First off I gotta talk about the pitching staff and the bullpen in particular. Jordan Stephens, Brian Curley, Matthew Hoskins, and Alton Davis all can hit 97 mph or better with the fastball. Zach Harris was the only player I remember hitting 97 mph and that was vs Clemson last year and I believe vs Kennesaw State. DJ Radtke is hitting 95 mph routinely and Paul Farley can touch 95 now. I expect Brian Zeldin to go back to the bullpen with no more 4 games series. The off speed pitches on people like Matthew Hoskins and Jordan Stephens is what impressed me the most. The change up got a lot of swing and miss plus was commanded well.
Zach Harris, Matthew Hoskins, JT Quinn, and Alton Davis are all people I can see as starters if need be. As for the starters Kolten had back spasms and the flu so far this year. I expect Kolten to pitch Friday or Saturday and get in rhythm before conference play. Leighton Finley has looked very good so far with good command and the change up looks better this year. Goldstein has only pitched two innings this year but was very efficient in both innings. Goldstein I can see not going a full 5 or 6 innings until the Kentucky series. Wes will be very cautious with Goldstein’s injury.
Six of Georgia’s likely everyday starters are hitting over 300 this year Ryland Zaborowski (.455), Slate Alford (.423), Henry Hunter (.400), Ryan Black (.364), Robbie Burnett, (.346), and Nolan McCarthy (.313). Devin Obee is tied with Slate Alford for a team lead 12 walks and has a .514 OBP. The three players who have not had a strong start are Tre Phelps, Kolby Branch, and Christian Adams.
Phelps had multiple balls that would’ve been home runs in foley or better weather week 1. Tre started to chase more frequently looking for that first homer but after that 3 run shot Sunday expect to see a more locked in Phelps. Tre started slow until the end of conference play last year. I expect Tre gets in rhythm very soon. Kolby Branch hasn’t homered yet but has cut down on the swing and miss. Branch is on pace to up the walk numbers this year and I expect Branch will start to hit home runs soon.
The two big things I was following this offseason was the OF defense and the ability to steal bases. Georgia opponents last year had 58 stolen bases to Georgia’s 22. It was a stat that wasn’t brought up much last year but could’ve helped in some close games. So far this year Georgia has 17 stolen bases and has allowed just 13 stolen bases. The OF defense looks far improved with Obee and McCarthy playing good defense both being capable in CF. Burnett is very good in the OF too but has played a very good 2B while Ryan Black is working back from injury.
Overall I look at this team and say the bullpen went from one of the worst in the SEC to one of the best. The OF defense went from horrific to solid. The ability to steal bases went from last in the conference to being tied for 2nd in the conference to start the year. I also believe the depth of the offense 1 through 9 and the bench is vastly improved.
Zach Harris, Matthew Hoskins, JT Quinn, and Alton Davis are all people I can see as starters if need be. As for the starters Kolten had back spasms and the flu so far this year. I expect Kolten to pitch Friday or Saturday and get in rhythm before conference play. Leighton Finley has looked very good so far with good command and the change up looks better this year. Goldstein has only pitched two innings this year but was very efficient in both innings. Goldstein I can see not going a full 5 or 6 innings until the Kentucky series. Wes will be very cautious with Goldstein’s injury.
Six of Georgia’s likely everyday starters are hitting over 300 this year Ryland Zaborowski (.455), Slate Alford (.423), Henry Hunter (.400), Ryan Black (.364), Robbie Burnett, (.346), and Nolan McCarthy (.313). Devin Obee is tied with Slate Alford for a team lead 12 walks and has a .514 OBP. The three players who have not had a strong start are Tre Phelps, Kolby Branch, and Christian Adams.
Phelps had multiple balls that would’ve been home runs in foley or better weather week 1. Tre started to chase more frequently looking for that first homer but after that 3 run shot Sunday expect to see a more locked in Phelps. Tre started slow until the end of conference play last year. I expect Tre gets in rhythm very soon. Kolby Branch hasn’t homered yet but has cut down on the swing and miss. Branch is on pace to up the walk numbers this year and I expect Branch will start to hit home runs soon.
The two big things I was following this offseason was the OF defense and the ability to steal bases. Georgia opponents last year had 58 stolen bases to Georgia’s 22. It was a stat that wasn’t brought up much last year but could’ve helped in some close games. So far this year Georgia has 17 stolen bases and has allowed just 13 stolen bases. The OF defense looks far improved with Obee and McCarthy playing good defense both being capable in CF. Burnett is very good in the OF too but has played a very good 2B while Ryan Black is working back from injury.
Overall I look at this team and say the bullpen went from one of the worst in the SEC to one of the best. The OF defense went from horrific to solid. The ability to steal bases went from last in the conference to being tied for 2nd in the conference to start the year. I also believe the depth of the offense 1 through 9 and the bench is vastly improved.
