Too Soon???

2011 South Piedmont Conference baseball. Predictions. Players. Teams etc.. jd2350, weyco2000, where are you??

 

It's never too early

 

Braves, I'm sure that a bunch of us expected you to write,

"It's never too early...to start sandbagging!"

 

You're reading my mind

 

You should re-name this post knuckles, I've been over looking it. Without taking some time to really think about who's back and who's coming up from JV, it's hard to say much about NW. They have a couple of pretty good starting pitchers, the middle infield should be solid and the outfield will be anchored by senior Will Miller. With that being said, a third starting pitcher will need to step up, as will relief and closing pitcher(s). Third base is a question mark, as is center and right fields. I think NW will be able to hit it really well with Seager, Smith, Miller, Bingham all capable of going yard at any time. Pitchers Bain and Smith should have them in shape to win any game they pitch in. How's the rest of the SPC looking?

 

Hey knuckles, whats up? As you're well aware Kannapolis is a football town and everything else is put on the back burner. Now that Catholic put a end to that, I've been working on what to expect from "Wonder Baseball":

The Wonders lost every starter in the infield, pitching and offensive production. Losing John J Tuttle (SS/P) and Wes Honeycutt (2B/SS) are big losses, 2 great players and LEADERS. However, the cupboard is not bare by no means. The OF will have all starters returning and has 4 solid players in SR's Dylan May (CF), Zach Jones (LF/CF), Micheal Church (RF) and Garrett Welch (LF/RF). Pitching is another question, however May is back and will be #1 and Jones pitched well in Legion ball and will probably be #2. Expect SR's Ryan Blackmon, Micheal Church, Alex Brandon and Justin Kidd to see mound action. Keep your eye on JR Caleb Jackson and SO Nate Sexton to battle for non-conference starts.

As I stated earlier, the Infield will be the question mark and will be the main factor in determining the Wonders season. Sr Justin Kidd, who started at 2B when Tuttle pitched the last 2 seasons, could be moved to SS unless Sexton shows he's ready. Kidd, Sexton and Jackson will man the middle infield and Kidd will be expected to take a leadership role as well. 1B will probably come down to a battle between SR's Tyler Freeze and Alex Brandon and 3B will most likely go to JR Chase Hardin. Ryan Blackmon will return as starting C.

I predict the Wonder lineup will be:
1) Zach Jones - SR (OF/P)
2) Justin Kidd - SR (2B/SS)
3) Dylan May - SR (CF/P)
4) Garrett Welch - JR (OF)
5) Tyler Freeze - SR (1B)
6) Ryan Blackmon - SR (C)
7) Michael Church - SR (RF)
8) Chase Hardin - JR (3B)
9) Nate Sexton - SO (SS/2B)

As far as the conference is concerned, I expect NWC to be favored (jd2350 is sandbagging), MP will be strong, Hickory Ridge and Concord lost pitching but return many of their starters. Kannapolis and Central Cabarrus could be hit or miss, (BTW Coach Knight is building himself a dynasty at Central!) Cox Mill will be much improved, I was really impressed with the way they battled last year. My "darkhorse" is Robinson, great pitching and defense but scoring runs will determine their success.

I predict the SPC will be more competetive this season than last, if you can believe that. This conference will be brutal again and the conference tourney could once again determine playoff teams and seedings. I will post a prediction of finish later. I'm ready for BASEBALL!!!

 

Come on weyco, how am I sandbagging? I speak only the truth.

 

With Bain and Smith rotating conference starts, thats hard to top. BTW, I liked the the new scheduling format, playing the same team in the same week. Anybody else from the SPC got any info on their teams...Coach Knight hows your team looking?

 

Yeah I like that also. I also like that the JV's will be playing at same location as varsity again this year. That should help with attendance/gates for everyone.

 

Sandbag City

This sounds like the makings of a good team. 2 good starting pitchers, Corey Seager at short, Miller in center, & players off a JV championship squad. Whose taking over the catchers spot?