We are set to speak with Butch Thompson as Auburn baseball concluded its fall practice.
Follow along and refresh for updates.
*** On fall camp: Last day of fall practice. Been going since Oct. 26. Been great to see a highly-ranked recruiting class and our returners get off the mat after last year. Guys have worked hard. Our attention as coaching staff now is turning to outlining what we do with first game in 86 days.
*** On Eric Guevara's fall: We've done player evaluations and I look forward to poring into those but the word I would put on Eric who hit above .500 is consistency. It was consistent defensively either at shortstop or third base. I felt like we needed to get better there even though we talk about pitching.
*** Mentions guys had runs where one guy was the best player for two weeks and then another guy would be the best guy for two weeks but Guevara was the most consistent.
*** On injuries: Came out pretty good. I think everyone has a chance to track and be back. Mason Koch is the one they are most concerned about with a wrist injury.
*** Bristol Carter we didn't see him 100%. He had surgery in July. I appreciate him getting through the fall.
*** Gatwood missed a few weeks. He will throw live to hitters today and threw in the World Series.
*** Expects Cooper McMurray (wrist) back soon. Probably in another week.
*** On staff has learned about this team: So many new pieces (the freshmen stayed together, they are close, we knew that was a pocket of closeness.) Parker, Cooper, Ike have been amazing leaders. Been most excited about how the groups (veterans, transfers, freshmen) have meshed.
*** Mentions playing both exhibitions on the road, going on a trip, already being in a hotel, has helped this team mesh.
*** On the group defensively: Ike Irish as development as a catcher, he has continued to grow. Mentions Stricklin has also been great behind the plate.
*** Mentions they overplayed guys at different positions in case of injuries.
*** Chris Rembert can play second base and the outfield.
*** Fralick struck out just 3 times, impressive for a freshman.
*** On Sanders and Chatteron: "It feels like they are competing for a rotation spot as a freshman, and I've been in this conference long, and I am like, 'Man." Mentions if they stay healthy they can be starters or long relievers. I can see using those guys where Chatteron starts and Sanders follows him and then the next week flip it.
*** Mentions they made a big deal of percentage of strikes this fall. Sanders and Chatterton met those benchmarks.
*** On depth at catcher and Cale Stricklin: "He got to play more catcher as a freshman than we thought and I think that helped." Mentions his dad was a great catcher. Cade hit the ball hard but right at people so he didn't have the offensive fall he wanted.
*** On weekend rotation and the options they have for that: Dylan Watts was a guy last year that was all over the map, but Watts has grown. He has met the standard of throwing strikes. Helps because they need all the lefty help.
*** Samuel Dutton threw 70% strikes. Would put him in front because he won the competition. He did it at the front end of the game. Hayden Murphy could be the most valuable pitcher this fall. He can taste it. Had him and Blake Burkhalter on the phone some.
That's it for Butch! Have a great day. We have Bruce Pearl coming up at 2:15 today.
Follow along and refresh for updates.
*** On fall camp: Last day of fall practice. Been going since Oct. 26. Been great to see a highly-ranked recruiting class and our returners get off the mat after last year. Guys have worked hard. Our attention as coaching staff now is turning to outlining what we do with first game in 86 days.
*** On Eric Guevara's fall: We've done player evaluations and I look forward to poring into those but the word I would put on Eric who hit above .500 is consistency. It was consistent defensively either at shortstop or third base. I felt like we needed to get better there even though we talk about pitching.
*** Mentions guys had runs where one guy was the best player for two weeks and then another guy would be the best guy for two weeks but Guevara was the most consistent.
*** On injuries: Came out pretty good. I think everyone has a chance to track and be back. Mason Koch is the one they are most concerned about with a wrist injury.
*** Bristol Carter we didn't see him 100%. He had surgery in July. I appreciate him getting through the fall.
*** Gatwood missed a few weeks. He will throw live to hitters today and threw in the World Series.
*** Expects Cooper McMurray (wrist) back soon. Probably in another week.
*** On staff has learned about this team: So many new pieces (the freshmen stayed together, they are close, we knew that was a pocket of closeness.) Parker, Cooper, Ike have been amazing leaders. Been most excited about how the groups (veterans, transfers, freshmen) have meshed.
*** Mentions playing both exhibitions on the road, going on a trip, already being in a hotel, has helped this team mesh.
*** On the group defensively: Ike Irish as development as a catcher, he has continued to grow. Mentions Stricklin has also been great behind the plate.
*** Mentions they overplayed guys at different positions in case of injuries.
*** Chris Rembert can play second base and the outfield.
*** Fralick struck out just 3 times, impressive for a freshman.
*** On Sanders and Chatteron: "It feels like they are competing for a rotation spot as a freshman, and I've been in this conference long, and I am like, 'Man." Mentions if they stay healthy they can be starters or long relievers. I can see using those guys where Chatteron starts and Sanders follows him and then the next week flip it.
*** Mentions they made a big deal of percentage of strikes this fall. Sanders and Chatterton met those benchmarks.
*** On depth at catcher and Cale Stricklin: "He got to play more catcher as a freshman than we thought and I think that helped." Mentions his dad was a great catcher. Cade hit the ball hard but right at people so he didn't have the offensive fall he wanted.
*** On weekend rotation and the options they have for that: Dylan Watts was a guy last year that was all over the map, but Watts has grown. He has met the standard of throwing strikes. Helps because they need all the lefty help.
*** Samuel Dutton threw 70% strikes. Would put him in front because he won the competition. He did it at the front end of the game. Hayden Murphy could be the most valuable pitcher this fall. He can taste it. Had him and Blake Burkhalter on the phone some.
That's it for Butch! Have a great day. We have Bruce Pearl coming up at 2:15 today.
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