Brought to you by these three great men, and fake sponsors:
1) Positive feelings?
Is Tom Herman starting to develop a crush on his football team?
Well, the might not seem like the appropriate phrase for a head coach and coaching staff that would require a “Parental Advisory” label if practices were rated like CDs. However, affection can be shown in a variety of ways, and there seems to be a feeling of admiration growing in Herman the more time he spends around the Texas program and his team. As he learns more about his guys and sees more reps in full pads, Herman has become unafraid to give praise where it’s deserved while still offering sometimes unforgiving but honest and necessary criticism. Yesterday's post-practice report was another prime example, and part of a developing trend.
This is a good thing for Texas.
It shows that Herman, a very intelligent person that could probably teach a graduate class on publicly pressing buttons and motivation techniques in football, is learning and gaining valuable intel about his roster. And while he knows there is still a mountain of work to be done, the new Texas head coach probably looks around at times during practice, and says to himself, “I have more to work with here than I did at Houston.” Of course, winning 10-plus games against a Big 12 schedule is more difficult than doing it at Houston, but the point remains – Herman, based on his post-practice comments weekly, is developing a little bit of a crush on the 2017 Longhorns. He wouldn't give off those signals if they were untrue.
What turns a crush into more than a crush? There are two things, and I think this quote from Anwar Richardson’s report last night nails one of them:
“When we’re in a live scrimmage situation, it is unacceptable to give anything but your maximum effort,” said Herman, also referencing they showed the team 10 video clips during a Tuesday team meeting that highlighted lack of effort. “We just need to keep playing and instill in them [pause]… applaud and praise those that do well, and those that exemplify our culture, and point out, continually point out, those that don’t, and make sure they are being taught what the expectations are around here every single play.”
Herman knows that if he can get those big, athletic, talented bodies to play with great effort, intelligence, attention to detail, and toughness, he could have a legitimate football team. But it starts with effort, and it would be a surprise if that’s something Texas doesn’t excel at next season.
2) Thing number two
Quarterbacks.
I know. I just threw you a 3-1 fastball when you were sitting dead-red heat. But it’s true, and it’s going to remain true until Texas has a known solution for the most important position in college football.
When will the quarterback position become easier to figure out? I don’t know. The Spring Game often has a way of revealing what to expect from the position, or at least creates the discussion narrative heading into the summer. Perhaps Herman is waiting on that game before throwing his best pitch to someone like Malik Zaire. Maybe not. It’s tough to figure out at the moment. I'm sure he'd love for Sam Ehlinger or Shane Buechele to put an end to the battle early.
That being said, there’s no denying that Texas needs another talented, scholarship quarterback to add to Ehlinger and Buechele and until that position is in a place Herman likes, it could serve as negative weight to whatever progress is made elsewhere.
3) Recruiting goals for Texas as the Spring Game nears
While Texas’ one commitment for the 2018 class might cause some to have concern and need a Tums, Texas is doing what it needs to do right now. The Longhorns are getting top names on campus, including multiple times, and are where they need to be in terms of building relationships with top targets. The Texas Spring Game should be another event, as many top names have told Orangebloods over the last couple of months, that hosts a lot of 2018 and 2019 talent.
However, there will soon come a point when Herman and company need to start adding to the commit list.
Texas needs to turn a lot of these visits and relationships into a couple commitments by the end of summer, and they need to be in-state prospects. Why? Because prospects that go through the summer uncommitted likely take their process into November, December, or Signing Day. That doesn't make it a negative, but Texas is in a position where it needs to build momentum and become an attractive destination to recruits under a new staff. Sending those signals early in the summer is necessary to make building a class later a successful venture. Plus, the Longhorns need to crack what is a very tight group of Houston-area prospects, and gain a couple of commitment from that group to help them in the future with those other targets. It becomes easier for other top prospects to join the mix when they see others doing it; recruits are often, especially in this era, followers.
So there’s no reason to be concerned right now, even if you look at schools like Texas A&M (six commitments), LSU (13), Oklahoma (six), and TCU (five). Texas’ presumed list of top names are still available, including quarterback targets. If it’s able to gain a couple of commitments from big names in Houston and grab its QB for the class by the time the calendar turns to August, that will put Texas where it needs to be at minimum.
4) The importance of finding and developing good three to four-year hoops players
On Monday night, Roy Williams won his third national championship. At North Carolina, the legendary head coach has perfected, while many have questioned his recruiting methods, roster-building to sustain success at an elite level. Of course, it helps that North Carolina can get players to stay in college a little more easily than other programs. Playing basketball at North Carolina leads to rockstar status. Nonetheless, Williams keeps winning while programs like Duke and Kentucky load up on five-star, one-and-done-types.
