to foster an environment where you have to compete everyday. This creates toughnes.

We made the trip to Auburn to see the Tide and as an example our CF missed a hit an run and Defazio got burned, then with two outs in the 9th, tried to stretch a line drive off the wall into a double (running through a stop sign) and got thrown out to end the game. In the very next game he started and batted lead off. At any other school he would be watching the next game.

Also any coach would give up a step to eliminate 50% of your errors.