Dirtbags fan looking to scout the enemy

[LongBeachStateTroll]

Hi all, I'm a Long Beach State baseball fan looking to get the 411 on Valpo baseball before next week's series. I run a blog on blogger called DirtbagBlues (forum's not letting me post links, but you can find me pretty easily by Googling "Dirtbag Blues"). Each week I try to post a "series preview" including a few words from some fans of the opposing team. Couldn't find any Valpo baseball blogs so I figured I'd try this forum.

Anyone interested in a quick Q&A on Valpo baseball? It can be either on this forum or via e-mail. I'd be happy to share some deep, dark secrets on Dirtbags' baseball as well..... or just give a basic scouting report.

Oh, and happy opening day, baseball fans!

[valpotx]

Sure, you should reach out to the forum user named jetz on here, but he will probably see this and respond.  He has a son that is a current player, so it will be easier for him to explain how the offseason has gone with the new players.  I played at Valpo in the early 2000s, but am back in TX, so don't see the team much until they play closer to me.  Most of our position players are back, but we lost a lot of our pitching from last season.  There is a JUCO transfer from OK that is set to be in our weekend rotation, 1 returning starter, and the third weekend role appears to be going to a transfer from Cal State Northridge. I believe we have 5 players from CA in total.

http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2012-13/12407/opening-day-comes-as-music-to-ears-of-baseball-fans-nationwide/

http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2012-13/12404/hl-baseball-preseason-polls-team-announced/

http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2012-13/12394/2013-baseball-preview-crusaders-reload-as-defense-of-hl-title-begins-friday/

[bbtds]

I thought for sure he was saying he was a Detroit Titan fan. (dirtbag?)   

[valpotx]

I actually thought the same as well, but then it made sense when he said he was a The Beach fan.  I only knew that they were the Dirtbags because of Jason Giambi and Jered Weaver

[vuweathernerd]

Lets not go scaring people off by trying to automatically associate them with the titans. That's unfair to our newcomers.

[valporun]

Wasn't it a Titans fan who said on another board that we were "pompous hayseeds"? At least the "dirtbag" had proper association to those of us who pay some kind of attention to college baseball.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

"pompous hayseeds"?

for the record, he was only quoting (he said) a YSU fan.

[jetz]

Hi all, I'm a Long Beach State baseball fan looking to get the 411 on Valpo baseball before next week's series. I run a blog on blogger called DirtbagBlues (forum's not letting me post links, but you can find me pretty easily by Googling "Dirtbag Blues"). Each week I try to post a "series preview" including a few words from some fans of the opposing team. Couldn't find any Valpo baseball blogs so I figured I'd try this forum.

Anyone interested in a quick Q&A on Valpo baseball? It can be either on this forum or via e-mail. I'd be happy to share some deep, dark secrets on Dirtbags' baseball as well..... or just give a basic scouting report.

Oh, and happy opening day, baseball fans!

Hello Dirtbag fan!  I'll be happy to send you some info here tomorrow.  Just got back from a tough loss in the cold and am winding down with a little Makers.  Looking forward to sharing some with a Beach fan--and you are just a fan, right? 

[LongBeachStateTroll]

I'm actually head coach Troy Buckley looking to get some help after we got killed by Vanderbilt today, 10-4. 

I have no clue what this "Titan" business is about, but I actually find it kinda funny since our arch-rival is also called the Titans (Cal State Fullerton).

I also had a few general questions about the program, besides how the on-field personnel looks this year. Let's just start out with a few for jetz (or anyone, really... my main idea is to get the fans' perspective on the program...)


How's the pitching staff looking this year after suffering some big losses from a year ago?

In a nutshell, what's the offensive gameplan like for Valpo?

2012 looked like a banner year for the Crusaders. What was different about that squad that finally got Valpo to the regionals?

Any words on the impact Tracy Woodson has had on the program?

[bbtds]

   

Which one is the "True" Dirtbag?





Answer: Both

[jetz]

I'm actually head coach Troy Buckley looking to get some help after we got killed by Vanderbilt today, 10-4. 

How's the pitching staff looking this year after suffering some big losses from a year ago?

In a nutshell, what's the offensive gameplan like for Valpo?

2012 looked like a banner year for the Crusaders. What was different about that squad that finally got Valpo to the regionals?

Any words on the impact Tracy Woodson has had on the program?

