A look ahead

[SPEShockAlum]

Kihle is in a six-way tie for 2nd in homers in the Cape and will playing in the All Star game. I guess we can go ahead and chalk him up as a first rounder next year.

[Cdizzle]

The ball jumps off Kihle's bat pretty well, but he HAS to figure out how to cut down his strikeout rate. He was at once every 3.5 ABs during the 2014 season, and is at once every 3.6 ABs in the Cape. I would put Kihle in the same category as most WSU hitters the past 10 years, he can't hit a D1 curveball, and really doesn't recognize a D1 curveball.

We shall see. I think he as a ton of potential, potential the Shox need him to convert to production if they want to have a good year.

[WSUwatcher]

There's another related problem Kihle has, SPE -- he doesn't appear to have a clue when it comes to the strike zone, as evidenced by his eight (8!) walks to go with 45 Ks at WSU last year. At this point, he isn't so much a "see the ball, hit the ball" guy as he is a "see the ball, swing at the ball" hitter, which is not nearly the same thing. It only helps for the ball to jump off someone's bat, in dizzle's description, if it actually makes contact with the bat first.

Gillaspie took a big step up to his .389/.520/.682 ticket to the first round last year, so anything is possible -- but Casey had always shown that he had some acquaintance with the strike zone. Kihle has quite a ways to go before he's in that same category. If you're going to chalk him up as a first rounder, I'd suggest not holding your breath.

[Iamsecond]

Kihle is in a six-way tie for 2nd in homers in the Cape and will playing in the All Star game. I guess we can go ahead and chalk him up as a first rounder next year.

Pretty good for a walk on guy not on scholarship. I wish all the best for Kihle

[1972Shocker]

I wish all the best for Kihle

I think everyone here agrees with that sentiment. But that does not mean his weaknesses can not be discussed. We aren't breaking any new ground here. The Coaching staff understands very well what DK needs to improve on.

The question is can he make those improvements and reach his full potential. That is what is best for DK.

[shock10]

Daniel Kihle has a .276 batting average in almost 100 at bats. Against some of the best college pitchers in the cape. He does strikeout some. But he should still be a 3,4,5 hitter in the order this spring. Besides Dave Kingman struck out some also.

[1972Shocker]

Daniel Kihle has a .276 batting average in almost 100 at bats. Against some of the best college pitchers in the cape. He does strikeout some. But he should still be a 3,4,5 hitter in the order this spring. Besides Dave Kingman struck out some also.

I don't think anyone will mistake Shocker DK for former MLB slugger DK in the power department and probably the last think Shocker DK needs to be doing is swinging for the fences.

But if you want Shocker DK to reach his full potential you will be pulling for him to cut down on his strikeouts. I would be perfectly happy if DK led the Shockers and the MVC in doubles.

[WSUwatcher]

If he can learn the strike zone better, 1972, he'll automatically cut down on his strikeouts, because it will eliminate the strikes he collects swinging at pitches he has no realistic chance to hit with any authority and either missing them or fouling them off.

Unfortunately, learning strike zone judgment is a very difficult thing to do, as evidenced by how few hitters significantly improve their K/W ratio over a span of a few seasons. Fortunately, though, while difficult it's not impossible, as evidenced by the fact that a few do manage it -- so let's hope Kihle finds his way into the latter group.

[Iamsecond]

I think most of these boys that have played since they were in diapers know the strike zone but when they are faced with inconsistent umpires calling the game they are forced to go after pitches they know are not good so they don't get a called strike looking

[Iamsecond]

Please don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing on the umpires. It is the human side of the game. The player can stand and hope they get the call that they know is clearly a "ball" or they can try to put the bat on the ball in hopes to put the ball in play or foul it off

[Cdizzle]

Or, you know, they think they know the strike zone but now they are facing D1 pitchers that can throw a breaking ball. Kihle did a lot of swinging at balls in the dirt, above his head, and in the other batters box. I'm a fan of Kihle. But I don't blame an umpire conspiracy for his strikeout rate. He has to get better at picking up pitches so the natural pop in his bat can be utilized more often.

[KansasShocker]

I agree with you cdizzle. I'm a huge fan of kihle and think he's is a very good player, but that is a really weak argument iamsecond. You're going to be a sophomore next year right iamsecond or redshirt freshman?

[Iamsecond]

I agree with you cdizzle. I'm a huge fan of kihle and think he's is a very good player, but that is a really weak argument iamsecond. You're going to be a sophomore next year right iamsecond or redshirt freshman?

Neither. I'm just on for the education and love for the game of baseball

[WSUwatcher]

When Gillaspie took his giant step forward last year that landed him in the first round, he walked 58 times and struck out 28. And before you dismiss that as teams just walking him because they didn't want to risk having him beat them (which undeniably happened a number of times), even as a sophomore when his numbers weren't nearly so overpowering, he walked 62 and struck out 35. That's a sign of someone who knows the strike zone.

Back in the days when the Shocks were the Monsters of the Midwest, their walk totals even AS A TEAM would sometimes be right up with their strikeouts. That has unfortunately passed into history, but the principle still applies -- guys who know the zone don't strike out 45 times and walk eight, and guys who do that simply don't give themselves their best chance to use the pop they do have in their bats. I hope Kihle has a great year at the plate next year, because the offense will have to come from somewhere, and he's shown he has the ability to smack the ball around. But he'll have a much better chance to do so if he swings at more strikes and takes more pitches that aren't.

[Ricardo del Rio]

@shock10 please add RHP John Hayes, a Junior transfer from Murray State College (OK) to your list. That should pretty much bring the list up to date post draft.

The list would then include 40 players. So 5 will be cut before the 1st game next year to reach the roster limit of 35.

Chase Rader is reportedly very athletic and stole a lot of bases in JC ball. I wonder if they will look at him positions other than 1B. At 6-0, 200lb. with good wheels Chase is not your proto-typical major league 1B (not even a proto-typical college 1B). There are a few MLB 1B under 6-3, 230lb. but not many. It's not that Chase can't play 1B, I'm just not sure that is where he will play as a pro although that won't necessarily dictate where he plays as a Shocker (i.e. see Koyie Hill). It will be interesting to see what happens with Chase.

Will 5 players (VanPelt, Schwanke, Thies, Kihle, Hilliard, Bargfeldt and Kinsey as 2-way players (pitching and a position/DH). It will be interesting to see if any of them actually go 2-ways at Wichita State. I don't recall seeing that much during Gene's tenure. Darren Driefort and Toby Smith most easily come to mind.

I have a feeling that the 6-4 LH Van Pelt will get a long hard look at what he might be able to do on the mound. Here are a couple of videos of Alex pitching:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65QoSs66ZWc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8tum8dHgrA

Apparently WSU's willingness to let Willie Schwanke to hit and pitch figured prominently in his decision to become a Shocker. So he might be as good a bet as any to be a 2-way player.

Another two way player is pitcher/right fielder ?. I cannot remember his name. He was from Winfield, Wellington, Ark City or somewhere in that area.

After leaving WSU, he became the pitching coach at CU and another university. Then he coached in Texas for awhile. I think he is out of baseball now.

Does Travis Wycoff (sp) sound right? My memory dims.

Tomorrow is my birthday. I hope I wake up.