Clemson Baseball (Poll)

[Buzz_404]

Not a bad series. Should still be ranked on Monday. Coaching decisions in the month hurt us. We choose to pinch hit a freshman batting .176 in acc play, probably leads the team in strikeouts per at bats, and he gets 92 blown by him. Tough watch

 

[DecaturJacket]

Not a bad series. Should still be ranked on Monday. Coaching decisions in the month hurt us. We choose to pinch hit a freshman batting .176 in acc play, probably leads the team in strikeouts per at bats, and he gets 92 blown by him. Tough watch

Yeah, that one just made zero sense to me based on what I've seen from Baker so far. I was screaming wtf at my computer screen. Brosius isn't my favorite hitter, but that really just seemed like a spot he would thrive in. He's an emotional hitter and that was obviously a very emotional spot.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

No one won the poll, even before the Burress BA question. Burress came through, next week away will be interesting. Some (like @gtrower) got 3 of four but had one mistake.

Clemson won the series by not making mistakes and beating themselves. Ob-la-di, ob-la-da.

 

[gtbeak]

Clemson won the series by not making mistakes and beating themselves. Ob-la-di, ob-la-da.

Is that some new French that you learned on your trip?

 

[Techcaster572]

After the team's first series loss of the season, I have a different perspective to offer.

In my past, I would take losses like Friday and last night pretty hard, but life has a way of showing its importance as it is truly just a game played by young men that love and play for the school that we all love.

My oldest was performing in Tn for her HS over the weekend and she called me late last night quite ill and I had to drive up towards Tn at 2 am. Recently, my best friend since hs told me he is dealing with a serious illness. Last year, I took my son to the Tech-Louisville football game at Louisville, and I had the best time even though Tech lost the game to the Cards and their fan base are a bunch of jokers. I had a great time because I stored a memory that will last a lifetime. I'm currently involved in a joyous <sarcasm off> custody dispute but the memories built that trip will last me a lifetime.
I say all of the above not to garner empathy but rather to show a perspective in life.
Tech athletics, including baseball, has it's place in my life but it's way down there in the priorities of my life now.

Yeah it sucked last night. Felt horrible for the players after the elation of the 2 run hr by Burress in the 8th but I'll offer these thoughts on the series.

If you had told me that halfway through the season that we'd be 22-6 and 8-4 (acc), I'd be absolutely stoked. Admittedly this team has raised expectations based on the potential being reached with the talent this team has.

I look at this series loss against top 5 Clemson this way. We crushed them in game 2. Errors, walks, and hit batters cost us big time in games 1 & 3; however, we went toe-to-toe with what is projected to be one of if not the best team in the Acc. It wasn't cause Clemson was better. I actually think we have a better overall team. I think we are undervalued in the polls. It would be a travesty imo if we were to drop out of the top 25 cause we clearly belong into it.

I hope that there is no hangover from last night against Mercer and Stanford. I personally don't think there will be as this team just seems different.

I will say this. We NEED Schmidt back. Alex seems out of sorts at 1b and even 2b to a degree. Not his natural position. We not only miss Schmidt's ba @ .415 but his glove is sorely missed at first.

I was glad to see Giesler get the nod at 1b last night.

Alex is a great player and has an amazing future ahead of him but his natural hs position was 3b and that is locked up by Kerce.

Great sign to see B. Jones have a solid outing against a stout Clemson lineup. Still concerned about Sunday but Taylor and Hall have a Sunday plan and it's been working up to this weekend.

I'm actually more excited about this team and think this team can easily host a regional. Just keep grinding Jackets!

Super proud of the boys!
Go get those bears of Mercer.

My son and I will be there Tuesday. Come say hello as I love chatting it up with fellow tech baseball fans and enthusiasts!
Besides it's more fun talking smack with fellow tech fans...The group around me was Clemson faithful on Friday. I held my own but it's always nice to have a tech wingman.

 

[GT33]

@Techcaster572 Missed a lot of stuff over the years which makes impromptu weekends like this memorable.

I only manage occasional games due to being too far away, but Fri night was as full as I’ve ever seen it. Then Saturday afternoon was absolutely flat out packed. Oh my, one of the most impressive bouts of spanking an opponent’s butt I have ever witnessed in baseball. Yeah Fri night was disappointing, Sat night aggravating, but this damn team is special. We went toe to toe with #4, were a couple blunders and a pitch or three away from winning or sweeping the series.

