Fall practice reaches halfway point
10/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Oct. 17, 2005
FORT WORTH, Texas - The TCU baseball team has reached the midpoint of fall practices. With one more week of practice before the start of the annual Purple and White World Series, head coach Jim Schlossnagle sat down to share his thoughts on the team.
Now that you are at the halfway point of fall practice, what are your impressions of this team?
"Well, I believe that we are continually improving in about every phase of the game. In general, our pitchers have done a quality job of throwing strikes. Our hitters have begun to adjust to live pitching and don't miss many of our mistakes on the mound. Defensively, we have seen some of the guys really begin to assert themselves as everyday players.
"To this point, this group has really been aggressive on the bases and been extremely committed to practice. We still have a long way to go to be a club that can achieve the goals this program has. I like our ability at this point, but we are really counting on some inexperienced players to be ready to go at a high level early in the season."
In the last week who has stood out on the mound?
"Sam Demel continues to evolve as one of the better pitchers around. He threw four scoreless innings on Saturday, didn't walk a batter, allowed one hit and only threw 42 pitches.
"We are giving Shawn Ferguson a look as a starting pitcher and he has been pretty dominant as he adjusts to that role. Last year was really Shawn's first as a full-time pitcher and his summer in the Texas Collegiate League really benefited him. He has only walked one batter in seven innings.
"Zach Ashwood had his best outing as a college player this week, pitching in the upper 80s with good command of his off-speed pitches. He is a guy we are really counting on to mature into a quality Division I pitcher this year.
"The same two freshman, Eric Marshall and Taylor Cragin, continue to make a push to be among the first eight or 10 pitchers. Marshall has struck out seven in six innings of work, hasn't walked a batter and has only given up two hits.
"I believe that, if you can remain healthy, you need to come up with eight or 10 pitchers who will do the bulk of the work in the spring and I am getting closer to knowing who those 10 pitchers are."
It sounds as if the pitching has been impressive to this point, has anyone impressed at the plate?
"Several guys continue to make great strides. I always say that coaches don't write out the lineup, players force the coach to put them in and there are definitely some guys who, if they continue to play the way they are in the spring, will challenge for playing time.
"Austin Adams and Keith Conlon look like they are in midseason form. Adams is hitting .333 to this point and Conlon is at .429. Ryan Pack has begun to buy into the coaching of Matt Siegel and has raised his average to .350.
"Ryan has such tremendous ability. If he can put it all together in his senior year, he really brings an awful lot to the table in centerfield, on the bases and at the plate.
"Three freshman had a great week. Hunt Woodruff, Aaron Smith and Corey Steglich swung the bat well and are creating some quality competition for the older players."
How is the health of the team?
"Steven Trout had a rough week. He has been playing so well in every phase of the game but, this week, on one day he took a bad hop off the face and then the next day was hit by a pitch. He missed the rest of the week but should be back by the middle of this week.
"Andrew Walker has had a few minor arm problems but nothing serious. He has been able to hit and should return to full-time catching this week.
"Matt McGuirk continues to rehab his throwing arm and has been feeling well. He should be at 100 percent by the end of the month or so."
I'm sure you are looking forward to the Purple-White Intrasquad World Series.
"Of course. I know our players are getting excited. We have our Major League Scout Day on Wednesday, which is always exciting for them, and then, next Wednesday, we begin the World Series. I'll have a complete schedule and pitching rotation next Monday but I hope we continue to get people out to the ballpark for that.
"For the first time, all of those games will be available on GameTracker on www.gofrogs.com and the Friday game, Oct. 28, at 4 pm, will actually be broadcast on KTCU, 88.7 FM, and worldwide on the website."
Anything else you would like to add?
"Yes, I want to personally invite, families, fans, former players, alumni, etc., to Sunday's World Series Baseball Bash on Oct. 23 at the Kelly Center on campus at 6:15 p.m. The cost is $10 per person and this is a really casual, fun event. It's great when our fans, players and families get to spend time together. Please call 817-257-5155 to RSVP for the evening.
