Ole Miss baseball: 2010 predictions

by One Man To Beat on Feb 18, 2010 3:08 PM EST

Brian Walker's Elbow and I have been fairly thorough previewing the 2010 season for all of you Rebel baseball fans out there. You can check out the infield, outfield, pitching or schedule posts if you haven't already to get caught up.

Tomorrow is opening day for Ole Miss baseball, getcha popcorn, hot dogs and Cracker Jacks ready. Also, boil some crawfish and load up a cooler full of beer.

We'll have a preview tomorrow of the ULM Warhawks who will come into town for a three game series. For now, feast your eyes on what the season will hold this year for beleaguered Ole Miss seamheads.

Projected batting orders

One Man To Beat

1.) Tim Ferguson

2.) Zach Miller

3.) Matt Smith

4.) Matt Snyder

5.) Mike Snyder

6.) David Phillips

7.) Alex Yarbrough

8.) Taylor Hightower

9.) Kevin Mort

Brian Walker's Elbow

1.) Tim Ferguson

2.) Zach Miller

3.) Matt Smith

4.) Matt Snyder

5.) Mike Snyder

6.) Alex Yarbrough

7.) Tanner Mathis

8.) Taylor Hightower

9.) Kevin Mort

How the West will shake out

One Man to Beat

The worst team in the West is Auburn. This is nothing new or unusual. They usually put a fairly mediocre product on the field. Mississippi State will be much better than last season, but considering a 9-20 SEC record last year, this is not a revolutionary statement. 'Bama and Ole Miss make up an above average SEC West middle-ground. Arkansas and LSU will be the top dogs with only a game or two separating the best of the West.

Brian Walker's Elbow

I really don't see how LSU won't win the West. They return 10 pitchers and many position players with experience. How do they not make it to Omaha again? Also, Arkansas returns the core of a team that went to Omaha. Once again, they'll make a push for the West. The best we could probably do is come in 3rd in the West. Honestly, that is not a bad thing and could have us hosting (probably not though).

Record predictions

One Man To Beat

There's enough experience on this team to bring a little swagger to the non-conference schedule. Early on, there's going to be a lot of 8-5 or 11-9 victories against sub-par teams. The Rebels will probably lose a few games that will seem incomprehensible as well. The SEC West is competitive as usual, and I would consider a plus .500 SEC record an accomplishment this season. Bianco knows his opponents well but so do they, so it could be a wash. I'm predicting a 34-22 season with a 17-13 SEC record.

Brian Walker's Elbow

Looking at the schedule, it is a little softer this year than in years past. I think it'll take a while for our pitching to develop and our players to adjust to their roles, so we might catch fire as the season progresses. As for SEC record, I think that getting to 16-14 would be a phenomenal accomplishment. Overall, I think a 30-26 year could be in the works. If you do the math, that is a 14-12 year in non-conference which is possible due to a lack of pitching for the many midweek games.

Thinking outside of the box (stuff we think could happen that is flat out crazy to some people)

One Man to Beat

I think we will not advance past the regional portion of the postseason where we will NOT be a one or two seed.

Matt Smith will hit 20 HR. There's more protection in the line-up, and he will go nuts.

The weekend series with LSU will have the most attended baseball game in the history of Ole Miss baseball.

Brian Walker's Elbow

With what pitching we have, we may forget just how good Drew Pomeranz is. I think he will be taken in the first round for sure, and he may even be pitcher of the year in the SEC. I'm going to agree with your take on the LSU weekend series. Here's the shocker: we miss the SEC baseball tourney. No postseason.

So, what are your predictions for Ole Miss baseball?

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Comments

Tanner Mathis

Don’t be surprised if he ends up leading off.

Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.

by Juco All-American on Feb 18, 2010 3:28 PM EST reply actions

according to what I have read..

Bianco really likes Tanner mathis, alex yarbrough. Also those two kids he kicked off the team were supposed to push for immediate PT.

by bovice on Feb 18, 2010 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah.

They must have done something baaaaad.

Red Cup Rebellion - An Ole Miss Blog
Blame the Baptists.

by Juco All-American on Feb 18, 2010 3:33 PM EST up reply actions

Thievery

And here's a lighthouse keeper being beheaded by a laser beam!

by UMBAI on Feb 18, 2010 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

Obviously.