That’s because he and his staff understand the value of veteran, talented, three to four-year players they can develop in their program. Of course, there is more to understanding. They’re not the only coaches that get that, but they’ve remain committed to implementing it at the highest level.
Sure, they get their share of five-stars, like Isaiah Hicks and Theo Pinson. However, they often land five-star players that are not quite good enough, or aren’t interested in being one-and-done players. Often, there is a clear difference between the top 10 overall prospects in the country, and the five-stars that follow from 11-30.
Against Gonzaga, UNC started Joel Berry (junior), Pinson (junior), Justin Jackson (junior), Hicks (senior), and Kennedy Meeks (senior). It brought a senior guard (Nate Britt) off the bench, and also talented younger players, like McDonald’s All-American Tony Bradley (freshman).
When North Carolina won its last title prior to 2017 in 2009, it was almost the exact same mix: junior, junior, senior, junior, senior in the starting lineup with a solid senior guard off the bench, and a five-star freshman. In 2005, North Carolina started junior, junior, senior, senior, junior with five-star, and-and-done Marvin Williams coming off the bench with a junior big and a senior guard. That team won a national title as well.
That’s how programs that can recruit at an elite level win at an elite level – by utilizing talented, multi-year college players as the foundation, and then sprinkle in elite freshmen when available. Kansas does it just as well. Duke used to do it just as well. Michigan State, Villanova, and Louisville do it, and have won national championships that way.
Is that the way Shaka Smart wants to build at Texas? I believe so.
Texas signees/commitments Jericho Sims, Royce Hamm, Jase Febres, and Matt Coleman are all multi-year players, and probably three-year players at minimum to join James Banks and Jacob Young. It takes time, but in the near future Texas’ roster will likely be made up of a majority of three and four-year players, which gives Texas a chance to maximize the value of a potential one-and-done or two-and-done player.
There’s no doubt Smart likes pursuing a guy like Mohamed Bamba, who he knows is a one-and-done. Smart had zero chance at a player in the same galaxy out of high school when he was at VCU. But if he’s going to win big at Texas, it’ll be by doing what he was very good at during his VCU tenure – finding, signing, and developing players that are going to be contributors in the program for three seasons at minimum.
For discussion purposes, let’s just say that Texas either gets Jarrett Allen back, or signs Bamba. Best case scenario, obviously, and far, far away from a guarantee.
1 – Matt Coleman (freshman)
2 – Andrew Jones (sophomore)
3 – Kerwin Roach, Jr. (junior)
4 – Dylan Osetkowski (junior)
5 – Allen (sophomore)/Bamba (freshman)
Bench – Eric Davis, Jr. (junior), James Banks (sophomore), Young (sophomore), Sims (freshman), Febres (freshman), Hamm (freshman)
Of course, that above list doesn't account for however Texas chooses to use the other two scholarships.
If Allen stays in the draft and Bamba goes elsewhere, both a very realistic possibility, Texas would be in a position to sign a graduate transfer to add experience and depth to the roster. Regardless, the roster could at least begin to resemble a roster that can compete at the highest level.
For Texas, North Carolina is the blueprint. Achieving that isn’t easy, and takes time. But at Texas, and with the way Smart has already proven he can recruit, it’s achievable.
5) What has to happen for Texas Baseball to get over the hump
Let’s just keep it simple: Texas has to take the kind of approach and production it takes to midweek games into the weekend.
Of course, it’s one thing to pound the ball around the yard against Texas State, Sam Houston State, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. It’s another thing to do it against a top 25 Oklahoma team. But the Longhorns don’t need eight runs every game. Heck, they would be 8-1 in Big 12 play if they scored just six runs in each contest, and have only given up six runs or more in one Big 12 game all year.
Against better stuff and command on the weekends, Texas must keep its competitiveness and confidence high, like it does during midweek games. Last night was a great example: Texas elevated its competitiveness and confidence in the third inning, and scored five runs with two outs. It then added on a few runs late.
Rather than allow good pitchers to consistently get ahead and get into two-strike counts by hesitating against offspeed stuff in fastball counts, Texas has to let it fly early in counts on pitches that are up or over the plate, and then recognize two-strike situations late that call for competing against pitchers’ pitches instead of hacking to drive it out of the park.
“We just have to be a little tougher in the box with two strikes, be able to fight off those pitchers, and then have the ability to stay on the ball when we get pitches to drive when we’re in hit counts,” David Pierce said last night. “For the most part, they did that all night. OU has a great pitching staff. They have a great team. We’re just going to have to have the same approach against quality pitchers.”
