Tuesday May 27, 2008

Baseball's Improvement

Baseball's Improvement
Like most of you, I was disappointed as I sat and waited for Clemson to be called out on the NCAA selection show yesterday. I knew the Tigers were a long shot but I still had some hope.

Quite frankly, I did not think Clemson deserved to get in the field but neither did Oklahoma. Clemson did not win enough games and was not deserving of a bid.

So now we can turn our attention to the 2009 baseball season. In my opinion there is one simple answer and two paths to the answer. The key to Clemson's improvement is better players. The two paths to better players are recruiting and development.

Now that sounds pretty simple and it is no secret that the Tigers need to recruit better. But I have had recent conversations with baseball people and they have emphasized the player development aspect as well.

College baseball players make big strides in their summer leagues. Clemson should be a little better automatically because of experience but the Tigers can make an even bigger jump if this set of players works extremely hard in the off-season.

Kyle Parker looks like he is a guy you can build around. He has good power and is a run producer. Ben Paulson showed signs of being the same at first base. But the Tigers must improve at the other run producing positions. Jeff Schaus improved as the season progressed and he added more pop in the second half. Wilson Boyd, Addison Johnson, Chris Epps, Parker and Schaus will give Jack Leggett options in the outfield. The designated hitter spot this season was a big weakness and some of these outfielders will have to improve this spot.

Mike Freeman improved from a weak-hitting second baseman last year at Georgia to the Tigers leading hitter this season. Freeman and Paulson will man the right side of the infield. I am not sure what the left side of the infield will look like but the Tigers need more productivity out of both positions next season. Clemson will also break in a new catcher.

The bullpen has to get better because it could not have been much worse. D.J. Mitchell was the only starter that showed consistency and Matt Vaughn was the only reliable option in the bullpen. Both are draft eligible. The entire staff needs an overhaul with new talent but the development of young pitchers like Graham Stoneburner and Craig Gullickson will be another key.

I am more optimistic of the long-term outlook of Clemson baseball than I am the short-term. If you told me the draft would not kill the incoming recruiting class and the players coming back will have great summers of improvement then I would feel a little better about the short term also.

Levon Kirkland
Apparently Levon Kirkland got in one more shot at the Gamecocks last Monday evening. In his acceptance speech at the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in Columbia, the former Tiger linebacker thanked all of the Gamecocks in attendance for the four wonderful victories. The Lamar native went 4-0 against the Gamecocks in his Clemson career which included the 1988-1991 seasons.

South Carolina Recruiting
Two weeks ago I wrote a blog about how well the Tigers are recruiting in North Carolina and since then I have been asked about how Clemson is doing in the Palmetto State. Here is a rundown of the 12 players in South Carolina that Clemson has offered so far:

Sam Montgomery DE 6-4, 230 Greenwood, SC-The state's top prospect and a terrific athlete. This pass rusher has national offers but I think Clemson would not trade their position with him at this point.

Demario Jeffery DB 6-3, 215 Columbia, SC-The safety committed to Clemson in the spring but quickly changed his mind. South Carolina and Alabama are the leaders but Clemson may have a chance to sneak back in there before February.

Chris Bonds DL 6-4, 265 Columbia, SC-Like some players from the midlands, this is a prospect that has never had any interest in Clemson. The Tigers have zero chance here.

Malliciah Goodman DE 6-4, 260 Florence, SC-This Clemson commitment is seeing his stock soar with great showing at some combines. When you draw up a pass rusher on paper you include long arms like this prospect has. Here is another high character kid.

J.K. Jay OL 6-6, 275 Greenville, SC-Jay is a very early Tiger commitment that has turned into a Clemson recruiting machine. Jay is fully recovered from the injury and is ready for a big 2008 season. This is the best offensive linemen in the state.

Stephon Gilmore ATH 6-1, 180 Rock Hill, SC-Here is a fantastic athlete that could play anywhere in the secondary in college. Gilmore has national offers and South Carolina has made him a priority but I believe the Tigers are the current leaders.

Quinton Washington OL 6-3, 315 St. Stephen, SC-This is a very strong interior offensive lineman that will give the Tigers a fair shot but at this point the Gamecocks are ahead.

Ricco Sanders WR 5-11, 180 Duncan, SC-Sanders is terrific in the open field after the catch. Clemson is involved with some highly thought of receivers and even though the Tigers have offered, Sanders has competition here for one of the two or three final scholarships at this position.

Brandon Thomas OL 6-4, 280 Spartanburg, SC-The Tigers will take at least one more offensive lineman in this class and they currently lead for this athletic prospect. Thomas has really impressed at his spring combines with his incredible 40 times.

Duane Chisolm DL 6-3, 250 Beaufort, SC-Clemson recently offered this future defensive tackle. His academics are improving and he has a shot to qualify. This could be a Clemson-South Carolina battle.

Chris Payne DB 5-10, 190 Columbia, SC-Clemson offered this USC commitment in an attempt to steal away his teammate Demario Jeffery and it worked for a few hours. The Tigers no longer have any interest here.

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