Thursday, April 30, 2009
Clemson baseball statistical analysis
Clemson baseball rankings in the critical categories through games of April 29, 2009. The pitching remains the high point and there has been improvement across the board over the last month. Work to do if they hope to make it out of a regional.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Tigers take 2 of 3 from Jackets
Clemson (30-15, 14-10) beat Georgia Tech on Sunday to win the series 2 games to 1.
After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the 1st, the Tigers rallied for 3 in the bottom of the first and never trailed again in route to a 6-3 victory.
Wilson Boyd went 3-3 with 2 RBI in the victory over 4th ranked Tech (28-11-1, 14-7-1).
Georgia Tech won game 1, 5-4 on Friday, and Clemson rebounded for a 8-5 win on Saturday.
Trey Delk (2-1), the first of 4 pitchers for Clemson pitched 3 innings to pick up the victory.
The Tigers are off until Saturday, when the Maryland Terrapins come in for a 3 game series.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Friday Follies
In our first Friday Follies we present the Washington Natinals. No, that's not a misprint. That's how the soon to be out of business Majestic Athletic spelled the team name on the jersey's of Adam Dunn and Ryan Zimmerman this week. The jerseys were worn for three innings before the players changed into jerseys with the names spelled correctly.
No word on whether the players realized the team name was spelled incorrectly.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Clemson unloads on Gamecocks, 12-2
What a difference 24 hours makes. Yesterday at this time the Tigers (28-14, 12-9) were facing a 3-1 deficit to Coastal Carolina with two strikes and two outs in the 9th and a tough road game at arch rival South Carolina tonight. Suddenly, 26-16 was staring the Tigers in the face. We know what happened next.
This evening it took the Tigers until the 6th inning to get a hit, but then the floodgates opened for 12 runs over the last 4 innings, including a solo home run by Ben Paulsen and a 3 run shot by Kyle Parker. Parker finished the night 2-4 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI.
Clemson finished the game with 11 hits, while holding South Carolina (27-15) to 6.
Parker now sits at .301 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI. Not bad for a guy who started the first two weeks of the season in the .130 range.
Scott Weismann started for the Tigers and pitched 4 shutout innings. Matt Vaughn (3-1) followed with 3 shutout innings to pick up the win. Thomas Cruz finished the game for the Tigers allowing two runs in two innings.
Make no mistake, this team still has some shortcomings and will struggle against good pitching in the regionals. Defense can also be a question mark at times. However, the last two nights the Tigers have showed some resiliency, first at home and then on the road in a hostile environment against their arch rival that has dominated the series lately.
How far, if anywhere, will these two wins take the Tigers? We'll begin to find out Friday against Georgia Tech in the first game of a three game series in Clemson.
This evening it took the Tigers until the 6th inning to get a hit, but then the floodgates opened for 12 runs over the last 4 innings, including a solo home run by Ben Paulsen and a 3 run shot by Kyle Parker. Parker finished the night 2-4 with 3 runs scored and 3 RBI.
Clemson finished the game with 11 hits, while holding South Carolina (27-15) to 6.
Parker now sits at .301 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI. Not bad for a guy who started the first two weeks of the season in the .130 range.
Scott Weismann started for the Tigers and pitched 4 shutout innings. Matt Vaughn (3-1) followed with 3 shutout innings to pick up the win. Thomas Cruz finished the game for the Tigers allowing two runs in two innings.
Make no mistake, this team still has some shortcomings and will struggle against good pitching in the regionals. Defense can also be a question mark at times. However, the last two nights the Tigers have showed some resiliency, first at home and then on the road in a hostile environment against their arch rival that has dominated the series lately.
How far, if anywhere, will these two wins take the Tigers? We'll begin to find out Friday against Georgia Tech in the first game of a three game series in Clemson.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Schaus' 2 out grand slam in 9th lifts Tigers
Jeff Schaus' slam was preceded by Chris Epps working a walk on a 3-2 count after fouling off two pitches. Schaus' game winner came on the very next pitch.
Clinton McKinney (3-0) was the winning pitcher for Clemson (27-14, 12-10). Coastal Carolina, ranked #18, falls to 30-10.
Clemson travels to Columbia tomorrow to take on South Carolina for the final time this season.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Tigers salvage game 3
After losing the first two games of the series by scores of 5-2 and 7-3, Clemson (26-14, 12-9) took game 3 by a score of 8-1 in Blacksburg, VA on Sunday.
