He is quite an outlier in this sport. I love this kind of thing in sports “different things” and such was Alex. From the stats he didn’t do much this year. I look to some experts to bring forth some opinions on how this young man will do next year.
I'll be darned. My password still works. Some topics you can't resist. I see Trautner assuming Barraza's long reluef role, hopefully with fewer runs allowed.
The pitching picture is complicated with Blais, Loar, and Barraza's graduations. This is how I think the rotation + bullpen look for now:
Rotation (in some order):
Sasaki
Brown
Hannah
The Crocodile Hunter
Bullpen
Trautner
Tucker- JC transfer
Justin Smith- JC transfer
Moffitt
Rodriguez
Wieser
Mascio- RS freshman
Andres Lara
Meredith-- freshman
Wesolowsky-freshman
Jordan- freshman
Peng- freshman ? (likely to spend more time catching)
Closer:Tucker or Smith
I left Torres, Spezia, + Lyford out as I don't know about their respective statuses for next year.
And the lineup while I'm at it:
C:Denholm
1B:Myers/Briggs
2B:Van Blake
SS:Murray
3B:Arenado
LF: Matt Smith or Colton Evans
CF:Kelly
RF:Morrison- JC transfer
DH: Myers and others
Losing the entire outfield and senior arms will be a huge challenge. Definitely less big bats in the lineup going forward. Good contact bats are making for a very nice future, but the offense will change with Anderson and Hooper gone.
Looking forward to juco big arms and Jalen Smith. Smith will likely be able to play in several positions.
GoAgs is spot on with the rotation. I hope Irwin gets a starting role, but he will be missed in long relief/close situations. They need to find that guy.
I believe Arenado will get strong consideration in a few positions.