The unofficial online home for fans of the Kent State University Golden Flashes. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Ended up First 4 out

The last four teams to get bids, in alphabetical order, were Arizona (33-24), Louisiana (40-22), Oklahoma (31-26) and Troy (39-20). The first four out were Arizona State (32-23), Kansas State (35-24), Kent State (42-16) and UC Irvine (38-17).

I see mlb.com has Whitman as the #46 prospect in the draft. That will make him the highest pick from Kent since Matt Lauer.

(05-31-2023 12:59 AM)bopol Wrote:  I see mlb.com has Whitman as the #46 prospect in the draft. That will make him the highest pick from Kent since Matt Lauer.

That guy was said to have the nastiest filthiest stuff on the staff. Eric was a much better teammate.

(05-31-2023 06:05 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(05-31-2023 12:59 AM)bopol Wrote:  I see mlb.com has Whitman as the #46 prospect in the draft. That will make him the highest pick from Kent since Matt Lauer.

That guy was said to have the nastiest filthiest stuff on the staff. Eric was a much better teammate.

I actually LOL'd at this.

Quote:Scouting grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50

Scouts have bemoaned the lack of quality college left-handers in the 2023 Draft, but Whitman's growth has been a pleasant development as he has moved to the top of that group. He worked just 5 2/3 innings in two seasons at Purdue before transferring to Kent State, where he has blossomed under the tutelage of pitching coach Mike Birkbeck. He won Mid-American Conference Pitcher of the Year honors and should be the school's highest pick since 2016 first-rounder Eric Lauer.

Whitman's fastball operates at 91-94 mph and hits 96 with riding action, playing up a bit because he locates it well. His best offering is a low-80s slider that he commands even better than his fastball and features horizontal and vertical action. His low-80s changeup features some fade and sink but lags behind his other two pitches in terms of consistency because he hasn't used it much.

After battling the strike zone at Purdue, Whitman has cleaned up his delivery, which still includes some effort. He began throwing more strikes last summer in the Northwoods and Cape Cod Leagues, and he has pounded the zone with his fastball and slider all spring. He has performed well and maintained his stuff throughout the season, establishing himself as a legitimate three-pitch starter.

(05-31-2023 06:05 AM)Polish Hammer Wrote:  

(05-31-2023 12:59 AM)bopol Wrote:  I see mlb.com has Whitman as the #46 prospect in the draft. That will make him the highest pick from Kent since Matt Lauer.

That guy was said to have the nastiest filthiest stuff on the staff. Eric was a much better teammate.

I feel shame.

What's funny about this scouting report is that I have seen reports that question Whitman's changeup as not particularly effective and scouts see him more as a future reliever. I think there are a lot of divergent views because he really came from nowhere to become a top prospect. I normally would think he's going in the third to fifth round, but it only takes one team to get high on him and he could go in the 2nd (or even supplemental first). The lack of left-handed prospects might help him move up this year.

Does Duncan stay or does he got plucked away?

I hope Duncan stays because I think he does a good job (I can nitpick) and the players seem to like him.

But, I think Birkbeck is more important for the long-term success of the club.

UC hires CMU coach

Selected as the favorite in the MAC.

https://getsomemaction.com/news/2024/2/1...-poll.aspx

2024 MAC Baseball Head Coaches Preseason Poll
(First place votes in parentheses)
1. Kent State (8) -- 98
2. Ball State (3) -- 93
3. Central Michigan -- 68
4. Western Michigan -- 67
5. Ohio -- 61
6. Toledo -- 60
7. Miami -- 59
8. Bowling Green -- 36
9. Eastern Michigan -- 29
10. Northern Illinois -- 22
11. Akron -- 12

Yes, preseason picks look good.

Duncan has 4 transfers on the roster this season. A catcher Tennessee Volunteers (Rs Freshman, originally from Loveland OH), RHP from Alabama Crimson Tide (Rs Freshman, originally from North Royalton), RHP from Gardner Webb (Graduate student), & INF from Tiffin (Rs Senior). All 4 should have a significant impact this season.

It will be interesting to see who steps up on offense to try and replace Miknis, Longwell, Matthews, & Johnson. All 4 were mainstays the last few seasons. Whitman is a big loss from the rotation and Longwell/Scott from the bullpen. Cruickshank had some nasty stuff but he lost confidence and control at the end of last season. Kartsonas, Chalus, & Bickerstaff are the 3 starting pitchers this weekend.

Here we go again. Another loss. Nice 1-6 start to the season.

(02-27-2024 10:08 PM)dannyb73 Wrote:  Here we go again. Another loss. Nice 1-6 start to the season.

yeah, tough start to the season down south. Duncan/staff maybe finding it more difficult than expected to replace Miknis, Longwell, Matthews, Whitman, Cruickshank, & Scott.

Another loss. Allowed 17 hits. And at the end of the 6th inning led 10-4.