Posted by SCOTTSDALE SUN ANGEL I on October 25, 21 at 15:20:00:
Caught a number of innings Saturday.
Yes, it's early, but here are a few observations:
+ Nice approach by coaching staff, big improvements
+ Catching will be a major "issue" in 2022.
+ Like the infield structure, but a defensive drop from the last 3-4 years, but more offensive pop...
+ I like our outfield, but limited power, and they will need to work on staying down, and thru the zone to drive balls in the gaps... probably LESS than 20 HRs full season aggregate between them all.
+ DH & bats off bench - potential, limited power other than Long, Davis, McClain, Hunter.
+ Biggest Challenge: Pitching Looks like we have 3-4 good arms, 5-8 below average arms in development, and 8 plus in development Arms.
+ Injury, Draft & Poor Recruiting Gaps left major holes by Jason Kelly. Never was a fan of a POS...
In short, Willie & Company have little to work with. CTS was left with a solid team, and solid talent to build with. He left this program in BAD, not poor shape.
In closing, this rebuild will take 3-4 years to build a CWS competitive team. Willie will build a program, not a team, and the CTS Mistake, has left ASU Baseball in a decade long hole.
The Good News, here is that Willie is a hard worker, and his staff are Pros and have the potential to shorten the recovery cycle. Will they? Let's see.
Muni still needs more CapEx to invest in our physical infrastructure, but the resources offered to our players has improved by Pac-12 standards, but still not close to SEC standards. To get ASU back to our historical roots, AD RA & Company will need to invest another $3-5MM annually for the next five years to help catch us up and return us to a Top 15 Program status.
Tons more work, and we look like a 4-7 P12 team now.
O2V & Go Sun Devils