If we get Schmidt back before the end of April and he can regain form, Goose’s hitting continues and he holds down 1B, Jones keeps improving and we can find a couple arms out of the pen we’ll be extremely dangerous.

Onto Stanford. Long travel, followed by virtually no rest against Awbarn, then Cal. Quite a stretch there where if we can pull off 4-5 wins we’ll have huge momentum heading into the 2nd half of the season.

 

[Techcaster572]

@Techcaster572 Missed a lot of stuff over the years which makes impromptu weekends like this memorable.

I only manage occasional games due to being too far away, but Fri night was as full as I’ve ever seen it. Then Saturday afternoon was absolutely flat out packed. Oh my, one of the most impressive bouts of spanking an opponent’s butt I have ever witnessed in baseball. Yeah Fri night was disappointing, Sat night aggravating, but this damn team is special. We went toe to toe with #4, were a couple blunders and a pitch or three away from winning or sweeping the series.

If we get Schmidt back before the end of April and he can regain form, Goose’s hitting continues and he holds down 1B, Jones keeps improving and we can find a couple arms out of the pen we’ll be extremely dangerous.

Onto Stanford. Long travel, followed by virtually no rest against Awbarn, then Cal. Quite a stretch there where if we can pull off 4-5 wins we’ll have huge momentum heading into the 2nd half of the season.

GT33

It appears you and I are close in age and understanding of life.
I agree with you completely regarding K. Schmidt and I share your excitement on the potential and talent on this team.
I truly feel this is a special group. They completely outplayed top 5 Clemson. If they play clean and mistake free baseball, they win the series at a minimum.

I think they will use last night's game to motivate them for the remainder of the season.
I predict we go 3-1 this week.

We currently sit 18th in RPI.

 

[MWBATL]

I have very mixed feelings about this weekend’s results.

If you had told me Friday night…after giving up 9 runs to Clemson with our two best pitchers, that we would allow only 6 runs in the next two games combioned…I would never have believed you. So, I’m very proud of that.

I am somewhat disheartened by the errors, both on Friday night and Game 3 Saturday (obviously). Everyone is saying that’s not who we are, that it was uncharacteristic of us, etc etc. BUT you are as you play. WE made those mistakes. Clemson didn’t. They won the series as a result.

If the message board is right and we clean that stuff up and stop making errors (especially in big games) we should be fine the rest of the season, as we do appear to have a higher level of talent than in recent years. BUT, that’s an IF in my mind…not a given.

I am becoming very hopeful that in CDH’s last season, that maybe we could brew up a really special season and send him off in Omaha. BUT there’s that little voice stopping…telling me as a GT fan to not get my hopes up…telling me the defense has to be better.

By the way…we really need a lockdown one inning guy who can come in a slam the door in the 9th.

Go Jackets…please don’t have a let down next weekend. Stanford isn’t bad and if we’re not on top of our game we could get ambushed.

 

[Techcaster572]

I have very mixed feelings about this weekend’s results.

If you had told me Friday night…after giving up 9 runs to Clemson with our two best pitchers, that we would allow only 6 runs in the next two games combioned…I would never have believed you. So, I’m very proud of that.

I am somewhat disheartened by the errors, both on Friday night and Game 3 Saturday (obviously). Everyone is saying that’s not who we are, that it was uncharacteristic of us, etc etc. BUT you are as you play. WE made those mistakes. Clemson didn’t. They won the series as a result.

If the message board is right and we clean that stuff up and stop making errors (especially in big games) we should be fine the rest of the season, as we do appear to have a higher level of talent than in recent years. BUT, that’s an IF in my mind…not a given.

I am becoming very hopeful that in CDH’s last season, that maybe we could brew up a really special season and send him off in Omaha. BUT there’s that little voice stopping…telling me as a GT fan to not get my hopes up…telling me the defense has to be better.

By the way…we really need a lockdown one inning guy who can come in a slam the door in the 9th.

Go Jackets…please don’t have a let down next weekend. Stanford isn’t bad and if we’re not on top of our game we could get ambushed.

