Post by twandswr1 on Oct 4, 2021 12:29:36 GMT -5
Zach Ketterman, natural Soph, who started nearly all games last year at 3B is back and played the whole game last night. Solid defensively but probably needs to mature some offensively.
Pascanel Ferreras, natural Soph, who started every game last year at SS is back and played the whole game last night. What more can be said?
Will Prater, SR (who is utilizing an additional year due to Covid rules) is back and played most of the game defensively at 2B last night but stayed in the batting order after being replaced defensively. Solid in every way. Should be All-SoCon along with Ferreras.
Brandon Butterworth, natural FR from Monroe, NC played several inning defensively at 2B. Flashes the glove but that sidearm throw scares me. He is going to be a good player. Small, but he made good contact at the plate.
First Base - Daylan Nanny was primary 1B last year but he has graduated and is gone.
Coaches have probably not nailed this position down yet. Drew Needham, natural Soph, played most of the innings last night. He is probably not going to scoop up every low throw. Adequate at the plate with potential power.
They played Daniel Walsh (SR) several innings at 1B last night. He would be better defensively than Needham since 2B & SS are his natural positions, however, a 5'9" 1B does not excite me. (I know Walsh is a great athlete and could jump for high throws. Nanny was 5'11. I want a 1B to be at least 6'0", but that's just my opinion.)
We may see some experimentation at 1B even at the start of the season in February, unless Needham shows GREAT offense during preseason practice.
One interesting player (to me) last night was a guy who was not on any recruiting or commitment list posted on this forum... James Hinson, a Soph JUCO transfer. He is from Sylva and Smoky Mountain High but played one year at Catawba Valley CC. Shown on roster as First Base. 5'10" 225. Bats & Throws Left. Did not play in the field last night, but got to bat twice. First time - one pitch; crushed baseball went well over RF fence. Second time - looked like deja vu except the ball hit the base of the fence and he got a double. If that is standard performance, you've got to find a place to play him (or at least to let him bat).
My opinion - Infield will be a strength for this team, defensively and offensively.
He has been killing the baseball in intrasquad games. Gonna be a dig fight for the DH slot with multiple options. Lots of people were worried about a few of our roster losses after the season and our pitching. I tried to express that the staff had 1 heck of a good recruiting class and all needs were addressed. This team will have a great opportunity to make an NCAA Regional
