for presumably the rest of the summer

than he did in the Cape. It looks like he is off to a decent start going 2 for 4 with a walk, rbi and run scored and two runners caught stealing in two games. On a side note, he joins a Charlottesville team that features VT teammates Hudson Lutterman and Luke Craytor but it also has former VT pitcher JT Gibson (now at Kennesaw State), outgoing transfer pitcher Ryan Pugh and former VT commit Lee Sowers (now at UNC). In any case, hopefully French can build up some confidence the last few weeks of summer ball after a lackluster debut in the Cape. On a side note, Ethan Ball is now playing with Elizbethton in the Appalachian League so will be good to watch how he does the rest of the summer. He started off nicely in his first two games but has gone 0 for 9 in his last 3 games.

They obviously have a great relationship with Tech guys so they're one of the summer teams I always keep an eye on and saw him listed in a tweet. Didn't notice Ball was playing. I think now that the draft is over a lot of these guys can focus on getting ready to come to campus. Not losing Ball or Grim in the draft was awesome. And now that Aidro has announced he's not signing with the Rangers, we have a good haul of incoming talent. I still think we're missing a Tackett, Watson, Hurley, Cross, DeMartini superstar to go out and beat a top ACC team, but we'll see.

Not a lot of great there

disappointments. Here are some of my thoughts: Disappointments - David McCann and Anderson French: Granted, they were playing a step up in the Cape Cod League but both struggled with their hitting. McCann has had a couple of home runs but otherwise struggled. French was even worse as he had only 1 extra base hit in 43 plate appearances and a below .200 average. McCann has been good in non-conference play, but between his conference hitting and his struggles in the Cape, there is no guarantee we'll get a jump in production from him next year. I still like French's upside but this summer's performance and his modest freshman year seem to indicate he still has a lot of growth to do and not sure we can count on him next year as a middle of the order type bat. - Sam Gates: He started off the summer hot and looked like a good transfer pickup. He has since cooled off and there are a few weeks left so maybe he can finish strong to give him a decent summer. I still think he'll be a valuable pickup for us next year with his hitting ability and speed but he is far from a sure thing. - Luke Craytor: In 10.0 innings thus far in the Vally League, he is still struggling with command (58% strikes, 5.4 bb9, 4.5 wp9) and has pitched to a 4.50 era and 1.50 whip which aren't particularly good for summer league play. He has the raw stuff to be good but just can't seem to put it together consistently enough. - Brody Roe: I don't expect him to have a large role but we could use another healthy LHP in the bullpen and he has had a few not so good outings that have led to and over 8.00 era and over 2.00 whip. It is a small sample size and he is throwing strikes (63%) so hopefully he will be able to give us some decent innings next year. Mixed Performance - Mycah Jordan was pretty good to start the summer but has leveled off and continues to struggle with getting on base consistently and has had 4 errors in the outfield. He possesses a good blend of power and speed but he still has too much swing and miss to be a lock for a starting spot in the outfield. - Hudson Lutterman was a bit up and down this summer but appears to be about the same hitter he was in the spring...good gap power but not hitting for a high average and not walking much. He'll likely factor in at 3B and 2B either as a starter or heavy rotational usage but also not sure how much of a jump we may see next year. - Sam Grube has some good speed (12 sb vs 0 cs) and excels at drawing walks (26 bb) and getting on base (.440 obp) but has limited pop currently and only a modest hit tool at the moment. He has also had 9 errors this summer primarily playing SS so he is still a work in progress on defense but his size and range at 2B should provide some value next year. Surprises - Nick Locurto & Ethan Gibson: This was a big summer for both of them as they are rising juniors who haven't been able to break through and needed to earn the opportunity to stay on the roster and not get passed by younger players. Locurto has cooled off recently but he has been really good most of the summer and has given himself a shot at the starting LF spot. Gibson continues to display good fielding and versatility but his bat has improved to where he could potentially push for a more prominent role next year. - Peyton Smith: It is a small sample size and still not sure what to think of his prospects for next year but he is intriguing with a re-tooled sidearm delivery and good performance this summer (2.25 era, 0.75 whip, 4.5 h9, 2.3 bb9, 15.8 so9, 7.0 so/bb, 61% strikes). - We also had three incoming freshmen with quality summers. OF Kaden Hart, SS Willie Hurt and RHP Tyler Stone have all shown some good productivity and potential and should be able to carve out a roster spot. It will be hard for them to make big impact on next year's team but they could get some mid-week opportunities and could be larger factors in their sophomore seasons.

Love your analysis, you are very good at this. I learn a lot from it

Ship is taking on water and we don’t have the NIL money to get the guys they need. Gun fight with a plastic knife, but you never know. Some of them will step up 🤞I do think some of the draftees won’t sign