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D1Baseball Preseason Top 25 Chat
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Aaron Fitt
1:00
Happy 2022, everybody! College baseball season is almost upon us, can't wait to get started. Let's dive into the first chat of the year.
johnnyNS
1:03
Obviously Oregon's roster is completely reshaped after losing the starting rotation and the heart of the lineup, but this coaching staff seemed to take many by surprise last season. Do you see them near the top of the Pac again? If so were they close to breaking your top 25?
Aaron Fitt
1:03
Yeah, we talked about Oregon quite a bit in our Top 25 discussion, along with UCLA -- both of whom are in our "next 10" that will be released Tuesday (spoiler alert!). The Ducks did lose some key pieces, but there are some very nice pieces back like Tanner Smith and John Kasevich, just winning ballplayers. And they retooled on the recruiting trail well; I'm particularly intrigued to see if Brennan Milone can live up to his potential in his third season after never getting there at South Carolina. I'm also a big fan of Andrew Mosiello on the mound, and if Isaac Ayon and Adam Maier can pitch up to their potential, look out -- those are two big-time arms.
Cody
1:04
We all know what Jace Jung can do. Where will the offense come from in order for Texas Tech to return to Omaha?
Kendall Rogers
1:04
That's a great question. I believe in Tim Tadlock probably as much as any coach in the country, but there's no doubt this Tech team has some question marks in a few areas. While Jung will have a great season, I could see guys like Cole Stilwell and Easton Murrell have big seasons. I also would be floored if Kurt Wilson doesn't hit around .300. In essence, I just feel like Tech is ALWAYS a team that just finds a way -- particularly from an offensive standpoint.
It’s Brewin at McEwen
1:05
Do you guys not realize that it’s Brewin at McEwen? #Bullmaha #BunchOfDogs #USFbaseball
Aaron Fitt
1:05
I do think the Bulls are dangerous again, particularly with Jasiak and Kerkering back to bookend the staff, and the exciting addition of Hunter Mink from Florida. That pitching staff should be quite good. I'm not as sold on the lineup, but there's potential there as well. Definitely feels like a contender in the American.
Jeff
1:06
Other than the four non-power five ranked teams, any other mid-major programs that could be tough matchups in regional play?
Kendall Rogers
1:06
Louisiana Tech and Southern Miss. Both of those teams earned strong consideration for our Top 25, and I think I have La Tech a slight bit ahead of USM right now. I just love the fact that team hosted a regional last year and gets back Jonathan Fincher, Jarrett Whorff and Ryan Jennings. That's an excellent 1-2-3 punch for the Bulldogs. I also like where they sit offensively -- it blows my mind that Steele Netterville and Taylor Young are still in Ruston. Both of those guys are older, experienced and certainly productive.
Landon Colloso
1:07
For the Stanford bullpen with the loss of Beck and presumably Alex Williams taking the Friday role, who do you see filling in the rest of the weekend? Im high on Dowd. Thanks. Go card #stache
Aaron Fitt
1:07
Yeah, we're very high on Dowd too -- in fact, that No. 6 ranking is partly a vote of confidence in Drew Dowd to become a real impact arm. They also need a step forward from Quinn Mathews, and I think that's in the cards. Our man Roons is also very excited about Braden Montgomery as a huge addition in the late innings, with a fastball up to 98, and Ty Uber should be another impact freshmen. But the big key to Stanford's season is how the sophomores develop in year two (Dowd, O'Rourke and Joey Dixon in particular).
McGoogs
1:08
Is there a better 3 game series to open the season than top 10 matchup Vanderbilt vs Oklahoma? Less than 30 days away - what’s your prediction?
Aaron Fitt
1:08
That is the correct answer. Runner-up for me is Long Beach State at Mississippi State, another Top 25 matchup. I will be in one of those two places opening weekend, haven't decided which yet.
Guest
1:08
Arkansas will hit, but where does their pitching come from this year? Pallette then who??
