Tuesday March 17, 2009

Top 25 Again; Tiger Freshmen; TV

Top 25 Again
It was very satisfying yesterday to find out that the men’s basketball team was ranked 24th in the final Associated Press poll of the season. For some reason the Associated Press does not have a poll after the NCAA tournament in men’s basketball so the final poll was released Monday.

It is a noteworthy event here in Clemson for several reasons. First, this is just the fifth time in school history that the Tigers ended up ranked in the final AP poll. The 1986-87 team finished 13th, the 1989-90 squad ended up 17th, the 1996-97 Tigers wound up 14th and last year’s team finished 22nd in the final AP poll.

This is the first time in school history that the Tigers have finished in the final Associated Press poll in consecutive seasons.

On this morning’s radio show we looked at the final AP Poll in football and basketball and the current Baseball America poll. The Tigers are 20th in this week’s Baseball America poll and is one of only 12 schools to be ranked in two of the three polls.

Texas is first in baseball and fourth in football. North Carolina is second in both baseball and basketball. Alabama was sixth in football and is 24th in baseball. Ole Miss was 14th in football and 12th in baseball. Oklahoma State was 16th in football and 19 in baseball. Georgia Tech was 22 in football and is 14th in baseball. Arizona State was 19th in basketball and sixth in baseball. Missouri was 19th in football and ninth in basketball. Florida State was 21st in football and 16th in basketball and Utah was second in football and 25th in basketball.

Of the 12 schools ranked in two of the three polls, six are ranked in football and basketball while three were ranked in baseball and basketball and three in football and basketball.

Oklahoma was the only school in the nation ranked in all three polls. The Sooners finished fifth in football, seventh in basketball and are currently 13th in baseball.

Clemson Baseball Ahead of Schedule
A few weeks ago I revisited a subject that I hit upon several times last year. I was concerned about last year’s team and this year’s squad. I stated many times that I had full faith in Jack Leggett and knew the head coach could turn the program back around in the long-term. My concern was the short-term. Last year’s team lacked size, athleticism and depth.

I have been to almost every home game this season and I am happy to admit I was wrong to have those concerns. This team has benefited from an incredible freshman class.

During one game this weekend I noticed the Tigers had five true freshmen on the field. Shortstop Brad Miller has started all 15 games and is currently hitting .250 but he is starting to come around offensively. He is third on the team in hits and has a .408 on-base percentage. He has made eight errors but most of those were early and he looks much more comfortable in the field as of late.

Third baseman Jason Stolz has started six games at the hot corner. He is also hitting .250 but like Miller, he is also starting to look more comfortable with each passing game.

Outfielder-pitcher Will Lamb has been very impressive. He is hitting .364 as a centerfielder and designated hitter. Lamb might be the fastest player on the roster but his best work has come on the mound. He has yet to allow a run in his seven innings and four appearances. In those seven innings he has allowed just one hit and two walks. I think Lamb is a terrific set up guy and may develop into the closer before the end of the season.

Phil Pohl is locked into a battle for the starting catcher’s roles. The freshman has started six of the 11 games ion which he has played and like the other freshmen, he is looking more comfortable each game. His defense is solid and I think Pohl can develop into a solid offensive producer.

Richard Mounce has only started two games so far but this right-handed batter has pop and is hitting .364. Like Lamb, Mounce has also seen action as a reliever but has had fewer opportunities and pitched just one inning.

Three freshmen pitchers have caught my eye so far with the obvious being Chris Dwyer. The southpaw is 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA in his four starts. Dwyer has 20 strikeouts in 22 and 2/3 innings. He is giving up less than one base runner per inning. Dwyer has brilliant stuff and is a mature kid than showcases tremendous command of his pitches. His stuff is as good as any I have seen this season.

Scott Weismann is a right-hander that has a 1.35 ERA coming out of the bullpen. He has god stuff and has allowed just one run in the 6 and 2/3 innings he has pitched so far this young season.

Kevin Brady has started three mid-week games this season but an injury to a finger has cut into his development. He has looked good at times and has a 1.69 ERA but he needs to get healthy to be depended upon each week.

These eight true freshmen and their early contributions have me excited about the immediate future of the program. This is the best recruiting class in several years and looks like the kind of class that the program can build around.

I am sure this class will struggle at times but this is a big, athletic group that could bring the swagger back to Clemson baseball.

Tigers on the Tube
Clemson baseball is on Direct TV channel 654 Friday and Sunday. The Tigers play FSU in Tallahassee this weekend and the first and last games will be broadcasted on Fox Sports Net Florida. Friday’s game is at 6:00 PM and Sunday’s contest will begin at 1:00 PM.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Ronnie Queen, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Anna Rawl, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, Fariba Kamalabadi, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Afif Naemi, Saeid Rezaie, Mahvash Sabet, Behrouz Tavakkoli, Vahid Tizfahm,Vincent Lee.