Re: Thoughts on next years lineup

CoachOliver · 2025-06-09T18:59:09.918Z

Totally hypothetical here C - Jarrell 1B - Gaffney 2B/SS/3B - purify/Lichtenberger/Someone (Castellani, this high school kid, or a transfer) LF - Tait Reynolds (early enrollee??) CF - Ryan Wideman (if we get him) RF - Wentworth DH - Priest SP1 - Knaak SP2 - Moehler SP3 - Bell SP4 - ??? (A freshman) Closer 1 - D2 transfer Closer 2 - (going on a BIG limb here) Leguernic Will need at least 9 healthy (key word) pen arms. What are your thoughts?

RREnglish

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Jun 9, 2025, 4:37 PM

I think Crighton ends up in RF or LF honestly, he has the best current corner outfield defense, and also the most experience. Bakich limits the amount of playing time freshman get already, so I don't think Tait would be at the level to start right off the bat, even if he did enroll early. 3B is Clavon's spot to lose right now, he's the most proven player on the current roster at 3rd, although I'd like to see Castellani get starts as well (maybe a platoon or have one of them take reps in the OF), the better bat has priority.

Personally, barring a Wideman transfer, Wentworth is the best option in CF for now in my opinion, he's got good speed and a cannon for an arm which should play nicely in center. LF should be a battle between the odd man out of 2B/3B/SS and McCladdie, with Crighton in RF.

I wouldn't be shocked if LeGuernic gets the midweek spot to start and Gillen slots in as the setup guy or second closer. I also think (depending on the offseason) that McGovern gets the Saturday starting role unless he stinks it up or gets outplayed by Moehler or Bell. He hasn't done great starting, but has been incredible in long relief, so he might be the primary innings guy if Bakich wants to go with a bullpen game on the weekends.

I agree with the bullpen arms, you can never have too many, as shown clearly last year. Some MLB writer came up with an acronym TINSTAAPP (there is no such thing as a pitching prospect) basically describing that you can never rely too heavily on unproven young arms, and that the focus needs to be on pitchers with notable, definite experience.

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My thoughts, as of today:

LF Crighton
CF Wideman (assuming he doesn’t get drafted)
RF Wentworth
3B Clavon
SS Lichtenberger
2B Purify
1B Gaffney
C Jarrell
DH Priest

McCladdie, Fultz (incoming frosh), and Castellani first off the bench. I think Kilby is drafted too highly to step foot on campus, unfortunately.

SP1: Knaak
SP2: Titsworth
SP3: Bell
SP4: Transfer option or Moehler when he returns in April

Key bullpen arms: McGovern, Allen, Veasey, Simmerson, Leguernic (I think he takes a big step in 2026), Kissenberth (when he returns), & Gillen.

The biggest hinge piece here is Wideman. He was on campus yesterday, hope he doesn’t get drafted too highly. Kilby is the other big swing piece. If we can get him on campus, that would be a huge, huge bat at a position of need. I still think we need one more OF (if Wideman is drafted) and one more pitcher, ideally a guy who can start if necessary.

Thoughts on next years lineup