Where is KU?

by MileHighKCfan on Mar 24, 2008 3:55 PM EDT Comment 28 comments

First off, please accept my early apology, JQ, for the good-natured ribbing that I am about to extend your way.

From the University of Missouri Athletics website:

Mizzou Moves up to No. 2 in Baseball America Poll
The Tigers have won 13-straight games and are 18-2 on the year. March 24, 2008

Following its three-game sweep over Baylor last weekend, Missouri has moved up two spots to No. 2 in the latest Baseball America Top 25 poll, released on Monday. The ranking is the highest ever for the Tigers, who have won 13-straight games.

The Collegiate Baseball Top 30 poll, also released on Monday, has the Tigers ranked No. 5.

Mizzou is 18-2 on the year, it best ever start and is 3-0 in the Big 12 Conference. The Tigers will travel to Minneapolis for a pair of games against Minnesota on Tuesday and Wednesday, before taking on Texas Tech in a three-game series this weekend in Lubbock, Texas.

BASEBALL AMERICA TOP 25

Arizona State
MISSOURI
North Carolina
Miami
Long Beach State
Arizona
UC Irvine
Florida State
Vanderbilt
South Carolina
California
Rice
Texas
San Diego
Mississippi
Wichita State
Stanford
Kentucky
Nebraska
Baylor
Virginia
Coastal Carolina
UCLA
Florida
Michigan

All I hear is what/how KU baseball is doing, thought it was time to talk about a GOOD college baseball team.

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Zing!

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Mar 24, 2008 4:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

A friend sent me an email this morning praising MU's starting pitching. The numbers he threw out were sick. I didn't go look them up because he's reliable (and I'm lazy). Anyway, that's pretty awesome for Mizzou, I guess. For one reason or another, I don't follow college baseball. I'll watch when my 'Cats hit the tube, but that's about it.

by KC Chris on Mar 24, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Where is KU?

I'll tell you where. The Jayhawks are lulling Missouri into a false sense of security. Yes, while the Tigers are feeling all good and cozy there in their top-10 slot the Jayhawks are slowly planning their grand late season surge.

In all honest, there is no way to reply to Missouri smack when the Tigers are playing this well. They pretty well played a perfect series last weekend while sweeping a very good Baylor club.

Here is my latest Big-12 RPI update at Rock Chalk Talk. If you scan to the bottom of the list you'll see how far KU is taking the "never let them see you coming" strategy. John Milton would be proud.

Anyone who lives within 100 miles of Columbia really needs to go watch some weekend Missouri games. It just would be wrong to not go out and support a team playing this well.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 24, 2008 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Is Aaron Crow looking like a top 10 pick?

Top 5?

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Mar 24, 2008 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Try top 1, NY.

He is looking so good this spring.

In all seriously, he is a lock for a top 5 pick barring something drastic, and has a chance to go #1 overall.

by doublestix on Mar 24, 2008 11:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm no expert

but just looking at his numbers I doubt there is any pitcher executing better at the NCAA level.

1.03 ERA. 35 Innings, 26 hits, 7/51 BB/K.

I understand the scouts like him as well. 6-3, 195.

I know the Royals need batters in the system, but it might be too hard to take a pass on the local kid.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 25, 2008 12:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope someone else takes him off the board

It's not the best draft strategy, but I want a hitter. And the highest injury risk of any type of draftee is the college pitcher. Just something to remember.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Mar 25, 2008 12:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Detroit?

by ctrell on Mar 25, 2008 12:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hitters

If the Royals go this route, couldn't argue against Smoak or Alvarez, especially considering they may soon give up on Butler playing 1B for good.

If they do decide that, then we still have a glaring need for a power bat at 1B.

by loyal2s dad on Mar 25, 2008 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The scuttlebutt on Smoak,

he plays first like a statue. He knows where to stand and catchs balls thrown to him, end of story. I don't know. I've never seen him play. But to be a college first sacker, you probably are not a very mobile guy. He might be Butler part deux. Not that that is such a bad thing, but you do hope for a player who you are sure can be in the field if you are drafting in the top five.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 25, 2008 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

smoak

I've heard he projects as a gold glove first baseman.

Maaaaybe I should look around for more scouting reports.

by doublestix on Mar 25, 2008 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baseball America gave him some props there

Like I said, I have not seen him play. I'm sure Dayton Moore will send his best eyes down to take a good look at him.

Generally college players are put in a position above what they can play in the pros. If he is playing first now, that is a clear sign he is not a great athelete overall. But as long as he can play first as well as Mike Sweeney or Matt Stairs he should be acceptable. At least he is not DHing in college.

I just got back from a KU game. Good Lord it is nice to be back in the stands. The Jayhawks had their hands full with a pretty terrible team today. Chicago State. Paul Smyth, the Hawk's closer, almost melted down in the 9th. But even if the team is frustrating me on the field, Good Lord it is good to be back in the stands. I think I would rather be at a baseball game than just about anywhere else in the world.