Kyle Parker hit a three run homer and Casey Harman (4-3) pitched 6 innings of shut out ball for the Tigers. Mike Freeman went 3-4 with a HR and 3 RBI and Matt Sanders also had 3 hits for the Tigers.
The Tigers have a huge week ahead, both out of conference (single games with Coastal Carolina and at South Carolina) and in conference (3 games against Georgia Tech) in the coming week.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Legend of Kyle Parker
Kyle Parker hasn't played a down of football yet, but his legend is growing among Clemson fans, cemented by his triple duty on Saturday. Kyle played QB for the winning "White" team on Saturday beginning at noon completing 13 of 21 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown while not throwing an interception. Immediately after the spring game ended Parker crossed the street and arrived in the 3rd inning of the Tigers baseball game with Miami. He entered the game as a pinch hitter and singled home a run. He later homered in that game. In game two against Miami he also homered, bringing his baseball totals for the day to 3 for 7 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI. Not a bad day.
All Parker has done at the plate since spring football ended is go 8 for 11, scored 5 runs and tallied 8 RBI, with 2 HR including a grand slam.
I've seen athletes at Clemson compete in two sports before, most notably Mike Eppley as a QB for the football team and point guard for the basketball team in the 80s. Eppley was good at both sports, but he wasn't the burgeoning superstar that Parker is in baseball (All ACC and Freshman All-American in what should have been his senior year of high school) or the celebrated QB that Parker was (Elite 11 QB, 10th ranked pro-style QB) coming out of high school.
There were some who said Kyle Parker would never play a down of college football because of Willy Korn. I'm here to tell you they were wrong. I have no idea if he will be a super star QB, a four year starter, or even start this fall. My guess is he will play and he will play well. It's rapidly becoming apparent that Parker has the focus and drive to be good in two sports and we are just beginning to see the athlete that Parker will become.
I've seen athletes at Clemson compete in two sports before, most notably Mike Eppley as a QB for the football team and point guard for the basketball team in the 80s. Eppley was good at both sports, but he wasn't the burgeoning superstar that Parker is in baseball (All ACC and Freshman All-American in what should have been his senior year of high school) or the celebrated QB that Parker was (Elite 11 QB, 10th ranked pro-style QB) coming out of high school.
There were some who said Kyle Parker would never play a down of college football because of Willy Korn. I'm here to tell you they were wrong. I have no idea if he will be a super star QB, a four year starter, or even start this fall. My guess is he will play and he will play well. It's rapidly becoming apparent that Parker has the focus and drive to be good in two sports and we are just beginning to see the athlete that Parker will become.
Parker's slam leads Clemson
Kyle Parker continued his torrid two weeks by hitting a first inning grand slam as Clemson (25-12, 11-7) humbled Western Carolina (20-14) for the second straight night. Parker finished the night 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBI in the 13-2 win.
The Tigers banged out 15 hits during the contest, while 5 pitchers combined to give up only 7 hits.
Alex Frederick (1-0) got the win for Clemson.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Spring football thoughts
As spring practice ends, some thoughts and observations about the Tigers outlook for 2009, especially with a new coaching staff in place and an upgraded non-conference schedule that includes TCU.
Coaching
This is one of the biggest question marks for me. Love Dabo, but he is unproven. While it's not completely fair to judge him solely by what occurred on the field over the final 7 games last year, there are definitely things that need to be improved upon, namely the timing and tempo of the offense, getting plays in quickly, efficient use of timeouts and better play calling.
While the defense has upgraded the staff with veteran, proven hires (Kevin Steele, Dan Pearman, Charlie Harbison, Dan Brooks), the offensive staff remained largely intact since Dabo took over the team in October. The biggest questions center on Dabo himself and 29 year old Billy Napier as the OC. Both are unproven and untested.
Quarterback
Both Willy Korn and Kyle Parker have shown they can play the position at this level, albeit in the spring. Parker seems to have pulled ahead in the last week of the spring. My guess is that both get significant and meaningful snaps early in the year. Parker has the stronger arm, but Korn has touch and is a better runner.
Whichever, QB goes under center (or in the shotgun) on September 5 is not going to have much, if any, experience - Korn has 100+ snaps over two seasons, while Parker is a redshirt Freshman. Inexperience will play a huge role here.
