End of Summer Baseball 2015 Starting Lineup

[ucahogfan]

With all of the players and signees done with summer baseball for the summer, I thought it would be fun to look at how I see the lineup lining up right now.  I did this about 2 months ago, and while there won't be much change, there will be some with news of players transferring and looking at how players performed this summer.

Position Players

Catcher - Nathan Rodriguez
I have had Rodriguez as my starting C in each of my first two looks at a potential starting lineup.  With his performance in California this summer starting in the ASG and showing some pop, there is no reason to change it now.  Although he only hit .248, he did hit 3 HRs which I believe was second most by a Hog or signee this summer.  He was also named as the top C in his division in California and he was on a team with two Cs rated higher than him.  I now see why DVH was so high on him before the draft.
Potential Backups: Blake Baxendale, Tucker Pennell, Carson Shaddy, Alex Gosser, Chad Spanberger, Blake Wiggins, Tyler Spoon

First Baseman - Clark Eagan
He had one of the better summers for a Hog that saw playing time in 2013.  He hit about .320 for the summer up in the Northwoods League.  While he didn't hit any HRs, he did show some good power with 15 2Bs and drove in close to 30 RBIs.  He isn't the prototypical 1B who will hit for a lot of power, but he will hit for a pretty good average and could develop a lot of pop.  He does run pretty well and should steal 10 bases or so.
Potential Backups: Blake Baxendale, Chad Spanberger, Nathan Rodriguez, Tyler Spoon

Second Baseman - Rick Nomura
Another signee who had a tremendous summer out in California and was also named an All-Star.  He hit for a pretty good average of around .320 in about 200 ABs and showed a little power with about 10 XBHs.  He also has good speed and could be a 10-15 SB type player.
Potential Backups: Keith Grieshaber, Tyler Spoon, Matt Campbell, Mike Bernal

Shortstop - Brett McAfee
If healthy, he could make a run for 1st Team All-SEC at SS without knowing what other teams are returning.  He should be a .300+ hitter in 2015 and plays excellent defense up the middle.  He has struggled with health being injured for 3 of the past 4 baseball seasons, but he is an extremely talented player who will provide the needed senior leadership in the INF if healthy.
Potential Backups: Keith Grieshaber, Matt Campbell, Mike Bernal

Third Baseman - Blake Wiggins
While he might not be the type of player on defense as Bobby Wernes or Bernal, he has the type of bat that is hard to find.  While he might not hit for a high average next year, he could lead the team in HRs.  He has the type of power that can hit a ball out of anywhere including TD Ameritrade and the Hoover Met.
Potential Backups: Bobby Wernes, Keith Grieshaber, Tyler Spoon, Clark Eagan, Max Hogan, Mike Bernal

Left Field - Joe Serrano
Another nice veteran that will be in the lineup in 2015.  While he won't hit for the same power like Wiggins or Baxendale, he will hit for a high average of at least .300.  He handles a bat very well and is a very smart player.  He will be a nice senior leader for this team alongside Brett McAfee.
Potential Backups: Jack Benninghoff, Luke Bonfield, Tyler Spoon, KJ Wilkerson, Clark Eagan, Max Hogan

Center Field - Andrew Benintendi
He put together a very good freshman campaign and should be primed for a big sophomore season.  While an injury kept him from getting 150-200 ABs out in California this summer, he is hopefully healthy and ready to go.  He plays with a high IQ and should be in a position to steal 20+ bases.
Potential Backups: Jack Benninghoff, Tyler Spoon, Luke Bonfield

Right Field - Luke Bonfield
He exceeded my lofty expectations for him this summer in his 50-60 ABs up in New England in a collegiate summer league.  He hit about .410 with 6 HRs with led all Hogs and signees playing summer ball.  He has decent speed and a good arm and should be at least an average defensive OF.  Vitello praised him for his work ethic and said he would basically live in the new indoor facility.
Potential Backups: Jack Benninghoff, Tyler Spoon, KJ Wilkerson, Clark Eagan

Designated Hitter - Blake Baxendale
It was a shame that he went down with an injury in Oxford.  While Clark Eagan came in and picked up the slack, Baxendale's bat would have been nice to have in the lineup during the postseason.  Hopefully Bax comes back in his draft eligible campaign ready to set college baseball on fire at the plate.  He is the type of hitter that is rarely found inside the state of Arkansas.
Potential Backups Chad Spanberger, Blake Wiggins, Luke Bonfield, Keith Grieshaber, Joe Serrano

Batting Order

1.  Clark Eagan
2.  Andrew Benintendi
3.  Luke Bonfield
4.  Blake Baxendale
5.  Blake Wiggins
6.  Brett McAfee
7.  Joe Serrano
8.  Nathan Rodriguez
9.  Rick Nomura

[ucahogfan]

Weekend Rotation

Friday - Trey Killian
It was a shame that an injury cut his time with Team USA short, but at least he was under the watchful eye of DVH to sit him so that the injury didn't get any worse.  Killian is primed for a huge junior campaign and could be in the running for SEC Pitcher of the Year in 2015.  He pitches mainly off a fastball in the 88-94 range, but spots it with perfection and shows quality offspeed as well.

Saturday - Zach Jackson
While he didn't have a great ERA up in the Northwoods, he did strike out a ton of hitters which tells me his stuff was nasty.  It looked like his big problem was that he walked a lot of hitters which could be expected out of a young player with his type of stuff.  He works with a 92-96 fastball and mixes in two swing and miss offspeed pitches in a slider and a changeup.  He is primed for a big sophomore year as Jorn will probably harness his control.

Sunday - James Teague
He had a very good summer up in the Northwoods and like Jackson, struck out a lot of hitters.  Unlike Jackson, his ERA was very good.  He has excellent stuff with a fastball mainly in the 90-92 range and a dirty slider.  He also mixes in a nice change and can run his fastball up to 95.

Bullpen

Closer - Jacob Stone
He will provide that senior stopper that every college team could use.  It took him a while to harness his new release point, but once he figured it out, he was nasty good.  He is primed for a big senior campaign and could be an All-American at closer.

Bullpen Weapon - Dominic Taccolini
Big Taco followed suit with his classmates Zach Jackson and James Teague and had a great summer.  He was an All-Star out in California and was named to the postseason tourney team after an excellent start.  He won't wow you with velo sitting 90-92, but puts a ton of sink on it and will let his defense work behind him.

Bullpen Weapon - Keaton McKinney
He broke a finger this summer which cut his senior season in Iowa short.  I think he will fit the role that we saw Zach Jackson in last year and be a great setup guy.  He will be 90-94 if he doesn't experience a velo bump which a lot of our players from the Midwest do, but he also brings a plus changeup to the table that is a legit swing and miss pitch and might be the nastiest pitch on the team.  He does need to work on a curveball before starting at the collegiate level, but his fastball/change combo will be plenty enough out of the pen.

The Experienced LHP - Chris Falwell
With the news of Poche transferring, Falwell now becomes the most experienced LHP at Arkansas with something like 6 IP.  He did show some nice talent, but I don't know how much of a role he will play.

The Freshmen LHPs - Kyle Pate and Ryan Fant
Two LHPs who have a lot of talent and have hit 94 from reports I have seen, but are they ready for a big role?

The Midweek Starter - Jonah Patten
An extremely talented Freshman RHP who could be 90-93 with a nice 4 pitch mix.  He could fill into a midweek role this year before moving into the weekend rotation at some point during his time here.

The Senior Experience - Jackson Lowery
He had a pretty good 2014 campaign and should provide some nice innings out of the pen in 2015.

Everyone Else: Zach Barr, Mark Hammel, Cannon Chadwick, Parker Sanburn

[dotnet]

Shortstop - Brett McAfee
If healthy, he could make a run for 1st Team All-SEC at SS without knowing what other teams are returning. 

HAHAHAHA

[dotnet]

Seeing your list... I am a little nervous about this year's pitching depth.

Based on the last 7 months of watching... the starters and top three bullpen guys seem to be fantastic - especially if Jackson can get better control. 

