English switch hitting

[ucan'tlickourcocks]

Just got done listening to Coach Holbrooks presser, and one thing that stood out to me, was that Chad really seems bothered by the number of SO's we had on offense last year, particularly Tanner English! Apparently one of Holbrooks fixes for this is to turn Tanner into a switch hitter.

The one thing that jumps out at me, is how will the opposition stop Tanner from bunting from the left side of the plate! With his speed, that will be a hard out!

Having said that, this seems a tall task, wonder if Tanner has ever tried this???

[sc455]

what stood out to me was a life lesson comment. he said that he tells the team to not let the failures of the past hinder you from accomplishments in the future.

[usc1]

Not too often you see people learning how to switch hit at this stage. Hopefully it makes him better

[cack]

All I know is with Tanner English's speed he can score from first one a single.

[Dam Racals]

I think he will struggle at first,give him a few games and he should be ok.

[scfastpitch]

I'm excited about it . One of the greatest base stealers of all time took up switch-hitting when he was 25 years old . Maury Wills had floundered around in the minor leagues for 8 years when his manager at AAA Spokane, Bobby Bragan, suggested to Maury that he try switch-hitting .

[Coulwoodwarlord]

It's not like Tanner is gonna be jackin it out of the park anyway, might as well try some small ball with a twist. By the way, anybody else stunned that LB is taking over at first ? I mean the dude was a vacuum cleaner at 3rd, could we not field another 1st baseman without hurting our lineup ?

[sc455]

Originally Posted by Coulwoodwarlord

It's not like Tanner is gonna be jackin it out of the park anyway, might as well try some small ball with a twist. By the way, anybody else stunned that LB is taking over at first ? I mean the dude was a vacuum cleaner at 3rd, could we not field another 1st baseman without hurting our lineup ?

how is he hurting our lineup? do you not think that holbrook has someone else he feels can do the job?

i am not remotely close to questioning moves liike that. i am different and assume we will have a stud at third.

[ucan'tlickourcocks]

Originally Posted by Coulwoodwarlord

By the way, anybody else stunned that LB is taking over at first ? I mean the dude was a vacuum cleaner at 3rd, could we not field another 1st baseman without hurting our lineup ?

Good point....... was always thinking that Kyle Martin was being groomed to take Walkers place...... but CH is trying to get the best 9 on the field I guess......

So who are the candidates for playing 3rd?

[walk.daddy]

I might get bashed for saying this but I don't think it would be that bad of an idea to try Griener at 3rd and let Dante Rosenberg catch. Dante stepped up big in the CWS and I could see this working.

Grayson is obviously a very good catcher and have no problem with him playing that position but you have to think with his size that his knees could suffer throughout the duration of a full season. At least at 3rd he would be able to show off that arm of his rather than trying him at 1st.

[eaglegolf018]

Originally Posted by ucan'tlickourcocks

Good point....... was always thinking that Kyle Martin was being groomed to take Walkers place...... but CH is trying to get the best 9 on the field I guess......

So who are the candidates for playing 3rd?

Chase Vergason?

This is my theory on English switch hitting. He couldn't hit anything that broke away from him last year. Was made to look bad on sliders that weren't close. So switch hitting, the ball will break towards you. That's what I heard a pro switch hitter say one time. They always go opposite from the pitcher because they hate the ball breaking away from them. Just my $.02

^^^ Dante never caught in Omaha. Was very good behind the plate in the regional and super regional but gave us nothing with the bat. Offense will be struggling enough this year without a sub .200 hitter.

[usc1]

The reason LB is going to first is because Schrock is taking Vergason's place at 2nd so they have to shift Vergason somewhere else and 3rd is a better fit for Vergason than 1st.

[ReadR00ster]

I think they are doing this because he could possibly average 2.5 bunts a game and have a .300 Bunting average for the season

[ktguen]

Originally Posted by usc1

The reason LB is going to first is because Schrock is taking Vergason's place at 2nd so they have to shift Vergason somewhere else and 3rd is a better fit for Vergason than 1st.

I kind of thought they would go with Kyle Martin at 1st, then Schrock at 2nd and keep LB at 3rd.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the line up play around with both of those options we listed and see what works best.

[Coulwoodwarlord]

Originally Posted by usc1

The reason LB is going to first is because Schrock is taking Vergason's place at 2nd so they have to shift Vergason somewhere else and 3rd is a better fit for Vergason than 1st.

Well, one thing is for certain. It won't take long to see how Chase handles it. I see the logic in it, but last year was full of rockets down the third base line that LB blew me away with in handling. I hope his fielding prowess shows out at 1st and Chase picks up where he left off !

[eaglegolf018]

Originally Posted by ktguen

I kind of thought they would go with Kyle Martin at 1st, then Schrock at 2nd and keep LB at 3rd.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the line up play around with both of those options we listed and see what works best.

Apparently Martin had his chance in Fall and just didn't get it done. Apparently not hitting.

[scfastpitch]

Vergason was one of our best players the last month of the season last year and they would like to keep him in the lineup . Chase also played third base his first year in junior college so he has experience at that spot .

[usc1]

Originally Posted by ktguen

I kind of thought they would go with Kyle Martin at 1st, then Schrock at 2nd and keep LB at 3rd.

I wouldn't be surprised to see the line up play around with both of those options we listed and see what works best.

Yeah I've always like Martin and wish he got more chances last year. Martin was hot at the plate for the first half of the year while Vergason was hot during playoff time.

[Singaporecock]

English has adjusted nicely but may still have bad abs. Chad said he has hit a few out from that side of the plate...which pissed him off because he wants him to hit it on the ground!

[walk.daddy]

Originally Posted by eaglegolf018

Chase Vergason?


^^^ Dante never caught in Omaha. Was very good behind the plate in the regional and super regional but gave us nothing with the bat. Offense will be struggling enough this year without a sub .200 hitter.

I'm pretty sure he caught the first game against Arkansas. Maybe I'm thinking more about the Regionals and Supers but I'm almost positive he saw some action in Oma...... Nebraska.