Sunday was the final chance to see the Texas Longhorns before the 2024 season begins. Pitching was the story in Game One while the long ball was the story in Game Two. Game 3 saw the White team come from behind and avoid the sweep with a 5-4 win after falling behind 4-0 in the top of the first.
Here are some thoughts from the series finale at the Disch…
This team has some exciting freshmen. Will Gasparino is going to get a lot of hype going into the season and he’s shown why throughout the weekend. The lanky right fielder from LA has put together some good at-bats throughout the series and capped it off with a 110 MPH laser into the LF bullpen on Sunday. Gasparino should be expected to do big things as soon as this year, but imagining him in 2025 and beyond is frightening. Gasparino was 4-9 with a walk in the Fall World Series.
Nik Sanders is the other freshman who really pops when watching this team. His bat flies through the zone when he goes to swing and there was a lot of damage done when he was in the batter’s box. Sanders figures to be in the mix at DH and I’m excited to see what he can bring to this team in the spring.
Casey Cummings had all 5 RBI for the White team on Sunday. He showed some impressive strength on this opposite-field grand slam and later drove in the winning run with a single to the right side.
Defense at the catcher position will be a big question come opening day after Texas fans have been spoiled by Silas Ardoin and Garret Guillemette the last few seasons. After three games at the Disch, I didn’t really notice the catchers behind the plate and that is a very good sign. On Sunday, Rylan Galvan and Kimble Schuessler each throughout a runner attempting to steal. Galvan especially looked noticeably more comfortable on defense.
LHP Ace Whitehead finished the series with 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER and looked like his usual self. Ace is solely focused on pitching this year and could be used to get lefties out on the weekends in addition to providing length during midweek games.
Andre Duplantier II threw three scoreless innings on Sunday and didn’t allow a hit. The stuff looked similar to last year and Dre is who he is at this point in his career. Duplantier has pitched in some big spots over the years and while he might not be the first or second option out of the bullpen this year, he gives that group some experience and won’t be afraid of the moment when called upon.
OVERALL
I believe this offense will be very fun to watch and will be a strength of the team. Assuming good health, the bullpen should be better off than it was a season ago. The starting rotation beyond Lebarron Johnson Jr... we will have to wait and see for now.
Expect more on the Fall World Series later in the week from @ZachattheDisch
Here are some thoughts from the series finale at the Disch…
This team has some exciting freshmen. Will Gasparino is going to get a lot of hype going into the season and he’s shown why throughout the weekend. The lanky right fielder from LA has put together some good at-bats throughout the series and capped it off with a 110 MPH laser into the LF bullpen on Sunday. Gasparino should be expected to do big things as soon as this year, but imagining him in 2025 and beyond is frightening. Gasparino was 4-9 with a walk in the Fall World Series.
Nik Sanders is the other freshman who really pops when watching this team. His bat flies through the zone when he goes to swing and there was a lot of damage done when he was in the batter’s box. Sanders figures to be in the mix at DH and I’m excited to see what he can bring to this team in the spring.
Casey Cummings had all 5 RBI for the White team on Sunday. He showed some impressive strength on this opposite-field grand slam and later drove in the winning run with a single to the right side.
Defense at the catcher position will be a big question come opening day after Texas fans have been spoiled by Silas Ardoin and Garret Guillemette the last few seasons. After three games at the Disch, I didn’t really notice the catchers behind the plate and that is a very good sign. On Sunday, Rylan Galvan and Kimble Schuessler each throughout a runner attempting to steal. Galvan especially looked noticeably more comfortable on defense.
LHP Ace Whitehead finished the series with 3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER and looked like his usual self. Ace is solely focused on pitching this year and could be used to get lefties out on the weekends in addition to providing length during midweek games.
Andre Duplantier II threw three scoreless innings on Sunday and didn’t allow a hit. The stuff looked similar to last year and Dre is who he is at this point in his career. Duplantier has pitched in some big spots over the years and while he might not be the first or second option out of the bullpen this year, he gives that group some experience and won’t be afraid of the moment when called upon.
OVERALL
I believe this offense will be very fun to watch and will be a strength of the team. Assuming good health, the bullpen should be better off than it was a season ago. The starting rotation beyond Lebarron Johnson Jr... we will have to wait and see for now.
Expect more on the Fall World Series later in the week from @ZachattheDisch