But Arkansas really needs 3 out of 4 of McKinney, Patten, Pate, or Fant to step up and be able to contribute.  One of them has to be a good bullpen guy like Jackson was this past year.  Another has to be a stud mid week starter.  And the other guy needs to be able to be a second mid week starter, eat up innings during blow outs, and develop to pitch when you're deep in a regional.

So in other words... 1 of them needs to fill Jackson's role.  Another needs to fill a combo of Taccolini/Alex Phillips role from last year... and another needs to fill Teague's role... but with more innings. 

[dotnet]

The lineup is anyone's guess and yours is as likely to happen as anything I can imagine.  I do agree with what some will say - Spoon will be in the opening day starting line up. 

My prediction: if Serrano is actually hitting in the 7th hole, without injury, when the team gets into the heart of SEC play.... the offense will be plenty good.

[ucahogfan]

HAHAHAHA

Yeah, an absolute brain fart on my part.  The SEC will probably have the two best collegiate SS prospects next year in Bregman and Swanson.  Both will probably be 1st round picks.

[ucahogfan]

Seeing your list... I am a little nervous about this year's pitching depth.

Based on the last 7 months of watching... the starters and top three bullpen guys seem to be fantastic - especially if Jackson can get better control. 

But Arkansas really needs 3 out of 4 of McKinney, Patten, Pate, or Fant to step up and be able to contribute.  One of them has to be a good bullpen guy like Jackson was this past year.  Another has to be a stud mid week starter.  And the other guy needs to be able to be a second mid week starter, eat up innings during blow outs, and develop to pitch when you're deep in a regional.

So in other words... 1 of them needs to fill Jackson's role.  Another needs to fill a combo of Taccolini/Alex Phillips role from last year... and another needs to fill Teague's role... but with more innings.

Yeah, I'm much more worried about our pitching than our offense for 2015.  We mainly used 6 pitchers in SEC play last year, and it is looking like it will be the same way this year.  I expect Killian, Stone, Jackson, Taco, and Teague all to be great pitchers on this staff, but we do need the freshmen to step up.

I think McKinney is best suited to fill Jackson's role.  Pate might be best suited to the LHP specialist out of the pen while Patten and Fant could split time as a midweek starter.

[ucahogfan]

The lineup is anyone's guess and yours is as likely to happen as anything I can imagine.  I do agree with what some will say - Spoon will be in the opening day starting line up. 

My prediction: if Serrano is actually hitting in the 7th hole, without injury, when the team gets into the heart of SEC play.... the offense will be plenty good.

I do think there are a few givens in the lineup and everything else is a toss up:

1.  Brett McAfee will be starting at SS if healthy.
2.  Andrew Benintendi will be starting in CF if healthy.
3.  Blake Baxendale's bat will be in the lineup.
4.  Clark Eagan's bat will be in the lineup
5.  Joe Serrano's bat will be in the lineup.

I think all 5 of those guys will be .300+ hitters this upcoming season.  I also think Nomura and Bonfield could be .300+ hitters as well.  While it is highly unlikely to see 7 .300+ regulars in an Arkansas lineup, it isn't out of the question when looking at it on a player by player basis.  The only two regulars in my lineup who I don't think will hit .300 are Wiggins and Rodriguez.  I really don't know what average Wiggins will hit for, but I do expect him to hit for maybe the most power on the team.  Rodriguez will bring excellent defense and leadership at a position that requires it and hit for quite a bit of pop this summer in Cali.

Concerning Spoon's bat being in the lineup, where does he fit in?  He plays all 3 OF spots, but DVH said earlier this summer that Eagan would be in the OF and both Benintendi and Serrano are back as well.  I know that I have Eagan at 1B and Bonfield in RF, but could Spoon beat Eagan out in RF if it came down to it?  It is nice to know that Spoon is on the team and his leadership and defense will be invaluable at points this season, but I just don't see his bat factoring in a ton with what we are bringing in.  Now, I hope he gets healthy and hits .350 and becomes an AA, but his track record in SEC play isn't good.

[Kevin]

Just a couple of things, this is based on what I think Dvh will do,following him for the last 10 years.

First spoon will have to play his way out of the line up. He always gives the older guys a chance, in some cases to much of a chance.

