Some random thoughts:
Coach Jewett: The big question surrounding Tulane baseball in the next few days is the future of Coach Jewett. If he’s to be fired, and I think it is likely, it should occur soon. Frankly, when he was hired, I was pretty happy. He had a fine record as an assistant, a reputation as an excellent recruiter, and a history of success as a hitting instructor. Having not participated in interviews or talks to people “in the know” of college baseball, I personally would have preferred Matt Riser, but that’s “water over the bridge.” I never had the “love affair” others professed with hiring Cannizaro since his limited coaching at LSU wasn’t enough to suggest to me at least that he was the right choice. Again, much has happened since and it no longer makes any difference. Be that as it may, clearly Jewett has not succeeded in the past three years. In fact, other that hitting (which has improved markedly) we’ve seen no improvement and possibly degradation in every other facet of the game from pitching (which has been horrible) to base running, to defense. Eventually the “buck” has to stop at the top. I think we have a very good recruiting class coming in (the best in my view in a long time) and would like to see what Jewett can do with it. But, I also know from long experience that if a guy doesn’t show improvement over a three year period, he is unlikely to do so in year four and beyond. It happens; but it isn’t likely. The “buck” is now in Dannen’s court.
The Schedule: It has become fashionable of late to claim that Coach Jewett intentionally “dumbed down” our schedule this year to get a winning record. That may or may not be true. Certainly our strength of schedule which was rated as #15 in the country in 2018, fell to #67 this past season. That said, I think most “Greenies” thought the 2018 schedule was a little tougher than need be but, be that as it may, it fell off significantly this season. Of course, looking back, the SOS for 2015 and 2016 (the Pierce years) were rated at #45 and #61 respectively, while Jewett’s first two years were rated #20 and #15. Maybe a drop off was needed but why did it drop so much this year? Well for one, our Louisiana opponents winning percentage dropped from .573 in 2018 to .521 this year. And our conference opponents’ records dropped from .593 to .568. Other than replacing LSU with McNeese and Nichols (clearly a drop off) I’m not sure how much Jewett “managed” the schedule to assure success. For interest, had the Louisiana teams and AAC opponents performed at the same level as 2018, our SOS would have been #49, right in the middle of that we saw during the two Pierce years.
Incoming Players: Like I mentioned above, I think we potentially have a very good recruiting class coming in. It includes several pitchers who show promise as well as a number of position players who could contribute immediately. Perfect Game rates seven of our incoming freshmen with a 9.0 or better rating, and, while junior college ball is not at the AAC level, some of the JC’s look really good. I particularly like the recently-committed reliever who had 17 saves, a 1.08 ERA and struck out 79 in 49.2 innings while walking only 9. A half-way decent (and consistent) closer this year could have put us in the regionals.
Recruiting at Tulane: All the problems of recruiting at a high-cost private school like Tulane have been rehashed over and over. Is it an impossible problem? I don’t think so; but it is a problem. It looks like we have a good class coming in depending on the disposition of the Jewett situation. But, that’s a one year issue. Vanderbilt, arguably a more prestigious and more selective university than our school, has probably the best team and likely best baseball program in the NCAA. People speculate that their endowment and way of “stacking” scholarships allows them to sign players unavailable to Tulane with its limited finances and “hidebound” administration. Of course, I don’t really “know” how Vandy does it and have no idea how limited are our finances or how “hidebound” our administration. But that’s the claim. We used to have six or more kids on the team who attended Tulane on legislative scholarships which helped a lot. Of course, that also put a spotlight on that program which limited its use. Still, according to the Tulane website, we had three players (Ross Massey, Grant Matthews, and Connor Pellerin) who attended this year on those same scholarships. But three or four legislative scholarships may be our max in this day and age. So how do we match or approach the recruiting success of Vanderbilt? I have no idea. But if Coach Jewett doesn’t understand the difference, no one does. Has he spoken to the administration? Can we do some of the things Vandy does (whatever that is)? Unlike football or basketball, I don’t believe our baseball facilities or conference alignment are major problems in recruiting. We need better recruits and more success in “coaching them up” if we are to return to be consistent winners.
The MLB draft: I’ve seen speculation in some quarters that suggest as many as six or seven Tulane players will be drafted this year. Frankly, I don’t see it and would be surprised. Hoese, of course is a sure thing. I think Roper and Matthews have a decent shot at being drafted, and possibly even Jensen. Beyond that, it would be a shock to me. A couple of our incoming freshmen or JC’s could also get drafted but I hate to speculate on that. Anyway, in another week or so (Jun 3-5), we’ll know.
Summer Baseball: We should also hear soon on who among the Greenies will be playing summer baseball. I’d think most of our backups would look to play while many front-liners, particularly pitchers, might want to take the summer off after a long season. I’d sure like to see Collin Burns, Logan Stevens, Ethan Groff, and Aaron McKeithan get some at bats this summer and, if he’s healthy and able to return, it would be nice if Ty Johnson could get some playing time. If Bedgood is to be given a shot at third base, he could also use some summer work. On the mound, I don’t see Solesky or Gillies playing this summer but everyone else could see some action, particularly the younger guys who didn’t pitch that much. Bates and Pellerin could probably use the time to get their heads on straight since they have excellent stuff and simply (maybe not so simply) need to throw strikes. Of course,some of our players will not be returning and I’d prefer not to speculate on their futures.
Anyway, those or some thoughts I have as our season has come to an ignominious close. I doubt they agree with everyone (or anyone?) but there you have it.
Roll Wave!!!