Frankly, Texas needs its veterans to step up at the plate. Despite hitting just .201 as a team in conference play, Texas is putting guys on base (.352 on-base percentage). The chances are there, but they’re not going to score themselves.
6) MLB 2017 Predictions
NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST – Nationals, Mets, Marlins, Braves, Phillies
New York’s starting pitching could be the best in baseball, but it could also be two premium arms and then a bunch of guys that are in and out of the disabled list or can’t quite regain form. Washington, with the better offense and defense, is the safer pick. Miami, Atlanta, and Philadelphia will all probably win around 76 games.
CENTRAL – Cubs, Pirates, Cardinals, Brewers, Reds
Last year’s World Series champions will be really, really, really good again. Beyond Chicago, the Central is more unpredictable than intriguing.
Pittsburgh could be a potential Wild Card team. Gerrit Cole is back; Jameson Taillon should emerge as one of the better No. 2/No. 3 starters in baseball; Ivan Nova was terrific after he was acquired, and is likely Ray Searage’s next transformation success story; Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte are on the upswing in the outfield, and Josh Bell should finally get a full season of at-bats; the bench is good, and the lineup has a little flexibility even if it lacks pop. However, I’m not buying Tyler Glasnow’s breakout, and think he’ll struggle to show the command and control required to consistently get outs and to get deep into games, although the stuff will miss bats. Plus, Andrew McCutchen, now in right field, has to prove last year’s massive decline was injury-related, and the bullpen will probably be just okay.
Carlos Martinez is awesome, but St. Louis feels like a team on the decline. There isn’t a lot to like in the lineup, and the starting rotation isn’t as loaded as it has been consistently in the past. Milwaukee has some young talent waiting, and could surprise some folks. Still not ready to push it past two teams that have consistently played in the playoffs recently. Cincinnati will be really bad. After all, Scott Feldman was its Opening Day starter. But the speed at the top of its order will be fun.
WEST – Dodgers, Giants, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Padres
The scary thing about the Dodgers is they have some monstrous prospect talents lurking in the shadows, and the big-league club is all-around solid, led by the best pitcher on the planet.
I don’t love San Francisco, and almost put Colorado ahead of it. The Rockies are going to score a lot of runs, especially when top prospect David Dahl joins the lineup. However, the Giants have three innings-eaters – important during the regular season – at the top of the rotation, led by two studs, and the move to add Mark Melancon was desperately needed even if it didn’t work out Opening Day. I think it’s going to take another year for the Diamondbacks to shake the stink from the previous regime that is still lingering like a constant assault of beer farts on the same couch pillow.
The only thing standing between San Diego and being one of the all-time worst teams in baseball is its good defense and a couple of talented youngsters.
WILD CARD – Giants, Mets
Just missed - Rockies, Pirates, Cardinals
NLDS – Dodgers vs. Nationals; Cubs vs. Mets
NLCS – Dodgers vs. Cubs
A lot of familiar faces. That speaks to how well they’re built, and that the kids in the league don’t yet have the rosters yet to push an adult away from the big table.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST – Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Orioles
You’ll find projections systems and smart baseball people that see the Rays as a team that can finish second in the division, and possibly push for a Wild Card spot thanks to its run-prevention. I’m not completely buying in on that. Toronto’s offense will be better and its starting pitching should be too.
The Yankees, almost fully committed to a rebuild but not quite, will hover around .500. Baltimore will overachieve some because of Buck Showalter and its veteran presence, but the pitching and corner outfield leave a lot to be desired.
CENTRAL – Indians, Tigers, Royals, White Sox, Twins
Cleveland made it to the World Series last season despite crappy starting pitching luck. It remains easily the best team in the division. The Tigers will hit with some power, and will receive enough starting pitching to make their decisions near the trade deadline interesting. But do they have the talent in the farm to make a big move? I don’t think so.
Like Baltimore, Kansas City will probably overachieve, but the starting pitching is messy. Minnesota being at the end could surprise some folks, but the White Sox have a few immense talents that are close to call-up. Plus, I don’t buy Byron Buxton’s breakout as a hitter and the starting pitching is above average best case scenario.
WEST – Astros, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, A’s
Buckle up, because this race is going to be wild. Winning division crowns is usually influenced more by offense while postseason baseball leans towards starting pitching and bullpens. Houston has arguably the best lineup in the American League, and is in the conversation as the best in baseball because of its talent, depth, versatility, and athleticism. If the Astros don’t score a ton of runs, it would be a surprise, and their questions in the rotation likely won’t be felt until the postseason, which gives them time to address them.