I probably am one of about a ten people in Lawrence who is more looking forward to the Texas A&M - KU baseball series than the basketball games.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 25, 2008 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I posted a thread about Smoak's defense

at the Rivals college baseball forum. That might result in some good feedback. I'll let you know what I hear.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 25, 2008 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Based on the feedback I received,

Smoak, big left handed thrower, not fast. Can only play 1B due to his size and handedness. Not capable of playing in the outfield. He plays first base pretty well.

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 25, 2008 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sold

Wrap him up, I'll take him.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Mar 25, 2008 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea

That's closer to what I've seen.

Definitely should be on our radar at pick #3.

by doublestix on Mar 26, 2008 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Here are some of the comments

A few are contradictory, but there seems to be a general consensus that he plays first well but cannot play any other position.

He is not blessed with speed. Smoak has the build of a first baseman.

Smoak is a very good defensive 1B. He is a lefty, has a big frame and he moves decent.

He is a big target that can make the picks with ease. He is also a very good fielder and can cover a lot of ground at his position.

I could not see him play outfield... Not really known for his speed...

Rock Chalk Talk for pretty good KU College Baseball Coverage

by James Quinn on Mar 26, 2008 10:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like a lefty

Ryan Shealy

by KC Chris on Mar 26, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

how dare you put Matt Stairs name...

next to the atrocious defense of Mike Sweeney

Don't be lonesome for your heroes. Be your own hero.

by PhattStairs on Mar 26, 2008 7:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah it's tough

being a KU fan.

Right now we're all having to deal with the difficult question: which is better, winning a BCS Bowl or being on the verge of our 13th Final Four?

I mean, you can relate to those emotions as a Mizzou fan, right?

It's tough...very tough...

by howserfan on Mar 26, 2008 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

bahhhhhhhhh...

come on we all know how ku likes the ole choke job...great teams that never do anything...i would rather have sucko mu dragging along like the royals do and love em than a bunch of arrogant choking yuppy hacks...get back to me when yall witness them blow a high seed again...Bucknell 4 life dog...ZING

Don't be lonesome for your heroes. Be your own hero.

by PhattStairs on Mar 27, 2008 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Things that I find pathetic

Having an entire month dedicated to rooting for a team that you haven't supported up to that month. Reference: MU fans switching allegiances in droves just hoping that KU will lose in a tournament they haven't been to in years. Mike Anderson, FTL
Since the big xii was formed, Mizzou has one appearance (and subsequent drubbing in) the Big XII title game. KU has one appearance (and subsequent victory in) a BCS bowl game.
That MU fans think KU is a choke artist, when our team hasn't missed the NCAA tournament in 20 years. Your last great team, ranked at #2 in the nation, proceeded to not make it to the NCAA tournament and was biting its nails hoping to make it into the NIT.
That MU fans think a Cotton Bowl berth is better than an Orange bowl berth. You are the only ones.

by ajblobaum on Mar 27, 2008 1:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Things I find pathetic

1. Sniping about "my college team is better than your college team" on a KC Royals site.

The occasional joking little dig at one school or another is fine. But serious arguments about who chokes and who has succeeded are pointless, particularly on this site. It's about as a good of an idea as arguing about politics or religion here.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Mar 27, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

your right and wrong...

I thought I would let my inner child out a bit and do a little KU bashing, but I think "pointless, particularly on this site" is a condescending statement...I thoroughly enjoy everything on here from politics, religion, other sports, music- the whole gamut...I think sniping about sniping about these things serves the same "pointless" matter...I don't think the site serves as a place just to talk about the Royals to me...to me, it serves as a place to talk about anything as Royals fans, but mostless just our favorite obsession, the Royals...although, I think we all know where the joel42 line stands...and yes, TOMKO WILL GO GONZO

Don't be lonesome for your heroes. Be your own hero.

by PhattStairs on Mar 28, 2008 2:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point

...was that it is bad when these things go from ribbing each other jokingly to serious multi-point arguments about whose college team is better. I didn't have a problem with your comment, I just think it got into more serious BS later on.

This place certainly isn't a place just for Royals talk, but I think there are some subject areas which are dangerous and should be avoided.

Definitely:

Religion (My god is better than your god! You're an infidel and you'll burn in hell.)
Politics (My party/candidate/issue position is better than yours! You are unpatriotic and unamerican.)

Probably:

- My college/university's sports program(s) are better than yours. The Jayhawks/Wildcats/Tigers suck and always will suck, you losers.

Discussing college sports is one thing. Getting into petty alma mater bashing is another. There's a fine line. This is just my two cents. I'm not a censor, nor am I calling for censorship. Just a little diplomatic restraint. There's a reason I don't bother anyone with my political rants. It wouldn't be good.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on Mar 28, 2008 3:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs