A Sea Of Red

Since Beej won't allow us to talk about it in the Draft thread, let's talk about it here. We had the most players drafted in one draft in school history. Did we properly utilize our talent during the season? To me, the answer is obvious.

What's obvious is two of the seven under performed big time and injuries factored into the team's performance as well. Two of the best hitters were out for extended periods (D. Bream and Rasmus) and starting first baseman out for the year. A few pitchers also limited or unavailable due to injuries. Too many games lost in late innings was our undoing. We lacked consistent late inning relief until Baker was used in that role late in the season. It's hard to hold leads without a reliable set up man and closer. Lastly, we lacked any real boppers (see JMU, CCU, etc) IMHO.

jcmanson wrote:Since Beej won't allow us to talk about it in the Draft thread, let's talk about it here. We had the most players drafted in one draft in school history. Did we properly utilize our talent during the season? To me, the answer is obvious.

+1
I don't think we really had more injuries than usual. Every year it seems, one or two starters miss significant time.

What about team chemistry? Was there a team leader? (I don't know, simply asking). Those factors can also help a team not achieve their potential. Those also are an indication of good (or bad) coaching.

Toman is a great recruiter. We've said this time and time again. A great coach has to be more than JUST a great recruiter though. Pumped that these guys got drafted. Very exciting time for these guys.

We get multiple guys with serious injuries every single year. Part of that is bad luck but part of it is mishandling guys. We know each year that 2-3 pitchers are going to need Tommy John. That's a Toman/Quinn given. We underperformed the past two years and will continue to underperform with this staff. Toman can't win a big game because he gets too nervous and tight which makes the players tight. You can't win while playing tight. Our guys were so happy to leave the day after the tourney ended this year. He can't manage a bullpen and makes terrible in game decisions. I just hope to God that next year is our last year with this staff.

SuperJon wrote: I just hope to God that next year is our last year with this staff.

If only THIS was the last year with this staff.

ok guys...I think it this point all of us can agree that Storm is an extremely good recruiter (even though I would criticize that he relies too much on Jr college transfers but that's just my opinion and we will see how he does with that in this coming season) but he cant coach the recruits and team to victory after getting them on the team! In my opinion there were a TON of games this year tbat were blown on bad coaching calls it was just ridiculous. However, we gotta look at it from Jeff Barbers point of view...how the heck can you fire a coach that just sent that many players into the MLB?? It would be a pretty harsh move to fire a coach that just did that...think about it

While it definitely makes it harder to fire Toman, all Barber would have to do is show the fans the Flames (lack of) hardware. Yes 7 guys were drafted, but we didn't even set the season record for wins this year. If we have the most talented team we ever had how come we didn't have the most successful season we've ever had? It's all performance based so I think that's the route Barber could take. Who knows?

He's not going to fire Toman. We all know that. We just have to hope he doesn't renew his contact after next year (assuming it's still the same five year contract he signed when he first got here and we didn't give an extension or something that I don't know about).

agreed, hes not gonna fire Storm. Plus the rumor is that Storm and Barber are buddies which would make it more unlikely that his contract would not be renewed, but when your and AD you gotta do what you think is best for the school

JB and Toman are tight. He did hire him, but JB also knows the issues of the program and will do what is best. He is a baseball guy, and i trust that the right decisions will be made.