Seattle is a trendy pick to compete for the AL West crown, and Texas did have uncommonly amazing success in one-run games last season. Math and logic suggest that won’t happen again, but overlooking Texas isn’t wise. The Rangers are going to hit, and have a good balance of proven veterans and young talent. Yu Darvish’s performance and health will be the biggest factor in whether or not Texas is a competitor or just an above average team, but Texas should hit enough.
As for the Mariners, I’m all-in on James Paxton, Jean Segura, and think Felix Hernandez will bounce back with a solid season. Robinson Cano remains one of the best hitters on the planet, and Kyle Seager has proven to be a consistently good big-leaguer. But if you can name Seattle’s starting outfield, I’ll be impressed. It needs a couple of big-name outfield prospects to progress and quickly.
Simply put, the Angels piss me off. They’re like a kid that receives a pair of brand new Jordans and consistently finds a way to step in dog crap or ignorantly runs through muddy fields. And even more annoying will be when Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, and the rotation perform well enough to put them in the hunt but the garbage in the lineup surrounding the best player on the planet will again waste another one of his all-time great seasons. Oakland is going to be better than you think with four starting pitchers all projected to have FIPs under 4.00, but it probably won’t matter in a loaded division.
WILD CARD – Blue Jays, Rangers
Just missed - Mariners, Tigers, Angels
ALDS – Indians vs. Blue Jays; Astros vs. Red Sox
ALCS – Indians vs. Red Sox
WORLD SERIES – Indians vs. Dodgers; Indians win
Terry Francona has managed a team coming off a heartbreak before. In 2003, he watched Aaron Boone rip out the hearts of an entire city before taking over the club. The next year, Boston won it all despite being down 3-0 in the ALCS. He has the roster, the commitment to winning from the front office, and the experience.
Chicago is the best team in baseball, but I’m playing the odds some here. Repeating in baseball, during this era, is extremely difficult.
MVP – Mike Trout (AL), Kris Bryant (NL)
Sleeper candidates: Jean Segura (AL), Starling Marte (NL)
CY YOUNG – Justin Verlander (AL), Clayton Kershaw (NL)
Sleeper candidates: Garrett Richards (AL), Aaron Nola (NL)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Andrew Benintendi (AL), Amed Rosario (NL)
7) Scanning the rest of the sports globe…
--- I know the NCAA wants to cram as many people as it can into Final Four games, and it’s great for the fans too. However, taking basketball teams used to shooting in small, hoops stadiums all season and putting them in massive arenas with very different shooting settings is always going to make poor shooting a possibility.
And I think another foul was just called in Monday night’s game.
--- Tony Romo gave Dallas fans ammo for years in the never-ending Houston vs. Dallas debates (pissing matches) at Orangebloods.com when he picked the CBS broadcast booth over continuing his NFL career.
Surprising? Yes. When healthy, Romo was one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and the lure of a Super Bowl can be extremely enticing. However, the constant injury issues weren’t likely to disappear, and the idea of starting somewhere fresh at 36 (he’ll turn 37 before May) clearly wasn’t as appealing as getting started on a broadcast career that includes a terrific opportunity to replace Phil Simms (America wins).
I think Romo will do well in that role. He’s smart, quick-thinking, has personality and humor, and knows the game.
--- I’m not going to pretend to be a golf expert, and I don’t watch it consistently. However, I do love, and stay glued to The Masters each year, which is an event I believe high-definition television was built for (just behind Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show).
If I was a gambling man, I’d be on Phil Mickelson +2800. Yes, he’d be the oldest champion ever, and hasn’t enjoyed great success recently. But he probably knows the course better than anyone in the field, which should come into play Friday when the wind is supposed to be 22 MPH.
For a guy that’s won the event three times and finished second in 2015, +2800 seems like value.
--- Can we just start the NBA Playoffs already?
--- Instant information like this is going to make baseball even more enjoyable:
---
Not a good look, Kevin O'Sullivan.
8) Anything and everything
--- Each time I visit New York City, I become even more frustrated with Austin’s lack of public transportation and transportation options in general.
--- If you go to ebay.com and search “Mike Trout MVP bobblehead” some of the results are bobbleheads going for over $100. So, if you have a bunch of bobbleheads in your desk somewhere, might be worth checking the value.
---
---
Only Chicago (one) and San Francisco (one) were American cities that made the list besides New York City.
9) The best, non-sports thing I read this week
A six-foot-six man from Memphis arrived in rural Mississippi, and is changing the lives of young children by teaching Chess. Incredible story that shows what good people and teachers can help young people accomplish.
1) Positive feelings?
Is Tom Herman starting to develop a crush on his football team?
