In year 2 of the Raleigh era the Vols should be MUCH better than last year. They return 2 of the better starting pitchers in the SEC in Nick Hernandez and Bryan Morgado and have the BEST player in the conference in centerfielder Kentrail Davis. At the plate the Vols should be a powerful bunch with returning starters Kentrail Davis, Cody Brown, Jeff Lockwood, and Josh Liles along with JUCO transfers Cody Hawn and Tyler Horne. PJ Polk is another returning starter who adds speed to the lineup. Jarred Frazier had a really good fall and is supposed to swap at bats at DH with Lockwood. I've heard that freshman Zach Osborne will start at shortstop due to his great fielding. Catcher this year will be Blake Forsythe, whose a pretty solid defender and has some power at the plate. It seems that this year there's a lot of players that could see playing time, so Raleigh will more than likely use the first few weeks of the season to find the best starting lineup. I've heard that Cody Brown is trying to play second base this year so Tyler Horne can come in at third, thus maximizing the offensive potential of the team. If that indeed happens, I think our offense could put up huge numbers this season. Last year the Vols hit almost 70 homeruns, so with the additions of Hawn and Horne, hitting nearly 90 homeruns isn't out of reach. That's what Raleigh seems to like...Gorillaball. I believe that our team won't struggle as much with the midweek games this year due to our offensive putting up lots of runs in those games and improved pitching depth. So from what I've read on the internet and from my knowledge of the team, here's what our lineup should look like.
C-Blake Forsythe
1B-Cody Hawn
2B-Cody Brown (I'm thinking the switch happens)
3B-Tyler Horne
SS-Zach Osborne
CF-Kentrail Davis
LF-PJ Polk
RF-Josh Liles
DH-Jeff Lockwood/Jarred Frazier
Now on to pitching, where I think the Vols should have one of the best starting rotations in the SEC. Hernandez and Morgado were both in Baseball America's Top 50 Prospects list for this year and should be a very good 1-2 punch. Pitching Sundays for the Vols will most likely be Tyrelle Harris, who did a very nice job last year for the team. He's the kind of pitcher who will go 6 innings and give up 3 runs. Not dominant...but a reliable guy on Sundays. Out of the bullpen the only really proven pitcher is closer Danny Wiltz, who had a sub 3 ERA last year. Freshmen Matt Ramsey, Steven Gruver, and Adam Adkins are supposed to be middle relief guys and are supposed to be good. Look for Gruver to be the starter in the midweek games along with Steve Crnkovich and Aaron Tullo. Raleigh says our pitching depth is much better this year, so that'll really help in the midweek games. I think the pitching will be much improved this year, and here's what it should look like.
#1 SP-Nick Hernandez
#2 SP-Bryan Morgado
#3 SP-Tyrelle Harris
CL-Danny Wiltz
SU-Matt Ramsey
Mid relief/mid week-Steven Gruver, Adam Adkins, Aaron Tullo, Steve Crnkovich
I EXPECT the Vols to make the SEC and NCAA Tournaments this year as I think there's a lot of talent on the team this year. The starting rotation and power that the lineup has should make the Vols a team to be reckoned with this year in the SEC. The only real weakness I see on the team this year is our inexperienced pitching depth. If they come through as Raleigh thinks they will, we should be VERY GOOD. I look for the Vols to compete for the SEC East crown this year and make both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.
We open the season this Friday against Oregon State at 4 pm, and I hope that many of you Vol fans make the trip to recently renovated Lindsay Nelson Stadium on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday this weekend. It should be a great series!
C-Blake Forsythe
1B-Cody Hawn
2B-Cody Brown (I'm thinking the switch happens)
3B-Tyler Horne
SS-Zach Osborne
CF-Kentrail Davis
LF-PJ Polk
RF-Josh Liles
DH-Jeff Lockwood/Jarred Frazier
Now on to pitching, where I think the Vols should have one of the best starting rotations in the SEC. Hernandez and Morgado were both in Baseball America's Top 50 Prospects list for this year and should be a very good 1-2 punch. Pitching Sundays for the Vols will most likely be Tyrelle Harris, who did a very nice job last year for the team. He's the kind of pitcher who will go 6 innings and give up 3 runs. Not dominant...but a reliable guy on Sundays. Out of the bullpen the only really proven pitcher is closer Danny Wiltz, who had a sub 3 ERA last year. Freshmen Matt Ramsey, Steven Gruver, and Adam Adkins are supposed to be middle relief guys and are supposed to be good. Look for Gruver to be the starter in the midweek games along with Steve Crnkovich and Aaron Tullo. Raleigh says our pitching depth is much better this year, so that'll really help in the midweek games. I think the pitching will be much improved this year, and here's what it should look like.
#1 SP-Nick Hernandez
#2 SP-Bryan Morgado
#3 SP-Tyrelle Harris
CL-Danny Wiltz
SU-Matt Ramsey
Mid relief/mid week-Steven Gruver, Adam Adkins, Aaron Tullo, Steve Crnkovich
I EXPECT the Vols to make the SEC and NCAA Tournaments this year as I think there's a lot of talent on the team this year. The starting rotation and power that the lineup has should make the Vols a team to be reckoned with this year in the SEC. The only real weakness I see on the team this year is our inexperienced pitching depth. If they come through as Raleigh thinks they will, we should be VERY GOOD. I look for the Vols to compete for the SEC East crown this year and make both the SEC and NCAA Tournaments.
We open the season this Friday against Oregon State at 4 pm, and I hope that many of you Vol fans make the trip to recently renovated Lindsay Nelson Stadium on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday this weekend. It should be a great series!
