Yeah, when we benched Hughes and moved Gates to CF and then...
moved Grube from 1B to RF, we definitely prioritized trying to optimize our batting lineup over outfield defense and none of Locurto, Gates or Grube are particularly good outfielders defensively. On the whole, it has been a good move from a team perspective but it has occasionally negatively influenced the outcome of some games.
Thread Replies (8)
Outfield defense has been shaky today. (Compare that with the bases loaded
-- HokieEngineer
May 22, 2026 at 01:48 PM ET
HokieEngineer
•
05/22/26 01:48 PM ET
Correct. That hit in the left field gap a few innings ago
-- Fries Hokie
May 22, 2026 at 01:52 PM ET
Fries Hokie
•
05/22/26 01:52 PM ET
It's been a weakness all year.
-- Raleigh Hokie
May 22, 2026 at 01:50 PM ET
Raleigh Hokie
•
05/22/26 01:50 PM ET
Yep, infield D is excellent while our outfield D is bad to atrocious.
-- vtfin91
May 22, 2026 at 02:01 PM ET
vtfin91
•
05/22/26 02:01 PM ET
Perspective Matters
-- Hokiefan554455
May 25, 2026 at 09:41 AM ET
Hokiefan554455
•
05/25/26 09:41 AM ET
I was worried about Daniel and Petrich on the left side of the field, but..
-- QCP
May 22, 2026 at 04:16 PM ET
QCP
•
05/22/26 04:16 PM ET
Yeah, when we benched Hughes and moved Gates to CF and then...
◄
-- QCP
May 22, 2026 at 01:56 PM ET
QCP
•
05/22/26 01:56 PM ET
Agree. Offensive-based outfield line up. Hughes should play center and
-- VT One
May 22, 2026 at 05:49 PM ET
VT One
•
05/22/26 05:49 PM ET
Take one and try to leave with the other
-- VTJay
May 22, 2026 at 02:16 PM ET
VTJay
•
05/22/26 02:16 PM ET