Well, the might not seem like the appropriate phrase for a head coach and coaching staff that would require a “Parental Advisory” label if practices were rated like CDs. However, affection can be shown in a variety of ways, and there seems to be a feeling of admiration growing in Herman the more time he spends around the Texas program and his team. As he learns more about his guys and sees more reps in full pads, Herman has become unafraid to give praise where it’s deserved while still offering sometimes unforgiving but honest and necessary criticism. Yesterday's post-practice report was another prime example, and part of a developing trend.
This is a good thing for Texas.
It shows that Herman, a very intelligent person that could probably teach a graduate class on publicly pressing buttons and motivation techniques in football, is learning and gaining valuable intel about his roster. And while he knows there is still a mountain of work to be done, the new Texas head coach probably looks around at times during practice, and says to himself, “I have more to work with here than I did at Houston.” Of course, winning 10-plus games against a Big 12 schedule is more difficult than doing it at Houston, but the point remains – Herman, based on his post-practice comments weekly, is developing a little bit of a crush on the 2017 Longhorns. He wouldn't give off those signals if they were untrue.
What turns a crush into more than a crush? There are two things, and I think this quote from Anwar Richardson’s report last night nails one of them:
“When we’re in a live scrimmage situation, it is unacceptable to give anything but your maximum effort,” said Herman, also referencing they showed the team 10 video clips during a Tuesday team meeting that highlighted lack of effort. “We just need to keep playing and instill in them [pause]… applaud and praise those that do well, and those that exemplify our culture, and point out, continually point out, those that don’t, and make sure they are being taught what the expectations are around here every single play.”
Herman knows that if he can get those big, athletic, talented bodies to play with great effort, intelligence, attention to detail, and toughness, he could have a legitimate football team. But it starts with effort, and it would be a surprise if that’s something Texas doesn’t excel at next season.
2) Thing number two
Quarterbacks.
I know. I just threw you a 3-1 fastball when you were sitting dead-red heat. But it’s true, and it’s going to remain true until Texas has a known solution for the most important position in college football.
When will the quarterback position become easier to figure out? I don’t know. The Spring Game often has a way of revealing what to expect from the position, or at least creates the discussion narrative heading into the summer. Perhaps Herman is waiting on that game before throwing his best pitch to someone like Malik Zaire. Maybe not. It’s tough to figure out at the moment. I'm sure he'd love for Sam Ehlinger or Shane Buechele to put an end to the battle early.
That being said, there’s no denying that Texas needs another talented, scholarship quarterback to add to Ehlinger and Buechele and until that position is in a place Herman likes, it could serve as negative weight to whatever progress is made elsewhere.
3) Recruiting goals for Texas as the Spring Game nears
While Texas’ one commitment for the 2018 class might cause some to have concern and need a Tums, Texas is doing what it needs to do right now. The Longhorns are getting top names on campus, including multiple times, and are where they need to be in terms of building relationships with top targets. The Texas Spring Game should be another event, as many top names have told Orangebloods over the last couple of months, that hosts a lot of 2018 and 2019 talent.
However, there will soon come a point when Herman and company need to start adding to the commit list.
Texas needs to turn a lot of these visits and relationships into a couple commitments by the end of summer, and they need to be in-state prospects. Why? Because prospects that go through the summer uncommitted likely take their process into November, December, or Signing Day. That doesn't make it a negative, but Texas is in a position where it needs to build momentum and become an attractive destination to recruits under a new staff. Sending those signals early in the summer is necessary to make building a class later a successful venture. Plus, the Longhorns need to crack what is a very tight group of Houston-area prospects, and gain a couple of commitment from that group to help them in the future with those other targets. It becomes easier for other top prospects to join the mix when they see others doing it; recruits are often, especially in this era, followers.
So there’s no reason to be concerned right now, even if you look at schools like Texas A&M (six commitments), LSU (13), Oklahoma (six), and TCU (five). Texas’ presumed list of top names are still available, including quarterback targets. If it’s able to gain a couple of commitments from big names in Houston and grab its QB for the class by the time the calendar turns to August, that will put Texas where it needs to be at minimum.
4) The importance of finding and developing good three to four-year hoops players
On Monday night, Roy Williams won his third national championship. At North Carolina, the legendary head coach has perfected, while many have questioned his recruiting methods, roster-building to sustain success at an elite level. Of course, it helps that North Carolina can get players to stay in college a little more easily than other programs. Playing basketball at North Carolina leads to rockstar status. Nonetheless, Williams keeps winning while programs like Duke and Kentucky load up on five-star, one-and-done-types.
