You could not have asked for much better weather today. 75 degrees and sunny at the Disch. The game itself was not full of fireworks, but Alumni games rarely are. That said, there were some solid take aways from the action.
Pitching:
LHP Dylan Volantis - the freshman southpaw went 3 IP giving up 2 hits and striking out 3. After the game, Coach Schlossnagle commented that this was not the most impressive performance that he has seen from Volantis. While Dylan will not over power many hitters with high velo, he does a great job of mixing up his pitches and keeping hitters off balance. As the staff looks for a 3rd starter, it would not surprise me in the least to see Volantis have the opportunity to get some starts this year. Even if he doesn't, Texas staff and fans should feel good about having a group of talented freshman in Dylan Volantis, Bryce Navarre, Jason Flores, and Drew Rerick.
RHP Cody Howard - The righty still has a tendency to have too much cut on his fastball and get too deep into counts, which can run him into trouble, but overall, a solid outing by a guy that can continue to be stretched out and contend for a rotation job. I still need to see more to be a believer, but Cody does look better mechanically than he did last year already.
RHP Ruger Riojas - The UTSA transfer has been talked up all Fall and into the Spring so far. Expectations met! The veteran righty came in and started mowing folks down, racking up 5Ks on the evening with a lively 94mph fastball and outstanding breaking ball. His role is still yet to be determined with him most likely being used in the Aschenbeck role from last year, but suffice to say, fans will see quite a bit of Riojas in 2025. For those not familiar with how Aschenbeck was used, he was brought in at the first sign of trouble to calm things down.
LHP Ethan Walker - After Howard ran into his pitch count limit, Walker was brought in. The lefty is another guy who will never wow you with velo, but he has a funky arm angle that creates some real deception. I see Walker being a guy that is used in middle relief and as a guy who can come in and eat a few innings when needed.
RHP Connor McCreery - The South Carolina transfer came in and got touched up unfortunately. Usually a guy with a really good fastball and cutter, his pitches were a bit flattened out today and hitters had good timing on him. He is a kid with experience in the SEC though, so I forsee him having better days.
RHP Andre Duplantier - the veteran had a fairly quiet day at the office outside of walking his baby brother. Dre's velo ticked up in the Fall and has stayed there, comfortably sitting 92-94 now. I expect he will continue to be a guy to help bridge middle relief to the closer as he did last year.
RHP Aiden Moffett - The LSU transfer came in throwing straight gas. His first three pitches were 97, 94, 96. He topped out at 98 against Zach Zubia, and generated some really uncomfortable looks for hitters as the fastball has some nasty late life, cutting both to the glove and arm side. He struck out all three batters he saw. If Moffett can stay consistent throwing strikes and pounding the zone, he is going be one hell of a weapon out of the pen.
RHP Thomas Burns - He did not miss a ton of bats tonight, but did flash his 96mph fastball. A bit of an off night, there is a lot more there that can be really good. He needs to continue to attack the zone and mix in some of his off-speed stuff to keep hitters off balance.
RHP Jason Flores - the freshman also came in firing, throwing consistent heaters 94-95. He did finally mix in some breaking balls which got Silas Ardoin to chase. Would like to see him not rely so much on his fastball, but he will learn what works best and to trust the coaches and his stuff. He will need to continue working on command, but overall, solid night for the freshman.
LHP Bryce Navarre - the freshman left entered the game and immediately struck Jayden Duplantier out on a nasty breaking ball. He did give up a walk and a single, but also induced a Borba pop up and a Carson Luna strikeout. Overall, Navarre did a solid job and I expect that he will see quite a bit of action out of the pen for the Horns this season.
RHP Drew Rerick - the North Dakota native and freshman came in and immediately issued a walk to Dougie Hodo on a 96mph fastball. He then hit Cam Williams with a 94mph fastball that got away from him. The good news is that Rerick continued to battle and not get down, trusting his stuff and attacking. The talent is there, he just cannot get caught up in the moment.
LHP Will Mercer - Oh my what could have been, but lo, patience has been rewarded! Fall of 2023, Will Mercer came from Notre Dame as an experienced lefty who had pitched in the CWS and was damn near unhittable...until he got injured. Fast forward just over a year and Mercer is back on the mound for the Horns and he came into the night pumping gas. He struck out Oliver Service with a 97 heater, gave up a hit to Matt Scott and then struck out Carson Luna with a 95mph fastball. The 97 that he threw to Service was his fastest heater of his career.
Hitting:
Adrian Rodriguez took a little bit of time to get the nerves out, but the talented freshman made up for it by hitting an oppo taco into the LF bullpen and collect a hard hit single up the middle. There are going to be nights where he struggles, but he looked very comfortable at the plate. Defensively, he was very sound at 3B and he played very well when shifted over to the right side for Kody Clemens.
Cole Chamberlain - I have been trying to tell anyone who would listen that one of the bats I was most impressed by in the Fall was Cole. He has been spending time in the cages with Tulo and Kimble and it shows. He launched a cutter over the wall in RF (404 ft) that had an exit velo of 109. He also collected a hard hit single up the middle . Solid night for the young man who could push his way into the DH role.