Here's where I agree but differ a bit regarding our fielding.

Yes, it can used as an excuse but attending the games and watching on Tv...it was two great teams going at one another. The emotions and crowds were the highest I've ever seen at Tech including games against the mutts.

So what was the difference in the series...it was the errors, walks and errors.

You mentioned above who would've thought Mason & Tate would give up more runs than Brady, Riley, and Paden. I agree but lets look at that Friday night game a bit deeper.
Two errors that really hurt and why I say it was uncharacteristic falls on V. Lackey and Mason Patel that led to three unearned runs.
Mason usually fields his position very well and Lackey is arguably the best defensive catcher ever at Tech and certainly top of the bunch in the ACC. That's why I say it was uncharacteristic Friday night.
Game quite easily could've been 7-6 Tech vs 9-7 Clemson.

Game 3 (Saturday Night)
Carson Kerce had an error that led to a run and, like Lackey, is one of the best defensive players we have. Even the commentators were shocked by the error. Alex is learning to play the position at 2b as he's a natural 3b and he had two errors over the weekend. I'm glad that coach went with Giesler at 1b while Schmidt is out. Though I think that Baker has big upside and potential, not sure this is the year for him with other players available.
I will say having K Schmidt out really hurt us both at the plate and especially in the field. That's a potential gold glove 1b and .415 batting avg sitting on the bench and still we went toe to toe with the kitty cats. I don't recall any Clem's Son players out and certainly none of the caliber of Schmidt.

Make no mistake. The kitty cat fans around me felt like we were lucky not to get swept last year at Doug Kinsmore but that this year they were lucky to escape with a series win.
Just look at how their players celebrated after taking the lead back in the top of the 9th of last night's game two.

Also, they took the lead on a fluky ab that was hit right to the 2b but it clipped Ballard's glove for an infield hit to go ahead. That's just baseball.

I share your concern regarding going to Palo Alto (Especially with the UVA sweep) to play the Cardinals however, I just feel this team is built different. I think we will look back at last night as a turning point of how we became of host team vs watching the team falter after a bad loss.
I could be wrong but I stand by my prediction that Tech goes 3-1 this week while making a statement against Mercer and Stanford.

We are currently tied for 2nd with Clemson (they own tiebreaker) in the acc baseball standings.

I like where we are.

 

[CINCYMETJACKET]

You mentioned above who would've thought Mason & Tate would give up more runs than Brady, Riley, and Paden. I agree but lets look at that Friday night game a bit deeper.
Two errors that really hurt and why I say it was uncharacteristic falls on V. Lackey and Mason Patel that led to three unearned runs.
Mason usually fields his position very well and Lackey is arguably the best defensive catcher ever at Tech and certainly top of the bunch in the ACC. That's why I say it was uncharacteristic Friday night.
Game quite easily could've been 7-6 Tech vs 9-7 Clemson.


I love Lackey, but to put in him in front of guys like Jason Varitek at this point of his career? Maybe, eventually? If you're talking defensive catchers, don't forget guys like Mike Nickeas, who played many years in MLB as a defense only catcher.

 

[CINCYMETJACKET]

Our bullpen catcher has been signed by MLB teams.

Langley Signs as Dodgers Bullpen Catcher

Georgia Tech alum Johnathan Langley moves from rookie ball to majors

ramblinwreck.com

I love Lackey, but before you say that he's the best defensive catcher we've ever had...

 

[Techcaster572]

So here's the issue with the "edit" button on this site.

You have less than 15 minutes to correct or edit before it's locked in.

I meant to say potential to be the best ever.
I think, at this point in his career, he's the best defensive catcher in the ACC and has the potential to be the best ever all time at tech including the guys you mentioned.

I'll add guys like Zane Evans as well. Mike Nickeas was unreal.
I think Lackey has that potential.

Only time will tell.

In the end, the point of my post was that an error from Lackey was uncharacteristic of his normal play.

 

[GTNavyNuke]

After the team's first series loss of the season, I have a different perspective to offer.

In my past, I would take losses like Friday and last night pretty hard, but life has a way of showing its importance as it is truly just a game played by young men that love and play for the school that we all love.