Running Back
C.J. Spiller. Enough said. All reports have been favorable on Jamie Harper (lost 20 lbs) and Andre Ellington appears to be developing into the "next C.J. Spiller". Behind Spiller there is little experience with Harper and Ellington.
Rendrick Taylor, all 260 lbs of him, has shown a capability to pick up some tough yards, which is something this team has missed the last few years. How many carries he gets is debatable.
Offensive Line
This group should be improved, but being improved when you aren't very good is relative. I think there are still some weak links here and that doesn't bode well for the Tigers offense in '09. Having a quarterback that is not a statue will help.
Receivers
Jacoby Ford needs to have a huge year. Another big question mark is who is going to replace Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham. Though several players had their moments, no one jumped out as likely candidates. My guess is that RS Freshmen Jaron Brown and Brandon Ford step up at some point in the season, but that's just a guess as I have never seen them under game conditions. Neither has played a down of college football.
Defense
A lot less worries on this side of the ball, mainly because of the returning players and solid coaching staff.
The defensive line is talented, but thin. Rennie Moore, Jamie Cumbie, DaQuan Bowers and Miguel Chavis all had good springs. Add in Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson, plus Rickey Sapp returning from injury and you have to be encouraged.
I expect a big jump in linebacker play with Steele on the staff, though the type of linebacker Vic Koenning recruited is not the same as Steele prefers.
The defensive backs seem to be in good shape, but one area of concern is the safety position opposite DeAndre McDaniel. I don't care how well you tell me Sadat Chambers played this spring. I think this is a weak link in the defensive backfield.
All in all though, I would expect another defense in the top 20 range, with more pressure put on the quarterback due to Steele's philosophy versus that of Koenning.
Kicking
Huge concerns here as both Buccholz and Maners have departed. Richard Jackson and Spencer Benton have been inconsistent in the spring on placements while Dawson Zimmerman is the lead horse for the punting job.
Benton has grown more consistent as the spring wore on and I am guessing he beats out Jackson, though Jackson may be the designated long-field goal kicker with his strong leg. This is an area that could cost the Tigers this year.
Zimmerman, who punted 12 times as a true freshman last year, should be serviceable as a punter.
Overall
The Tigers have some major holes. A definite winning season took a slight detour when it was announced that TCU would replace Idaho who had replaced Central Michigan on the schedule. Another schedule wrench was thrown in when the ACC in its infinite wisdom decided that Clemson and Georgia Tech would play in Atlanta on the Thursday after the opening weekend.
The Tigers non-conference schedule has been upgraded (Middle Tennessee (beat Maryland last year), TCU, Coastal Carolina, and South Carolina) and Miami replaced Duke on the conference schedule. So, on paper at least, the schedule is more difficult.
Add all that in with a rookie head coach and offensive coordinator, inexperienced quarterbacks and receivers, along with a shaky offensive line and you have a recipe for a season similar to last years. The big question is can the change in attitude and toughness (I'll believe it when I see it) make the difference in so many close games that the Tigers have lost over the last few years.
Coaching
This is one of the biggest question marks for me. Love Dabo, but he is unproven. While it's not completely fair to judge him solely by what occurred on the field over the final 7 games last year, there are definitely things that need to be improved upon, namely the timing and tempo of the offense, getting plays in quickly, efficient use of timeouts and better play calling.
While the defense has upgraded the staff with veteran, proven hires (Kevin Steele, Dan Pearman, Charlie Harbison, Dan Brooks), the offensive staff remained largely intact since Dabo took over the team in October. The biggest questions center on Dabo himself and 29 year old Billy Napier as the OC. Both are unproven and untested.
Quarterback
Both Willy Korn and Kyle Parker have shown they can play the position at this level, albeit in the spring. Parker seems to have pulled ahead in the last week of the spring. My guess is that both get significant and meaningful snaps early in the year. Parker has the stronger arm, but Korn has touch and is a better runner.
Whichever, QB goes under center (or in the shotgun) on September 5 is not going to have much, if any, experience - Korn has 100+ snaps over two seasons, while Parker is a redshirt Freshman. Inexperience will play a huge role here.
Running Back
C.J. Spiller. Enough said. All reports have been favorable on Jamie Harper (lost 20 lbs) and Andre Ellington appears to be developing into the "next C.J. Spiller". Behind Spiller there is little experience with Harper and Ellington.
Rendrick Taylor, all 260 lbs of him, has shown a capability to pick up some tough yards, which is something this team has missed the last few years. How many carries he gets is debatable.
