13th A-- I still don't get why you or the coaching staff have Brooks in the outfield to my knowledge he's played very little if any outfield. Breeding on the other hand has played both,and with his speed,and strong throwing arm would be a much better candidate for outfield as well as would Brooks be for 1B. Holbrook is a true 2nd baseman,and an excellent contact hitter,and probably was in the top 3 or 4 in batting average last year. And with him being a senior this year and having done all he has for his team and coach Powell,and coach Sowders it would be a dirty shame to sit a player like him on the bench for a freshman or sophomore who has not proven themselves

offensively or defensively yet at the high school level.

 

I to would like for someone to answer the question about Clay Co not having enough players. It seems like a few years ago they had a group together that would be sophomores,juniors,and seniors now that were very good players.

 

First of all, Holbrook's first ever start was last year so lets not overrate the fact that he is a senior, seeing that he has very little experience himself. And Brooks played outfield the entire year last year and did a great job while Breeding has played 1st his entire varsity career. Yes Breeding has speed, everyone knows that, but speed and ball judgement are two different things. If you think back a few years ago, Chris Schneider, the fastest player on the team, also played first base and did a very good job at it.

 

Breeding is a big target with great hands. First base is his ticket to the next level and he has the ability to excel at that position. Holbrook is a true second baseman, but so is Frady. Just so happens, Frady is better at it than Holbrook. Holbrook isn't helping himself out at all by not being out at workouts right now. That shows a lot about how bad he really wants to play for this team. He isn't the only one going to school and having to handle homework, everyone on the team is going through that same thing. If he was truly trying to utilize his leadership capabilities then he would be out there.

 

Adams is probably already a better hitter than Holbrook. Last season in JV ball I saw him park a few about midway up the light pole in left field, something Holbrook has never once done and he is a senior.

 

Coach Sowders nor Coach Powell owe Holbrook anything. He has to earn his time on the field and right now, he is not earning anything. The only way I see Holbrook starting this year is at second when Frady pitches and possibly at 3rd when Earls pitches. He needs to get his act together.

First of all, Holbrook's first ever start was last year so lets not overrate the fact that he is a senior, seeing that he has very little experience himself. And Brooks played outfield the entire year last year and did a great job while Breeding has played 1st his entire varsity career. Yes Breeding has speed, everyone knows that, but speed and ball judgement are two different things. If you think back a few years ago, Chris Schneider, the fastest player on the team, also played first base and did a very good job at it.

 

Breeding is a big target with great hands. First base is his ticket to the next level and he has the ability to excel at that position. Holbrook is a true second baseman, but so is Frady. Just so happens, Frady is better at it than Holbrook. Holbrook isn't helping himself out at all by not being out at workouts right now. That shows a lot about how bad he really wants to play for this team. He isn't the only one going to school and having to handle homework, everyone on the team is going through that same thing. If he was truly trying to utilize his leadership capabilities then he would be out there.

 

Adams is probably already a better hitter than Holbrook. Last season in JV ball I saw him park a few about midway up the light pole in left field, something Holbrook has never once done and he is a senior.

 

Coach Sowders nor Coach Powell owe Holbrook anything. He has to earn his time on the field and right now, he is not earning anything. The only way I see Holbrook starting this year is at second when Frady pitches and possibly at 3rd when Earls pitches. He needs to get his act together.

 

 

 

NO-- 13th A You saw Adams hit two homeruns as an 8th grader for the Middlesboro Middle School last year. I'll give you that he's more of a power hitter than Holbrook, but I still say that Adams defense needs alot of improvement. Yes-- Frady to is a true 2nd baseman,and a good hitter,but it was you that was giving him a hard time last year about his throwing arm.

 

Finally Brooks did not play the whole season in the outfield when he played it was at third. He may have been in the outfield a couple of times until after mid-season if you recall he broke his wrist and missed the rest of it.

OK, Mboro has a lot of options on Defense, only shallow position I see is behind the plate. But what I saw the Jackets missing last season was offense - they couldn't get hits when they needed them. Who's going to step up?

 

I think Jones has to get to the plate somehow - he's the best young stick coming up. Haven't seen Adams hit much, but he's a good athelete all-around and should do well.

NO-- 13th A You saw Adams hit two homeruns as an 8th grader for the Middlesboro Middle School last year. I'll give you that he's more of a power hitter than Holbrook, but I still say that Adams defense needs alot of improvement. Yes-- Frady to is a true 2nd baseman,and a good hitter,but it was you that was giving him a hard time last year about his throwing arm.

 

Finally Brooks did not play the whole season in the outfield when he played it was at third. He may have been in the outfield a couple of times until after mid-season if you recall he broke his wrist and missed the rest of it.

 

When I spoke about Frady, I was saying that he wasn't near being a proven catcher and that his arm is too wild to play shortstop or third base. I think his arm is twice as good as Holbrook and he has a lot more range. Now that I think about it, he does just about everything better than Holbrook.

 

Brooks only played third base when Earls pitched and that was it. The coaches wanted him in the outfield last year and mark it down, that is where he will be at least 90% of the time this year. I'm not trying to knock him by saying that either. He may be the second best third baseman but the drop between him and the next best outfielder is far greater than the drop between Casey Earls and the best third baseman after Brooks, say Holbrook or Jones.

 

 

As far as offense goes, I think they will hit a lot better this year. I know I keep saying this but having Powell back on the staff will help that aspect of this team as well. I don't know much about Jones but if he is as good as you say he is, even if he doesn't start in the field, he could earn some DH time.