My oldest was performing in Tn for her HS over the weekend and she called me late last night quite ill and I had to drive up towards Tn at 2 am. Recently, my best friend since hs told me he is dealing with a serious illness. Last year, I took my son to the Tech-Louisville football game at Louisville, and I had the best time even though Tech lost the game to the Cards and their fan base are a bunch of jokers. I had a great time because I stored a memory that will last a lifetime. I'm currently involved in a joyous <sarcasm off> custody dispute but the memories built that trip will last me a lifetime.
I say all of the above not to garner empathy but rather to show a perspective in life.
Tech athletics, including baseball, has it's place in my life but it's way down there in the priorities of my life now.

Yeah it sucked last night. Felt horrible for the players after the elation of the 2 run hr by Burress in the 8th but I'll offer these thoughts on the series.

If you had told me that halfway through the season that we'd be 22-6 and 8-4 (acc), I'd be absolutely stoked. Admittedly this team has raised expectations based on the potential being reached with the talent this team has.

I look at this series loss against top 5 Clemson this way. We crushed them in game 2. Errors, walks, and hit batters cost us big time in games 1 & 3; however, we went toe-to-toe with what is projected to be one of if not the best team in the Acc. It wasn't cause Clemson was better. I actually think we have a better overall team. I think we are undervalued in the polls. It would be a travesty imo if we were to drop out of the top 25 cause we clearly belong into it.

I hope that there is no hangover from last night against Mercer and Stanford. I personally don't think there will be as this team just seems different.

I will say this. We NEED Schmidt back. Alex seems out of sorts at 1b and even 2b to a degree. Not his natural position. We not only miss Schmidt's ba @ .415 but his glove is sorely missed at first.

I was glad to see Giesler get the nod at 1b last night.

Alex is a great player and has an amazing future ahead of him but his natural hs position was 3b and that is locked up by Kerce.

Great sign to see B. Jones have a solid outing against a stout Clemson lineup. Still concerned about Sunday but Taylor and Hall have a Sunday plan and it's been working up to this weekend.

I'm actually more excited about this team and think this team can easily host a regional. Just keep grinding Jackets!

Super proud of the boys!
Go get those bears of Mercer.

My son and I will be there Tuesday. Come say hello as I love chatting it up with fellow tech baseball fans and enthusiasts!
Besides it's more fun talking smack with fellow tech fans...The group around me was Clemson faithful on Friday. I held my own but it's always nice to have a tech wingman.

Appreciating life and treating others with respect is more important than baseball ( even GT baseball). You post is uplifting on several levels, thank you.

I am not going to get overexcited by the season until we win a big series; that said there is a much better chance than previous years with our improved pitching and typically murderous offense. From what I've read, the emotions were higher for this series than they have been for years. Maybe that caused the errors, maybe not. Hopefully we grow from the experience.

 

[Home Park Jacket]

I agree with both @Techcaster572 & @MWBATL. This is a special group, but how special? We are excited because we are much better than we have been. Really Special teams would win these series at home. We didn’t. Hopefully we can improve enough to beat a team like this away from home, which is likely what we will have to do to get to where all of us want to go.

 

[bensaysitathome]

We stay at #25 in the d1 poll. That feels right to me, but good to see it confirmed.

 

[senoiajacket]

Appreciating life and treating others with respect is more important than baseball ( even GT baseball). You post is uplifting on several levels, thank you.

I am not going to get overexcited by the season until we win a big series; that said there is a much better chance than previous years with our improved pitching and typically murderous offense. From what I've read, the emotions were higher for this series than they have been for years. Maybe that caused the errors, maybe not. Hopefully we grow from the experience.

I agee w/ Nuke. I thought at this point in the season I would have a “good” feel for what we got, but I don’t. I am convinced that our pitching is better than it has been in the recent past and I think I’ve seen improvement in season, but not sure how much and if pitching is good enough to “get us there” (you decide where “there” is). As usual, we can and do rake. I thought our fielding had improved and since fielding is largely independent of competition, maybe this past weekend was an anomaly, and we have improved? Overall, I am pleasantly surprised but seems like I’m continuously waiting for the results of the next series for proof that we are upper echelon.

Also, I might be unconvinced that Clemson is really a top 5 club. At least watching them this weekend.

Not trying to crap on the team, just trying to sort out in my own mind (and with a little help from my friends) exactly how good are we?