While producing an earnest attempt to not tear my labrum while patting myself on the back, I must admit that I did a mighty fine job predicting the travel roster for the Fidgety Owls in advance of the football season opener at UAB. Since I live my life on the brink of catastrophe, I'll delve into the pool of prognostication once again and foretell the 28 players who will take that flight to NoCal. I've witnessed enough intrasquads to cobble together a (somewhat) educated guess, although I concede that determining the last three or four spots ultimately handcuffed me. These picks are, as is always the case, for entertainment purposes only.
IF (7): Sr. 1B Jimmy Comerota; Fr. 2B Michael Ratterree; Jr. SS Rick Hague; So. 3B Anthony Rendon; Sr. C Diego Seastrunk; So. C Craig Manuel; Fr. C Geoff Perrott.
Notable: Ratterree manned second base for the Gray on Sunday, and while he did not bat, Ratterree did complete a live session of batting practice prior to the intrasquad. He is scheduled for full participation on Monday, so he appears good to go. Now, exhale gently.
OF (5): RS So. LF Michael Fuda; Sr. CF Steven Sultzbaugh; Jr. RF Chad Mozingo; So. LF/CF Jeremy Rathjen; So. RF Ryan Lewis.
Notable: Sultzbaugh has looked like the second coming of Jim Edmonds defensively, and while Fuda filled in admirably for Ratterree at second, the return of Ratterree allows Fuda to slide back into left. He hit another homer Sunday, doing so for a second consecutive day. If he puts all those tools together, the Owls will have a welcome bopper at the bottom of the order.
UT (3): Jr. LHP/1B Abe Gonzales; Fr. RHP/OF Chase McDowell; Fr. RHP/1B Tyler Spulin.
Notable: Gonzales provided a steadier glove at first compared to Lewis, which should facilitate the shift of Lewis back to right field. Spurlin appears to be the third first baseman and behind McDowell in the bullpen pecking order. McDowell was hitting 91 on Saturday with a solid breaking ball. If he can throw strikes immediately upon entering the game, he'll be an asset.
RHP (6): RS Fr. Anthony Fazio; Sr. Mike Ojala; So. Matthew Reckling; Sr. Jared Rogers; Jr. Boogie Anagnostou; Fr. Tyler Duffey.
LHP (4): Jr. Tony Cingrani; So Taylor Wall; Jr. Doug Simmons; Fr. Holt McNair.
Notable: Reckling looked sharp on Sunday, another performance that bolsters my belief in the bullpen. If a decision has been made to start Duffey against Texas State or Lamar, perhaps he remains in Houston if the Owls are positive that he won't be needed in long relief. McNair has pitched his way on to the travel roster, so he makes the trip regardless of his prior credentials.
Bubble (4): So. OF Daniel Gonzales-Luna; Jr. LHP Matt Evers; Sr. RHP Mark Haynes; So. RHP Andrew Benak.
Notable: Perhaps the lefty Lewis squeezes by DGL as the fifth outfielder, but who is to say The OG doesn't take six? If so, one of the three aforementioned pitchers stays behind, but given how well Haynes and Benak have pitched during spring intrasquads and the strong effort Evers delivered on Saturday, splitting hairs here is exceedingly difficult. Does The OG carry four southpaws in his bullpen? Would he leave an experienced senior like Haynes home? How can one not reward Benak for the progress he's made? Really, really tough call.
IF (7): Sr. 1B Jimmy Comerota; Fr. 2B Michael Ratterree; Jr. SS Rick Hague; So. 3B Anthony Rendon; Sr. C Diego Seastrunk; So. C Craig Manuel; Fr. C Geoff Perrott.
Notable: Ratterree manned second base for the Gray on Sunday, and while he did not bat, Ratterree did complete a live session of batting practice prior to the intrasquad. He is scheduled for full participation on Monday, so he appears good to go. Now, exhale gently.
OF (5): RS So. LF Michael Fuda; Sr. CF Steven Sultzbaugh; Jr. RF Chad Mozingo; So. LF/CF Jeremy Rathjen; So. RF Ryan Lewis.
Notable: Sultzbaugh has looked like the second coming of Jim Edmonds defensively, and while Fuda filled in admirably for Ratterree at second, the return of Ratterree allows Fuda to slide back into left. He hit another homer Sunday, doing so for a second consecutive day. If he puts all those tools together, the Owls will have a welcome bopper at the bottom of the order.