Kendall Rogers
1:08
Arkansas has plenty of weapons on the mound, but I'm actually pretty. high on its weekend rotation as a whole. Peyton Pallette was electric at times last season, Jaxon Wiggins is certainly a little more raw, but he has elite stuff as well when he's on, and keep an eye on freshman lefty Hagen Smith. He's low-to-mid 90s from a tough slot, can throw three pitches for strikes. As an added bonus, my man Aaron loved him in the fall.
KD
1:11
Arkansas fan here. We are excited to be #2, but we lost a lot. Especially in the OF, more so if we move Wallace to 3rd. SP is a concern also, it could be really good, but we need big years from Noland and Pallette. Obviously Kopps and Opitz are HUGE losses! One thing is for sure, I will put up our MI against anyone in the country. What’s your thoughts and reasoning on still having us at pre season #2.
Aaron Fitt
1:11
Yeah, maybe the best middle infield in the country, that's a nice place to start. I'm not worried in the slightest about the outfield -- they did so well in the transfer market, bringing in Jace Bohrofen and Chris Lanzilli, plus Brady Slavens can handle RF, and they've got Zack Gregory and talented freshman Kendall Diggs, and the veteran Webb in center. That's serious depth in the OF. And certainly we're betting on big years from Pallette, Jaxon Wiggins, Noland and Hagen Smith, one of my favorite lefties in the freshman class. I think they have the makings of a considerably better rotation than last year if those guys develop as I think they will.
Aaron Fitt
1:12
Well there's an Arkansas double-up for you. KR beat me to the punch!
Kendall Rogers
1:13
You're more biased than me.
Michael
1:12
Is ranking Georgia Tech at 21 a hedge of sorts? Not in a bad way, but basically if they're pitching comes together they could rise really quickly and if it doesn't, they'll probably be around there?
Kendall Rogers
1:12
Michael -- I think you've got a really good read on Georgia Tech, if I might compliment ya. The thing we all love about Georgia Tech? The offensive firepower is impressive and the addition of electric Chandler Simpson will help. But though there are a lot of options on the mound, the weekend rotation is a question mark with a few guys who haven't proven much as starters thus far. Zach Maxwell is a hard-throwing guy, but he can he put it together? Marquis Grissom Jr. has a good fastball and slurve, but again, can he be consistent? The good news is that we're all pretty high on Danny Borrell.
LongBall
1:16
Where do you see SC and Clemson this year? Any other teams from the Palmetto State worth noting?
Aaron Fitt
1:16
It feels odd that both South Carolina and Clemson are flying under the radar heading into this season, and I don't view either as a slam-dunk regional team, particularly given the depth and strength of their respective conferences. But I do think both teams are dangerous. South Carolina should be able to compete with anybody on the weekends behind the one-two punch of Julian Bosnic and Will Sanders, and I have a feeling the lineup will be better than people think -- they plugged some holes with some quality veteran transfers like Brandt Belk and Kevin Madden. As for Clemson (cont'd)...
Again, you've got plenty of upside on the mound with Mack Anglin, Ty Olenchuk, Ricky Williams and Nick Hoffman. They brought in some very good young arms too, and if those freshmen hit the ground running, Clemson will be a major factor in the ACC. There's talent in the lineup too, but a lot of those guys have fallen into the "prove-it" bucket for me at this stage. But there's potential for sure.
Harry
1:17
Where do you see the Huskers at and the whole Big Ten this year? Can't imagine NU would have too big of a drop off right?
Kendall Rogers
1:17
Harry -- I'm glad you brought up the Huskers. For those wondering, Nebraska might have been our No. 26 or No. 27 team. It was that close with those guys and Louisiana Tech, among others. We hated to leave them out, but I can tell you this, they are definitely our favorite in the Big Ten right now. I think the offense will be solid with Max Anderson, Cam Chick and others back, an the front-end of the rotation certainly looks solid with Shay and Kyle Perry. I'm intrigued to see what kind of an impact Dawson McCarville makes. Can he make the impact that Chance Hroch made out of the WAC as well? That's an interesting story line for me.
Sam Smith
1:19
Everyone that made the CWS last year was ranked in the top 10. Why was Tennessee not?