Well, Coach--we're terrible.  If I were you, I'd give a couple of true freshmen pitchers their first taste of college baseball and let 'em have the ball against us.  They'll probably pick up easy wins.  :lol

Per your questions:  We got over 100 innings each from our three weekend starters in 2012.  One is back as the ace this year and looked decent last night in our first game.  Frankly, you know as much as I do about the transfer pitchers that are starting our next two games.  Cole Webb gets the ball tonight and Chris DeBoo will throw tomorrow.  I'm guessing that we won't get as many innings out of the starters as last year, and our bullpen will be much more important this year.  We have a deep pen with the ability to go righty-lefty as the situation dictates.  We also lost our all-time saves leader and closer Jarad Miller to graduation.  Karch Kowalcyck will inherit the role and is probably our best pro prospect.  It's no secret that he throws hard.

In 2012 we played a lot of small ball.  The lineup this year features more power and a lot more speed.  We have to wait and see about the overall philosophy this year, but I really like the lineup we ran out last night.  We didn't have success, but we're experienced and I look for good things offensively.

Last year we got over the Wright State hump in Horizon League play to get to the Regionals.  Our starting pitching was outstanding, and we went into basically every series knowing that we had the better of the pitching matchups.  We also played good defense for the most part until the Regionals, where we made way too many errors.  We should be solid defensively this year as well.  It didn't show last night, but overall I think our outfield play will be much improved over 2012.

Coach Woodson has invaded your neck of the woods and Texas and brought some good juco players to northwest Indiana.  That has been his most significant recent contribution.  It doesn't hurt that he and Brian Schmack are both ex-MLB players.  Valpo may have the only coaching staff in the country that can boast two former major leaguers.  We all can find decisions that we might question with any coach, but I contend that we won't get outcoached in game situations very often.  We have a lot of talent for a small northern D1 school, and the coaching staff is a direct reason why the kids play here. 

Good luck to you next week--please order up the warm and dry weather.  We're freezing here in Nashville this weekend...   

[LongBeachStateTroll]

Good stuff, jetz. Since you bring up the "small northern school" thing... what kind of support does the Valpo baseball program see out there? Also, just wondering if the Crusaders have any potential draft prospects (that middle infield looks pretty talented).


Just a quick 411 on the Dirtbags...

Rotation is (for now)

Fri: RHP Jon Maciel- great reliever from last couple years though unproven as a starter
Sat: RHP Shane Carle- solid draft prospect, joins LBSU after good JuCo career
Sun: LHP Landon Hunt- was the lefty specialist last year as a junior, but was also a solid starter in JuCo before that.

The bullpen looked like a strength this year, until we lost both SP Ryan Strufing (forcing us to put Hunt in the rotation) and closer Kyle Freidrichs to Tommy John Surgery. Bullpen might still be solid but the closer role is open for now.

Our offense is very much "small ball". We lead the nation with 91 sac bunts last year and I think we tend to over do it on the bunts. The team lacks power and our ballpark (Blair Field) has a huge outfield. Best players include 1B/LF Ino Patron (again, not much power, but good on-base and a grinder at the plate), RF Richard Prigatano (tons of potential in his bat but hasn't reached it yet), 3B Juan Avila (team leader, solid gap-hitter), 2B Jeff McNeil (prototypical middle-infielder, great defense, slap hitter).

Any other trade secrets you'd like to know about LBSU just ask.

Thanks again.

[valpotx]

There is not as much support for VU baseball as there probably is at LBSU.  We probably get 100-150 fans on a good day.  It's the whole difference between Midwest and Western/Southern baseball.  Much more support for basketball and football up there.

Funny that your team led the nation in sac bunts last year, as I believe that we were in the top 10 as well.

[jetz]

LBS Troll--On your draft prospect question, here's my barely informed take:

SS Spencer Mahoney was named to a couple of Freshman All-America lists last year.  He hurt his knee early in the season, then returned for the last third and had a great month or so.  He's a sophomore so not draftable until next year.  6'4" with good range and a .330 or so hitter last season.

Tanner Vavra is the son of Twins assistant Joe Vavra.  It's been well documented that the senior 2B suffered an eye injury early in life, yet still led the Northwoods League in batting average last summer.  He is the player that scouts came to Valpo to see this fall on scout day.  Here's a link to an article posted earlier this year:  http://www.valpoathletics.com/baseball/news/2012-13/12335/against-all-odds-vavra-retains-focus/

Closer/DH Karch Kowalczyk is the player the scouts ended up watching on scout day.  He hit a few balls out of the park, and hit 90+ on the gun from the mound.

