alumni game

[Alpine]

Impressions:

No long balls, despite the gale blowing out to left
So great to see so many players back at d-f field, especially the 02 and 05 guys.
The new turf is way slower than astroturf.
Jungmann.....meh. But I can't criticize the results because he got the pros out and handled himself well.
Robbie Hudson kicked butt.

 

[Barton Hills]

Defense seemed much improved. Nice plays by Hernandez, Loy looked good in the later innings.

PS - Get Keyes in the line-up, didn't start, smoked the first pitch he saw for a double.

 

[bankerhorn]

Ditto on Keyes. I had to leave the game early, unfortunately, but I was there for BP. The ball comes off his bat differently than it does everybody else. He is a game changer. Can't speak to his defense, and maybe that's a weak point for him. Arm is certainly not a problem for him out there. Saw him at a showcase during high school, and he was 91 MPH on the radar gun, throwing from right field, and it was a dart, a couple feet up the third base line from the plate.

Based on what I saw, just briefly yesterday, and what I know of the guys they have, this team will be a lot like the earlier Augie teams - strong and deep on the mound, very sound, defensively, not a lot of punch at the plate. They do have some hitters, just not much power and not a lot of great speed. They will have to get it done more with execution and discipline.

 

[Alpine]

Agree on Keyes. But if he pans out like I hope, pitchers will just pitch around him unless we have somebody to bat behind him. Right now I don't know who that would be.

Edited to add: Cameron Rupp?

 

[cochamps]

I really don't think defense is the problem with Keyes. Last year he seemed like it was "all or nothing"; he struck out a lot. I like the guy a lot, though. Like you guys, I would love to see him garner a spot in the lineup.

 

[Barton Hills]

We could get Keyes plenty of protection if we placed someone like Rupp, Clark, Moldenhauer behind him.