The White Pants Finale vs. KU

[tru2thaduce]

who thinks cooper was burned?

will b strikes out to send us home.

We lose 8 to 3.

welcome to .500 baseball....

I think Cooper will back to his sunday slot with Lowell moving up.Flynn was awesome for 5 innings.Seems to be a patern with Big B.He does have a ton of potential.

[BostonWu]

Based upon his pattern of pitching great for 2-5 innings they should consider moving Flynn out to the pen next season.

[shockerfanmas]

well, since the shockers suck so bad this year, and the Royals are actually doing better than WSU for like the first time in a long time, why not talk about them. At least it gives the WSU baseball board a positive spin. But then again, Shockerfever is always right, and what he says goes, so sb shock, I guess we should limit our Royals conversation to the offtopic board huh? :roll:

I'm actually enjoying that KSU and KU are both having good seasons, and I hope to see them both do well in regionals and even super regionals if either of them make it there. I'm glad I'm not so biased that I have to hate on other in-state teams just because. Besides, since we know the Shox are going to miss the postseason for the first time in a while, we need a couple in-state teams to cheer for. Beatmu, classy posts.

[ShockerFever]

well, since the shockers suck so bad this year, and the Royals are actually doing better than WSU for like the first time in a long time, why not talk about them. At least it gives the WSU baseball board a positive spin. But then again, Shockerfever is always right, and what he says goes, so sb shock, I guess we should limit our Royals conversation to the offtopic board huh? :roll:

I'm actually enjoying that KSU and KU are both having good seasons, and I hope to see them both do well in regionals and even super regionals if either of them make it there. I'm glad I'm not so biased that I have to hate on other in-state teams just because. Besides, since we know the Shox are going to miss the postseason for the first time in a while, we need a couple in-state teams to cheer for. Beatmu, classy posts.

The first paragraph just described the definition of the word 'bandwagoner'.

The second paragraph just described the definition of the word 'clueless'.

Let's put em together everybody.. clueless.....bandwagoner..... clueless... bandwagoner...

[SB Shock]

There are more than enough positives with our starting rotation to think that we will be back with a vengeance next year.

I would have to disagree. Only way WSU comes back with a vengence is they must get depth in their pitching staff and have a quality Bull Pen. They must improve defensively and their offense must improve considerably. As of right now, the offense is the biggest area where changes have to occur.

For those who think that the injured pitchers coming back next year will provide quality depth - I would be cautionary with that assumption because a rule of thumb is it takes about a year of pitching to get back to 100%.

Here are some different scenarios with projected wins and losses (from Pythag Theorem). Choose where and how much improvements there will be and you can see what WSU record projected record might be.

2008
Offensive Runs Per Game (RPG): 8.01
Pitcher RPG (earned): 3.75
Defensive RPG (unearned runs): 0.90

Pythag Winning Pct: 74.7% (Actual 73.8%)

2009
Offensive Runs Per Game (RPG): 5.35
Pitcher RPG (earned): 4.35
Defensive RPG (unearned runs): 0.89

Pythag Winning Pct: 50.9% (Actual 50.0%)

2010 Projected - 2008 Pitching Numbers
Offensive Runs Per Game (RPG): 5.35
Pitcher RPG (earned): 3.75
Defensive RPG (unearned runs): 0.89

Pythag Winning Pct: 57% (30 wins)

2010 Projected - 2007 Pitching Numbers
Offensive Runs Per Game (RPG): 5.35
Pitcher RPG (earned): 2.65
Defensive RPG (unearned runs): 0.89

Pythag Winning Pct: 69% (38 wins)

So even if WSU pitching staff matures into great staff with 2007 pitching number, WSU can't get to 40 wins.

2010 Projected - 2008 Pitching Number, better Defense, better offense
Pitcher RPG (earned): 3.75
Defensive RPG (unearned runs): 0.66

Off Increase to 6 rpg: 65% (35-19)
Off Increase to 6.5 rpg: 68% (37-17)
Off Increase to 7.0 rpg: 72% (39-15)
Off Increase to 7.5 rpg: 74% (40-14)
Off Increase to 8.0 rpg: 77% (41-13)

2010 Projected - 2007 Pitching Number, better Defense, better offense
Pitcher RPG (earned): 2.75
Defensive RPG (unearned runs): 0.66

Off Increase to 6 rpg: 76% (41-13)
Off Increase to 6.5 rpg: 79% (43-11)
Off Increase to 7.0 rpg: 82% (44-10)
Off Increase to 7.5 rpg: 84% (45-9 )
Off Increase to 8.0 rpg: 85% (46-8 )

[Shocker85]

Based upon his pattern of pitching great for 2-5 innings they should consider moving Flynn out to the pen next season.

I assume you're referring to Flynn.

Actually, is seems like his performances this season are pretty typical of frosh mid-week starters.

I found a few looking back ...

In '08, Kelley was 4-4 with a 4.85 ERA in 52 IP / 11 starts - so his average was < 5 IP per start.

In '06 Shafer averaged just a bit over 6 IP per start. Great numbers otherwise, though.

In '05 frosh Touchatt and Hutson split most of the mid-week starts and combined were 6-6 with a 5.00 ERA with 95.1 IP / 14 starts but had 25 relief appearances between them. In '05, Travis Banwart only averaged about 5.5 IP per start.

