You would know..... wonder why Mitch recommended him?
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2025 Baseball Off-Season Thread
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Is there a market for middle infielders who hit .244? I understand the stars trying to better themselves, but mediocre players like this one are just dreaming. Must have either not liked coach, school, or Haute. Best wishes though.
EvilleSycamore
The All-MVC Level
If I had to guess I would say the buddy network at work. He was not on a hot seat per se at USI BUT it was definitely warming up with his showing the last several years. Maybe being a buddy Mitch got him a lifeline out of that situation? I don’t know just speculation but seeing his career in person here in Eville I really really question this hire.
DyedBlue
The All-MVC Level
The reality is the team building game is now totally different. Back in the early days of the Bob Warn era, baseball was a priority at ISU but not at the Big 10 schools or other big names. He was able to recruit consistently at a high level. Pounding Big 10 teams by 10-15 runs with regularity was the theme.
The growth of ESPN and money was a tectonic shift under the program and it became progressively more difficult, but at least players were not being paid and the TV exposure was still minimal. Baseball became a focus for teams like Michigan and eventually even IU. That giant shift late in Hannahs time here was probably the deciding factor to move to where the financial resources would be large enough to compete.
The only thing I feel certain about today is that Archuletta has a far more difficult task than any of his predecessors, but if you can hold a team together (as Murray State did) it is still possible to with a regional. Last year, it was the highest profile players who left; so far, it seems to be those searching for more playing time. I don't find great fault with a player making a move just to get more time on the field.
Let's take that as a positive.
The growth of ESPN and money was a tectonic shift under the program and it became progressively more difficult, but at least players were not being paid and the TV exposure was still minimal. Baseball became a focus for teams like Michigan and eventually even IU. That giant shift late in Hannahs time here was probably the deciding factor to move to where the financial resources would be large enough to compete.
The only thing I feel certain about today is that Archuletta has a far more difficult task than any of his predecessors, but if you can hold a team together (as Murray State did) it is still possible to with a regional. Last year, it was the highest profile players who left; so far, it seems to be those searching for more playing time. I don't find great fault with a player making a move just to get more time on the field.
Let's take that as a positive.
We have also lost Caiden White of Jeffersonville. He was not listed on the roster last year, but was in Mitch's last recruiting class. He was pretty highly regarded if I remember correctly.
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But we all know you won't
Baseball related…
Good deal! Keep ‘em coming!
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I like seeing guys commit as well, but the quality of their play is important to note.
Joey Vincent from Wright State, in 52.2 career innings over three seasons, threw 60 walks.
Hunter Small from WKU, 12.2 innings over two seasons, ERA of 13.50.
Hard to get excited about these numbers, especially when it's our pitching that we need to improve upon.
Joey Vincent from Wright State, in 52.2 career innings over three seasons, threw 60 walks.
Hunter Small from WKU, 12.2 innings over two seasons, ERA of 13.50.
Hard to get excited about these numbers, especially when it's our pitching that we need to improve upon.
Luke Hayden came here from IU with similar numbers and got drafted after one year. I’m trying to be positive. We’ll see what we have when they get here.
I appreciate what you're saying and your positivity, but Luke Hayden was already a pro-prospect coming out of high school.
I'm (almost) always optimistic about guys coming in, but also want to be realistic.
Former Sycamore, Cole Gilley, was drafted by the Phillies today (played at IU in 2025).