Jim Schlossnagle + Texas Baseball Media Availability (Wednesday)

[CJ Vogel]

Riojas will begin the year as a starting pitcher per Schloss. 

[pinkman_90]

Just now, CJ Vogel said:

That’s just a crazy song lmao

Oh so now we’re kink shaming?  Thought this was a safe space 

[CJ Vogel]

“I like the depth of our pitching staff, but we have to go play the games,” 

[Jerry K]

3 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

Riojas will begin the year as a starting pitcher per Schloss. 

I didn’t see that coming 

[CJ Vogel]

Jonah Williams has been getting time in right field which is a new position for him.

 

 Schloss also says the outfield at the Disch is the hardest he’s coached at. Cites the wind, the RF corner not to mention the lack of a difference between turf and warning track

[CJ Vogel]

Schloss says he has an idea of his top 3-4 lineup. Mentioned Rodriguez, Robbins, Tinney and then Mendoza as well

[CJ Vogel]

Cozart will likely be a starting pitcher says Schloss … probably A midweek piece. 

Schloss says there is a fine balance between getting the young arms acclimated to live action vs. making sure he is putting the best arms in the right situations if games get tight. 

[CJ Vogel]

 

[CJ Vogel]

Schloss says the Texas head coaching contingency is very unique and special. Gives Sark a lot of credit for the handling of Jonah Williams as well.  

[CJ Vogel]

 

[CJ Vogel]

Schloss says there has been a lot of emphasis on cutting down on strikeouts at the plate. 

[CJ Vogel]

One goal for the season is to cut strikeouts down by 100, given the same number of games from 2025

[CJ Vogel]

That’s all from the Disch today. 

[Hornio]

34 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

 

Is Ruger on Friday and Dylan on Sunday just an opening weekend thing?  I always liked throwing the ace on Friday so there's a better chance he definitely pitches in case of rainout later.

[CJ Vogel]

2 minutes ago, Hornio said:

Is Ruger on Friday and Dylan on Sunday just an opening weekend thing?  I always liked throwing the ace on Friday so there's a better chance he definitely pitches in case of rainout later.

I would assume so. Just to get Volantis acclimated to starting games before conference comes around

[Jerry K]

41 minutes ago, CJ Vogel said:

That’s all from the Disch today. 

Thanks for the coverage!! 

[Alex Butler]

Any more detail on Jonah and how he’s going to balance spring fb and baseball?

[marathon]

4 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

 

Glad I I don’t bet. I would have bet Flores would have been one of the starters this weekend and Riojas would have been in long relief.

 

 

[Jerry K]

29 minutes ago, marathon said:

Glad I I don’t bet. I would have bet Flores would have been one of the starters this weekend and Riojas would have been in long relief.

 

 

I was thinking this too. I definitely didn’t expect Ruger to be the Friday night guy but I think he is capable especially with, what should be an improved and deeper pen. We could also see changes in the rotation over the next 3-4 weeks. 

[AZ Longhorn]

4 hours ago, marathon said:

Glad I I don’t bet. I would have bet Flores would have been one of the starters this weekend and Riojas would have been in long relief.

 

 

Re: Riojas over Flores, Schloss subscribes to the philosophy of giving the veteran a chance. If he swims, great. If he sinks, he's got a more talented youngster ready... and, crucially, that youngster is seen as a (potential) solution to the subpar performance they'd been getting from the vet, rather than having to deal with fan and locker room expectations out of the gate as The Guy). I think this philosophy is absolutely the way to go for multiple reasons. 

Personally, I will be surprised if Riojas is still a top 3 starter for us come postseason time. But if he is, he'll have found more consistency and have earned it. If not, we have a stable of other options (with Grubbs setting a high floor, and Flores — or even Cozart or Crossland — raising a high ceiling). 

[Dallas Horns Fan]

9 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

One goal for the season is to cut strikeouts down by 100, given the same number of games from 2025

Showing Gasparino the exit door = less strikeouts.

[AZ Longhorn]

9 hours ago, CJ Vogel said:

Cozart will likely be a starting pitcher says Schloss … probably A midweek piece. 

Schloss says there is a fine balance between getting the young arms acclimated to live action vs. making sure he is putting the best arms in the right situations if games get tight. 

I mean he clearly projects there but... to start the season? Given the weekend starters announced, Tuesday has gotta be Flores, right? 

Obviously things could change if one of those guys doesn't perform as a starter. But it wouldn't be the worst thing for our stud freshmen arms to follow the strategy LSU used with Casan Evans last year: start in the pen, then get some midweek starts, and — who knows — by the end of the season, they might just prove to be ace-type material like Evans and be the piece that puts you over the top for a natty. Freshmen arms just tend to wear down with a full season of starting; bring them along slowly, don't overload them with expectations or innings, and let it happen organically. 

Obviously I don't see practice haha! But given everything we've heard about Flores' holistic development, combined with all that other context, I would be shocked if he isn't the starter this Tuesday. 

Edited 1 hour ago by AZ Longhorn