That’s because he and his staff understand the value of veteran, talented, three to four-year players they can develop in their program. Of course, there is more to understanding. They’re not the only coaches that get that, but they’ve remain committed to implementing it at the highest level.
Sure, they get their share of five-stars, like Isaiah Hicks and Theo Pinson. However, they often land five-star players that are not quite good enough, or aren’t interested in being one-and-done players. Often, there is a clear difference between the top 10 overall prospects in the country, and the five-stars that follow from 11-30.
Against Gonzaga, UNC started Joel Berry (junior), Pinson (junior), Justin Jackson (junior), Hicks (senior), and Kennedy Meeks (senior). It brought a senior guard (Nate Britt) off the bench, and also talented younger players, like McDonald’s All-American Tony Bradley (freshman).
When North Carolina won its last title prior to 2017 in 2009, it was almost the exact same mix: junior, junior, senior, junior, senior in the starting lineup with a solid senior guard off the bench, and a five-star freshman. In 2005, North Carolina started junior, junior, senior, senior, junior with five-star, and-and-done Marvin Williams coming off the bench with a junior big and a senior guard. That team won a national title as well.
That’s how programs that can recruit at an elite level win at an elite level – by utilizing talented, multi-year college players as the foundation, and then sprinkle in elite freshmen when available. Kansas does it just as well. Duke used to do it just as well. Michigan State, Villanova, and Louisville do it, and have won national championships that way.
Is that the way Shaka Smart wants to build at Texas? I believe so.
Texas signees/commitments Jericho Sims, Royce Hamm, Jase Febres, and Matt Coleman are all multi-year players, and probably three-year players at minimum to join James Banks and Jacob Young. It takes time, but in the near future Texas’ roster will likely be made up of a majority of three and four-year players, which gives Texas a chance to maximize the value of a potential one-and-done or two-and-done player.
There’s no doubt Smart likes pursuing a guy like Mohamed Bamba, who he knows is a one-and-done. Smart had zero chance at a player in the same galaxy out of high school when he was at VCU. But if he’s going to win big at Texas, it’ll be by doing what he was very good at during his VCU tenure – finding, signing, and developing players that are going to be contributors in the program for three seasons at minimum.
For discussion purposes, let’s just say that Texas either gets Jarrett Allen back, or signs Bamba. Best case scenario, obviously, and far, far away from a guarantee.
1 – Matt Coleman (freshman)
2 – Andrew Jones (sophomore)
3 – Kerwin Roach, Jr. (junior)
4 – Dylan Osetkowski (junior)
5 – Allen (sophomore)/Bamba (freshman)
Bench – Eric Davis, Jr. (junior), James Banks (sophomore), Young (sophomore), Sims (freshman), Febres (freshman), Hamm (freshman)
Of course, that above list doesn't account for however Texas chooses to use the other two scholarships.
If Allen stays in the draft and Bamba goes elsewhere, both a very realistic possibility, Texas would be in a position to sign a graduate transfer to add experience and depth to the roster. Regardless, the roster could at least begin to resemble a roster that can compete at the highest level.
For Texas, North Carolina is the blueprint. Achieving that isn’t easy, and takes time. But at Texas, and with the way Smart has already proven he can recruit, it’s achievable.
5) What has to happen for Texas Baseball to get over the hump
Let’s just keep it simple: Texas has to take the kind of approach and production it takes to midweek games into the weekend.
Of course, it’s one thing to pound the ball around the yard against Texas State, Sam Houston State, and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. It’s another thing to do it against a top 25 Oklahoma team. But the Longhorns don’t need eight runs every game. Heck, they would be 8-1 in Big 12 play if they scored just six runs in each contest, and have only given up six runs or more in one Big 12 game all year.
Against better stuff and command on the weekends, Texas must keep its competitiveness and confidence high, like it does during midweek games. Last night was a great example: Texas elevated its competitiveness and confidence in the third inning, and scored five runs with two outs. It then added on a few runs late.
Rather than allow good pitchers to consistently get ahead and get into two-strike counts by hesitating against offspeed stuff in fastball counts, Texas has to let it fly early in counts on pitches that are up or over the plate, and then recognize two-strike situations late that call for competing against pitchers’ pitches instead of hacking to drive it out of the park.
“We just have to be a little tougher in the box with two strikes, be able to fight off those pitchers, and then have the ability to stay on the ball when we get pitches to drive when we’re in hit counts,” David Pierce said last night. “For the most part, they did that all night. OU has a great pitching staff. They have a great team. We’re just going to have to have the same approach against quality pitchers.”
Frankly, Texas needs its veterans to step up at the plate. Despite hitting just .201 as a team in conference play, Texas is putting guys on base (.352 on-base percentage). The chances are there, but they’re not going to score themselves.
