Mike, Derek Diamond, Tim Elko and Hayden Dunhurst spoke to the media today. From a content standpoint, it's the tipping off point to the season. I'll have stuff to you starting basically now. But here are a few quick notes, some of which you already knew.
Derek Diamond will start opening day. The other two opening weekend starts aren't decided.
Around the field for opening day/s weekend
C - Dunhurst
1B - Elko
2B - Chat
SS - Gonzalez
3B - Burford/Bench
LF - Graham
CF - McCants/Bench
RF - Alderman/Leatherwood/Bench
Mike mentioned how they need to get better defensively, so it makes me think it's possible to play McCants and Bench out there and then DH Alderman/Harris, etc.
Max Cioffi is potentially able to return from his elbow rehab in mid-to-late March, but that's fluid because it's impossible to say before that final month when the player is throwing bullpens.
He mentioned Hunter Elliott and Riley Maddox as freshmen arms he likes.
Someone asked about the continuity with his assistants and I played off that and asked him if that made it easier to take the Team USA gig knowing you have long tenured, experienced people running the program during a critical portal window. I haven't transcribed the exact quote but he said the tour is shorter this season. "It's about three weeks. I mean that's the length of one of Kiffin's fishing trips." He's not aware of the past angst around Kiffin's post-Sugar Bowl trip, so that came off as more of a targeted joke than it was. But still I think he kind of regretted saying it once it came out.
Elko is 100 percent from a movement standpoint.
They hit 51 home runs and stole 77 bases in the equivalent of 30 fall games.
He acknowledged he did a poor job managing the pitching staff last season. He didn't get enough guys lengthier opportunities while using too many people in short stints that didn't develop in either direction.
I'll have plenty more soon.
Derek Diamond will start opening day. The other two opening weekend starts aren't decided.
Around the field for opening day/s weekend
C - Dunhurst
1B - Elko
2B - Chat
SS - Gonzalez
3B - Burford/Bench
LF - Graham
CF - McCants/Bench
RF - Alderman/Leatherwood/Bench
Mike mentioned how they need to get better defensively, so it makes me think it's possible to play McCants and Bench out there and then DH Alderman/Harris, etc.
Max Cioffi is potentially able to return from his elbow rehab in mid-to-late March, but that's fluid because it's impossible to say before that final month when the player is throwing bullpens.
He mentioned Hunter Elliott and Riley Maddox as freshmen arms he likes.
Someone asked about the continuity with his assistants and I played off that and asked him if that made it easier to take the Team USA gig knowing you have long tenured, experienced people running the program during a critical portal window. I haven't transcribed the exact quote but he said the tour is shorter this season. "It's about three weeks. I mean that's the length of one of Kiffin's fishing trips." He's not aware of the past angst around Kiffin's post-Sugar Bowl trip, so that came off as more of a targeted joke than it was. But still I think he kind of regretted saying it once it came out.
Elko is 100 percent from a movement standpoint.
They hit 51 home runs and stole 77 bases in the equivalent of 30 fall games.
He acknowledged he did a poor job managing the pitching staff last season. He didn't get enough guys lengthier opportunities while using too many people in short stints that didn't develop in either direction.
I'll have plenty more soon.
