This Week in BaseVols (TWIB)

[taylorvol]

Who do you like at 2nd for the midweek and the weekend series?

I’d personally try Finley Bates today and keep him there for Friday if he has quality at bats. If Antigua’s shoulder is better, he might get a shot. I bet E goes with Myatt. Who would you try?

 

[volfan411]

I’d personally try Finley Bates today and keep him there for Friday if he has quality at bats. If Antigua’s shoulder is better, he might get a shot. I bet E goes with Myatt. Who would you try?

I would give Bates a shot today and Friday but as bad as we have been offensively if he doesn't perform I would go back to Antigua if he is healthy. We just aren't good enough right now to be making errors and I believe Antigua is our best infielder.

 

[taylorvol]

I would give Bates a shot today and Friday but as bad as we have been offensively if he doesn't perform I would go back to Antigua if he is healthy. We just aren't good enough right now to be making errors and I believe Antigua is our best infielder.

It will be interesting who E decides to go with at 2B. I think it would go a long way to stabilizing the middle infield defense if they are able to find a 2B to plug into the lineup. Perhaps they end up with a platoon of Myatt and either Abernathy or Antigua.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

I’d personally try Finley Bates today and keep him there for Friday if he has quality at bats. If Antigua’s shoulder is better, he might get a shot. I bet E goes with Myatt. Who would you try?

I’ve been screaming for Bates for a while. If that’s not the case, I’d try Newstrom again. Myatt K’s too much at the moment.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

It will be interesting who E decides to go with at 2B. I think it would go a long way to stabilizing the middle infield defense if they are able to find a 2B to plug into the lineup. Perhaps they end up with a platoon of Myatt and either Abernathy or Antigua.

Would you say this team is better than the 2023 team?

 

[Christian Lowe]

Would you say this team is better than the 2023 team?

Maybe about the same, but that 2023 team became the 2024 team which is what's interesting to me. Learn from this year and see how far next season goes with these guys.

 

[volfan411]

Maybe about the same, but that 2023 team became the 2024 team which is what's interesting to me. Learn from this year and see how far next season goes with these guys.

Exactly hopefully this sophomore class takes the next step as the season progresses and we are better come tournament time. .

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Maybe about the same, but that 2023 team became the 2024 team which is what's interesting to me. Learn from this year and see how far next season goes with these guys.

There’s going to be growing pains. There’s still some positives. Need to find a 2nd baseman. I think Grindlinger takes the DH. Get a better feel of the pitchers.

 

[volfan411]

It will be interesting who E decides to go with at 2B. I think it would go a long way to stabilizing the middle infield defense if they are able to find a 2B to plug into the lineup. Perhaps they end up with a platoon of Myatt and either Abernathy or Antigua.

I love Myatt there but he seems to be better in a PH situation than an everyday player in the lineup. Maybe in the PH situation teams can't pitch around him like they can when he is in the lineup???

 

[taylorvol]

Would you say this team is better than the 2023 team?

No, I don’t think this team makes it to Omaha but no one thought the 23 team would either after starting 5-10 in SEC play. This weekend will tell us the makeup of this team. I hope the crowd is 8K strong and loud and supportive

I think the 2027 team potentially will be very good depending on portal transfers and who they retain of course.

 

[taylorvol]

I love Myatt there but he seems to be better in a PH situation than an everyday player in the lineup. Maybe in the PH situation teams can't pitch around him like they can when he is in the lineup???

Indeed as Myatt has certainly been a weapon off the bench. I’d love to see his splits on RHP vs LHP as perhaps it’s the favorable matchups that make him so successful as a PH. Maybe he gets more FBs as a PH to your point.
With Lawless out, what do they do at C? I can’t imagine too many freshman that could handle the duties but Grindlinger seems really special. Assume it will be a committee with primarily Clark and Wright has to be close to being able to Catch but he’s been so good in the OF.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

No, I don’t think this team makes it to Omaha but no one thought the 23 team would either after starting 5-10 in SEC play. This weekend will tell us the makeup of this team. I hope the crowd is 8K strong and loud and supportive

I think the 2027 team potentially will be very good depending on portal transfers and who they retain of course.

I know that Vandy isn’t as good as previous years but they have won 2 CWS. It’s not easy to win in this league.

 

[taylorvol]

I know that Vandy isn’t as good as previous years but they have won 2 CWS. It’s not easy to win in this league.

Absolutely and there were a ton of sweeps in the SEC. Vandy is well coached and has some great hitters. This is an important bounce back weekend for the BaseVols. They will show us what they’re made of against LSU (defending NC who are better than their record as well).

 

[volfan411]

Indeed as Myatt has certainly been a weapon off the bench. I’d love to see his splits on RHP vs LHP as perhaps it’s the favorable matchups that make him so successful as a PH. Maybe he gets more FBs as a PH to your point.
With Lawless out, what do they do at C? I can’t imagine too many freshman that could handle the duties but Grindlinger seems really special. Assume it will be a committee with primarily Clark and Wright has to be close to being able to Catch but he’s been so good in the OF.

This a tough one. I am not sure you can take Wright out of the outfield and if we do that forces Abernathy into the lineup and until he gets out his slump we can't afford to have his bat in the lineup. I go with Clark behind the plate Friday and Saturday and Grindlinger on Sunday.

Do we know how long Stone is out??

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

No, I don’t think this team makes it to Omaha but no one thought the 23 team would either after starting 5-10 in SEC play. This weekend will tell us the makeup of this team. I hope the crowd is 8K strong and loud and supportive

I think the 2027 team potentially will be very good depending on portal transfers and who they retain of course.

