Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Our pitching staff is awesome! Add in outstanding hitting transfer Skye Messinger, and a few incoming Freshmen batters, and we've got a monster team.
Starters 1. Hansen or Stevens 2. Stevens or Hansen 3. ??? (will it be Gordon, Witt, DuPlantier, Stewart???) If we could keep Witt in the bullpen with Nixon, that would be good. But maybe Coach wants to make Witt a starter? DuPlantier's recovery may play a big role in what happens. Gordon is very capable, if not spectacular. Like Witt, Gordon could either start or relieve. I put Stewart in the mix, as he seems to be the most impressive incoming Freshman pitcher--but I could be wrong... Maybe it will be somebody else. Blinn transfer Jace Hutchins could turn into a workhorse in middle relief, or even a mid-week starter...? I like where we're sitting.
I would have preferred to be ranked third or fourth as that pre-season number one has been a heavy burden (see Florida last year who didnt get out of their regional), but this team is absolutely stacked and is well set up for a strong run to and at Omaha. Still, its a long season and injuries, brain farts, and lost weekends happen in baseball so nothing is a given. Just ask Arkansas about their lost two days against NC State.
I Could be reading too much into that cover, but it appears Witt will be a starter. If so, the pen is still super solid with Gordon, Nixon, DuPlantier (if healthy), Jace Hutchins, Stewart, Southard, etc. We know Gordon is a stud. And Nixon is the best closer in the college game. Keep an eye on reliever Southard. He seemed to perform well in the (limited) times he pitched last season.
I hope Grubbs spends some years on the 40 and doesn’t go pro soon. The way Coach Allen talks about him, he’s ready to take the mound at the Disch now.