AZ Longhorn

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.

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).

Correct on the graphic—home states, not college commitments. I find it hard to get excited about baseball HS class rankings until after the draft signing period, but that's the jilted fan PTSD talking and it's better than not having top guys interested in your program. "Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all"?! 😂

Interesting — I hadn't made the connection between his hand injury and his defensive development. But duh, haha! I am still not sold that he can hold down short: not just hands and arm strength (potential hand injury impacts) but athleticism and feel and command. I feel Beccera is better there, but you make accommodations for your stars and give him a chance to grow into an even better draft eval.

Thanks y'all! Position player preseason depth question. These seem like the locks for expected contributors: OF: Robbins, Pack, Larson, and Williams MIF: Rodriguez and Mendoza Corners: Beccera, Borba, Livingston C - Tinney Who are the next few guys who we could see? I'll start it off with my non-expert expectations, but please chime in! Most likely to DH or pinch hit, not listed above: Ermis? Backup C - Ermis Fourth OF: already covered above. Strong 4-deep. MIF depth: Beccera (over Duplantier) Pinch runner: Pendergrass (over Duplantier) @Blake Munroe @CJ Vogel @Jeff Howe

Any Longhorns in these winter games? (Probably not but just checking!)

One of my main takeaways from the *alumni game: remembering just how lively his arm is. Absolutely electric, and categorically "just different" even from guys pumping 95. In 40-degree weather, no less.

I love a conditional prediction! Heck yeah. It is difficult though: consider the Oregon at Penn St game in Week 5... even that far into the season, we thought that Oregon win at Happy Valley meant one thing... but it meant something very different by the end of the season. And that was Week 5. Much less Week 2. Obviously pumped for the game, but cautious about hanging such a bold conditional on one result that early into a season when we won't truly know how to interpret the result. TLDR: I do think your prediction is quite "bold"!

It's a tough schedule, and we will likely have to be ranked top 10 to qualify. Very plausible that the '26 team is significantly "better" than the '25 team but also misses the playoffs and has a similar (or even worse) final record. Not a take I consider "bold" (not here to police, just sharing my opinion) but an under-discussed observation. I'd put the chances we make the playoffs next year at 65%.

Timing and character shout-out points to the plane crash tragedy. I think these kinds of posts are mostly self-serving. But I do hope that Sark is doing his part in being light and love for those impacted.

Thanks for the numbers! Do you think this kind of turnover makes it easier or harder (than pre-portal era) to predict how good teams will be? First instinct is it's harder, just with all the new faces. But on the other hand: in the old days, your unknowns were your own backups from the previous year(s), and you'd known their *names* and heard "we really like this guy", but didn't have any actual *college game experience or tape*. In this portal era, when we're talking about the top of the sport, teams' new faces likely already have real college experience and tape. So, perhaps there's more data now, to project how the top of the sport will perform, than in the pre-portal days. Thoughts?

IT WAS INEVITABLE! God I love Beck's consistent inconsistency hahaha

Miami's offense has now scored more points than Indiana's offense. Didn't expect that. Glad we have a close natty for once in the last 7 years!!

Felt very apt. As much as Indiana has outplayed Miami, the difference in the game is from: - That penalty on Miami that gave IU another shot at 3rd down from the 50. Instead of punting, they went down and scored their first TD. - Miami FG doinks out - Blocked punt for TD - Indiana PAT doinks in. Wild!

Not just the power, but Fletcher also won a 60 yard foot race. I'd argue we didn't have that ability this year either. Excited for Raleek and Hollywood on that front