Unpacking Mississippi State baseball’s bold starting rotation change for the series against the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Table of contents:
- Mississippi State baseball announces new starting rotation for Arizona State series
- Mississippi State Baseball Fans’ Reactions to the Starting Rotation Changes
After a slightly concerning showing from its starting rotation to start the 2023 college baseball season, the Mississippi State baseball team is (understandably) making a few changes before the Bulldogs meet up with the Arizona State Sun Devils.
One significant change that the Mississippi State Bulldogs baseball team has made is a shaking up the starting rotation as they prepare to face the Arizona State Sun Devils.
Out of the rotation is KC Hunt, who has struggled a bit, and in is Graham Yntema, who has pitched in a couple relief appearances.
Mississippi State baseball announces new starting rotation for Arizona State series
Why did Chris Lemonis and Scott Foxhall feel a need to shake things up a bit? Well…
Here’s how things looked for Mississippi State’s starting rotation last weekend:
- Friday: Cade Smith – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
- Saturday: KC Hunt – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 6 BB, 4 SO
- Sunday: Landon Gartman – 5.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
All in all, that’s a very mixed bag for the Bulldogs.
Smith performed admirably, Hunt had a really hard time, and Gartman was somewhere in the middle. There’s some potential there and there’s something to build off of, but there’s definitely a need for some significant improvement.
And now, meet this week’s starting rotation for the Mississippi State Bulldogs:
Friday: Cade Smith – Junior, RHP
Saturday: Graham Yntema – Sophomore, LHP
Sunday: Landon Gartman – Junior, RHP
Yntema is an interesting choice for MSU. It’s worth wondering if he’s going to serve more of an “opener” role or if Lemonis and Foxhall want the transfer from Lawson State Community College to take a step up into a true starting role.
Worth noting for a second that Yntema did indeed make a few solid starts for Lawson State, but things will be a bit different given the talent difference that he’ll face at this level.
This is definitely a storyline worth watching this weekend (and throughout this season).
Mississippi State Baseball Fans’ Reactions to the Starting Rotation Changes
As the Bulldogs’ coaching staff makes changes, Mississippi State baseball fans (understandably) have some thoughts on the matter. Given how the 2023 MSU baseball season has started, most fans seem to believe the Bulldogs need a spark and some consistency from their starting rotation.
But some weren’t expecting these specific changes to be made:
Of course, it’s important to remember that there’s a pretty good chance Lemonis and Foxhall and company could keep tinkering around with things.
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