Flynn will be fine or probably excellent as a starter. Some frosh don't come in with guns blazing like Pelphrey, Kris Johnson, or Shafer. He's an excellent pitcher and can be nasty. His last couple of starts he has really been good early and I think a chance to develop some pitching variety will help him a lot. Teams are able to figure out his pitching patterns the 2nd and 3rd time through the order and that's where he's getting burned. He was a little wild early on and is getting that under control. Some more seasoning and he'll be a great option in the mid-week and/or in the weekend rotation. We were having a similar conversation about Kelley last season, and he's developed nicely. The mid-week guys are tasked with facing the toughest part of the schedule - a tough task for frosh.

--'85.

[BostonWu]

85 - I think you might have misinterpreted my assessment of Flynn’s talent. I think he’s going to be a great weapon going forward. It seems there will be a whole lot of lingering questions with the pen heading into next season, while the starting rotation is pretty firm – even stacked if lightening strikes and Gould somehow ends up here. I think Flynn would offer greater contribution as a closer.

[lawmaker]

From KU Fan-
As we all know, Haertl has always been a KSU guy and thinks WSU baseball is the greatest thing ever. The fact that KU is pwning in the three major sports (plus a women's run in WNIT) has to be killing him. Since he doesn't cover KU, I'm not surprised in the least that he finds KU's success unfair as he travels to Manhattan to cover lackluster programs while actual winning is happening 90 miles to the east. There's only so much that you can say when reporting on losers

[Rosewood]

Congrats on the sweep Jayhawks. I hope you do well in the NCAA's.



For any lurking Kitty fans... this is how you handle yourselves when coming onto an opposing message board. That's the difference between KU fans and Kitty fans. And that's why Kitty fans will always be seen as trash to me. They can go 2 n cue in their first regional ever as far as I'm concerned.

17 more days! :yahoo:

Like the idiot KSU fan who upgraded to behind home plate so he could get on TV and pretend he had the Willy costume and try to spell K S U for the camera?

Damn shame the guest services crew had checked out already. I would have offered my normal lady a $20 to kick him out just on principal.

[Shocker85]

85 - I think you might have misinterpreted my assessment of Flynn’s talent. I think he’s going to be a great weapon going forward. It seems there will be a whole lot of lingering questions with the pen heading into next season, while the starting rotation is pretty firm – even stacked if lightening strikes and Gould somehow ends up here. I think Flynn would offer greater contribution as a closer.

Gotcha, and you may have a good point.

I'm probably less worried about the 'pen than I should be. Sossaman looks good often, Rem Johnson looks good often, Caster has shown flashes, Coby Guy is supposedly legit and Hoch and Fleming return. If most of those guys get in some good work this summer, get more consistent, and return one season better, I think the 'pen could be pretty good. Caster did some closer duty at Goddard and maybe he's a guy for that role here. McKeever was a serviceable closer at the end of '08, but with few chances in '09 he hasn't performed as well. Using a different guy full-time 1B and letting Keev DH and pitch 2-4 times per week might be a better option. Everyone on the staff has a good arm - Kemp, Maune, Josh Smith, Maldonado, etc. have all had success getting outs but with less consistently good results.

Pitching really isn't nearly as big an issue as pitching and defense. If we don't get or develop a good catcher, we're in trouble.

--'85.

[WstateU]

From KU Fan-
As we all know, Haertl has always been a KSU guy and thinks WSU baseball is the greatest thing ever. The fact that KU is pwning in the three major sports (plus a women's run in WNIT) has to be killing him. Since he doesn't cover KU, I'm not surprised in the least that he finds KU's success unfair as he travels to Manhattan to cover lackluster programs while actual winning is happening 90 miles to the east. There's only so much that you can say when reporting on losers

'KU Fan' obviously doesn't realize that 'The Bruce' has a daughter currently attending KU... at least KU fan considers baseball a major sport now that his team is ranked in the top 25... funny how that works.
:D

[rrshock]

'KU Fan' obviously doesn't realize that 'The Bruce' has a daughter currently attending KU... at least KU fan considers baseball a major sport now that his team is ranked in the top 25... funny how that works.
:D

No one ever accused them of actually using facts and knowing what they were talking about.

[beatmu]

'KU Fan' obviously doesn't realize that 'The Bruce' has a daughter currently attending KU... at least KU fan considers baseball a major sport now that his team is ranked in the top 25... funny how that works.
:D

No one ever accused them of actually using facts and knowing what they were talking about.

Sadly, that wasn't even the goofiest post in the phog thread

oh, well... my apologies for the beer guzzling stroller shmuck and the bandwagon football jersey fans. We've got some fans you just can't take anywhere!

Congrats on the crowd in spite of the lackluster year by Shocker standards - did I hear 5600 were in the park last night?

[SFL]

'KU Fan' obviously doesn't realize that 'The Bruce' has a daughter currently attending KU... at least KU fan considers baseball a major sport now that his team is ranked in the top 25... funny how that works.
:D

No one ever accused them of actually using facts and knowing what they were talking about.

Sadly, that wasn't even the goofiest post in the phog thread

oh, well... my apologies for the beer guzzling stroller shmuck and the bandwagon football jersey fans. We've got some fans you just can't take anywhere!

Congrats on the crowd in spite of the lackluster year by Shocker standards - did I hear 5600 were in the park last night?

http://www.kansas.com/sports/shockers/story/802585.html

"Worth noting - The attendance of 5,697 is a season high.... Wichita State lost its seventh straight mid-week game against Division I opponents.

Props to both fan bases for a very nice crowd... :good: :good: