The Georgia baseball team has reached the halfway point of its fall workouts, and it’s time to check in with Bulldog coach Scott Stricklin who is in his second year directing the program.
The team is practicing around the construction related to the Foley Field Revival project. While the team has use of the field and dugouts, fans please note the seating area of Foley Field is closed due to the construction. The only practice viewing area available is behind the outfield fence, which must be accessed by entering through the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Pitching depth should be a plus, who are the candidates to be in starting roles for the 2015 season?
“We return our rotation from last year, but in the fall everybody started out on an equal slate. They are competing to be in the pecking order. Right now, I’d say Robert Tyler and Ryan Lawlor will be our Friday and Saturday starters and Sunday is up in the air. David Sosebee would be that guy if we had a series coming up, but the other candidates include the veterans Sean McLaughlin and Jared Walsh plus freshmen left-handers Ryan Avidano and Bo Tucker.â€
How are Sean McLaughlin and Jared Walsh doing after injuries limited their playing time last year?
“They are working their way back to being 100 percent. We anticipate they will be ready to go in February. Jared is pitching and working his way in to hitting again. He should be a two-way guy but most likely will pitch more. This fall, Sean is just focused on getting his arm strength back.â€
Will senior Jared Cheek be taking care of the late innings again?
“Jared will be the anchor in our bullpen. He had a great summer, as did sophomore Connor Jones who gives us a left-handed option too. The other guys I mentioned earlier if they don’t end up starting, they will be contributing from the bullpen.â€
With the left side of the infield from last season now in the professional ranks in shortstop Nelson Ward and third baseman Hunter Cole, how are the junior college additions Nick King and Trevor Kieboom looking this fall?
“The defensive ability and athleticism of Nick and Trevor really stands out. We will be very strong defensively on that side. Trevor has shown he’s going to hit and hit for power while Nick can put pressure on a defense the way he can run. Then on the right side, we return Mike Bell at second and at first we’ve got veterans in Daniel Nichols and Jared Walsh. Morgan Bunting is back with the program and having a good fall so we’ve got three left-handed hitters that can play first base. Freshman Trey Logan will be a utility infielder and is a plus defender at shortstop and second.â€
Along with the return of the speedy Stephen Wrenn in centerfield, how is the outfield shaping up?
“What I like the most about us in the outfield is the ability to mix and match. We can go left-handed or right-handed. We’ve got some athletes that can cover ground. Stephen will anchor the outfield in center, and then sophomore Skyler Weber and freshman Keegan McGovern are our left-handed hitters while freshman Mitchell Webb and junior DJ Smith are our right-handed hitters. If everybody hits and plays well, we’ll look at a platoon and one could always be a DH too. I’ll add that Skyler has really been working hard and is what we are looking for in a player. He has been hitting for power too this fall.â€
How are the catchers doing?
“We’ve got everybody back. Brandon Stephens is in his fifth year with the program and junior Zack Bowers returns, and they will be our top two. Also we have Skyler (Weber) who will provide depth again and see time in the outfield.â€
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The team is practicing around the construction related to the Foley Field Revival project. While the team has use of the field and dugouts, fans please note the seating area of Foley Field is closed due to the construction. The only practice viewing area available is behind the outfield fence, which must be accessed by entering through the Dan Magill Tennis Complex.
Pitching depth should be a plus, who are the candidates to be in starting roles for the 2015 season?
“We return our rotation from last year, but in the fall everybody started out on an equal slate. They are competing to be in the pecking order. Right now, I’d say Robert Tyler and Ryan Lawlor will be our Friday and Saturday starters and Sunday is up in the air. David Sosebee would be that guy if we had a series coming up, but the other candidates include the veterans Sean McLaughlin and Jared Walsh plus freshmen left-handers Ryan Avidano and Bo Tucker.â€
How are Sean McLaughlin and Jared Walsh doing after injuries limited their playing time last year?
“They are working their way back to being 100 percent. We anticipate they will be ready to go in February. Jared is pitching and working his way in to hitting again. He should be a two-way guy but most likely will pitch more. This fall, Sean is just focused on getting his arm strength back.â€
Will senior Jared Cheek be taking care of the late innings again?
“Jared will be the anchor in our bullpen. He had a great summer, as did sophomore Connor Jones who gives us a left-handed option too. The other guys I mentioned earlier if they don’t end up starting, they will be contributing from the bullpen.â€
With the left side of the infield from last season now in the professional ranks in shortstop Nelson Ward and third baseman Hunter Cole, how are the junior college additions Nick King and Trevor Kieboom looking this fall?
“The defensive ability and athleticism of Nick and Trevor really stands out. We will be very strong defensively on that side. Trevor has shown he’s going to hit and hit for power while Nick can put pressure on a defense the way he can run. Then on the right side, we return Mike Bell at second and at first we’ve got veterans in Daniel Nichols and Jared Walsh. Morgan Bunting is back with the program and having a good fall so we’ve got three left-handed hitters that can play first base. Freshman Trey Logan will be a utility infielder and is a plus defender at shortstop and second.â€
Along with the return of the speedy Stephen Wrenn in centerfield, how is the outfield shaping up?
“What I like the most about us in the outfield is the ability to mix and match. We can go left-handed or right-handed. We’ve got some athletes that can cover ground. Stephen will anchor the outfield in center, and then sophomore Skyler Weber and freshman Keegan McGovern are our left-handed hitters while freshman Mitchell Webb and junior DJ Smith are our right-handed hitters. If everybody hits and plays well, we’ll look at a platoon and one could always be a DH too. I’ll add that Skyler has really been working hard and is what we are looking for in a player. He has been hitting for power too this fall.â€
How are the catchers doing?
“We’ve got everybody back. Brandon Stephens is in his fifth year with the program and junior Zack Bowers returns, and they will be our top two. Also we have Skyler (Weber) who will provide depth again and see time in the outfield.â€
Posted from Rivals Mobile