DUI is a rite of passage for the Diamond Rebs.

Pig Pen this here's Rubber Duck, and I'm about to put the hammer down.

by JimHalpert on Feb 18, 2010 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

BWE

Not having David Phillips in your line-up is worth at least a week of me listening to you. Thank you.

I'm a Rebel, but I bleed the cherry and silver of the Lobos.

by Role Player on Feb 18, 2010 3:49 PM EST reply actions

The Holy Spirit would convict me....

IF I had David Phillips…on the roster

by BrianWalker'sElbow on Feb 18, 2010 4:16 PM EST up reply actions

For lent...

I gave up my skepticism of David Phillips’ baseball playing ability, so that’s my explanation there.

If I predict it, there's an 50 percent chance it happens.

by One Man To Beat on Feb 18, 2010 4:21 PM EST up reply actions

that must have been really tough.

like giving up cigarettes!

by bovice on Feb 18, 2010 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

I'm expecting us to at least host a regional....

…..and share some sort of title with LSU.

by pankReb on Feb 18, 2010 4:50 PM EST reply actions

BWE

You’re depressing me. Thanks.

by Rebels7 on Feb 18, 2010 4:54 PM EST reply actions

Strange coming from the LSU blogger...

…but I think Ole Miss is going to be really, really good. I think people are overrating Arkansas just a bit this year based on their late season run. They were good last year, but they weren’t a top 8 team all season or anything. OM looks like a Super Regional team to me. I think you’ll host a Regional and advance to the Supers.

Cheer up! It’s baseball season!

Fake Pundit. Real Fan.
http://www.andthevalleyshook.com

by Poseur on Feb 18, 2010 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Let's hope you're right.

Even though we lose them, we love hosting Super Regionals. They’re damn fine weekends and we’d hate to have to spend them somewhere else.

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the Culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Take a picture, trick.

by The Ghost of Jay Cutler on Feb 19, 2010 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

Predictions

Weekend line up (Considering Mike Snyder had his appendix removed and will be out)

1. Alex Yarbrough 3B
2. Zach Miller 2B
3. Matt Smith RF
4. Matt Snyder 1B
5. Miles Hamblin DH
6. Tim Ferguson CF
7. Taylor Hightower C
8. Tanner Mathis LF
9. Kevin Mort SS

Finish in the West

1. LSU
2. Arkansas
3. Ole Miss
4. Alabama
5. Auburn
6. Miss State

I think our offense will be more productive and more fun to watch this year than it has been in maybe the last 4-5 years. I think we’ll lose some questionable mid-week games due to lack of pitching depth. I do like our athleticness(???) and our versatility and think it’ll allow Bianco to Tony-LaRussa the hell our of our lineups throughout the year.

by ColJohnSartoris on Feb 18, 2010 7:05 PM EST reply actions

True lineup

This is what I think we’ll get used to:

1. Tim Ferguson CF
2. Zach Miller 2B
3. Matt Smith RF
4. Matt Snyder 1B
5. Miles Hamblin DH
6. Mike Snyder 3B
7. Taylor Hightower C
8. Tanner Mathis LF
9. Kevin Mort SS

by ColJohnSartoris on Feb 18, 2010 7:07 PM EST reply actions

Not going to predict line-up, but let’s say this: If we don’t discover pitchers, we won’t win much. On the other hand: In past years, the teams not expected to be great are the ones that have gone off. And Pom is a hoss. That showing against WKU was unreal.

by ballin11 on Feb 18, 2010 8:03 PM EST reply actions

Predictions

I don’t have lineup prediction but I think we can easily be second in the west if pitching comes together. Also possible overall second in the sec.

"A little Ice Cream with the Enemy, Huh Coach?"
www.myspace.com/knucklepuckva

by wackydeli on Feb 18, 2010 8:24 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I think @ UGA will be a crucial series for us.

They are also a fringe top 25 team with some strong points, but some major flaws, as well. The series is in early April, just in time for the Rebs to either start a hot streak or crash and burn.

Consequently, I plan on making this trip.

Red Cup Rebellion - Changing the culture of Ole Miss Athletics
Destroying your traditions since [YEAR REDACTED].

by Ivory Tower on Feb 19, 2010 9:41 AM EST reply actions