Recruiting - Class of 2024

[Shockm]

Noticed a new signing. Catcher/infielder transfer from University of Arizona. Only played in 2 games

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-nlD-4J5vj/?igsh=ZmEyczhmb2huMW44

https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/b...e-dillon/15859

I don't know how good the kid is. But his dad spent 13 years mostly in the Minors, and portions of 4 of those years in MLB as a utility player.

Joe Dillon (played baseball at Texas Tech where one season he hit 33 homers) has been the Hitting Coach for the Phillies, and currently is an Asst. Hitting Coach for the KC Royals.

https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-name-joe-dillon-assistant-hitting-coach

[WuDrWu]

I'd be surprised if he makes the team. No, stunned.

[Old School "Shocker"]

We have a lot of pitchers this fall. Will need 4 catchers to get all the bullpens in.

I think we will have 55ish players at fall camp. Will be a lot of kids hitting the portal at semester.

[1972Shocker]

We have a lot of pitchers this fall. Will need 4 catchers to get all the bullpens in.

I think we will have 55ish players at fall camp. Will be a lot of kids hitting the portal at semester.

So is that when the low-majors, D-II's, and Jucos load up their rosters.

[Shockm]

I'd be surprised if he makes the team. No, stunned.

I don’t doubt you, but isn’t it a success to recruit the son of a MLB hitting coach, who was a good hitter? LOL

[WuDrWu]

Wheat woody this morning? IDK

I caught HCBG on Bob and Jeff the other day. Frankly, very mundane interview (I blame Bob and Jeff) with little substance. Brian did mention 48 on the fall roster and 3-5 injuries (no idea if the injuries are included in that roster number or not, nor was there any hint as to who may be injured).

Also no mention of the 2 arms he teased last week (or week before?) that he couldn't comment on at the time. Fall games will include a mid September trip to Nebraska to play the Huskers and DBU here in October. No mention of any scrimmages or Fall World Series but I suspect that will come later. I think Brian said that there will be no 5 game weeks once conference starts (could have misunderstood that).

Lots of props to the returners, both guys that have graduated (Stroh and Favors especially) and Rogers and Millan who are back for another season. Expectations, external and especially within the program, will be elevated for 2025. This team expects to be in a regional and still playing next June.

[1972Shocker]

Wheat woody this morning? IDK

May or may not be Class of 2024. At least I have no way of knowing.

[BSB4LF]

We have a lot of pitchers this fall. Will need 4 catchers to get all the bullpens in.

I think we will have 55ish players at fall camp. Will be a lot of kids hitting the portal at semester.

Terrible way to run a program in my opinion. Selfish and lazy of the coaches to keep that many kids in limbo of their future. I hope these kids knew these numbers going in. Could end a lot of careers because the coaches can't develop what they have but would rather just find the next shiny thing.

[WuDrWu]

Terrible way to run a program in my opinion. Selfish and lazy of the coaches to keep that many kids in limbo of their future. I hope these kids knew these numbers going in. Could end a lot of careers because the coaches can't develop what they have but would rather just find the next shiny thing.

Two way street. Kids have no reason to have loyalty and rosters can completely turn over every single year. It's the wild west. I don't like it either, but I don't like it either way.

It's a business, for the schools, coaches and student athletes.

[WuDrWu]

Brian mentioned on the radio that they had 48 kids this fall. That's a few less than I had on a list, but I have no idea. Some kids I'm sure are injured and or planning to redshirt.


That being said, getting to 34 next year will be so difficult. Not sure how you can do it.

[1972Shocker]

Brian mentioned on the radio that they had 48 kids this fall. That's a few less than I had on a list, but I have no idea. Some kids I'm sure are injured and or planning to redshirt.

Or some guys saw the writing on the wall and made last minute changes to their plans. Perhaps heading to Juco. An area our coaches seem to have good connections to help some of these kids find a spot and perhaps to sign them on again in a year of two.

That being said, getting to 34 next year will be so difficult. Not sure how you can do it.

It will be interesting to see if the roster limits stay at that level to allow for some walk-ons Although funding those additional 22.3 scholarships should the Shocks chose to use them won't be easy either.

[BSB4LF]

Two way street. Kids have no reason to have loyalty and rosters can completely turn over every single year. It's the wild west. I don't like it either, but I don't like it either way.

It's a business, for the schools, coaches and student athletes.

Agreed. It is a business. But you see other programs that are able to be successful without ruining a kids' future. A buddy's kid committed to Tennessee. Good ball player or wouldn't have been recruited and signed by them. Didn't make the fall cuts at Tennessee and gave up the game altogether. I'd be hard pressed to sleep well at night knowing I'm taking that away from a kid.

[ShockBand]

Agreed. It is a business. But you see other programs that are able to be successful without ruining a kids' future. A buddy's kid committed to Tennessee. Good ball player or wouldn't have been recruited and signed by them. Didn't make the fall cuts at Tennessee and gave up the game altogether. I'd be hard pressed to sleep well at night knowing I'm taking that away from a kid.

It's possible that kid was done, though. If he has been playing travel ball for years, doing that grind with the expectation of high rewards, then not making that level may have been straw that broke the burnout camel's back. Several years ago, there was a family we are friends with whose son got a full baseball scholarship to FHSU, and ended up declining it because with all the years of travel ball plus high school baseball, he was completely burned out. I'm glad his parents supported his decision even though it meant his college education now was going to need to be paid for. I always hope that kids who don't make the cut at a certain level can find their place if they want to continue. For many, that D2 or D3 or NAIA school is really the better fit.

[WuDrWu]

Agreed. It is a business. But you see other programs that are able to be successful without ruining a kids' future. A buddy's kid committed to Tennessee. Good ball player or wouldn't have been recruited and signed by them. Didn't make the fall cuts at Tennessee and gave up the game altogether. I'd be hard pressed to sleep well at night knowing I'm taking that away from a kid.

Yeah, I don't think many coaches, at least the good ones, are known for a soft heart. It certainly wouldn't be for me. I couldn't stand to disappoint a kid like that.

[Cdizzle]

Title IX has forced baseball to take advantage of kids for years, and that's a shame.

But I have basically zero sympathy for NCAA athletes writ large. They asked for to play for money and to be free agents at all times. There are consequences to that system.