Posted by SFV Devil on June 20, 09 at 01:42:40:
In Reply to: Re: next season's lineup posted by ScooterDevil on June 20, 09 at 01:35:12:
:: Thank you Scooter. Finally someone that realizes this team was not that talented! Doesn't mean they weren't a good team though, just not the most talented. Kipnis, Calhoun, and Ramirez are good but the rest of the lineup was punchless. Starting 3B, 1B, and DH tonight combined for 7 HR and not many RBI this year! Compare that to last year's lineup of Kipnis, Roling, Wallace, Davis, Paramore or 2007 lineup of Wallace, Davis, Paramore, Romine, Sogard, etc. and this year's lineup was basically punchless. Starting pitching depth was better this year. Spence was a big pick up and did a great job. But I totally agree it seems like the ACC and SEC schools, and even other schools in the PAC 10 consistently have big, strong hard throwers that ASU just never seems to have. Those guys come in handy at the CWS.
: Even our RH pitchers that throw hard are not intimidating guys. Why don't we have any 6'4" 225 lb pitchers? It seems like they grow on trees for Texas, UNC, and LSU. It's really amazing when watching this team that we had the success that we had. I mean other than Kipnis, Calhoun, and Ramirez what hitter was really a threat in this lineup? I love the heart that this team plays with, but it has to be the least talented team ASU has ever brought to the CWS.
: : in no particular order:
: : LF Calhoun
: : C ?
: : CF?
: : SS Maggi
: : 2B MacPhee
: : 1B Ri. Torrez/?
: : DH Reuttiger/?
: : 3B Ra. Torrez
: : RF ?
: : SP Blair
: : SP Lambson
: : SP ?
: : RP(L) ?
: : RP(R) ?
: : Closer Swagerty
: : Lineup and pitching staff will need to be patched up with JC transfers and freshman. Really need to bring in some kids with some pop and two, three, or four kids that can bring it from the hill. We just seem to always have pitchers that either throw 88-90 from the right side or are crafty leftys (Averill, Satow, Lambson, etc.). The only lefty I can remember that threw over 90 that got significant innings in the last 5 years is Bordes. Start bringing in some kids that can throw hard (90+) and work with them to get them throwing the ball over the plate on a consistent basis. There has got either be an increase in the overall talent of the top 5 guys on the pitching staff or more depth created on the pitching staff. Every meaningful inning of the CWS was pitched by Leake, Spence, Lambson, and Swagerty. You can't expect to win a national title off the backs of four pitchers, one whose arm is hurt because he threw too much at the end of the regular season.