Jalin Flores - not a ton to say, he is locked in and really good at the plate.
Max Belyeu - he was under the weather sick, so the staff gave him the night off - opening the door for Tommy Farmer
Tommy Farmer IV - stepped in for Max and looked really good at the plate. Physically he has all the tools and with another year under his belt, he looked the part, putting good at bats together and not just making contact, but making solid contact. Really nice depth piece developing for the Horns. Defensively, he didn't have much if any work, but we have seen what he can do in CF before.
Rylan Galvan - A bit of a quiet night, but he put together some solid at bats and the power is still there to take one deep at any time.
Will Gasparino - put together some nice at bats tonight. He has definitely shortened his swing and it shows. Got fooled on a really nice breaking ball down low, but otherwise, looked much more comfortable.
Easton Winfield - Coach Schloss said after the game that Winfield is making some changes to his swing mechanics and it showed. He looked like a guy trying to make some adjustments. He didn't have bad at bats, just were not as super productive as seen last season. It is still very early though, so I am not concerned at all
Ethan Mendoza - a quiet night at the plate as well. He put together some solid at bats, but not a ton to show for it. I have heard that Jayden Duplantier has really come on strong as of late, which will help push Mendoza.
Casey Borba - had solid at bats tonight, but again, not a ton to show for it, other than a walk. He looked comfortable defensively at 3B.
Jaquae Stewart - he definitely knows how to swing and put a charge into a ball. He has lost nearly 30 pounds since making it to campus and continues to transform his body without losing power. In addition, he continues to surprise folks when he runs as he is much more nimble than one would think.
Oliver Service - kid struck out twice, once on a nasty 96mph fastball and the other on a nasty 97mph fastball. Keep grinding
Sam Richardson - struck out in his only at bat, but got to show off his cannon as he threw a ball on a laser from RF to 3B
Matt Scott - the freshman had a nice Fall and has carried that over into the Spring. He hit a Will Mercer 94mph fastball up the middle for a single. This year he can develop and be a great depth piece for the team.
Carson Luna - struck out by Mercer on a nasty 95mph fastball to end things. I love his glove at SS and he very well might be the future there, but needs more development and time at the plate.
Overall Thoughts:
A scrimmage against the Alumni is exactly that, but it gave the youngsters and transfers the chance to experience what it is like at the Disch in front of a real crowd and not empty seats like practice. Coach Schloss praised all the fans after the game for coming out and supporting the team and can't wait to get the season going. Schloss was a bit miffed by the number of walks the staff allowed, but said they aren't a finished product yet and will continue to get better.
Game MVP -
Pitching:
LHP Dylan Volantis - the freshman southpaw went 3 IP giving up 2 hits and striking out 3. After the game, Coach Schlossnagle commented that this was not the most impressive performance that he has seen from Volantis. While Dylan will not over power many hitters with high velo, he does a great job of mixing up his pitches and keeping hitters off balance. As the staff looks for a 3rd starter, it would not surprise me in the least to see Volantis have the opportunity to get some starts this year. Even if he doesn't, Texas staff and fans should feel good about having a group of talented freshman in Dylan Volantis, Bryce Navarre, Jason Flores, and Drew Rerick.
RHP Cody Howard - The righty still has a tendency to have too much cut on his fastball and get too deep into counts, which can run him into trouble, but overall, a solid outing by a guy that can continue to be stretched out and contend for a rotation job. I still need to see more to be a believer, but Cody does look better mechanically than he did last year already.
RHP Ruger Riojas - The UTSA transfer has been talked up all Fall and into the Spring so far. Expectations met! The veteran righty came in and started mowing folks down, racking up 5Ks on the evening with a lively 94mph fastball and outstanding breaking ball. His role is still yet to be determined with him most likely being used in the Aschenbeck role from last year, but suffice to say, fans will see quite a bit of Riojas in 2025. For those not familiar with how Aschenbeck was used, he was brought in at the first sign of trouble to calm things down.
LHP Ethan Walker - After Howard ran into his pitch count limit, Walker was brought in. The lefty is another guy who will never wow you with velo, but he has a funky arm angle that creates some real deception. I see Walker being a guy that is used in middle relief and as a guy who can come in and eat a few innings when needed.
RHP Connor McCreery - The South Carolina transfer came in and got touched up unfortunately. Usually a guy with a really good fastball and cutter, his pitches were a bit flattened out today and hitters had good timing on him. He is a kid with experience in the SEC though, so I forsee him having better days.
RHP Andre Duplantier - the veteran had a fairly quiet day at the office outside of walking his baby brother. Dre's velo ticked up in the Fall and has stayed there, comfortably sitting 92-94 now. I expect he will continue to be a guy to help bridge middle relief to the closer as he did last year.
RHP Aiden Moffett - The LSU transfer came in throwing straight gas. His first three pitches were 97, 94, 96. He topped out at 98 against Zach Zubia, and generated some really uncomfortable looks for hitters as the fastball has some nasty late life, cutting both to the glove and arm side. He struck out all three batters he saw. If Moffett can stay consistent throwing strikes and pounding the zone, he is going be one hell of a weapon out of the pen.
