2024 Baseball Season Thread

[83Dee]

Blake Munroe (he is the baseball guy at OTF) said there will be some hard questions asked now. 50/50 according to him.
Lets see if there is a trend.
Wins & Losses
2021 32-5
2022 28-8
2023 27-7
2024 24-12
Team batting average
2021 .275
2022 .314
2023 .293
2024 .288
Team ERA
2021 2.93
2022 4.28
2023 4.18
2024 4.91
At the very least it is recruiting. Pierce being the pitching coach is also a very compelling argument.

Here's what I think makes the biggest difference:

1. We are clearly second-fiddle to aggy in baseball right now. And the trajectories are going in a different directions. This can't sit well....

2. Pierce's inability to keep an assistant coaching staff together. This is borderline bizarre. It isn't a good look for the University of Texas to have a player coaching first base in the post-season.

3. The situation where he named himself pitching coach, and then presided over one of the most ineffective staffs in recent history. We had a projected first-round draft pick regress himself out of a starting role.

I believe that Pierce is a really good baseball coach. But CDC didn't bring him in and has elite standards. Furthermore CDC is proactive in releasing coaches.... not waiting until it is politically correct to do so (see women's basketball as a pretty good example). Pierce has been a good coach, but I believe he will be released this offseason. No clue who the replacement might be.

 

[Wayne]

Sark was a risk. He was/is a recovering alcoholic. Who knew if he would stay on the path because so many don't.

His HC career was pronounced dead back then.

I give credit to Sark and God for him maintaining himself despite all the pressure he faces.

But CDC most definitely took a risk in hiring him.

I didn’t say it wasn’t risky. I said he had been a head coach. CDC didn’t hire a guy who hadn’t been a head coach before. The argument was that we should look at the aggy pitching coach as head baseball coach. I said hiring an assistant coach as head coach isn’t CDC’s MO. But if you think it is we can agree to disagree. Otherwise, I feel like I’ve been strawmanned.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I didn’t say it wasn’t risky. I said he had been a head coach. CDC didn’t hire a guy who hadn’t been a head coach before. The argument was that we should look at the aggy pitching coach as head baseball coach. I said hiring an assistant coach as head coach isn’t CDC’s MO. But if you think it is we can agree to disagree. Otherwise, I feel like I’ve been strawmanned.

No need to do that. I think you make a good point and I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth, just making my own point, thats all. We're good.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Here's what I think makes the biggest difference:

1. We are clearly second-fiddle to aggy in baseball right now. And the trajectories are going in a different directions. This can't sit well....

2. Pierce's inability to keep an assistant coaching staff together. This is borderline bizarre. It isn't a good look for the University of Texas to have a player coaching first base in the post-season.

3. The situation where he named himself pitching coach, and then presided over one of the most ineffective staffs in recent history. We had a projected first-round draft pick regress himself out of a starting role.

I believe that Pierce is a really good baseball coach. But CDC didn't bring him in and has elite standards. Furthermore CDC is proactive in releasing coaches.... not waiting until it is politically correct to do so (see women's basketball as a pretty good example). Pierce has been a good coach, but I believe he will be released this offseason. No clue who the replacement might be.

 

[Wayne]

No need to do that. I think you make a good point and I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth, just making my own point, thats all. We're good.

I agreed with you on Sark. He was risky. His ceiling was high and his floor was pretty low. But after seeing the way he handles himself, I imagine he nailed the interview. Humility and confidence is a great combination.

 

[Drb522]

Stoops was never a head coach and look what he did at ou.

Peirce wasn't splashy and yes, I know CDC didn't hire him. I know Weiner is a longshot, but he still should be looked at based on his impressive resume.

List his impressive resume. I’d like to see it

 

[Drb522]

Van Horn coachat Texarkana JC then 20 plus years at Hoggville. Seems like he can coach a little.

He was HC at 3 places in between TexCc and Arkansas

 

[tejasrulz]

List his impressive resume. I’d like to see it

From the internet, I added aggy's ERA in 2023 vs 2024.

