(09-20-2017 03:23 PM)eagle04 Wrote:  

(09-20-2017 02:32 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(09-20-2017 01:17 PM)Mr. Bojangles Wrote:  http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/r...2d2cxqm.97

Quote:UNDER-THE-RADAR RECRUITING CLASSES

Western Kentucky

After a last-place finish in Conference USA this spring, Western Kentucky brought in a large crop of junior college transfers who should be able to help spur a quick turnaround. Lefthander Troy Newell was drafted this year in the 33rd round by the Rangers and provides plenty of upside for the Hilltoppers. He was sidelined for the 2016 season, but got stronger as his redshirt-sophomore season went on, running his fastball up to 92 mph to go with a good breaking ball. Righthander Malcolm Grady also offers solid upside if he can get a bit more consistent. At his best, his fastball sits around 90 mph and he mixes in a hard slider. Outfielders Dillon Nelson and Jacob Rhinesmith are coming off strong seasons at Indian Hills (Iowa) JC and have similar skill sets. Rhinesmith is toolsier, while Nelson has more polish, but both have intriguing power-speed combinations and figure to hit in the middle of the order. Catcher Colin Butkiewicz has good catch-and-throw skills, and should solidify the Hilltoppers defense behind the plate. Righthander Maddex Richardson stands out among the freshman class. He is projectable and his fastball-slider combination gives him a chance to immediately work out of the bullpen as he further develops.


Read more at http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/r...rElVeP6.99

To each their own, but going this heavily into JUCO reliance should not be what college baseball is all about. It's a cop-out strategy that non-academic schools can pursue for short-term advantage. Augmenting a roster with 1 - 3 JUCO transfers is one thing; building an entire lineup and pitching staff based on JUCO recruits is something altogther different.

I believe that LaTech is about to see the dark side of a heavy JUCO class this year. I could be wrong but I believe they lost a lot of players last year that were brought in two seasons back from a heavy JUCO class.

It definitely helped LaTech jump from last place in C-USA to playing in a Regional the next year. I am curious how that strategy will play out down the road. At some point you have to backfill your roster with Freshman.

At Charlotte JUCOs have been a mixed bag. We brought in 8 JUCOs and 11 Freshman in this class. That's more than we usually bring in. I see maybe 1 or 2 JUCOs jumping into the line-up this year to replace the 4 starters we lost. Mainly keeping spots warm until the Freshman develop a little more. The JC pitchers will be bullpen guys.