Aaron Fitt
1:19
First, you're forgetting Virginia, which did not even make the Top 25 -- because they lost a bunch of key guys. So did Tennessee; replacing Chad Dallas and three-fourths of the infield plus the catcher is a tall task. But obviously we still like UT's returning core and its newcomers, or we wouldn't have ranked them in the top 20. But just getting to Omaha doesn't assure you of a top 10 ranking the following season; it's not the same team, as some teams lose more than others from year to year.
Manny Sosa
1:22
How is Florida rank so high with so many questions on the mound.. Besides Barco no one else is proven.. Yes they have a lot of talented Freshman but  SEC baseball is different.. Think Florida should be in the 20-25 range….
Aaron Fitt
1:22
I would argue that the youth on the mound is the reason Florida is No. 9 rather than in the top three, because that offense and defense should be ridiculously good, and Barco should be one of the best Friday aces in the country -- I'm buying a big jump from him, and he was already good last year. Frankly I'm not sold yet on Brandon Sproat as a weekend starter, but he's certainly got a premium arm. I do think we've seen what Nick Pogue can do, and it sounded like his return from TJ was going well; he should be a reliable veteran piece in the rotation. And I have no question that Pierce Coppola is a special talent and ready to make a huge splash right away. You are right about the questions with the youth of that staff, but the talent is just too insane to ignore, and most of those freshmen are very polished too.
Adam
1:23
I think Tempe is going to be rocking this year with Bloomquist at the helm. Do you see ASU as a dark horse this year? Lot of young pieces last year coming back. Lineup is going to be deadly. If they hit on those transfer arms I think could be a big year
Kendall Rogers
1:23
Arizona State could definitely be one of those wild cards in the Pac 12. There's no question that ASU will hit for me, but what about Sam Peraza's pitching staff? Boyd Vander Kooi, if he stays healthy, is most certainly a strong asset, while Kyle Luckham and Adam Tulloch are both guys with potential -- potential being the key word.
Home 2 First
1:27
FSU will be a national seed this year… Meat and staff did a great job in the transfer portal… Pitching Staff is top 3 in the country
Aaron Fitt
1:27
I agree, actually. I was higher on FSU than my colleagues -- I think it is right there with Texas in the discussion for best pitching staffs in the country. And obviously not all of those SEC teams we have in the top 10 are going to get national seeds; a couple ACC teams should be right in there too, and I really believe Florida State will be one of them. NC State and FSU are the two ACC clubs I have the most faith in, but FSU's pitching staff just gives that team such a high floor -- I really can't imagine the Seminoles flopping this year behind all those arms, even if their offense or defense does take some time to gel (and I'm not saying that will be the case either -- but there are more question marks in those areas).
Sam Smith
1:27
Tony V went and got some big time arms out of the portal. I get catcher is a big time ? but by all acounts Evan has done a good job in fall ball. Why do you think they will be the 8th best team in the SEC?
Kendall Rogers
1:27
I actually fought pretty hard for Tennessee in our internal meetings. I think Tennessee is going to be very good with its returning offensive pieces, and the return of Blade Tidwell, who honestly could end up being the best Friday night starter in the SEC this spring. I also love the backend bullpen pieces with Redmond Walsh and Camden Sewell. Very few teams have two, proven, seniors in those pen roles. WTS -- it will be fascinating to see how Tennessee handles being the hunted this year. Something tells me Tony will have them ready in that regard.
SECbaseball
1:29
What starting rotation from the SEC West do you trust the most?
Aaron Fitt
1:29
That's a tough one -- feels like they all have both upside and question marks. But for me, it's Arkansas by a hair over Mississippi State and Ole Miss. It's very very close between those three for me.
SECbaseball
1:31
Better offense in 2022, LSU or Ole Miss?
Aaron Fitt
1:31
I could have tie myself in knots with the SEC West comparisons, it's silly how stacked that division is. Here, I lean Ole Miss by just a hair, but I think others on our staff might lean the other way, and it's hard to blame them. Both lineups are just loaded.
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