Max Weiner is an accomplished baseball coach and player development expert. Here are some key points about him:

1. Baseball Coaching Career:
   
   • Max Weiner currently serves as an assistant coach for the Texas A&M Aggies baseball team.
   • He joined Texas A&M in 2024 and oversees the Aggie pitching staff. (ERA in 2023 - 5.67, ERA in 2024 - 3.85)
   • Prior to this role, he was the pitching coordinator for the Seattle Mariners organization since December 20181.
2. Impact on Player Development:
   
   • Under Weiner’s guidance, the Mariners experienced a pitching renaissance.
   • Seattle produced eight pitchers ranked as Top 100 prospects during his tenure.
   • The Mariners’ MLB rotation included four homegrown starters under the age of 26, all of whom spent no more than two seasons in the minors1.
   • Recognition and Acclaim:
     • Weiner has received national acclaim, including being named to the “35 Under 35” list by The Athletic in 2019.
     • Forbes Magazine also recognized him in their “30 Under 30 2023” list, highlighting trailblazers in the sports world
3. Early Career:
   • While playing college baseball, Weiner founded a pitcher-development and research firm called the Arm Farm.
   • The Cleveland Indians noticed his work and offered him a job as a minor league pitching coach when he was just 22 years old2.

 

[Drb522]

From the internet, I added aggy's ERA in 2023 vs 2024.

Max Weiner is an accomplished baseball coach and player development expert. Here are some key points about him:

1. Baseball Coaching Career:
   
   • Max Weiner currently serves as an assistant coach for the Texas A&M Aggies baseball team.
   • He joined Texas A&M in 2024 and oversees the Aggie pitching staff. (ERA in 2023 - 5.67, ERA in 2024 - 3.85)
   • Prior to this role, he was the pitching coordinator for the Seattle Mariners organization since December 20181.
2. Impact on Player Development:
   
   • Under Weiner’s guidance, the Mariners experienced a pitching renaissance.
   • Seattle produced eight pitchers ranked as Top 100 prospects during his tenure.
   • The Mariners’ MLB rotation included four homegrown starters under the age of 26, all of whom spent no more than two seasons in the minors1.
   • Recognition and Acclaim:
     • Weiner has received national acclaim, including being named to the “35 Under 35” list by The Athletic in 2019.
     • Forbes Magazine also recognized him in their “30 Under 30 2023” list, highlighting trailblazers in the sports world
3. Early Career:
   • While playing college baseball, Weiner founded a pitcher-development and research firm called the Arm Farm.
   • The Cleveland Indians noticed his work and offered him a job as a minor league pitching coach when he was just 22 years old2.

One collegiate position and he’s qualified to run the Longhorns baseball program ? Sorry if I don’t share your enthusiasm.

 

[hookemhorb]

One collegiate position and he’s qualified to run the Longhorns baseball program ? Sorry if I don’t share your enthusiasm.

A great coach doesn't necessarily translate to a good manager.
The guy obviously knows something about pitching and can be an asset to Texas but I'm not sure I want a manager/pitching coach. The manager needs to manage the whole team, not just part of the team. Just my 2 cents.

 

[tejasrulz]

One collegiate position and he’s qualified to run the Longhorns baseball program ? Sorry if I don’t share your enthusiasm.

A great coach doesn't necessarily translate to a good manager.
The guy obviously knows something about pitching and can be an asset to Texas but I'm not sure I want a manager/pitching coach. The manager needs to manage the whole team, not just part of the team. Just my 2 cents.

Fair enough, I stated it was a longshot. Someone is going to get him, and I have a hunch he'll be a good one.

 

[Drb522]

A great coach doesn't necessarily translate to a good manager.
The guy obviously knows something about pitching and can be an asset to Texas but I'm not sure I want a manager/pitching coach. The manager needs to manage the whole team, not just part of the team. Just my 2 cents.

Exactly. Maybe Pearce stays a they money whip him for the pitching coach position. Who knows.

 

[83Dee]

From the internet, I added aggy's ERA in 2023 vs 2024.