6) MLB 2017 Predictions
NATIONAL LEAGUE
EAST – Nationals, Mets, Marlins, Braves, Phillies
New York’s starting pitching could be the best in baseball, but it could also be two premium arms and then a bunch of guys that are in and out of the disabled list or can’t quite regain form. Washington, with the better offense and defense, is the safer pick. Miami, Atlanta, and Philadelphia will all probably win around 76 games.
CENTRAL – Cubs, Pirates, Cardinals, Brewers, Reds
Last year’s World Series champions will be really, really, really good again. Beyond Chicago, the Central is more unpredictable than intriguing.
Pittsburgh could be a potential Wild Card team. Gerrit Cole is back; Jameson Taillon should emerge as one of the better No. 2/No. 3 starters in baseball; Ivan Nova was terrific after he was acquired, and is likely Ray Searage’s next transformation success story; Gregory Polanco and Starling Marte are on the upswing in the outfield, and Josh Bell should finally get a full season of at-bats; the bench is good, and the lineup has a little flexibility even if it lacks pop. However, I’m not buying Tyler Glasnow’s breakout, and think he’ll struggle to show the command and control required to consistently get outs and to get deep into games, although the stuff will miss bats. Plus, Andrew McCutchen, now in right field, has to prove last year’s massive decline was injury-related, and the bullpen will probably be just okay.
Carlos Martinez is awesome, but St. Louis feels like a team on the decline. There isn’t a lot to like in the lineup, and the starting rotation isn’t as loaded as it has been consistently in the past. Milwaukee has some young talent waiting, and could surprise some folks. Still not ready to push it past two teams that have consistently played in the playoffs recently. Cincinnati will be really bad. After all, Scott Feldman was its Opening Day starter. But the speed at the top of its order will be fun.
WEST – Dodgers, Giants, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Padres
The scary thing about the Dodgers is they have some monstrous prospect talents lurking in the shadows, and the big-league club is all-around solid, led by the best pitcher on the planet.
I don’t love San Francisco, and almost put Colorado ahead of it. The Rockies are going to score a lot of runs, especially when top prospect David Dahl joins the lineup. However, the Giants have three innings-eaters – important during the regular season – at the top of the rotation, led by two studs, and the move to add Mark Melancon was desperately needed even if it didn’t work out Opening Day. I think it’s going to take another year for the Diamondbacks to shake the stink from the previous regime that is still lingering like a constant assault of beer farts on the same couch pillow.
The only thing standing between San Diego and being one of the all-time worst teams in baseball is its good defense and a couple of talented youngsters.
WILD CARD – Giants, Mets
Just missed - Rockies, Pirates, Cardinals
NLDS – Dodgers vs. Nationals; Cubs vs. Mets
NLCS – Dodgers vs. Cubs
A lot of familiar faces. That speaks to how well they’re built, and that the kids in the league don’t yet have the rosters yet to push an adult away from the big table.
AMERICAN LEAGUE
EAST – Red Sox, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rays, Orioles
You’ll find projections systems and smart baseball people that see the Rays as a team that can finish second in the division, and possibly push for a Wild Card spot thanks to its run-prevention. I’m not completely buying in on that. Toronto’s offense will be better and its starting pitching should be too.
The Yankees, almost fully committed to a rebuild but not quite, will hover around .500. Baltimore will overachieve some because of Buck Showalter and its veteran presence, but the pitching and corner outfield leave a lot to be desired.
CENTRAL – Indians, Tigers, Royals, White Sox, Twins
Cleveland made it to the World Series last season despite crappy starting pitching luck. It remains easily the best team in the division. The Tigers will hit with some power, and will receive enough starting pitching to make their decisions near the trade deadline interesting. But do they have the talent in the farm to make a big move? I don’t think so.
Like Baltimore, Kansas City will probably overachieve, but the starting pitching is messy. Minnesota being at the end could surprise some folks, but the White Sox have a few immense talents that are close to call-up. Plus, I don’t buy Byron Buxton’s breakout as a hitter and the starting pitching is above average best case scenario.
WEST – Astros, Rangers, Mariners, Angels, A’s
Buckle up, because this race is going to be wild. Winning division crowns is usually influenced more by offense while postseason baseball leans towards starting pitching and bullpens. Houston has arguably the best lineup in the American League, and is in the conversation as the best in baseball because of its talent, depth, versatility, and athleticism. If the Astros don’t score a ton of runs, it would be a surprise, and their questions in the rotation likely won’t be felt until the postseason, which gives them time to address them.
