AJ Russell to Start Against North Alabama

[TheMookieMonster]

This deserves its own thread. HE’S BACK!!! WAY EARLIER THAN EXPECTED!!! LETS GOOOOOOOOOO!

 

[volsagain]

This deserves its own thread. HE’S BACK!!! WAY EARLIER THAN EXPECTED!!! LETS GOOOOOOOOOO!

Wow big early surprise ! Just stay healthy

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Huge! I didn’t expect to see him this early.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Any chance to see Loy and Kuhns this game?

 

[Rocky Top T]

Good, we are ready to see Kuhns and Loy also

 

[JohnnyJava]

An article said that he would pitch one inning. Anyone know how long the schedule is to ramp him up to 5 innings/100 pitches?

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

An article said that he would pitch one inning. Anyone know how long the schedule is to ramp him up to 5 innings/100 pitches?

I think the goal is to have him ready for the second half of SEC games.

 

[cncchris33]

Any idea how his velocity looked?

 

[TMvol10]

Any idea how his velocity looked?

Heard he hit 97 a couple times. Looks like he’s on track

 

[cncchris33]

Heard he hit 97 a couple times. Looks like he’s on track

Awesome! Thanks!

 

[VolsLFC]

 

[cardvolfan]

Any idea how his velocity looked?

93-95…..I looked after every pitch.

 

[taylorvol]

Any idea how his velocity looked?

He hit 97 and was 93 to 95 consistently. He looked outstanding.

 

[cncchris33]

He hit 97 and was 93 to 95 consistently. He looked outstanding.

Great! If we can pair him and Loy, Liam and T. Franklin, and Phillips and Snead...man, that is a dangerous weekend arsenal.

 

[taylorvol]

Huge! I didn’t expect to see him this early.

It was a nice warm up for Houston. I think we see him for 2 innings or 25 pitches. He looks solid.

 

[NighthawkVol]

He hit 97 and was 93 to 95 consistently. He looked outstanding.

I don’t think he was hitting 97 at any point before the injury.

 

[NighthawkVol]

Great! If we can pair him and Loy, Liam and T. Franklin, and Phillips and Snead...man, that is a dangerous weekend arsenal.

I think Kuhns will work his way into that group as the season goes on.

 

[cncchris33]

I think Kuhns will work his way into that group as the season goes on.

It's a good problem to have, for sure. I was thinking they may eventually have Kuhns working the midweek game to get him some innings and experience ahead of next year when I think he becomes a weekend starter. Injuries could alter any of this theory this early in the season, though. Having 7 guys who could all be legit starters is awesome, and then throw Seibert into the mix, likely not until next year.

 

[Zvols]

I will be very surprised if this staff doesn’t average a sub-3.00 ERA on the weekends. Obviously it is helped by the early non-con but the depth is growing, the stuff is elite, and guys are really coming into form. We will need to continue getting strikes from Phillips, but you can’t put a ceiling on the potential of this staff. Doyle, Phillips, Russell, Loy, Kuhns, Snead, Franklin, and Arvidson (based on talent) would all start for 95% of teams in the country. Heck, maybe even Hunley. We have to pick 3 somehow. I’m fairly certain that Doyle and Russell would start for every team in the country. Once Frank starts trimming the staff for SEC play, there’s going to be a shortage on runs & walks allowed.

I like the staff to look like this when we get to SEC play…

Doyle - Franklin
Phillips
Russell

Snead (long relief or stopper)
Loy (relief/long relief)
Hunley (emergency stopper when runners are on)
Behnke (lefty specialist)
Arvidson (lefty specialist)
Combs (closer)
Kuhns (closer)

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

It was a nice warm up for Houston. I think we see him for 2 innings or 25 pitches. He looks solid.

Tony said he wouldn’t pitch multiple times in a week. Instead more innings the next time he pitches. As always, who knows.

 

[taylorvol]

Tony said he wouldn’t pitch multiple times in a week. Instead more innings the next time he pitches. As always, who knows.

CTV, CFA, and Woody know best. They will put his future ahead of the team…that’s for sure.

 

[TheMookieMonster]

One thing I noticed with AJ on Tuesday is he looks noticeably bigger compared to last year. His frame has really filled out. Kudos to the S&C staff per usual. He looks like an absolute beast now. You can see why scouts are so enamored with his frame.

 

[taylorvol]

One thing I noticed with AJ on Tuesday is he looks noticeably bigger compared to last year. His frame has really filled out. Kudos to the S&C staff per usual. He looks like an absolute beast now. You can see why scouts are so enamored with his frame.

Agreed. He looks imposing. Q transforms these kids to chiseled men. AJ also got really serious about nutrition according to CTV. I think Beth (Nutritionist) really helped him.