I've seen a couple of Bracketologies where we aren't even in the field of 64 at the moment, so we'll need to up our game just make regionals at this point. Like you said, we're going to learn a lot about the team this weekend.

 

[taylorvol]

This a tough one. I am not sure you can take Wright out of the outfield and if we do that forces Abernathy into the lineup and until he gets out his slump we can't afford to have his bat in the lineup. I go with Clark behind the plate Friday and Saturday and Grindlinger on Sunday.

Do we know how long Stone is out??

Yeah, you make a good point as Garrett Wright has been really special in the outfield. I guess you could get radical and move Chapman to centerfield and give Hunter High a shot in RF
with Brown in left field and Grindlinger at DH and catching on Sundays.

 

[taylorvol]

I've seen a couple of Bracketologies where we aren't even in the field of 64 at the moment, so we'll need to up our game just make regionals at this point. Like you said, we're going to learn a lot about the team this weekend.

I would be absolutely floored if Tennessee doesn’t make the postseason field of 64. Now, if they don’t rebound, they certainly won’t be hosting a regional, but not making it into the field at all…. I can’t wrap my head around that possibility.

 

[VolFan_stuck_in_the_901]

I would be absolutely floored if Tennessee doesn’t make the postseason field of 64. Now, if they don’t rebound, they certainly won’t be hosting a regional, but not making it into the field at all…. I can’t wrap my head around that possibility.

I would be, too. In fairness, it was CBC's bracketology so I'm not sure how accurate it is (I won't worry about it that much unless I see D1 not include us)

 

[taylorvol]

just wait until t-v blogs on bunts

Ha. It will NEVER happen and although I do think there’s an OCCASIONAL time and place for bunts, I would NEVER EVER have asked Stone Lawless to sac squeeze against Vandy.

 

[taylorvol]

Here’s what I’m thinking the lineup will be this weekend with Lawless out vs LSU. What’s your lineup? (I like keeping Clark catching Blanco on Sundays for continuity and not putting extra pressure on true freshman Grindlinger to catch. I catch Grindlinger on midweeks to build up his reps).

Friday (Arvidson and Kuhns) and Saturday (Mack and Appenzeller)
Wright C R
Brown LF L
Ford 3B R
Chapman RF L
Clark 1B R
Grimmer 2B L
Marin SS R
Grindlinger DH R
Abernathy CF R
Sunday (Blanco and Abraham)
Wright CF R
Brown LF L
Ford 3B R
Chapman RF L
Clark C R
Grimmer 1B L
Marin SS R
Grindlinger DH R
Abernathy 2B R

 

[WallyBalls]

Here’s what I’m thinking the lineup will be this weekend with Lawless out vs LSU. What’s your lineup? (I like keeping Clark catching Blanco on Sundays for continuity and not putting extra pressure on true freshman Grindlinger to catch. I catch Grindlinger on midweeks to build up his reps).

Friday (Arvidson and Kuhns) and Saturday (Mack and Appenzeller)
Wright C R
Brown LF L
Ford 3B R
Chapman RF L
Clark 1B R
Grimmer 2B L
Marin SS R
Grindlinger DH R
Abernathy CF R
Sunday (Blanco and Abraham)
Wright CF R
Brown LF L
Ford 3B R
Chapman RF L
Clark C R
Grimmer 1B L
Marin SS R
Grindlinger DH R
Abernathy 2B R

With E saying he might change up the rotation I'm interested to see what that looks like...

 

[taylorvol]

With E saying he might change up the rotation I'm interested to see what that looks like...

Me too. I originally thought that meant inserting Appenzeller….perhaps for Blanco and pairing Blanco with Mack? I can’t see going with 3 southpaws so assume they leave Mack as Is.

 

[taylorvol]

According to Mike Wilson, it will be Mack, Kuhns, and Blanco followed by Arvidson, Appenzeller, and Rhudy In the bullpen. Kuhns has fixed his slow delivery to the plate with runners on base, and Mack has eliminated the walks.

This sets up the big 3 in the bullpen with potentially pitching twice during the weekend. The Vols have obviously struggled in closing out games, so Arv, Appy, and Rhudy should help shut the door after hopefully solid starts by Mack, Kuhns, and Blanco.

I give huge credit to Coach E for being flexible and not being afraid of “changing things up“ in the rotation and how he manages games. Delegating 3B will allow him to better command the offense and improve communications in the dugout. I like this rotation and alignment with our studs in the bullpen.

 

[volfan411]

Me too. I originally thought that meant inserting Appenzeller….perhaps for Blanco and pairing Blanco with Mack? I can’t see going with 3 southpaws so assume they leave Mack as Is.

What would you think of Mack on Friday, Appenzeller on Saturday and keep Blanco on Sunday and having Arvidson and Kuhns as long relief??

 

[taylorvol]

What would you think of Mack on Friday, Appenzeller on Saturday and keep Blanco on Sunday and having Arvidson and Kuhns as long relief??

I like that a lot as well. I know Kuhns wanted to start and this is his draft year, but think he projects as a stud closer. With that said, I have to give Kuhns credit for quickly resolving his slow delivery issues. I think staff challenged him and he responded appropriately so they’re giving him another shot at starting. With his past troubles with the 3rd time thru the lineup, I bet we see a quick trigger with bringing in Appenzeller at the first sign of trouble.