Seattle is a trendy pick to compete for the AL West crown, and Texas did have uncommonly amazing success in one-run games last season. Math and logic suggest that won’t happen again, but overlooking Texas isn’t wise. The Rangers are going to hit, and have a good balance of proven veterans and young talent. Yu Darvish’s performance and health will be the biggest factor in whether or not Texas is a competitor or just an above average team, but Texas should hit enough.
As for the Mariners, I’m all-in on James Paxton, Jean Segura, and think Felix Hernandez will bounce back with a solid season. Robinson Cano remains one of the best hitters on the planet, and Kyle Seager has proven to be a consistently good big-leaguer. But if you can name Seattle’s starting outfield, I’ll be impressed. It needs a couple of big-name outfield prospects to progress and quickly.
Simply put, the Angels piss me off. They’re like a kid that receives a pair of brand new Jordans and consistently finds a way to step in dog crap or ignorantly runs through muddy fields. And even more annoying will be when Garrett Richards, Tyler Skaggs, and the rotation perform well enough to put them in the hunt but the garbage in the lineup surrounding the best player on the planet will again waste another one of his all-time great seasons. Oakland is going to be better than you think with four starting pitchers all projected to have FIPs under 4.00, but it probably won’t matter in a loaded division.
WILD CARD – Blue Jays, Rangers
Just missed - Mariners, Tigers, Angels
ALDS – Indians vs. Blue Jays; Astros vs. Red Sox
ALCS – Indians vs. Red Sox
WORLD SERIES – Indians vs. Dodgers; Indians win
Terry Francona has managed a team coming off a heartbreak before. In 2003, he watched Aaron Boone rip out the hearts of an entire city before taking over the club. The next year, Boston won it all despite being down 3-0 in the ALCS. He has the roster, the commitment to winning from the front office, and the experience.
Chicago is the best team in baseball, but I’m playing the odds some here. Repeating in baseball, during this era, is extremely difficult.
MVP – Mike Trout (AL), Kris Bryant (NL)
Sleeper candidates: Jean Segura (AL), Starling Marte (NL)
CY YOUNG – Justin Verlander (AL), Clayton Kershaw (NL)
Sleeper candidates: Garrett Richards (AL), Aaron Nola (NL)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR – Andrew Benintendi (AL), Amed Rosario (NL)
7) Scanning the rest of the sports globe…
--- I know the NCAA wants to cram as many people as it can into Final Four games, and it’s great for the fans too. However, taking basketball teams used to shooting in small, hoops stadiums all season and putting them in massive arenas with very different shooting settings is always going to make poor shooting a possibility.
And I think another foul was just called in Monday night’s game.
--- Tony Romo gave Dallas fans ammo for years in the never-ending Houston vs. Dallas debates (pissing matches) at Orangebloods.com when he picked the CBS broadcast booth over continuing his NFL career.
Surprising? Yes. When healthy, Romo was one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and the lure of a Super Bowl can be extremely enticing. However, the constant injury issues weren’t likely to disappear, and the idea of starting somewhere fresh at 36 (he’ll turn 37 before May) clearly wasn’t as appealing as getting started on a broadcast career that includes a terrific opportunity to replace Phil Simms (America wins).
I think Romo will do well in that role. He’s smart, quick-thinking, has personality and humor, and knows the game.
--- I’m not going to pretend to be a golf expert, and I don’t watch it consistently. However, I do love, and stay glued to The Masters each year, which is an event I believe high-definition television was built for (just behind Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show).
If I was a gambling man, I’d be on Phil Mickelson +2800. Yes, he’d be the oldest champion ever, and hasn’t enjoyed great success recently. But he probably knows the course better than anyone in the field, which should come into play Friday when the wind is supposed to be 22 MPH.
For a guy that’s won the event three times and finished second in 2015, +2800 seems like value.
--- Can we just start the NBA Playoffs already?
--- Instant information like this is going to make baseball even more enjoyable:
---
Not a good look, Kevin O'Sullivan.
8) Anything and everything
--- Each time I visit New York City, I become even more frustrated with Austin’s lack of public transportation and transportation options in general.
--- If you go to ebay.com and search “Mike Trout MVP bobblehead” some of the results are bobbleheads going for over $100. So, if you have a bunch of bobbleheads in your desk somewhere, might be worth checking the value.
---
---
Only Chicago (one) and San Francisco (one) were American cities that made the list besides New York City.
9) The best, non-sports thing I read this week
A six-foot-six man from Memphis arrived in rural Mississippi, and is changing the lives of young children by teaching Chess. Incredible story that shows what good people and teachers can help young people accomplish.
Last edited:
