With more than half of the team being new players Link Jarrett needs to figure out who to play, and who to rest.
No. 20 Florida State is coming off of a historic performance with a 22-5 win over Mercer on Wednesday. This is relevant considering the Noles had lost the last two outings against the Bears with the most recent loss coming last year where the Noles lost 9-3.
With more than half of his team comprised of new players, Florida State coach Link Jarrett has his hands full finding out who’s ready for playing time and who needs more development.
During Wednesday's postgame press conference, Jarrett gave insight regarding the complexities of working with new and young players. The Noles roster includes 38 players -- 22 new or first-year players and nine freshmen. In games like they had against Mercer, Jarrett discussed the opportunity to rest guys like All-American first baseman Myles Bailey.
Bailey is to the Noles what Aaron Judge is to the New York Yankees, a guy who has the ability to change the game with one swing.
The coach discussed the wear and tear players accumulate throughout the various aspects of the game. Bailey, at 6-foot-4 and 247 pounds, is an NFL tight-end-sized athlete -- and one of the best power hitters in college baseball. Last year, as a freshman, he hit 19 homers, and this year he is already has four home runs.
Big guys like Bailey can break down over the course of a season. Jarrett expressed interest in resting guys like Bailey because the season is long. He wants his best players in the NCAA tournament as they look to get out of the Super Regionals, and into the College World Series, unlike last year where they lost to Oregon State.
Jarrett praised young players like sophomore Noah Sheffield and freshman Will Bavaro, both who hit home runs against the Bears. For Bavaro, this wasn't just his first home run, but also his first hit ever in college. Sheffield, the second year second baseman also celebrated a personal achievement as this was his first collegiate home run.
This week the Noles have played back-to-back games during the week (they beat Jacksonville the day before playing Mercer), which can be hard considering many college teams play on consecutive days during the weekends as well. It’s a lot of ball, that is the point Jarrett expressed the most as he tries to do what he can to keep the Noles fresh.
The Garnet and Gold are gearing up for a three-game stretch starting March 6 at home against Northern Kentucky (7-4). The Noles hope to maintain the positive momentum from their six-game winning streak heading the series.
Florida State then hits the road for a March 10 game against its in-state rival, the Florida Gators.
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