BB: SUNYAC

[Bob Maxwell]

oops...

I didn't say that they don't have a go to guy...

This should read "won't.... not "don't"... that changes the meaning of my post and makes it agumentative with Starvin Marvinrather then a clarification.  I agree with his assessment of Jweid... 

I did imply that to those of us who are not on the coaching staff that they "don't" have a go to guy at this point... and, that it will be interesting to see who emerges.  However, while we don't know who it will be... I think that Coach Brown most likely knows who he thinks it is already!

Don't want to turn this lively discussion into an aguement...  And I have to work on my left hand typing...   it gets harder every year!

[StarvinMarvin]

Bob, I understand where you're coming from and I was just giving my opinion on the whole situation.

[jdex]

Cortland starters: G. Jweid (L), R. Hooper, M. Tone (L), J. Mattes, N. Blanco. And from the 'pen: C. Bilyk (L), K. Heaton (L), N. DeVito, N. Serio, M. Assman, T. Ratliff (L), D. Limbach (L). Other frosh will fill in  as season progresses

[pudge27]

Bob,  I definitely agree with you that somebody will emerge from the pack as a number 1 for them.  They probably do know already, but that could even change during the course of the year.  You don't always know how guys will improve year over year. 

Scuba, as much as this pains me, I've got to agree with you.  Cortland has always found a way to get innings for guys and usually that translates into some surprise producers late in the year.  I think that at this level, most guys, even good players, would choose a role on a good team over being the "every inning guy" on a bad team.  Keep in mind, this isn't the first year that Cortland's had more than 1 player at a position.  They've made it work pretty well lately. 

That being said, I still think that a lot of teams in the SUNYAC are getting better every year, so nothing is guaranteed to anyone. 

[scuba16]

Cortland starters: G. Jweid (L), R. Hooper, M. Tone (L), J. Mattes, N. Blanco. And from the 'pen: C. Bilyk (L), K. Heaton (L), N. DeVito, N. Serio, M. Assman, T. Ratliff (L), D. Limbach (L). Other frosh will fill in  as season progresses

Bilyck will be a starter and Mattes will close, mirroring their roles 2 yrs ago.

If you look at the starters, Bilyck (transferred from D1 lemoyne), Blanco (D-1 FDU) along with Jweid and Tone could start in the MAAC or America East for any team, Sienna, Lemoyne, Canisius, Albany, Binghamton etc...(or alot of other D1 teams around the nation) and Hooper is a gamer that I would pitch in any game!
I would put that staff against any starting staff in NY, regardless of Division!

I think that at this level, most guys, even good players, would choose a role on a good team over being the "every inning guy" on a bad team. 

Pudge, Gee thanks for paining urself to see my point and ur also right. Cortland over the yr's has had success playing alot of different players over the course of a season without compromising TEAM goals. That kind of team atmosphere started with Steve Owens and has continued with Joe Brown and his staff! IMO, That has quietly been the reason for Cortland's Success over the past 15 yrs or so!

[jdex]

 
Scuba,
         Bank on it ....... Mattes in rotation .......Bilyk relieves ....  at  least as of now ....

[scuba16]

i believe you dex, any particular reason why mattes goes from closer to starter?

[BoomerIL]

Bob.....

It has been awhile since we communicated.  How are you and your family?

As the season gets close, are you planning on being at the Brockport/UR game on 3/25?  If not, do you know of anyone on these boards who might have an interest in attending that game besides you?  What about the next day, 3/26 when UR plays Cortland?  It doesn't look like I'll be able to get to town to watch.  Any input would be helpful.

Thanks

[John McGraw]

I can see Mattes good for a few innings of a seven inning game, but I don't think he'd be someone that would eat up say, six-seven innings. His bread and butter is his overpowering fastball. One that's had trouble staying in the strike zone and even in front of the catcher at times in his career. He's had a whole year off to improve his game so maybe we'll see a different Justin Mattes in the spring. Who knows.

But, again, I see him as mainly a weapon in the seven inning games. Bilyk won't get you that many innings either, but he's more of a control pitcher with lots of breaking pitches. He reminds me of Jake Dennstedt from Brockport, though I think Dennstedt is better (well, was, now since he graduated).

And is it possible to have a second Division III Assman? I see Assman listed in that probable roundup of pitchers. Though, I doubt he's related to Capital starting quarterback Marty Assman. Now pitching for Cortland...the Assman.

[scuba16]

Assman(great name) is from auburn and he's pretty good, don't know if he's related or not.
My point w/ mattes was kinda along the same line as JM's without wanting to say it. Its tough to go from a closer to a starter, the conditioning end is much different but mattes had all of last yr to strengthen his arm appropriately if starting was the goal. Coach JB knows what he is doing so we'll all have to see what happens.

[StarvinMarvin]

I don't think that Mattes has ever been considered the "closer" at Cortland but rather a spot starter and all situation reliever.  The closer role is very rare in DIII baseball in my opinion and I see Mattes in the same role this year as previous years.  Any other year I think Mattes would start but he's more valuable this year as a reliever.  Mattes has the ability to start and has at times been able to "eat up innings" in the past but is far more effective for one to two innings of straight cheese.  Control has been a bit of an issue but when he's throwing strikes and his slider is working, game over!

JM, I know that you said Bilyk and Dennstedt remind you of each other but you're comparing apples and oranges.  One is a lanky left-hander and the other is a 5'11" right-hander with different out pitches.  One is a starter and one is a reliever/spot starter.  What makes you think that Bilyk won't get you many innings?  It all depends on how well a pitcher is throwing on a particular day.  He has started games for Cortland in the past and thrown five or six great innings.  He's also done the same as a reliever so I disagree with you on that.  I know that you have seen the young man pitch but do you think Lemoyne would give a decent amount of money to a young man who can't give you many innings?

[scuba16]

mattes was the guy that came in the last inning 2 yrs ago to shut the door. you call him a reliever, I call him a closer.
go here to view his stats from 2006

http://www.cortlandreddragons.com/custompages/baseball/2006stats/teamcume.htm

he led the team in saves with 4, and was 2nd on the team in appearances sure looks like he was the closer or at least shared the role with Nick Mcpartland, who had 3 saves and 18 appearances that yr

in th games i saw that yr, mattes closed 2 of the 4 games

PS bilyck was on scholarship at lemoyne in '05 before he left, henceforth they game him money. don't understand your point

[John McGraw]

Sure, Bilyk was at LeMoyne, but I wasn't all that impressed by him at Cortland. I only saw him pitch a few times and he didn't strike me as a Division I arm. It's nothing against him, just my own opinion.

I was comparing him with Dennstedt since they both are more control-type pitchers, the exact opposite of Mattes - a fastball pitcher.

[StarvinMarvin]

My point is that I doubt Coach Owens would give a young man money who doesn't have the ability to give you solid innings as a starter or reliever.  I know that he was there on scholarship and I think that says something about Bilyk's ability.

[scuba16]

bilyck has great ability,  lefty, 6'3 190, lanky
86-89 from the bump, arm side run.
the only question with this kid is does he want it? After sitting out last yr I would hope the fire is lit under this kid.
In any event, coming out of ithaca high school, bilyck was highly regarded and one of the better LHP in NY state. That would suggest he has a bundle of ability.
We will see, but as I stated before, this pitching staff is shaping up to be one of the best staffs ever in the NY region!