Last Minute Slugger 1st Baseman Added

#1

snapcracklepop

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2011
Messages
996
Likes
1,434
#1
Former North Carolina first baseman Alberto Osuna is joining the Tennessee baseball program, GoVols247 confirmed on Friday night. Osuna is set to arrive in Knoxville on Saturday less than two weeks out from first pitch.

The slugger joins the Vols after hitting 45 career home runs in three seasons with the Tar Heels to rank fifth in program history. He was part of last year's North Carolina team that advanced to the Men's College World Series and lost to the Vols, 6-1.
 
#11
#11
Maybe check the stats before you all celebrate him playing 1b. He has very little playing time at the position at NC. I am guessing he coming into add a RH bat at DH more than play defense. Unfortunately nobody in the media for TN bothers to research anything. Bargo played 1B in the Appy league and the Cape Cod last year, so has experience at the position, but nobody wants to talk about that.
 
#12
#12
In some ways, I’m surprised Tony would add a player this soon before the start of the season. Makes me worry that players competing for his spot will feel a bit jilted.
I can see that, but at the end of the day it’s all about putting the best team possible together for another run. None of these kids should be mad, earn your spot. If you don’t earn it this year, earn it next year. I like the way Tony is going about competition because if you’re good enough for the ultimate goal which is pro baseball, it won’t matter if you played 3 years or 1 year on a collegiate field. It’s hard to go pro in the first place, just enjoy your time at the collegiate level under the best coaching staff in baseball.
 
#13
#13
My initial reaction is that I’m not sure I like this in concept for a few reasons. Of course I recognize that if the rules allow it, then the rules allow it.

This may sound naïve, but this is college baseball and school at UT has already been in for two weeks (other schools have been back for even longer). What about the guys (as someone else pointed out) who have been competing for a spot since the fall, and possibly even longer? And, if the rules allow it, could current Tennessee player X show up next week on campus at Ole Miss/LSU/any other school?
 
#15
#15
In some ways, I’m surprised Tony would add a player this soon before the start of the season. Makes me worry that players competing for his spot will feel a bit jilted.
Knowing how loyal Tony is to his guys…Osuna will definitely have to earn any playing time he gets
 
#17
#17
My initial reaction is that I’m not sure I like this in concept for a few reasons. Of course I recognize that if the rules allow it, then the rules allow it.

This may sound naïve, but this is college baseball and school at UT has already been in for two weeks (other schools have been back for even longer). What about the guys (as someone else pointed out) who have been competing for a spot since the fall, and possibly even longer? And, if the rules allow it, could current Tennessee player X show up next week on campus at Ole Miss/LSU/any other school?
Not naive. I’m not a big fan of this either. For what it’s worth, I don’t think he’d be eligible if he was a current D1 player. Loophole is JUCO ruling allowing him an extra year of eligibility thanks to Vandy/Pavia. Fall rosters will be capped at 38 next year and then 34 during season. Last year of inflated Fall and Active rosters so less roster churn next year
 
#20
#20
No. More experienced power RH bats was the concern. Osuna will play very little if any 1B during SEC season.
He's the only true 1B on the roster besides a freshman? Bargo isn't and neither is Clark? I'll have to respectfully disagree on him on getting little run there. Let him and Bargo compete the first month then go with the better of the two. As far as Tony goes, he cares about winning and every player in that locker room understands that. I don't think this will disrupt the locker room.
 
#21
#21
He was JUCO POY at a big time Program.
in college baseball that’s a big deal.

Most guys need to play in the field to get rhythm to bat well.
In his last year of college baseball he may be ready to light it up like so many his do.

Is also fortunate that he spent the fall at UTampa which is a D2 stalwart where he likely got a ton of ABs is good weather against a decent staff.

However, he better impress early or he will not see the field as Vols have plenty of underclassmen who could bat .250-.260 with fewer SO. He’ll get his chance but he won’t get too many.
 
#22
#22
In some ways, I’m surprised Tony would add a player this soon before the start of the season. Makes me worry that players competing for his spot will feel a bit jilted.
One has an Injury and the other stepped away from baseball this year for personal reasons
 
#24
#24
He's the only true 1B on the roster besides a freshman? Bargo isn't and neither is Clark? I'll have to respectfully disagree on him on getting little run there. Let him and Bargo compete the first month then go with the better of the two. As far as Tony goes, he cares about winning and every player in that locker room understands that. I don't think this will disrupt the locker room.
Osuna is not a true 1B. He’s a true DH. Played 99% at NC at DH—hardly ever played 1B in his entire career at NC. Bargo played 1B in the Cape and is very good there. Osuna will be a good RH pinch hitter off the bench and DH.
 

VN Store



Back
Top