Michael Morman returns from ACL this year and has the team's most powerful bat.  The sweet swinging LF will hit some HRs this year. 

OF Chris Manning played in the Cape for a while last summer and has great range defensively.  Like LBSU, Valpo has a vast outfield, and Manning gets to a lot of balls.  He played both right and center field in our opening series at Nashville. 

Looks like the weather is shaping up for the weekend.  It's 17 and blowing in Valpo today, so the guys are pretty psyched for the Cali trip.  Plus, this will be their only scheduled trip via plane, and they're happy to avoid the bus this weekend.  See you there!

[LongBeachStateTroll]

Sounds good. Thanks again for all your help, guys. Looking forward to this weekend. I'll hopefully have a series preview up on thursday including some of the info you gave me. Once again can't post an external link, but the blog can be found by googling "Dirtbag Blues".

Thanks

[valpotx]

Jetz, quick question on scouts day.  Do the Seniors/upperclassmen still fake out the FR by calling/pretending to be a scout that wants to see them earlier than the normal time?  Therefore, they wake up around 4-5 am thinking that they have a private workout before the official workout?

LBSTroll, once you get your fifth post, you can post an external link.

[jetz]

Jetz, quick question on scouts day.  Do the Seniors/upperclassmen still fake out the FR by calling/pretending to be a scout that wants to see them earlier than the normal time?  Therefore, they wake up around 4-5 am thinking that they have a private workout before the official workout?

Not that I know of, but I like it!  I like it a lot.  I'll pass that on...

[LongBeachStateTroll]

Good to know, valpotx. Hey, this is my 5th post, so I'll post it right after this.

The blog content is geared toward Long Beach State, but I did include a lot of the info on Valpo you guys gave me. Series Preview will be up at noon (eastern) on thursday.

[LongBeachStateTroll]

Here we go:DirtbagBlues

Like I said, Series Preview up Thursday at noon.

[Valposter]

Jetz, I saw in the Baseball Preview that Grant Yonder is being red-shirted this season due to a back injury.  How did Grant hurt his back?  Did the operation go well?  Thoughts and prayers to him for a quick and full recovery.

[LongBeachStateTroll]

Just a quick update, guys. The LBSU rotation this weekend is now the following:

Fri: Shane Carle
Sat: Landon Hunt
Sun: Jon Maciel

It's possible last week's performances had something to do with this (Coach Buckley indicated the rotation may not be settled until a few weeks into the season) but most likely Maciel has been bumped to the Sunday slot (moving Carle/Hunt up a day) because he pitched an inning in relief on Wednesday (finishing up a suspended game).

[jetz]

Jetz, I saw in the Baseball Preview that Grant Yonder is being red-shirted this season due to a back injury.  How did Grant hurt his back?  Did the operation go well?  Thoughts and prayers to him for a quick and full recovery.

I believe Grant has a herniated disk.  I think the operation has been done and he is on track to play summer ball in June.  He was a 1B/DH, and the good news for Valpo is that we are heavy at DH.  Bain, Bynum and Kowalcyzk are all looking for at bats and are all capable.  I think Grant will play in the summer with the Dayton Docs of the Great Lakes League along with teammate Zack Walsh.

[valpotx]

Haha, I love how you keep the anonymity up on who your son is 

[Valposter]

Jetz, I saw in the Baseball Preview that Grant Yonder is being red-shirted this season due to a back injury.  How did Grant hurt his back?  Did the operation go well?  Thoughts and prayers to him for a quick and full recovery.

I believe Grant has a herniated disk.  I think the operation has been done and he is on track to play summer ball in June.  He was a 1B/DH, and the good news for Valpo is that we are heavy at DH.  Bain, Bynum and Kowalcyzk are all looking for at bats and are all capable.  I think Grant will play in the summer with the Dayton Docs of the Great Lakes League along with teammate Zack Walsh.

Jetz,  thanks for the update!  Are there any other serious or season-ending injuries on the team?  It seems like we have good depth on the roster at most positions as long as we stay healthy.

[bbtds]

Haha, I love how you keep the anonymity up on who your son is 

Sounds like that opening line from from Superman

"Look, up in the sky.......It's a bird......it's a plane.....it's Jetz Yonder"(Yoder?)