Based on some conversations I’ve had this week, I think Arkansas’ weekend rotation for the season-opening series will definitely include Blaine Knight and Isaiah Campbell, probably in that order.
Past them, I think the Sunday job is probably between Keaton McKinney and Josh Alberius.
That will work! I would have guessed (knowing nothing about the off season) that Campbell might have been the Friday starter.
The difference between Knight and Campbell is their experience. Knight pitched 48 1/3 innings last year, including several in SEC play. Campbell pitched 31 1/3 innings, mostly in midweek games.
From a stuff perspective, Knight and Campbell looked similar in the fall, although I think Knight is a little more polished in his secondary pitches. He has four pitches now after developing a cutter during the off-season.
Who are our options in terms of a closer?
Right now I would say Dominic Taccolini or Barrett Loseke. I think Loseke especially projects well to the bullpen. Last year he was really good the first time through the order, but typically fell apart in the fourth or fifth inning of his starts.