We like the Cardinals and Commodores from an offensive standpoint, but we're definitely giving the overall edge to Vandy entering the weekend.
The Commodores have a very balanced lineup with a collection of good role players leading the charge. Second baseman Tony Kemp is the spark plug that guides the way for the Commodores, hitting a team-leading .398 with 33 RBIs, along with 32 stolen bases. Kemp has a strong collection of speed, good bat and instincts.
Freshman third baseman Xavier Turner is having an impressive campaign with a .324 average and 36 RBIs, while outfielder Mike Yastrzemski is a consistent, hard-nosed, hitter with a .322 average and three homers and 43 RBIs.
From a power standpoint, outfielder Connor Harrell has some good pop with 12 homers and 66 RBIs, while Vince Conde and Spencer Navin have a little pop, along with first baseman Conrad Gregor, who's hitting .314 with three homers and 47 RBIs.
Also keep an eye on Rhett Wiseman and Zander Wiel, both young and rising players who are hitting .299 and .304, respectively this season.
For the Cardinals, third baseman Ty Young is athletic and talented and leads the team with a .349 average, four homers and 57 RBIs, but Jeff Gardner is the pure bat that really makes the Cards go. Gardner has good pop in his bat, hitting .340 with nine homers and 43 RBIs. Meanwhile, powerful CoCo Johnson is hitting .332 with eight homers and 50 RBIs, and Cole Sturgeon is hitting .330 with 13 stolen bases.
I'd also keep very close tabs on Sutton Whiting, Nick Ratajczak, Adam Engel and Kyle Gibson. Whiting, Ratajczak and Engel might not have great batting averages, but they can cause all sorts of pain on the base-paths, especially Whiting and Engel, who have a combined 64 stolen bases. Meanwhile, Gibson is hitting .303 and has more athleticism than you'd expect out of a catcher. |