Texas v. Rice February 18-20, 2022

FWHORN

FWHORN

10,000+ Posts
The pre-season number one ranked Horns start the season at home against long time rival Rice with a three game set this weekend. All three games will be on LHN and the likely starting rotation is Hansen, Stevens, and Witt though in what order has yet to be announced.

The long road to Omaha 2022 begins.:hookem:
 
Witt should be smokin' through the first 4-5 innings. His challenge this year is to pitch solid for 7 innings.
 
:rice:

Cooper Chandler is a transfer from Pepperdine. Right hander. 6'2" 190lbs.

Stats for entire college career:
3.17 ERA
98 SO
45 Walks

Those numbers suggest good control, but one scout said he still needs to tighten up his command ...

Throws:
Fastball up to the mid 90s (mostly in the low 90s)
Slider
Change Up

He received his Bachelor's degree from Pepperdine, and is working on an MBA at Rice. Native Texan (Abilene).

Chandler_Cooper_9_JG.jpg


Cooper Chandler
Rice Baseball 2022: Names to Know -- Lineup
Rice Baseball 2022: Names to Know -- Pitching
Prep Baseball Report - Player: Cooper Chandler
 
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:rice:

Brandon Deskins
LHP
6'1" 195 lbs
3.88 ERA in 2021
92 SO
50 Walks

Got 11 strikeouts in a game.
Throws with a 3/4 delivery
Was a rather slender/slight of build guy going into college. Has beefed up sufficiently. Now has high 80s - sometimes into the 90s velocity on his fastball, but doesn't blow anybody away with speed. Has deceptive sinking movement on his fastball, and a good curve and change-up. Has developed a slider as well. Good control pitcher. Smart and crafty pitcher. From Friendswood.

Brandon_Deskins__13_20210220_BSB_G1__Rice_HBU__MLD5B_1452.jpg


Rice Owls
Brandon Deskins Class of 2018 - Player Profile | Perfect Game USA
 
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:rice:


Thomas Burbank
6'2" 225 lbs
LHP

Junior College Stats:
1.88 ERA
12-0
1.23 WHIP
Throws in the upper 80s.
Performed well in JC.

Transferred in from San Jac JC-- I think he said something about the academics were too challenging there, so he's going to Rice... :thumbup: He was also previously on our team in 2019, but never saw the field. Was a Silver Spur. Shows a degree from UT and is pursuing an MBA at Rice. A Beaumont Kelly guy. Likes to throw sinkers/breaking balls/curves/changeups. Another crafty guy with a lot of tricks in his bag. Don't think he sucks because he didn't get playing time here. He's got plenty of experience at San Jac JC--one of the top baseball factory JCs, and is no pushover at all. He's got some nasty movement/sinking/breaking on his off speed pitches. He's pretty good.

"He attacks hitters, throwing a lot of strikes as he works to get ahead of hitters through a quick tempo.... Breaking ball displays 1/7 shape with late break. He maintains arm speed on his changeup ... sinking action.
...
Off speed stuff show as outstanding pitches that will get outs."

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Rice Owls
Kelly Catholic’s Burbank brothers to reunite on Rice baseball team
Thomas Burbank - Baseball - University of Texas Athletics
Baseball Factory | Top Prospects | Thomas Burbank
 
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It will be interesting to see how we work the pen.

I think it may look something like this:

Closers: Nixon (obviously) and Gordon (Gordon may also be used in late-middle relief) -- these guys are both excellent. Nixon's the best closer in the college game. Gordon would be the staff ace on many college baseball teams.

Middle relief: Here's where there's still some ???s.
Southard showed really well in limited action last year; I'd put him as the best/most proven of this bunch I have in middle relief--he may close some as well. Southard is good. Lummus showed a few flashes as well, but not enough consistent innings to really say yet. I think Jace Hutchins (Blinn JC, dad is aTm director of baseball ops) may be a big addition if he gets his control under control; physically, he's a big guy, and could be a real workhorse in middle relief, pitching a lot of innings--got to master that control though...

Stewart is the "it" guy among incoming Freshmen pitchers--according to most people who write about this stuff, but keep an eye on his competitive pal O'Banan. Look for both Stewart and O'Banan to get a decent amount of action this year. If DuPlantier is fully healed from his injury, he's real good and will be a big part of our staff. Beyond that, we've got a lot of ??? and a bunch of guys who look rather good on paper.

Best starting rotation in college baseball
Best closers in college baseball
Middle relief = we'll see

:ut::ut::ut:
 
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I did like the interview with coach Graham who made it clear he is a Lifelong Horn
But his tenure at Rice has to be respected and admired.
 
Top 9th...

Need 3 outs... 7-0 spanking of the Owls by the # 1 Horns in game 1 of the season.

Suspect @Texanne is there for this series....
 
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Was in town for a conference and stuck around an extra night to catch the opener. Fantastic crowd and dominant start for Hansen. Great start to season.:hookem:
 
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Just watched it on a recording.

Great game.

Hansen was dominant.
Stehle was good for a few innings (I knew next to nothing about him)
Southard was on fire to close it out—keep an eye on him—he’s real good.
:fire::fire::fire::fire::fire::fire::fire::fire::fire::fire:

I’ll echo the kudos to Ardoin and will also note that his defense at Catcher was really good. Compare him to Rice’s poor catcher—his multiple past balls really hurt them and dug Rice into a big hole early on.

Great job Horns!!!

:ut::ut::ut:
 
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Deskins is good about tricking us by changing speeds a lot. He seems to have about 5-6 different gears just on his fastball….

And he works at a snails’ pace…
 
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