He will not but two lefties back to back at the top of the line up. I still see Serrano batting second. Plus, he likes to start the rookies out lower in the line up to get some at bats first. 

[Kevin]

The best part of this team is competition for playing time. Have not seen that in a while

[Big Nasty 34]

I think I would rather see Beni leadoff, Serrano 2, and Eagan 5. I like the 5 hole to be another great average guy and he has shown he can be an RBI guy this summer.

All just a guess right now that's for sure!

[ucahogfan]

Just a couple of things, this is based on what I think Dvh will do,following him for the last 10 years.

First spoon will have to play his way out of the line up. He always gives the older guys a chance, in some cases to much of a chance.

He will not but two lefties back to back at the top of the line up. I still see Serrano batting second. Plus, he likes to start the rookies out lower in the line up to get some at bats first.

But DVH has also shown that he is willing to put elite freshmen like Cox, Fico, and Benintendi at the top of the lineup to start the season.  Well, I'm not 100% sure about Cox, but Benintendi was the leadoff hitter opening day last year and Fico was in the 3 hole if I remember correctly his first game in 2011.

This is a unique situation that we haven't seen before.  The last two guys on Bonfield's level were Cox and Fico and both were replacing great players in Forsythe and Wilkins.  This is really the first time where the top 100 player enters in a position with a returning starter.  We saw how Bonfield dominated this summer and Spoon is going to bring his A game to win a starting spot.

I feel like DVH could bat two LHHs starting out.  I just don't think it is that big of a deal having two LHHs because both are high average guys who should also get on base at a .400+ clip.

[ucahogfan]

I think I would rather see Beni leadoff, Serrano 2, and Eagan 5. I like the 5 hole to be another great average guy and he has shown he can be an RBI guy this summer.

All just a guess right now that's for sure!

I like my 5 hole guy to be the type of guy who can hit a 3 run HR at any time.  The cleanup hitter should also bring power to the plate, but he should hit for a good average as well while I will sacrifice average for power in the 5 hole.

[dotnet]

I wish Spoon or Serrano could play 2b.  I'm not crazy about juco's even if they hit 320 in the cali league.

Everyone is going to have to be patient too.  Anderson, Serrano, AB, Eagan, Bax (sort of)... all played well as as a freshman, but they all played much better towards the end of the season than they did at the beginning

[PorkRyan]

I like my 5 hole guy to be the type of guy who can hit a 3 run HR at any time.  The cleanup hitter should also bring power to the plate, but he should hit for a good average as well while I will sacrifice average for power in the 5 hole.

definitely agree with this. 

[Baseball Hog]

Just a couple of things, this is based on what I think Dvh will do,following him for the last 10 years.

First spoon will have to play his way out of the line up. He always gives the older guys a chance, in some cases to much of a chance.

He will not but two lefties back to back at the top of the line up. I still see Serrano batting second. Plus, he likes to start the rookies out lower in the line up to get some at bats first. 

I agree about Spoon.  I don't think DVH would have given him a roster spot had he not planned for him to at least start somewhere until he gets beat out.

I don't think DVH cares too much about the lefty lefty to start the order, but I do agree that Serrano will probably be the 2 hole hitter.

[ucahogfan]

I wish Spoon or Serrano could play 2b.  I'm not crazy about juco's even if they hit 320 in the cali league.

Everyone is going to have to be patient too.  Anderson, Serrano, AB, Eagan, Bax (sort of)... all played well as as a freshman, but they all played much better towards the end of the season than they did at the beginning

I think Spoon is definitely athletic enough to play 2B.  It will be interesting to see if he gets reps there in the fall.  I think he could be a super utility type if he shows he can hit enough for his bat to be in the lineup.

And I hope Nomura can carry along his strong summer into his junior campaign.  I want an impact JUCO hitter for once in their junior year like it seems LSU gets every year.

[Kevin]

I agree about Spoon.  I don't think DVH would have given him a roster spot had he not planned for him to at least start somewhere until he gets beat out.

I don't think DVH cares too much about the lefty lefty to start the order, but I do agree that Serrano will probably be the 2 hole hitter.

in his interviews, he has said he likes to alternate lefty, righty as much as possible

[ucahogfan]

I agree about Spoon.  I don't think DVH would have given him a roster spot had he not planned for him to at least start somewhere until he gets beat out.

