Three workouts under gray skies and temperatures in the mid- to low-40s made for three hasty intrasquads. The Owls are tentatively scheduled to be off Monday, so the time is right to review the action that unfolded at The Reck this weekend. Format: stream of consciousness.
PITCHING
As Owls assistant coach David Pierce so cryptically noted, there are 34 players competing for 25 roster spots. The glut is on the staff, so Pierce expected the sense of urgency his pitchers displayed during the weekend. Given the overabundance of arms, pitchers are pressed to give all they have every outing because the margin for error is dangerously slim for most involved.
Fr. RHPs Chase McDowell and Tyler Spurlin continue to display the attentiveness required of newcomers angling to make an impact. Spurlin worked three efficient innings on Saturday (32 pitches) while McDowell continues to perform in a manner that makes him a valuable commodity. He has succeeded at spotting the fastball and ably mixed in his breaking ball and changeup, but his poise, athleticism and ability to handle the running game have been critical. McDowell appears comfortable under duress, behavior that is earning the trust of the staff.
While a decision is all but finalized on Fr. RHP Tyler Duffey - "he has the right stuff and potential to pitch a lot" Pierce said - Fr. LHP Holt McNair continues to impress. His "savvy" and awareness of his repertoire are assets, as is his ability to throw his changeup to righthanders and curve to lefties for strikes. He struck out Steven Sultzbaugh and Geoff Perrott on nasty off-speed pitches on Sunday, then enhanced his reputation as the southpaw with the best pick off move by erasing Sr. 1B Jimmy Comerota off the bases to cap his second inning of work.
Keep an eye on Jr. RHP Boogie Anagnostou, who worked both sides of the plate on Saturday while getting strikes with his sinking fastball. Anagnostou has improved his pitching pattern, and The OG is confident that as Anagnostou gains confidence in his two-seam fastball, he'll approach the velocity (93-94 mph) that made him a coveted recruit out of LaPorte High.
OFFENSE
As expected, the pitching was one step ahead of the hitting this weekend, and the chilly conditions didn't benefit the hitters. As they get more at-bats against harder fastballs and breaking balls, expect the Owls' position players to rediscover their rhythm and batting stroke.
Jr. SS Rick Hague looked "great" and "very determined" according to Owls assistant Mike Taylor, and given how dedicated Hague is to the concept of steady improvement, that evaluation isn't surprising. Hague is setting the tone for his teammates with his impressive work ethic, a powerful example coming from one of the team's most talented athletes.
Through three intrasquads, So. 3B Anthony Rendon is 5-for-6 with four runs scored, three walks and an RBI. He's going to pitched around a ton this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes the year with an on-base percentage around .500. Regarding who hits ahead and behind Rendon, Taylor said the staff has, "talked openly about embracing the moment." Whoever precedes Rendon in the lineup will get a steady diet of fastballs, and whoever follows him will come to the plate with two men on base multiple times. In theory, the No. 5-hole hitter could drive in between 75-100 runs because Rendon will be walked frequently.
DEFENSE
The Owls flubbed a couple of relay plays prior to Sunday, so before they began their intrasquad they were forcefully devoted to the craft of executing the relay play properly. Otherwise the defense has been solid, especially from those players manning their set positions. Sultzbaugh produced a fabulous running catch Sunday afternoon, robbing Doug Simmons of a two-run double in the second inning. Daniel Gonzales-Luna threw a laser to Rendon at third to wipe out Abel Gonzales as he tried to advance on a Will Maxwell single to right. Fr. 2B Michael Ratterree showed off his strong right arm in the fifth, turning a 6-4-3 double play and erasing the hard-charging McDowell in the process. Ratterree is a skilled player, and like McDowell and Spurlin, he is attentive. With Hague and Comerota providing advice and leadership, Ratterree will be up to speed with the rest of the infield in no time flat.
PITCHING
As Owls assistant coach David Pierce so cryptically noted, there are 34 players competing for 25 roster spots. The glut is on the staff, so Pierce expected the sense of urgency his pitchers displayed during the weekend. Given the overabundance of arms, pitchers are pressed to give all they have every outing because the margin for error is dangerously slim for most involved.
Fr. RHPs Chase McDowell and Tyler Spurlin continue to display the attentiveness required of newcomers angling to make an impact. Spurlin worked three efficient innings on Saturday (32 pitches) while McDowell continues to perform in a manner that makes him a valuable commodity. He has succeeded at spotting the fastball and ably mixed in his breaking ball and changeup, but his poise, athleticism and ability to handle the running game have been critical. McDowell appears comfortable under duress, behavior that is earning the trust of the staff.
While a decision is all but finalized on Fr. RHP Tyler Duffey - "he has the right stuff and potential to pitch a lot" Pierce said - Fr. LHP Holt McNair continues to impress. His "savvy" and awareness of his repertoire are assets, as is his ability to throw his changeup to righthanders and curve to lefties for strikes. He struck out Steven Sultzbaugh and Geoff Perrott on nasty off-speed pitches on Sunday, then enhanced his reputation as the southpaw with the best pick off move by erasing Sr. 1B Jimmy Comerota off the bases to cap his second inning of work.