Coach Jewett: The big question surrounding Tulane baseball in the next few days is the future of Coach Jewett. If he’s to be fired, and I think it is likely, it should occur soon. Frankly, when he was hired, I was pretty happy. He had a fine record as an assistant, a reputation as an excellent recruiter, and a history of success as a hitting instructor. Having not participated in interviews or talks to people “in the know” of college baseball, I personally would have preferred Matt Riser, but that’s “water over the bridge.” I never had the “love affair” others professed with hiring Cannizaro since his limited coaching at LSU wasn’t enough to suggest to me at least that he was the right choice. Again, much has happened since and it no longer makes any difference. Be that as it may, clearly Jewett has not succeeded in the past three years. In fact, other that hitting (which has improved markedly) we’ve seen no improvement and possibly degradation in every other facet of the game from pitching (which has been horrible) to base running, to defense. Eventually the “buck” has to stop at the top. I think we have a very good recruiting class coming in (the best in my view in a long time) and would like to see what Jewett can do with it. But, I also know from long experience that if a guy doesn’t show improvement over a three year period, he is unlikely to do so in year four and beyond. It happens; but it isn’t likely. The “buck” is now in Dannen’s court.
The Schedule: It has become fashionable of late to claim that Coach Jewett intentionally “dumbed down” our schedule this year to get a winning record. That may or may not be true. Certainly our strength of schedule which was rated as #15 in the country in 2018, fell to #67 this past season. That said, I think most “Greenies” thought the 2018 schedule was a little tougher than need be but, be that as it may, it fell off significantly this season. Of course, looking back, the SOS for 2015 and 2016 (the Pierce years) were rated at #45 and #61 respectively, while Jewett’s first two years were rated #20 and #15. Maybe a drop off was needed but why did it drop so much this year? Well for one, our Louisiana opponents winning percentage dropped from .573 in 2018 to .521 this year. And our conference opponents’ records dropped from .593 to .568. Other than replacing LSU with McNeese and Nichols (clearly a drop off) I’m not sure how much Jewett “managed” the schedule to assure success. For interest, had the Louisiana teams and AAC opponents performed at the same level as 2018, our SOS would have been #49, right in the middle of that we saw during the two Pierce years.
Incoming Players: Like I mentioned above, I think we potentially have a very good recruiting class coming in. It includes several pitchers who show promise as well as a number of position players who could contribute immediately. Perfect Game rates seven of our incoming freshmen with a 9.0 or better rating, and, while junior college ball is not at the AAC level, some of the JC’s look really good. I particularly like the recently-committed reliever who had 17 saves, a 1.08 ERA and struck out 79 in 49.2 innings while walking only 9. A half-way decent (and consistent) closer this year could have put us in the regionals.
Recruiting at Tulane: All the problems of recruiting at a high-cost private school like Tulane have been rehashed over and over. Is it an impossible problem? I don’t think so; but it is a problem. It looks like we have a good class coming in depending on the disposition of the Jewett situation. But, that’s a one year issue. Vanderbilt, arguably a more prestigious and more selective university than our school, has probably the best team and likely best baseball program in the NCAA. People speculate that their endowment and way of “stacking” scholarships allows them to sign players unavailable to Tulane with its limited finances and “hidebound” administration. Of course, I don’t really “know” how Vandy does it and have no idea how limited are our finances or how “hidebound” our administration. But that’s the claim. We used to have six or more kids on the team who attended Tulane on legislative scholarships which helped a lot. Of course, that also put a spotlight on that program which limited its use. Still, according to the Tulane website, we had three players (Ross Massey, Grant Matthews, and Connor Pellerin) who attended this year on those same scholarships. But three or four legislative scholarships may be our max in this day and age. So how do we match or approach the recruiting success of Vanderbilt? I have no idea. But if Coach Jewett doesn’t understand the difference, no one does. Has he spoken to the administration? Can we do some of the things Vandy does (whatever that is)? Unlike football or basketball, I don’t believe our baseball facilities or conference alignment are major problems in recruiting. We need better recruits and more success in “coaching them up” if we are to return to be consistent winners.
The MLB draft: I’ve seen speculation in some quarters that suggest as many as six or seven Tulane players will be drafted this year. Frankly, I don’t see it and would be surprised. Hoese, of course is a sure thing. I think Roper and Matthews have a decent shot at being drafted, and possibly even Jensen. Beyond that, it would be a shock to me. A couple of our incoming freshmen or JC’s could also get drafted but I hate to speculate on that. Anyway, in another week or so (Jun 3-5), we’ll know.
Summer Baseball: We should also hear soon on who among the Greenies will be playing summer baseball. I’d think most of our backups would look to play while many front-liners, particularly pitchers, might want to take the summer off after a long season. I’d sure like to see Collin Burns, Logan Stevens, Ethan Groff, and Aaron McKeithan get some at bats this summer and, if he’s healthy and able to return, it would be nice if Ty Johnson could get some playing time. If Bedgood is to be given a shot at third base, he could also use some summer work. On the mound, I don’t see Solesky or Gillies playing this summer but everyone else could see some action, particularly the younger guys who didn’t pitch that much. Bates and Pellerin could probably use the time to get their heads on straight since they have excellent stuff and simply (maybe not so simply) need to throw strikes. Of course,some of our players will not be returning and I’d prefer not to speculate on their futures.
Anyway, those or some thoughts I have as our season has come to an ignominious close. I doubt they agree with everyone (or anyone?) but there you have it.
Roll Wave!!!
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