RHP Thomas Burns - He did not miss a ton of bats tonight, but did flash his 96mph fastball. A bit of an off night, there is a lot more there that can be really good. He needs to continue to attack the zone and mix in some of his off-speed stuff to keep hitters off balance.
RHP Jason Flores - the freshman also came in firing, throwing consistent heaters 94-95. He did finally mix in some breaking balls which got Silas Ardoin to chase. Would like to see him not rely so much on his fastball, but he will learn what works best and to trust the coaches and his stuff. He will need to continue working on command, but overall, solid night for the freshman.
LHP Bryce Navarre - the freshman left entered the game and immediately struck Jayden Duplantier out on a nasty breaking ball. He did give up a walk and a single, but also induced a Borba pop up and a Carson Luna strikeout. Overall, Navarre did a solid job and I expect that he will see quite a bit of action out of the pen for the Horns this season.
RHP Drew Rerick - the North Dakota native and freshman came in and immediately issued a walk to Dougie Hodo on a 96mph fastball. He then hit Cam Williams with a 94mph fastball that got away from him. The good news is that Rerick continued to battle and not get down, trusting his stuff and attacking. The talent is there, he just cannot get caught up in the moment.
LHP Will Mercer - Oh my what could have been, but lo, patience has been rewarded! Fall of 2023, Will Mercer came from Notre Dame as an experienced lefty who had pitched in the CWS and was damn near unhittable...until he got injured. Fast forward just over a year and Mercer is back on the mound for the Horns and he came into the night pumping gas. He struck out Oliver Service with a 97 heater, gave up a hit to Matt Scott and then struck out Carson Luna with a 95mph fastball. The 97 that he threw to Service was his fastest heater of his career.
Hitting:
Adrian Rodriguez took a little bit of time to get the nerves out, but the talented freshman made up for it by hitting an oppo taco into the LF bullpen and collect a hard hit single up the middle. There are going to be nights where he struggles, but he looked very comfortable at the plate. Defensively, he was very sound at 3B and he played very well when shifted over to the right side for Kody Clemens.
Cole Chamberlain - I have been trying to tell anyone who would listen that one of the bats I was most impressed by in the Fall was Cole. He has been spending time in the cages with Tulo and Kimble and it shows. He launched a cutter over the wall in RF (404 ft) that had an exit velo of 109. He also collected a hard hit single up the middle . Solid night for the young man who could push his way into the DH role.
Jalin Flores - not a ton to say, he is locked in and really good at the plate.
Max Belyeu - he was under the weather sick, so the staff gave him the night off - opening the door for Tommy Farmer
Tommy Farmer IV - stepped in for Max and looked really good at the plate. Physically he has all the tools and with another year under his belt, he looked the part, putting good at bats together and not just making contact, but making solid contact. Really nice depth piece developing for the Horns. Defensively, he didn't have much if any work, but we have seen what he can do in CF before.
Rylan Galvan - A bit of a quiet night, but he put together some solid at bats and the power is still there to take one deep at any time.
Will Gasparino - put together some nice at bats tonight. He has definitely shortened his swing and it shows. Got fooled on a really nice breaking ball down low, but otherwise, looked much more comfortable.
Easton Winfield - Coach Schloss said after the game that Winfield is making some changes to his swing mechanics and it showed. He looked like a guy trying to make some adjustments. He didn't have bad at bats, just were not as super productive as seen last season. It is still very early though, so I am not concerned at all
Ethan Mendoza - a quiet night at the plate as well. He put together some solid at bats, but not a ton to show for it. I have heard that Jayden Duplantier has really come on strong as of late, which will help push Mendoza.
Casey Borba - had solid at bats tonight, but again, not a ton to show for it, other than a walk. He looked comfortable defensively at 3B.
Jaquae Stewart - he definitely knows how to swing and put a charge into a ball. He has lost nearly 30 pounds since making it to campus and continues to transform his body without losing power. In addition, he continues to surprise folks when he runs as he is much more nimble than one would think.
Oliver Service - kid struck out twice, once on a nasty 96mph fastball and the other on a nasty 97mph fastball. Keep grinding
Sam Richardson - struck out in his only at bat, but got to show off his cannon as he threw a ball on a laser from RF to 3B
Matt Scott - the freshman had a nice Fall and has carried that over into the Spring. He hit a Will Mercer 94mph fastball up the middle for a single. This year he can develop and be a great depth piece for the team.
Carson Luna - struck out by Mercer on a nasty 95mph fastball to end things. I love his glove at SS and he very well might be the future there, but needs more development and time at the plate.
Overall Thoughts:
A scrimmage against the Alumni is exactly that, but it gave the youngsters and transfers the chance to experience what it is like at the Disch in front of a real crowd and not empty seats like practice. Coach Schloss praised all the fans after the game for coming out and supporting the team and can't wait to get the season going. Schloss was a bit miffed by the number of walks the staff allowed, but said they aren't a finished product yet and will continue to get better.
Game MVP -
