Baseball Eliminated from B1G
It's final in Minneapolis: Michigan 2, Illinois 3. Michigan's season is over. Had some chances to tie it up or take the lead late, but just couldn't push across another run.
Cronenworth stranded on third after a two out triple.
I have BTN at home, but they aren't playing with with Comcast on the BTN App. Here's the GameTracker link:
Score update: Michigan down 3 to 1. Batting in the top of the 6th.
3-2 in the top of the 8th.
Tying run on 2nd with one out.
A quick peek at Michigan's roster showed 20 of 31 players are Freshman or Sophomore. I admit to not following NCAA baseball closely but does this show good things to come for Michigan in 2+ years?
I think it's a good sign, especially considering that our #2 pitcher Evan Hill is a freshman, and most of our top hitters outside of Biondi and O'Neill are underclassmen. And Bakich is doing a good job on the recruiting trail. Might take a step back next year, but then a big leap forward the season after that IMO
You are correct in having such a young team bodes well for the future, but the baseball draft rules are a little different than other sports. IIRC, if a player chooses to enter college, he cannot re-enter the draft until after his junior year. Even if he gets drafted then, he still has the opportunity to return to school and be drafted again after his senior season (If anyone can confirm, please do so).
The point being, you generally do not see many Senior studs in baseball as they would have been drafted in the early rounds after their Junior year. So while it bodes well that we have many Freshman and Sophomores for a few years, I believe "younger" teams are not as uncommon as it would seem.
You have the draft rules correct.
I would merely add, however, that stars in the B1G =/= stars in power conferences, and they tend to get passed over at higher rates than guys elsewhere, so Michigan can generally expect to keep more of its rising seniors than say a Florida State or Texas or LSU.
Game over, 3-2. Very good season nonetheless, considering expectations. Errors, a big bugaboo throughout the entire season, hurt us again today. Last time we'll see Biondi suit up for the Maize and Blue and he was a great player. I expect Michael O'Neill to pass up on his senior season so could be the last time we see him play at Michigan as well.
Bakich is turning the tide and Michigan baseball jerseys are selling like hotcakes in Ohio,
I clicked on this thread to make this comment. Alas, your wit was quicker than mine.
I can do you one worse than that; I thought it meant Delany & Friends had voted to drop baseball as a Big Ten sport altogether.
It might be time to go home and crack a beer.
Yes, but it's always time for that.
hopefully a sign of great things to come