Offensive Line
This group should be improved, but being improved when you aren't very good is relative. I think there are still some weak links here and that doesn't bode well for the Tigers offense in '09. Having a quarterback that is not a statue will help.
Receivers
Jacoby Ford needs to have a huge year. Another big question mark is who is going to replace Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham. Though several players had their moments, no one jumped out as likely candidates. My guess is that RS Freshmen Jaron Brown and Brandon Ford step up at some point in the season, but that's just a guess as I have never seen them under game conditions. Neither has played a down of college football.
Defense
A lot less worries on this side of the ball, mainly because of the returning players and solid coaching staff.
The defensive line is talented, but thin. Rennie Moore, Jamie Cumbie, DaQuan Bowers and Miguel Chavis all had good springs. Add in Jarvis Jenkins and Brandon Thompson, plus Rickey Sapp returning from injury and you have to be encouraged.
I expect a big jump in linebacker play with Steele on the staff, though the type of linebacker Vic Koenning recruited is not the same as Steele prefers.
The defensive backs seem to be in good shape, but one area of concern is the safety position opposite DeAndre McDaniel. I don't care how well you tell me Sadat Chambers played this spring. I think this is a weak link in the defensive backfield.
All in all though, I would expect another defense in the top 20 range, with more pressure put on the quarterback due to Steele's philosophy versus that of Koenning.
Kicking
Huge concerns here as both Buccholz and Maners have departed. Richard Jackson and Spencer Benton have been inconsistent in the spring on placements while Dawson Zimmerman is the lead horse for the punting job.
Benton has grown more consistent as the spring wore on and I am guessing he beats out Jackson, though Jackson may be the designated long-field goal kicker with his strong leg. This is an area that could cost the Tigers this year.
Zimmerman, who punted 12 times as a true freshman last year, should be serviceable as a punter.
Overall
The Tigers have some major holes. A definite winning season took a slight detour when it was announced that TCU would replace Idaho who had replaced Central Michigan on the schedule. Another schedule wrench was thrown in when the ACC in its infinite wisdom decided that Clemson and Georgia Tech would play in Atlanta on the Thursday after the opening weekend.
The Tigers non-conference schedule has been upgraded (Middle Tennessee (beat Maryland last year), TCU, Coastal Carolina, and South Carolina) and Miami replaced Duke on the conference schedule. So, on paper at least, the schedule is more difficult.
Add all that in with a rookie head coach and offensive coordinator, inexperienced quarterbacks and receivers, along with a shaky offensive line and you have a recipe for a season similar to last years. The big question is can the change in attitude and toughness (I'll believe it when I see it) make the difference in so many close games that the Tigers have lost over the last few years.
Tigers bash Catamounts
Clemson (24-12, 11-7) bashed Western Carolina (20-13) on 11-1 on Tuesday. Graham Stoneburner pitched 7 strong innings, giving up 1 run while striking out 11 and Clemson's 3-4-5 hitters went a combined 9-12.
Kyle Parker moved his average over .300 with a 3-3 day with two RBI, continuing his torrid streak that saw him win the ACC Player of the Week honors last week.
The two teams play again tonight, this time in Clemson.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Tigers take 2 of 3 from Miami
After losing game 1 12-8 Saturday afternoon, the Tigers (23-12, 11-7) rallied behind the 2 hit pitching of Chris Dwyer and the bat of Kyle Parker to win the second game, 9-1. Parker had a home run in each game.
In Sunday's rubber game Matt Sanders went 3-4 with a home run and 4 RBI to lead the Tigers at the plate, while 5 Clemson pitchers held off the Hurricanes (25-10, 11-7) in a 9-6 victory.
In Sunday's rubber game Matt Sanders went 3-4 with a home run and 4 RBI to lead the Tigers at the plate, while 5 Clemson pitchers held off the Hurricanes (25-10, 11-7) in a 9-6 victory.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Final College Hoops Thoughts
Just like during the football season, my basketball stats held up. I gave you three teams (including the overall number one seed) that wouldn't win the tourney and also gave you the team that would - North Carolina.
I'm not claiming to be able to predict champions - what I did was looked at the attributes of teams in the past that have won the national championship and applied it to this years teams.
On the other hand, the mouths that people listen to, look up to and hold up as the greatest prognosticators ever, well, fell flat on their face.
