2011 College World Series Day One, Open Discussion Thread

by John Sickels on Jun 18, 2025 1:30 PM EDT

If you would like to talk about the College World Series, here's a fresh discussion thread for you.

I wrote a prospect guide for the CWS, which takes brief capsule looks at all players in the CWS drafted before the 20th round this year.

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I'm ready to go!

Pregame talking about Sonny Gray pregame. 2-seam. Showing the release as well. Throws it 92. Also talking about Sonny’s curve as his best out pitch. Called it a ++ pitch. Showing the circle CH grip.

Seems like a traditional approach to pitching with traditional pitches. Why do you think they make such a big deal about this in pregame?

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by 306008 on Jun 18, 2025 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

pregame

Because they need something to kill time with! :)

by John Sickels on Jun 18, 2025 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

Pretty sweet deal for that kid

to catch the first pitch from a former President. #8.

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by 306008 on Jun 18, 2025 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

Colin Moran 3B UNC

Keep an eye on him. Great freshman year.

by blackoutyears on Jun 18, 2025 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

Brian Moran's brother

pitches for Jackson Generals - also a Carolina alum

by KSM on Jun 18, 2025 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I just turned the UNC/Vanderbilt game on in the 4th inning

Wasn’t Hultzen supposed to pitch? He’s not in there

by jackyz on Jun 18, 2025 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

hultzen pitches for virginia

by John Sickels on Jun 18, 2025 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

oh....

by jackyz on Jun 18, 2025 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

i honestly thought unc was the favorite

entering the CWS. They were playing so well, have a lineup with disciplined hitters with good approaches. Gonna be awful tough for them to climb out of the loser’s bracket, though.

by toonsterwu on Jun 18, 2025 6:56 PM EDT reply actions

Really?

UNC is a solid team and has done a tremendous job this year, but they’re on the same side of the bracket as Vanderbilt & Florida. Both of those teams are absolutely loaded with talent. It would have been a major upset to see them advance (in my opinion at least).

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by Jeff Reese on Jun 18, 2025 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

was gonna say Florida and Vandy as well. Depth in all phases: potent offenses, solid D, great rotations, deep ‘pens. The Gamecocks and Cavaliers have spoiler potential too. Both play with a lot of confidence. UNC is a great young team, and there’s something to be said for being hot at the right time. Cal is the only CWS team I haven’t seen this year, so I’m looking forward to catching a game.

If A&M had Stilson I’d feel like could make a run. I really like the bats, and Wacha looked very strong the other day, quite a contrast to last post-season where he was clearly gassed.

by blackoutyears on Jun 18, 2025 10:47 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah

Obviously, I was off, but my thought process, at least, for that side of the bracket, was that they could perhaps get to Gray in game 1 (huge fan of Gray, but he’ll have his bouts of trouble occasionally, and I thought their disciplined lineup would do enough against him). They were actually fine against Gray, If they could get a lead, I thought they had a chance. Didn’t happen. That said, had a game 2 of Carolina and Florida happened, I think the talking point would be Karsten Whitson (who I imagined would’ve started game 2), but I was really impressed with Kent Emanuel and I think he’s going to blossom into an elite college starter.

Anyhow, didn’t happen. I’m actually a UVA fan, and I really like their chances on that side (I really think a lot of people undersell Tyler Wilson, likely won’t be a starter in pro ball, but when he’s on, devastating slider and has enough on the fastball), but UNC did sweep UVA so hence why I thought they could win it all.

by toonsterwu on Jun 18, 2025 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the offensive difference is just too great

I agree with you on Gray and Emanuel. I think Gray can be vulnerable thanks to spotty command and I love the way Emanuel pitches. It’s just the quality of that Vanderbilt/Florida lineup that makes it hard for me to see them losing.

I am a quasi-UVa fan too - I like to see them do well but I don’t have a strong attachment. They’re in that elite group with UF & Vandy, but their offense can go quiet at times, making them the most vulnerable of the three to an upset. That’s what happened during that UNC series, and it’s why I have South Carolina advancing to the National Championship Game.

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by Jeff Reese on Jun 19, 2025 1:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Well

I think UVA can make the finals on account of their pitching. Hultzen is the only one with elite stuff, but there were stretches, late in the year, where Roberts and/or Wilson were more dependable. The pitching matchup in Game 2 should slightly favor UVA (win or lose, but assuming they beat Cal and face South Carolina). With word that Wacha is being saved for Game 2, that’s who I’d be concerned with facing, from a pitching perspective, but can Stripling get them past South Carolina? Not certain.

Anyhow, should be as interesting a CWS as there’s been in awhile.

by toonsterwu on Jun 19, 2025 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

UNC's

a year or two away from being considered the “favorite” for awhile. Ake, Brickhouse, and Maples are members of a good 2011 class. But 2012’s class is LOADED for UNC.

Skye Bolt
Matt Campbell
Taylore Cherry
Kayden Porter
Matthew Smoral

have all committed and are ALL top-200 prospects.

by apoxonbothyourhouses on Jun 19, 2025 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions