Ruffin to bullpen?

[davert]

There was a post last week about rumors Chance Ruffin was going to the bullpen and I posted I would talk to his father and see what he had to say. I did so today and he said the idea was considered during the fall but it looksl like that is not going to happen. According to his father, when you add up the number of good innings you would get out of Chance as a starter compared to what he could do as a closer in a weekend series the numbers did not add up. It sounds like Chance and the family have told Skip Johnson to do what is best for UT but it did not seem to be the best plan.

 

[jmann09]

I think fans and coaches alike are looking for that stud closer that we all became so familiar with during the Street/Cox years. Ruffin would probably be clutch in that role but he showed way too much as a starter last year to be moved from the rotation.

 

[PitchingGuru]

I think I remember seeing the original discussion over on Orangebloods but thanks for the information.

 

[Barton Hills]

I loved having a Friday night ace in conference play ...

 

[Ramathorn]

Could Chance be a first rounder some day?

 

[bankerhorn]

Love him as a college pitcher, have no doubt he will get drafted, but can't imagine it will be in the first round.

Ruffin, Cole Green and Stayton Thomas all have the mentality and the stuff to close, and having that weapon in a 3-game series is absolutely invaluable.

Looking at the roster, I would say Ruffin, Wood, Green, and Workman are all guys with the potential to be great starters who have all tasted the action already. Not sure what Austin Dicharry and Taylor Jungmann did in the fall, but those guys could have an immediate impact.

Riley Boening has to be in that mix, too, if he can find himself.

The following would be something to get excited about, for me:

Friday - Ruffin
Saturday - Wood
Sunday - Workman
Mid-Week/Middle Relief - Green and/or Boening

Middle Relief
Boening
Belt
Shinaberry
Harris
Jungmann
Dicharry

Short Relief
Thomas
Green

 

[s102r18]

Wherever he is used it would be hard to go wrong (apart from leaving him on the bench most of the first half of the season like in 2008). He could be like that ag a couple years ago, starter, closer, middle reliever, whatever is most appropriate for the situation each weekend. Make him the Friday night ace. Or make him the shut-down closer. Or make him a combination (just not all in the same weekened a la Gus). Whatever we do with Chance, as long as he gets his innings...it's all good.

 

[PitchingGuru]

I dont believe that Boening, Dicharry or Harris pitched in any of the fall games so hard to know their status just yet. Dont think Belt pitched any either but he did play 1B all fall. I think your starters will come from Ruffin, Wood, Workman, Jungmann or Green. Your closer will probably be one of them that isnt starting. Middle relief would come from Shinaberry, Thomas, Stafford. Couple other pitchers on the roster in Carrillo and McKirahan. I believe Carrillo may have pitched in one of the fall scrimmages but not sure about McKirahan. The web site only has box scores for 2 of the games.
The first couple of weekends of the season you will need everyone available as you have 4 game weekends followed by a Tuesday game.