13th A -

 

Been looking into Baseball a little more since my last post, and found out some things.

 

1) Brooks has been invited to several showcases and even played some kind of All-Star (?) event in Florida over Thanksgiving. Getting a ton of letters, initial contacts, etc., from the next level, too. I heard that Appalachian St was very interested, but that's just rumour.

 

2) Frady didn't play at all last year, and the kids say he's very rusty.

 

3) Most of the football players (Hoskins, Breeding, Earls, et al) haven't been doing baseball conditioning due to minor injuries left over from football season. Nothing serious - just doing rehab type workouts instead of baseball conditioning.

Middlesboro Starting Line-Up

 

P- Pittman

C- Branham

1st- Brooks

2nd- Hatmaker

SS- Earls

3rd- Frady

LF- Partin

CF- Hoskins

RF- Breeding

Brooks will not play first base. If Breeding gets moved to a different position, and it more likely be left than right, then Jones would definitely get the nod at first.

 

I'm telling you though, middle infielders need not get comfortable. Out of Frady, Earls, and Hatmaker, only two will start and I feel very confident that Tolliver will win the 3rd base job. He had the best stick on the team last year.

 

In wait and see's projected line-up, probably two of the best hitters on the team are sitting the bench and there is only one DH spot. I feel very good about the fact that they will both be in the line-up, everyday.

I think you have to give the early nod to the champs, South Laurel. Even though its early and lots of things can happen. Middlesboro should be right there as well, lots of experience and lots of talent.

 

It's way way too early to be projecting lineups. We're still almost 2 months away. Lots of shaking out still left to do. Kids get hurt, some take growth spurts, Some decide they don't want to play. So all lineups should be written down in pencil right now. No one can really say with any certainty (coaches included) what the roster will look like Feb 1st.

 

Some of my opinions and observations:

 

* If Hatmaker loses a spot because he played golf and didn't go to fall workouts, that's a joke. Let's remember that fall workouts are "not mandatory" and really not supposed to be organized in any way. One of the "grey areas" of high school sports. :sssh:

 

* Best hitter on the team is Earls. Tolliver is a good player and a good hitter. Jackets will need his pitching.

 

* If the coaches try to make frady play catcher, he'll quit. Definitely will help to have another arm in the pitching rotation. Could be a #4 starter or middle reliever. Didn't play last year, didn't play in the summer, hasn't been to all the workouts. But since he didn't play golf......let's start him over hatmaker...:confused:

 

* Brooks will be in the lineup somwhere, 3B, 1B, he even played 2B last year, fact is he can play any spot. Solid hitter, Solid defensively, experienced, 2006 all District and All region team along with Earls and Hoskins

 

* Hoskins and Earls will lead the way, pitching, defense, hitting, look for these 2 to have big seasons.

 

*with a pitching staff of Earls, Hoskins, Pittman, Tolliver, Hatmaker, and possibly frady, mix in another pitcher to throw strikes, Mboro has some of the most experienced arms around.

 

* A lineup with Hatmaker, Hoskins, Earls, Breeding, Brooks, Partin, Tolliver, Pittman, Branham, Jones, Frady. in any order, Mboro has a lot of sticks, good hitters, not much power, but a lot of guys that will put the ball in play. They also have a ton of speed.

 

Lots to look forward to. Can't wait till the season starts.

I just don't see how you can keep Brooks off the field. Wasn't he All-District and All-Region 13 last year?

 

I agree about Breeding in LF, but with his speed and arm I could see him anywhere in the OF. And I see Jones at 1B for Breeding.

 

Of course, all our speculation is based on the past, and there could be a lot of unexpected improvement in unlikely players, or perhaps injuries to projected starters. But I think it will be interesting to see who winds up at 3rd.

 

And I must also say, based on past performance, of course, that I think Frady can best help this team from behind the plate.

I think you have to give the early nod to the champs, South Laurel. Even though its early and lots of things can happen. Middlesboro should be right there as well, lots of experience and lots of talent.

 

It's way way too early to be projecting lineups. We're still almost 2 months away. Lots of shaking out still left to do. Kids get hurt, some take growth spurts, Some decide they don't want to play. So all lineups should be written down in pencil right now. No one can really say with any certainty (coaches included) what the roster will look like Feb 1st.

 

Some of my opinions and observations:

 

* If Hatmaker loses a spot because he played golf and didn't go to fall workouts, that's a joke. Let's remember that fall workouts are "not mandatory" and really not supposed to be organized in any way. One of the "grey areas" of high school sports. :sssh:

 

* Best hitter on the team is Earls. Tolliver is a good player and a good hitter. Jackets will need his pitching.

 

* If the coaches try to make frady play catcher, he'll quit. Definitely will help to have another arm in the pitching rotation. Could be a #4 starter or middle reliever. Didn't play last year, didn't play in the summer, hasn't been to all the workouts. But since he didn't play golf......let's start him over hatmaker...:confused:

 

* Brooks will be in the lineup somwhere, 3B, 1B, he even played 2B last year, fact is he can play any spot. Solid hitter, Solid defensively, experienced, 2006 all District and All region team along with Earls and Hoskins

 

* Hoskins and Earls will lead the way, pitching, defense, hitting, look for these 2 to have big seasons.