Max Weiner is an accomplished baseball coach and player development expert. Here are some key points about him:

1. Baseball Coaching Career:
   
   • Max Weiner currently serves as an assistant coach for the Texas A&M Aggies baseball team.
   • He joined Texas A&M in 2024 and oversees the Aggie pitching staff. (ERA in 2023 - 5.67, ERA in 2024 - 3.85)
   • Prior to this role, he was the pitching coordinator for the Seattle Mariners organization since December 20181.
2. Impact on Player Development:
   
   • Under Weiner’s guidance, the Mariners experienced a pitching renaissance.
   • Seattle produced eight pitchers ranked as Top 100 prospects during his tenure.
   • The Mariners’ MLB rotation included four homegrown starters under the age of 26, all of whom spent no more than two seasons in the minors1.
   • Recognition and Acclaim:
     • Weiner has received national acclaim, including being named to the “35 Under 35” list by The Athletic in 2019.
     • Forbes Magazine also recognized him in their “30 Under 30 2023” list, highlighting trailblazers in the sports world
3. Early Career:
   • While playing college baseball, Weiner founded a pitcher-development and research firm called the Arm Farm.
   • The Cleveland Indians noticed his work and offered him a job as a minor league pitching coach when he was just 22 years old2.

He certainly is more than qualified to run a pitching staff.

 

[83Dee]

Fair enough, I stated it was a longshot. Someone is going to get him, and I have a hunch he'll be a good one.

I agree with the majority but understand the minority. Remember me not disagreeing with you when he has TCU winning the CWS.

 

[Baron]

Here's what I think makes the biggest difference:

1. We are clearly second-fiddle to aggy in baseball right now. And the trajectories are going in a different directions. This can't sit well....

2. Pierce's inability to keep an assistant coaching staff together. This is borderline bizarre. It isn't a good look for the University of Texas to have a player coaching first base in the post-season.

3. The situation where he named himself pitching coach, and then presided over one of the most ineffective staffs in recent history. We had a projected first-round draft pick regress himself out of a starting role.

I believe that Pierce is a really good baseball coach. But CDC didn't bring him in and has elite standards. Furthermore CDC is proactive in releasing coaches.... not waiting until it is politically correct to do so (see women's basketball as a pretty good example). Pierce has been a good coach, but I believe he will be released this offseason. No clue who the replacement might be.

I agree with this, but in a different order of importance. Were you ranking or just listing?
1. CDC has elite standards and Texas is regressing.
2. Naming himself pitching coach and being unable to keep a staff intact. Is it ego or micro-managing?
3. Recruiting/Portal.
4. We have a ways to go to rival aggy in baseball.

 

[Baron]

Here is a list of top ten under 40 coaches. What do y'all think?
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/top-10-college-baseball-coaches-under-40/

 

[Baron]

I agree not young enough. We should kick the tires on some young coach like Tony Vitello and see if he likes Austin more than Knoxville.

He's an accomplished young coach, that's for sure. Let me throw another name out and see what y'all think. Dan McDonnell. He was very successful early in his career and has tailed off the last 3 years. Maybe he just needs a change of scenery. He is still relatively young at 53 and his overall record is 742-330-1.

 

[david ficken]

I agree not young enough. We should kick the tires on some young coach like Tony Vitello and see if he likes Austin more than Knoxville.

Not the baseball person that you think you are if putting him out there. Major issues at TCU with CDC and the aggy head coach. would put hell freezing over before this happening.

 

[david ficken]

The aggy coach is less than 1%, but never say never.

With the amount of NIL spent at LSU, if Jey Johnson doesnt work out, meaning Pierce is back for 1 more yr., he might be the best take.

Skip Johnson, the blow u coach, once was the pitching coach at Texas, now at blow u, doubtlful unless CDC smoothes over stuff with the NIL guys and others to help upgrade the stadium.

Maybe the Oregon State coach? Clemson coach? Would have put the ND coach there, but he is now at FSU, so doubtful.

We will now better in a couple of weeks.

 

[83Dee]

Here is a list of top ten under 40 coaches. What do y'all think?
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/top-10-college-baseball-coaches-under-40/

Thank you for the list. Here's what I think....

I don't understand the fascination with "young." I guess the thinking is - that they'll stick around longer? Or that they might recruit better because players are also young? Personally, I just don't track with this. With age and experience comes wisdom... I wouldn't put young as a plus.

We want young head coaches, young pastors, young presidents (well, not this year)..... think young, act young --- this is backward thinking. Nick Saban... nah, let's go get a 30 year old with three years experience!! I understand that I'm probably in the vast minority here, but I hope CDC doesn't have "young" or "not young enough" circulating in his brain during this process.