Lots in here this week, so much so that I cut some out and saved it for next week: http://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2019 … tance-agg/
I’ll have the podcast online later today. I had a really good chat with Bubba Carpenter and Lane Burroughs. I think you all will enjoy that.
Great stuff Matt… in my opinion what has been getting Kjerstad out is pitch selection more than anything else. The book is out on him he will chase the high fastball and he will chase the breaking ball down and in and there’s never been anybody be able to hit a breaking ball down in and keep it fair. I think he will come out of it but he’s just got to really know the strike zone because they’re going to try to get him to get himself out.
In watching the replays, it does appear he’s chasing high too much. Will the change in the leg kick change his eye level so he doesn’t go for that high pitch. One thing is for sure, everyone is going to keep raising the fast ball on him. I would until he quits swinging at them.
I thought Bubba had some good thoughts about this on the podcast, including that Casey Martin getting on base is going to dictate which pitches Kjerstad sees. If Martin is on base, pitchers can’t throw much out of the zone. But Casey is only batting .277 right now and has an OBP of .370. He, like Kjerstad, is chasing a lot of pitches out of the zone. Both look like they are pressing a little bit right now.
yes he made a very valid point and ITotally agree about them pressing too much. Trying to hit the ball at the ballpark. Just need to relax and let the pitchers make mistakes and then punish them and if not take your walks.
The sophomore slump can be real in college baseball. Most deny they are in one. Dominic Fletcher didn’t want to talk about being in a sophomore slump when he started slowly last season. The pitching at this level of college baseball is advanced. The weekend starters in the SEC are Double A level. At least that’s what the pro scouts tell me.
[quote=“ClayHenry”]
The sophomore slump can be real in college baseball. Most deny they are in one. Dominic Fletcher didn’t want to talk about being in a sophomore slump when he started slowly last season. The pitching at this level of college baseball is advanced. The weekend starters in the SEC are Double A level. At least that’s what the pro scouts tell me.
[/quote]Martin’s .277 is against the nations #150 SOS thus far, per Warren Nolan’s site. Significant to me after 20% of the season.
Clay coming into this year I was veryconcerned about a sophomore slump because both of those kids have been so talked about that they are just naturally feel like they have to carry the team especially when we lost as many as we did . The pitching staffs all have a look at the video and know how to pitch these guys. Martin is too aggressive and will swing at any breaking ball starting at at the middle of plate and kjerstad will chase the high fastball in the breaking ball down and in.
I have faith in both of them that they will figure it out but I’m not surprised they’re struggling right now.
This is why what Franklin, Ezell and Kenley are doing is so fantastic (probably ought to throw Opitz in there as well). It’s taking some pressure off of “the big 3” and allowing them to figure these things out while we’re still winning.
I have confidence they will come around sooner than later.
I really enjoy watching Casey Martin at the plate. He has scorched some outs so far. Kjerstad has, too, but both have had some swings and misses, too.