Thanks, pretty good write up and analysis…
Posted on: November 1, 2024 at 18:24:32 CT
bluetiger_ MU
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I agree the biggest questions at this point are on the left side of the infield, and DH.
Based on what I’ve seen, I think the strongest offensive lineup is to have Daly at 3B and Uptegrove at SS. Going with Daly at SS (where I think she might do just fine), and Walker at 3B, leaves only one of these 4 players at DH: Uptegrove, Abruscato, Sokoloski and Hill. That would be a shame, all 4 of those players need significant playing time.
So putting Uptegrove at SS would make it Abruscato, Hill, Sokoloski, and Walker/Dodge at DH. It’s a good position to be in for a coach with all those quality options, but several quality players arent going to be in the starting lineup the way it stands.
Maybe we do more platooning, idk. So where can the players potentially left out fit in and get decent playing time?
1. Abruscato can of course fill in for Crenshaw at catcher, playing a couple innings in any game to reduce the daily grind wear and tear on Crenshaw. And playing the entire game at catcher when we have 2 games in one day in the tournaments early in the year. And playing in midweek games later in the season. Question: What do we lose, if anything, with Abruscato at catcher instead of Crenshaw? I haven’t seen her play enough catcher to know about her defensive skills there.
2. Where does Sokoloski play if not at DH? She would fill in at an OF position, right? Maybe start there if any of the trio of Cahalan, Lenger, Watkins isn’t producing at the plate.
3. Where does Hill play if not DH? Is 3B really her strongest field position? She struggled at times there on ground balls, but made a few great athletic plays too. I really want to see her get significant at bats this year.
4. Where does Walker play if not at 3B or DH? Does she have another infield position? It would be 1B, right?
5. Dodge is a wild card to me, if she’s recovered from her injury. If not at DH, she’s at an OF position, right? Or did I imagine her playing a little at 2B last year. Where did she play at her previous school?