Keep an eye on Jr. RHP Boogie Anagnostou, who worked both sides of the plate on Saturday while getting strikes with his sinking fastball. Anagnostou has improved his pitching pattern, and The OG is confident that as Anagnostou gains confidence in his two-seam fastball, he'll approach the velocity (93-94 mph) that made him a coveted recruit out of LaPorte High.
OFFENSE
As expected, the pitching was one step ahead of the hitting this weekend, and the chilly conditions didn't benefit the hitters. As they get more at-bats against harder fastballs and breaking balls, expect the Owls' position players to rediscover their rhythm and batting stroke.
Jr. SS Rick Hague looked "great" and "very determined" according to Owls assistant Mike Taylor, and given how dedicated Hague is to the concept of steady improvement, that evaluation isn't surprising. Hague is setting the tone for his teammates with his impressive work ethic, a powerful example coming from one of the team's most talented athletes.
Through three intrasquads, So. 3B Anthony Rendon is 5-for-6 with four runs scored, three walks and an RBI. He's going to pitched around a ton this season, and I wouldn't be surprised if he finishes the year with an on-base percentage around .500. Regarding who hits ahead and behind Rendon, Taylor said the staff has, "talked openly about embracing the moment." Whoever precedes Rendon in the lineup will get a steady diet of fastballs, and whoever follows him will come to the plate with two men on base multiple times. In theory, the No. 5-hole hitter could drive in between 75-100 runs because Rendon will be walked frequently.
DEFENSE
The Owls flubbed a couple of relay plays prior to Sunday, so before they began their intrasquad they were forcefully devoted to the craft of executing the relay play properly. Otherwise the defense has been solid, especially from those players manning their set positions. Sultzbaugh produced a fabulous running catch Sunday afternoon, robbing Doug Simmons of a two-run double in the second inning. Daniel Gonzales-Luna threw a laser to Rendon at third to wipe out Abel Gonzales as he tried to advance on a Will Maxwell single to right. Fr. 2B Michael Ratterree showed off his strong right arm in the fifth, turning a 6-4-3 double play and erasing the hard-charging McDowell in the process. Ratterree is a skilled player, and like McDowell and Spurlin, he is attentive. With Hague and Comerota providing advice and leadership, Ratterree will be up to speed with the rest of the infield in no time flat.
Terrific recap, MK-- thanks, as always. The fierce competition for spots on the pitching staff is sure to bring out the best, and so far there is a lot to be encouraged about. McNair has certainly be a very pleasant and unexpected surprise (second only to the emergence of Doug Simmons). I was particularly encouraged by Mark Haynes outstanding outing on Saturday; especially considering how poorly he pitched over the Summer and throughout Fall Ball. Do you know if The OG and Coach Pierce discovered-- and fixed-- something in his mechanics during January bullpen sessions? Given his senior leadership and experience, he can play an invaluable inning-eating role in long/middle relief if he can regain his form.
Thanks for the updates, MK. We out-of-towners are glad to have a set of surrogate eyes available.
MK, do you have a response to my above query re.Mark Haynes? Thanks
Walt: UPDATE - Nothing mechanical, but rather a better emphasis on keeping the fastball down and throwing his off-speed stuff for strikes. Also, Haynes returned from the holiday break with a fresh arm, so perhaps that aided his solid performance. - MK
Thanks MK. Best thing about Rice intrasquads is the level of competition they get to face. The pitchers won't have to worry about many lineups that are more dangerous than what they will face against 1/2 a Rice lineup, and the same goes for the hitters. Rendon continues to astound, does he ever slump? At this rate, opposing teams are going to start building mounds and sinkholes into the foul territory around 3rd base to try and slow him down.
mrbig: As good as this lineup could be potentially, Rendon remains the heartbeat of the offense. He was hit by a pitch on the knee/shin on Friday (Simmons was the guilty pitcher, IIRC) and went down in a heap. It was rather cold that afternoon, and Rendon said a sharp pain shot down his leg. I was watching from the press box with The OG, and he joked that his entire season flashed before his eyes when Rendon crumpled in the batter's box. That lump in my throat was no joke. - MK
MK, give us an update on Evers. Thanks
Guy: Watched Evers pitch on Friday, and after a shaky first inning, he was much better in the second. He remains inconsistent locating his breaking ball, and only after he was roughed up a tad did he put a little extra mustard on his fastball. As I've stated before, it will be a process with Evers. His talent is unmistakable, but his confidence doesn't appear to be anywhere close to where is was during his freshman year. - MK
Thanks for the tweet updates yesterday, MK. Made for a nice distraction at work.
Great to hear about Hague's leadership. I hope he has a monster year.
Given the expected frequency of Rendon reaching first base, I'm guessing we'll want a lefty batting after him to take advantage of the first basemen playing close to the bag. I'd go with Mozingo in that slot, although Diego would fit well there, as well.
At Ease: I am here to serve. And, I would welcome either of your selections batting behind Rendon, particularly GDG because he is a switch hitter. I like Hague hitting third. - MK