I have been looking at our prospects for the coming baseball season, and I have decided that there are more unknowns than I would prefer. Like football QBs, baseball success frequently depends on good pitching. Virginia had four pitchers taken in the 2021 MLB draft, and others graduated or transferred. Valuable position players have also moved on, so with limited knowledge and some temerity, I will share my thoughts. I encourage input from others.
I believe that Teel will start at catcher and could play some in the outfield. He will be backed up by two first years, Anderson and Tuft. I have put Tappen at first base with Gelof (probable 2B starter) and Ortiz (possible 3B starter) backing him up. I have Hamrock, Newell, and Sullivan in the outfield. Sullivan must improve his hitting, or he will likely be replaced by first years Petri or Woolfolk or by Burrow and Greene, both of whom provided little offensive production in 2021. With the graduation of Kent, I think that Cotier will move from 2B to SS. They will likely be backed up by O'Ferrall and Saucke. Neeck and Savino appear to be likely weekend starting pitchers, but the third will need to come from a group of prospects The mid-week starters and the relief pitchers will likely come from right handers Bowers, Geerdes, Hodorovich, and Kosanovich and portsiders Gursky, Price, Richey, and Schauer. There are several new pitchers who could also compete for playing time.
I believe that Teel will start at catcher and could play some in the outfield. He will be backed up by two first years, Anderson and Tuft. I have put Tappen at first base with Gelof (probable 2B starter) and Ortiz (possible 3B starter) backing him up. I have Hamrock, Newell, and Sullivan in the outfield. Sullivan must improve his hitting, or he will likely be replaced by first years Petri or Woolfolk or by Burrow and Greene, both of whom provided little offensive production in 2021. With the graduation of Kent, I think that Cotier will move from 2B to SS. They will likely be backed up by O'Ferrall and Saucke. Neeck and Savino appear to be likely weekend starting pitchers, but the third will need to come from a group of prospects The mid-week starters and the relief pitchers will likely come from right handers Bowers, Geerdes, Hodorovich, and Kosanovich and portsiders Gursky, Price, Richey, and Schauer. There are several new pitchers who could also compete for playing time.
