Tank and other questions...

[Bo]

Do yall think Taylor will be used mainly as a starter, reliever, or closer this year? He can contribute anywhere, but I think a Saturday starter might be best for him. What do yall think? Can anyone shed light on why Pete and Chad were kicked off as well? I'm hoping for another good year for Jim and the Diamond Tide. I realize it will be hard to repeat from last year though. Beau Hearod is primed for a big year. What are yalls predections for the year?

 

[JoJoforHeisman]

My guess is that he'll be used primarily as a starter, but you'll have to check with 38 Special or DT on that. He might just turn out to be the ace of the staff. This team has no shortage of talented left-handers that could claim a slot in the weekend rotation, but I would be surprised to see three lefties go in a row.

Again, this is more of a guess, or what I might do (as if that mattered)...
Friday - Tankersley
Saturday - Woodward
Sunday - Norris

*other possibilities include Brent Carter, and maybe Allen Ponder.

The good thing about the arms we have is that nearly all of them have experience both starting and coming out of the pen. Norris is a full-time starter, and Tank will probably be from now on, but guys like Woodward and Carter can come in and pitch at any point in a game.

Brian Reed will return as the stopper. My only concern with him is his tendency to get behind in the count with hitters late in the game. When you've got his velocity (not to mention the "herky-jerky" delivery), you don't have to finesse your way around hitters. Just throw strikes and gun it past 'em. He could be primed for an All-SEC season.

This team is really going to need Beau Hearod to have a big year. He's the main power source in the heart of the order, and will have to pick up a lot of slack, as this team lost a number of talented run-producing hitters. I'm not certain, but he may have been hindered slightly by injury in 2001. I know it forced him to be relegated to DH full-time, but I don't know if his ability at the plate was affected in any minor way. Either way, he had a pretty impressive season, and I look for him to improve upon those numbers in '03. All-SEC candidate for sure.


Stonard and Chad were dismissed for undisclosed reasons, but I am aware that those reasons were pretty serious. I have heard a number of stories, but it's not really my place to elaborate on rumors, so I'll just say that I'm disappointed with the situation, wish the two of them the best, and move on.


It's really too early to tell, but you're right - it will be hard to equal last season's success given the major losses this team has incurred. Brown, Cormier, McClanahan, Stonard, Boyd, Sanders...ouch. Don't count the Tide out, though. The team is young, but the future is bright.

 

[Bo]

I agree, the future is very bright. Especially with a guy like Jim Wells as the skipper. I'm always excited for Alabama baseball. I really got into it when Roberto Vaz, Andy Phillips, Kelly Gulledge, GW Keller, etc. were playing, and I've followed religiously (like football) ever since. We have a pretty good incoming class from the looks of it, but no telling how many will be taken by the draft. RTR

 

[Play Ball!]

I think we will do well this year. However, I believe the better year will be '04. Back to '03, Tank is our Ace. He was probably our most effective pitcher last year. I don't think they used him as a regular weekend starter so they could use him more than once in a weekend to win a game. The best I could describe Tanks role last year was as a trumph card. Look for Beagle, Blakeney, Carter, Mennen, Ponder and LaRocca to give Tank, Norris, Reed, Woodward some support and a run at some jobs. Infield and Outfield is solid. 1B will be ok. If Zac won't take the job, look for more help from Beau or a new JUCO coming in this Spring. Catcher will be a job up for grabs for a few weeks until someone decides to take it, Burns, Hecklinski, Marshall look good there. The team will take a while to find itself, but the potential is good and could turn into a very good team. Pete and Chad had a reoccuring problem. Hopefully for them it gets worked out. Pete is gone, but I think Chad is still in school. Maybe he can be back for next season. Meet the Team/Fan Day is Feb. 9th at the Indoor Practice Facility, I'm looking forward to meeting some of the new guys.

 

[Bo]

Is Spencer still playing baseball? I think he could be a star on baseball, if that was the only thing he focused on. What about Shaud, should we expect him to have significant playing time? RTR

 

[Play Ball!]

Spencer is on the team. If he would stick to baseball he would be one of the best in the conference. However with only playing part-time (no fall workouts) he is really falling behind the rest with each fall he misses. Also, something to consider. He has a new football coach and new offense to learn. If he misses too much baseball this spring I think he will be too far back to catch up. Shaud will have to work big time to get playing time. The outfield is really stacked with players who can play. The only way I can see Shaud getting playing time is with his bat. If he can hit breaking balls he will play, how much is up to him. Coach Wells will give him a chance, but he will have to prove his worth on the field in practice and in game situations. And he will have to make a run early in the season. If he doesn't make a move by SEC play, forget it, Coach Wells will be through experimenting by then. His speed will help, but there is a difference in speed and knowing how to run the bases. Hopefully he will be a real plus. I would like to see him and Spencer do well. Another one is Avalos, heard he is a talent in baseball, but there again he is missing the very important fall workouts. We'll all know more in about six weeks.