Coach Mike Bianco might feel differently about his roster when Ole Miss takes the field Friday in its season opener.
Errol Robinson throws the ball in a game last year. (Photo by: Thomas Graning)
Depth is important to any baseball team, but its importance is amplified in a league like the SEC, and depth was not a luxury Ole Miss enjoyed in 2015. That team lost a lot from the world series team a year before, and a lot of guys were taking on major roles with little-to-no experience.
“Last year, in this moment in front of the microphone, I wanted to believe that we returned a good group of kids from the 2014 team that went to the College World Series,” Bianco said at a press conference on Tuesday. “The truth of the matter is, we returned three freshmen that really were outstanding, but were in a totally different role.”
Those freshmen are now sophomores, and the sophomores are now juniors with even more experience. The Rebels return seven of nine starters from a year ago, as opposed to three in 2015. If you count junior outfielder Connor Cloyd, who started late in the year, then it’s really eight out of nine.
It wasn’t that the talent was not there — it was an experience issue, or lack thereof. A year ago, 71 percent of Ole Miss’ at-bats came from first or second year players, according to Bianco, and that number reflects their lack of experience more than anything. Experience often produces depth, and with another year under their belts, the young players have gained experience, and the team has gained depth.
“Looking at those guys now, they aren’t freshmen or starting their sophomore years anymore. They are juniors,” Bianco said. “The truth of the matter is on opening day, the 10 guys more than likely in the lineup would have started last year, including the pitcher.”
Bianco noted that this has to be one of the most experienced teams he’s had, in terms of position players.
The depth comes in a lot of different areas, too. Freshman D.J. Miller, who is listed as a catcher, will get looks in the outfield as well as designated hitter because of his bat. Kyle Watson, an infielder by trade, started 38 games for Ole Miss a year ago as an outfielder and will be looking to find a role this year.
Pitching is still one area where experience is lacking, but depth is not. Ole Miss signed 11 pitchers in its 2015 recruiting class and hopes to get immediate contributions from some of them.
The weekend rotation will feature returning starter junior Brady Bramlett on Friday, followed by fellow juniors Chad Smith and Sean Johnson on Saturday and Sunday. Johnson and Smith have never pitched in the SEC before, but Bramlett, who was in the same position a year ago, has confidence in the two.
“We’re in the toughest conference in the country. Anybody can beat anybody on any given day,” Bramlett said. “But I have no doubt in my mind those two guys will be successful.”
The increase in depth and experience could also allow Bianco to try different things as a coach, like being more active on the base paths.
“I think we are really going to run. We are going to be able to steal some bases. And not only does that come with the athleticism, but we are older,” Bianco said. “It has been my experience that, when you are older, you tend to run more. One of the reasons for that is the older guys play with a little more confidence.”
Ole Miss stole 57 bases in 85 tries a year ago, which was good for 11th in the SEC. That’s a number that Bianco would like to improve upon this year.
The Rebels open the season on Friday against Florida International. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.
