Imagine yer a new college HC - what would you do?

In that scenario I would concentrate my efforts on the younger pitchers - Freshmen and Sophomores and I would double my recruiting efforts to find a great 2015 HS pitcher who could come in and pitch as a freshman next season.

I would fire whoever is responsible for the 3 that are not producing. If they have the skills the fire the PC. If they do not have the skills then fire whoever recruited them in the first place. Regardless this may or may not be a player problem. However, this sounds like it definitely is a problem with the current coaching staff.

Hmm, 2 of the 3 pitchers getting the innings are juniors and their ERA's this year are 1-2 runs higher than previous seasons. I'd want to find out from each why they're not doing as well - injury, catcher, pitch calling, pitching coach (or lack thereof).

I'd also sit down with each of the other pitchers and find out whether they're able and ready to pitch because 2 of them failed miserably in the few innings I gave them. I'd tell them to make sure they're ready because I'm going to be looking to give them some opportunities, initially in lop-sided and/or non-conference games, in order to assess their role/future on the team.

I'd also tell the one from WI to plan on pitching sometime in the doubleheader at WI.

marriard said:

First thing I do is constantly complain to the AD about how the previous coach left the cupboard bare so I can keep my job for next year. And how smart they were to fire the previous coach considering what they recruited to the program.

If any of the pitchers are ones I recruited in my first year, well they are going to continue pitching. Because they are 'my players' as opposed to 'previous coaches' players.

--Note this is a cynical and somewhat sarcastic reply, but is closer to reality than most of the other current responses --

Click to expand...

This is pretty much exactly what's happening with the DD's old college program. The former coach did an absolutely horrid job recruiting after my DD left. The team was something like 25 - 95 for the last 3 years. She was let go after last season. With the new coach still dealing with the disaster she left behind, the team has only won 4 games so far this season. He has a loooong way to go.

Sparky Guy said:

This is pretty much exactly what's happening with the DD's old college program. The former coach did an absolutely horrid job recruiting after my DD left. The team was something like 25 - 95 for the last 3 years. She was let go after last season. With the new coach still dealing with the disaster she left behind, the team has only won 4 games so far this season. He has a loooong way to go.

Click to expand...

On the upside it sounds like it can only get better!

GOINGDEEP said:

One would almost need to see "why" they are getting pounded to answer the question. Are/is the most effective pitches being called per individual pitcher? Is the coach allowing them to mix speeds or simply trying to blow gas past the hitters? Is the coach and pitcher/catcher going over batter's strenghths/weaknesses pre-game? Are they making proper adjustments to the ump's zone? Are the fielders adjusting according to the called pitch, and hitter's tendencies? Many times those "hits" are management "errors".

Click to expand...

Lots of good questions - only one I can potentially answer is that the pitchers are throwing their best pitches and definitely many are being left "fat".

sluggers said:

There might be six pitchers on the roster, but I doubt that all six can pitch.

I would probably watch the other three throw live against the team. If the other pitchers get lit up, then they would continue to sit.

Click to expand...

Good question gets raised here - does performance against teammates equal expected performance against other teams.....?

RubberBiscuit said:

Good question gets raised here - does performance against teammates equal expected performance against other teams.....?

Click to expand...

No. If the pitcher has been awake at any of the previous hitting practices it is not even close.

I think the pitch caller/Head Coach needs a career change.

I used to consider a wide range of pitching stats. Over time I have whittled it down to one. Number of fat pitches thrown. When that number is low it is usually a good day and often due in part to a strong catcher.