game2@wb

Not the best competition tonight.  I saw the game.  I'm still wondering about WB pitching depth.   Threw Selby 4 innings in a ROUTE.   Tells me they lack arms if they kept one of their top arms in like that.

 

They are talented but let's not get carried away.

I was wondering when someone was going to chime in on that one!

Perhaps you meant to say that they "threw Selby 4 innings in route to a rout?"

Maybe he meant to say "en route." 

Say what you guys want.. but i think WB can go undefeated

They have scored 44 runs in two games.  Can't really help what the other team brings to the table.  I'm sure no one thought Hickory would end up the way it did, for OS...we all saw or read what happen.  Western Branch has a solid group and will continue win if they can keep swinging it like they are.  Friday will be a good test I guess, WB vs. GF then again when they play GB. 

I'm not going to suggest that they can't.  They are certainly very talented.  Here is what I know.  Two games have been played.

 

Last season, Great Bridge was a nationally ranked group with D1 players all over the place.  Not just D1, but 3 of the top 200 high school players in the entire nation.  They did not go undefeated.  Last I checked, Western Branch does not have a Connor Jones type of arm on their roster.  And they have one, not three, Top 200 players.

 

Having said that, Western Branch does not have to play GB, Hickory, NR, and Grassfield twice.  But I do think that people are lost in the fact that there are other programs in the state of Virginia that have talented kids too.  A Cosby or a Lake Braddock may take exception to this world beater stuff that everyone seems to put on Western Branch this season.  Let's let the young men play, and enjoy their talents, without putting this "holier than thou" type of tag on them.

 

Can they go undefeated...yes!  Will they...probably not.

 

WB does play GF twice this year.  But I agree, pitching is important.  I stated that as a concern and most replies just say they will out score everyone, so pitching isn't that important.  

WB will score....a ton.   Already have.   If their pitching is good...just good....they will be very hard to beat.  

And the fact that not much is said about other programs simply means nobody is talking about them yet.   The GF, NR, Hickory, GB and WB programs are very good.   And young.   Will be a fun season....just need better weather!!

And I disagree...I think WB will go undefeated.   But that's my opinion.

My point regarding the group was that WB will not have 8 total games against that group.  But yes, they will play Grassfield twice, due to conference affiliation. (There are fewer opportunities to lose a game vs. GB, Hickory, NR)

Gotcha.   It's too bad they made that change....would be fun to see those teams play each other later in the season.  Like SEC football.

Hey!  It is what it is!  If they do, good on 'em.  But games looming with GF, NR, and Great Bridge...three games against good competition in Florida, and Regional, and State Tournaments...

 

It would be a terrific accomplishment.

Agree.

GF and WB Friday will be interesting. Who does WB play during the week this week ?? GF plays Hickory during the week so I'm guessing GF will throw their number 3 or 4 starter since WB is Friday.

Deep creek tomorrow.  Likely throw a 3 or 4 also.

Okay.. So I'm guessing a Stallings vs Rutherford matchup Friday night.

Most likely.   Will be fun....but I thought that when Eason started vs WB....and they shelled him.   Stallings better be on his game.

He needs to def be on his game. Very young. Threw pretty well at NR. If Rutherford can contain the top 3 in the order for Grassfield he should be okay.

I have seen Stallings 2 times now. Both outings he was on his game. He pitched 6 great innings and 1 ok inning. Gave up a few runs in that inning vs NR.

He is in midseason form so I think he will be just fine.

Bullock was on fire. Had at least 4 or 5 hits. People better play deep.

 

A few other hitters did well but do not know their names.

 

Should be exciting matchups.  

Bullock went 4-5 at NR. Riddick (sophomore in the lead off spot) was 3-5, and Lambert (sophomore in the 2 hole) went 2-5. Burcham who hits clean up and is probably their best hitter struggled all game vs NR. Johnson (junior LF) and Salladay (senior Catcher) had GF other 2 hits. Will need to swing it better vs WB to win.

Just so you know...Stallings and Eason regularly get lineups of kids out better than the WB lineup during the summer.  The major difference is that the defenses behind them are better as well.  I understand you are a WB parent but, for the love of all things holy, please stop making them out to be the 1927 Yankees after 2 games.

I'm certainly not a WB parent.  I've been critical of their pitching and get blasted for it.

Sorry.  I was blinded by all the pom pom waving.

@redbird some need an emotion button

Some of the boys on NR have played with or against Stallings on showcase teams. They were not that excited to play against him the other night.. They were saying after game his stuff was moving all over.

 

I was watching from behind home and he had me guessing.  Looking forward to the games.

   

I would have posted earlier but wanted to get the other P name that was on Hill.B. Smith for GF.

 

Wonder if he might pitch this week. He came in the game vs NR and was throwing HEAT.GF has several pitchers besides Stallings & Smith. They are a team to watch out for this year!!

I'm guessing Brett Smith (Grassfield) might get an inning or 2 during the week vs Hickory and then be in relief of Stallings again for WB. When GF starts playing back to back conference games he will get the 2nd games.

To whomever said B. Smith was throwing "HEAT", can you quantify that?  How hard?  90's?

Ok...I've laid off the Stallings/Smith discussion, but here you go.  I thought they both threw well, and have pretty good stuff.  The eye test tells me that Stallings was 83-85 with a fairly sharp 1-7 breaking ball.  His fastball was flat.  He may have touched 86 on occasion.

 

Smith was roughly the same, but sometimes lacked command.

 

To suggest that they were throwing "VERY HARD" or throwing "HEAT" in all caps, is stretching it a bit!  They do throw quite well for underclassmen, however.  In the NR game, there were plenty of missiles hit right at defenders.  The Grassfield defense was also very solid in the NR game.  All things being equal, NR could have had another 5-6 hits if the line drives to right field weren't directly to Burcham, and for the very good play of the left side of Grassfield's infield.

 

All in all, I thought both Stallings and Smith show a lot of ability.  Perhaps not as much as the hype machine here is suggesting!

 

Comparatively, I would say that Harrelson from GB was 85-88 last week.

Both Stallings and Smith are consistent at about 84-85

I am very aware of Stallings' velo.  He pitched for us last summer and will throw for my team this summer.  Sitting 83-85 as a soph is very impressive, especially this early in the year.

I'd like to hear from the original poster on Smith's "HEAT".

Redbird....what do you think a D-1 prospective pitcher should be throwing in their Sophomore year?  Low 80's atleast?    I have coached many kids in the Canes organization....I see that's likely where you coach.  I'm just curious.  Thanks man.

Each kid is different based on physical maturity.  Connor Jones was in the 83-85 range as a soph. There are other guys who were higher and some who were lower.  IMO, the most important factor is how hard they work. CJ worked his butt off to get stronger and it paid off.

 

Well said!!!
       

Stallings with a 1-7 breaking ball ?? That seems kinda difficult since he throws from the right side....

You're kidding, right?!?

Redbird- I have always looked at it from the other way so it would be a 11-5 breaking ball like I was the hitter. That's why I was questioning 1-7. I'm guessing ppl also look as they were behind the pitcher.