On SI.com, 3 of the 5 had the right champion, but of the 20 picks for the final four only 8 made it. 2 had Wake Forest in the final four and they didn't win a game.
On Fox Sports, Jeff Goodman had one of the final four teams and came in 569th in the pool.
Also on Fox, Jason Whitlock gave us 10 picks we could book. Problem is, Whitlock's 10 locks went 4-6.
Colin Cowherd is widely thought of to be dead spot on with his picks. While, it's since been removed from his web site (shocker!), Cowherd came in 3rd on his own show (just ahead of the two women) out of 5 contestants. Somewhere around 50,000 people came out ahead of him in his own pick 'em. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
The facts are that in the last 6 years no team has made the final four with a defensive efficiency of less than 25. In those same 6 years, the eventual champion had an offensive efficiency of no lower than 4. 3 of the 6 were ranked #1 in offensive efficiency, including North Carolina this year.
So while people were saying Louisville or Memphis and maybe even Connecticut, I knew these teams didn't stand a chance (statistically speaking). Then Duke and Pittsburgh went out and it became clear that UNC would win it all. And they did.
I'm not claiming to be able to predict champions - what I did was looked at the attributes of teams in the past that have won the national championship and applied it to this years teams.
On the other hand, the mouths that people listen to, look up to and hold up as the greatest prognosticators ever, well, fell flat on their face.
On SI.com, 3 of the 5 had the right champion, but of the 20 picks for the final four only 8 made it. 2 had Wake Forest in the final four and they didn't win a game.
On Fox Sports, Jeff Goodman had one of the final four teams and came in 569th in the pool.
Also on Fox, Jason Whitlock gave us 10 picks we could book. Problem is, Whitlock's 10 locks went 4-6.
Colin Cowherd is widely thought of to be dead spot on with his picks. While, it's since been removed from his web site (shocker!), Cowherd came in 3rd on his own show (just ahead of the two women) out of 5 contestants. Somewhere around 50,000 people came out ahead of him in his own pick 'em. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
The facts are that in the last 6 years no team has made the final four with a defensive efficiency of less than 25. In those same 6 years, the eventual champion had an offensive efficiency of no lower than 4. 3 of the 6 were ranked #1 in offensive efficiency, including North Carolina this year.
So while people were saying Louisville or Memphis and maybe even Connecticut, I knew these teams didn't stand a chance (statistically speaking). Then Duke and Pittsburgh went out and it became clear that UNC would win it all. And they did.
Tigers edge Gamecocks, 7-5
Finally. The Tigers (21-11, 9-6) finally held on to a 9th inning lead and beat South Carolina Wednesday in Clemson.
Kyle Parker went 3 for 4 and the Tiger bullpen gave up only two runs in 6 innings.
The Tigers open a 3 game weekend series with Miami (24-8) on Friday in Clemson.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
South Carolina rallies past Clemson
For the 32nd time this year, Clemson (20-11, 9-6) lost in the 9th inning. Just kidding. It only seems like the 32nd time, but I can count at least 5.
The Tigers managed to score 6 runs on only 7 hits, but South Carolina rallied for 2 in the ninth to beat the Tigers, 7-6.
Rematch tonight in Tigertown.
The Tigers managed to score 6 runs on only 7 hits, but South Carolina rallied for 2 in the ninth to beat the Tigers, 7-6.
Rematch tonight in Tigertown.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Clemson takes 2 of 3 from Duke
In the past a 2-1 series victory over Duke would not have been cause for a celebration in Tiger town. However, considering where the Tigers are and how the Blue Devils (20-11, 7-8) have improved, the Tigers did a nice job in winning the third game to take the series 2-1.
After splitting the first two games, Clemson (20-10, 9-6) lambasted Duke on Sunday to regain first place in the ACC Atlantic.
Clemson coach Jack Leggett earned his 700th win with the victory.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tigers fall in 9th
In what has become an all to familiar occurrence, Clemson (18-9, 7-5) lost a 9th inning lead and lost to Georgia, 4-2 on Wednesday. It was at least the third time in 27 games that the Tigers have taken a lead into the 9th only to lose the game.
The Tigers get back into ACC play Friday with a 3 game series against Duke.
The Tigers get back into ACC play Friday with a 3 game series against Duke.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Tigers fall at Georgia
The third inning did in Clemson (18-8, 7-5) on Tuesday as #1 Georgia edged Clemson 6-5 in Athens. The two teams play a return match in Clemson tonight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