 

*with a pitching staff of Earls, Hoskins, Pittman, Tolliver, Hatmaker, and possibly frady, mix in another pitcher to throw strikes, Mboro has some of the most experienced arms around.

 

* A lineup with Hatmaker, Hoskins, Earls, Breeding, Brooks, Partin, Tolliver, Pittman, Branham, Jones, Frady. in any order, Mboro has a lot of sticks, good hitters, not much power, but a lot of guys that will put the ball in play. They also have a ton of speed.

 

Lots to look forward to. Can't wait till the season starts.

 

I will try to address a few of your comments.

 

1) Hatmaker won't lose his spot because he played golf. He may however, lose his spot because Tolliver got that much better. If Tolliver does indeed start at the corner, which in my opinion he probably will, then that will leave Frady, Earls, Brooks, and Hatmaker to battle for the middle infield. Say what you want about Frady being out but he still has quicker feet, quicker hands, stronger arm, and as good a bat as Hatmaker. They probably tie in attitude. Brooks was also out there in the off-season getting better. That being said, I don't think Hatmaker can beat out both Brooks and Frady.

 

2) Off-season training is mandatory for anybody who considers themselves a serious athlete. If Hatmaker doesn't consider himself a serious athlete then he won't mind not starting this season. Middlesboro has had several players in the past play golf and long-toss everyday. Josh Burns, Jay Beeler, and Brian Powell for example.

 

3) Off-season training is not a grey-area. What about summer baseball, is that a grey area? What about passing skeletons and open gym? Excuses are like...well you know the rest.

 

4) If the coaches make Frady a catcher and he quits, then the team will be better off with out him. Don't get me wrong, I think the team could use him but if that is his mentality then he might do more harm then good. And Frady could very well be the #3 pitcher by seasons end. Earls is a fierce competitor but I think he is much more needed in the field. He will contribute several innings though.

 

5) Hoskins and Earls are primed to have big seasons. They will no doubt have the chance to be the MVPs on this team. However, I think in the championship game, the ball should be in Pittman's hand on the mound. He has more effective offspeed and Hoskins is invaluable at CF.

South Laurel, defending champ with a ton of arms.

South should be a handful when Smith is on the mound.

Is he a power pitcher or just a good pitcher who hits spots? Have heard alot about him just have never had the chance to see him pitch.

So does Whitley Co. look that bad for the upcoming season or, are they just a young team? Who do you all see in their line-up this year? I know its probably a little early to talk baseball but, just curious.

 

 

Whitley lost pretty much everything but Bowman. Everyone else is window dressing for last years team.

 

P-Jordan McCumbers----should be the #1 for them

C-Mark Comperoni----could be the best catcher around if he had any speed at all.

1B-Who knows their top two graduated.

2B-???? Rose. played some last year there but was shakey at best.

3B- Bowman (?)

SS- Bowman (?) could be Storms

LF--Graduated Sr last year WIDE open

CF--Graduated Sr last year Wide open but look for the Jones kid to make a run at it.

RF--Graduated Sr last year Wide open......

 

Looks like the Colonels will be looking for players, and heard through the grape vine, 4 or 5 players had shoulder surgury in the off season including the Storms kid.

 

John Smith is one of the top coaches in the area, but looks like this year he will really earn his money if they can win 15 games, in fact he should be coach of the year if they win that many.

Oh boy! I take it that Apex hasn't done his homework on the Colonels for 2007....

 

P- Should be at least 3 deep if not 4 with McCumbers, Rose, and Clifford

C- Mark Comparoni like you say should be one of the best we see this year.

1B- Look for the Clifford kid... Young but talented.

2B_ I would say McCumbers or David Rose ... The Rose kid should do Extremely well this year...Young but alot of talent and heart

3-B Bowman I think will keep this spot...Great Athlete

SS- Look for David Rose Or McCumbers here...Either will do well...

CF- Im like you on this one...Wide Open

LF- Look for Benji Campbell here..Played alot here last year and done well..Has been doctoring a broken ankle and if all goes well should be ready by season

RF- Another wide open spot...but look for the Powers kid here.

 

I look for the Colonels to shock alot of teams this year and if it only takes 15 games ...Who knows maybe Smith will get that coach of the year status..:thumb:

Saw the Smith kid 3 times last year and he was very effective. However, he is one of those intimidating pitchers that after you have seen him once or twice is not as effective. I like Middlesboro.

With out a doubt, the best in region. That is why he has committed to Morehead State. (SMITH)

Don't count out the Redhounds. They will be much better. They have several pitchers back and Hamlin may be the best field player in the region. He has hit over 4oo the last 2 years and I thought that he played the entire season as a sophomore without striking out. He is not very big but has some pop in his bat.

I see South Laurel repeating their region championship.

So is Smiths pitching what SL is depending on this year because, I haven't heard anything about the rest of the team...Its gonna take more than one good arm to win championships, don't you think?