UT (3): Jr. LHP/1B Abe Gonzales; Fr. RHP/OF Chase McDowell; Fr. RHP/1B Tyler Spulin.
Notable: Gonzales provided a steadier glove at first compared to Lewis, which should facilitate the shift of Lewis back to right field. Spurlin appears to be the third first baseman and behind McDowell in the bullpen pecking order. McDowell was hitting 91 on Saturday with a solid breaking ball. If he can throw strikes immediately upon entering the game, he'll be an asset.
RHP (6): RS Fr. Anthony Fazio; Sr. Mike Ojala; So. Matthew Reckling; Sr. Jared Rogers; Jr. Boogie Anagnostou; Fr. Tyler Duffey.
LHP (4): Jr. Tony Cingrani; So Taylor Wall; Jr. Doug Simmons; Fr. Holt McNair.
Notable: Reckling looked sharp on Sunday, another performance that bolsters my belief in the bullpen. If a decision has been made to start Duffey against Texas State or Lamar, perhaps he remains in Houston if the Owls are positive that he won't be needed in long relief. McNair has pitched his way on to the travel roster, so he makes the trip regardless of his prior credentials.
Bubble (4): So. OF Daniel Gonzales-Luna; Jr. LHP Matt Evers; Sr. RHP Mark Haynes; So. RHP Andrew Benak.
Notable: Perhaps the lefty Lewis squeezes by DGL as the fifth outfielder, but who is to say The OG doesn't take six? If so, one of the three aforementioned pitchers stays behind, but given how well Haynes and Benak have pitched during spring intrasquads and the strong effort Evers delivered on Saturday, splitting hairs here is exceedingly difficult. Does The OG carry four southpaws in his bullpen? Would he leave an experienced senior like Haynes home? How can one not reward Benak for the progress he's made? Really, really tough call.
Evers absolutely has to be on the travel squad -- we desperately need him to return to 2008 form and leaving him at home could severely damage his confidence. Simmons and McNair provide the same lefty situational guy tools, so we probably don't need to take both. I think McNair stays back and Evers goes. Just one person's opinion though. I think Haynes makes the trip over Duffey as well.
Really good work here, MK. I agree that Ryan Lewis gets the nod over DG-L for this trip; primarily because he provides another left-handed bat (that we do have McDowell, Manuel, Gonzales and even Simmons if we need a left-handed PHer in a key situation). Having said that, it is clear from intrasquads that Ryan has work to do on his timing at the plate; he has really struggled so far. I'm not sure he's ready yet to be our left-handed DH this weekend, and wouldn't be at all surprised if either Gonzales or McDowell fill that role initially (as both have outhit Lewis this Spring). I can't see taking a 6th OFer instead of an extra arm at this early point in the season.
As good as Duffey has pitched, I think he gets held back as one of the primary pitchers vs. either Texas State or Lamar mid-week (whether that be as starter or long relief). Remember folks, for the first week or two, starters are only going to go 5 - 6 innings max. Duffey's spot is taken be either Haynes or Benak. IMO,McNair has definately earned the trip to Palo Alto; it would be criminal for him to stay home the way he has pitched. My big question is why Spurlin over Haynes, Benak and Evers? No knock on Tyler, who has been solid and who will no doubt contribute this season, but Haynes and Benak have outpitched him this Spring (ditto McNair) and Gonzales, McDowell, Perrott and DG-L have outhit him). And,as you pointed out, Gonzales has earned the #2 spot on the 1B depth chart behind Jimmy, while also serving as a situational lefty out of the pen.
So, I guess what I'm saying is that if I were coaching, I would leave Duffey and Spurlin home and, their place, add Haynes (you always want your experienced guy on an early season roadtrip) and flip a coin between Evers and Benak; telling whomever stays home that they will see action mid-week against Texas State or Lamar.
Lots of positive to take out from this past weekend; especially the way Reckling, Fazio and Rogers all pitched today. My big concern is that Taylor has struggled with his control early in almost every outing so far this Spring. The last thing you want to give the Cardinal offense is a bunch of free passes. Force them to earn their runs.
Walt: IIRC, Wall wasn't helped by his defense early yesterday. I was really encouraged by his performance. And I'm with you on Lewis and Spurlin. - MK
Mk -- definitely for the live chat this weekend. Just out of curiosity (forgive my naivety), does the team fly commercial or charter?
owl-1983: Commercial. And your vote has been tallied. - MK
When will the travel roster be announced?
TFW: Either today or tomorrow. I will alert all when I get the information. - MK