I don't think DVH cares too much about the lefty lefty to start the order, but I do agree that Serrano will probably be the 2 hole hitter.

What about Bernal and Wernes?  Both started at least 55 games last year and are back, yet no one is concerned about them starting.

I could see Serrano in the 2 hole as well.  He will be a .300+ hitter this year, but our lineup will be stacked this season IMO.  Having him in the 7 hole is nothing against his hitting ability because he can flat out rake, it just says how well I think this offense will perform.

With the new ball, it will be interesting to see how much DVH continues to sacrifice.  The sacrificing early in the game in the last 4 years to score just one run because that is what it takes a lot just gets old.

[Kevin]

shocked wernes & bernal are back

[Bad News Boar]

I don't see how DVH could keep Bonfield out of the lineup. Having said that, who does he replace...? Do you move him to LF and DH Serrano? Will be an interesting battle for spots.

[Baseball Hog]

in his interviews, he has said he likes to alternate lefty, righty as much as possible

As does every manager from legion to MLB, I just don't think it's imperative.

What about Bernal and Wernes?  Both started at least 55 games last year and are back, yet no one is concerned about them starting.

I just don't put those guys in the same category as Spoon.  DVH loves the guy, for whatever reason.  I'm not saying I fully agree with it, I'm just saying I'd be pretty surprised if Spoon wasn't starting to start the year.

[arthurhawgerelli]

Spoon will be in the lineup.  He took the summer off for a reason.  He played with a groin injury the entire season last year that would have shelved the normal mortal, and yes it completely took the bat out of his hands.  He is clearly the best defensive outfielder.  He's never played infield.  I can't see him at 2nd base.  Although you're right about his athletic ability, he was a catcher in high school and travel ball.

If there's an SEC Comeback Player of the Year, it will go to Spooooooooon.

[ucahogfan]

Spoon will be in the lineup.  He took the summer off for a reason.  He played with a groin injury the entire season last year that would have shelved the normal mortal, and yes it completely took the bat out of his hands.  He is clearly the best defensive outfielder.  He's never played infield.  I can't see him at 2nd base.  Although you're right about his athletic ability, he was a catcher in high school and travel ball.

If there's an SEC Comeback Player of the Year, it will go to Spooooooooon.

I'm fully aware that Spoon was playing hurt last year.  Even when healthy his RS Freshman year, Spoon looked overmatched at the plate during SEC play.  Part of my reasoning of not having Spoon in the starting lineup is because he wasn't squaring up meat pitches last year and let a lot of them go by while chasing out of the zone a lot.

[ucahogfan]

I don't see how DVH could keep Bonfield out of the lineup. Having said that, who does he replace...? Do you move him to LF and DH Serrano? Will be an interesting battle for spots.

Exactly.  Bonfield will be in the lineup.  His bat is too good not to be in the lineup.  It is good to know that the starters will be very good hitters this year though.

[ucahogfan]

I just don't put those guys in the same category as Spoon.  DVH loves the guy, for whatever reason.  I'm not saying I fully agree with it, I'm just saying I'd be pretty surprised if Spoon wasn't starting to start the year.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Spoon starting the year either because he has been a regular the last 2 years.  I just think he is about 5th in the OF pecking order behind Serrano, Benintendi, Bonfield, and Eagan.  Benninghoff could be another freshman who could contribute in the OF.

[arthurhawgerelli]

I'm fully aware that Spoon was playing hurt last year.  Even when healthy his RS Freshman year, Spoon looked overmatched at the plate during SEC play.  Part of my reasoning of not having Spoon in the starting lineup is because he wasn't squaring up meat pitches last year and let a lot of them go by while chasing out of the zone a lot.

Gotcha.  I would suggest it is hard to square up to meat pitches when your plant leg has nothing there to support such a thing.  I understand, and hope to see him swinging a much better bat this year.  His leadership will be invaluable to the youth of the upcoming team.  Tough to be a leader when you're not on the field at this level.

I'm cautiously optimistic that this team will have better offensive numbers.