Is Petry the best true freshman ever in any college sport?
- Thread starter rockingamecock
- Start date
Not trying to be a smart ess, but have you ever seen Herchel Walker highlights? Petry is not even close to that kind of production and explosiveness. Big George was damned lucky that he won the Heisman over Walker in 1980. That said, I am so proud of Ethan, he always looks happy and playing for the love of the game. He is putting up great numbers and the team seems to love him. He's a pleasure to watch and it's great that he has helped put the University of South Carolina back in the college baseball spotlight.
This is a great question - had me digging a bit. I went back and looked at Kevin Durant’s numbers at Texas. His numbers were astonishing. 25.8 points, 11.1 rebounds while shooting 50% from two and 40% from three.
The funny thing is, because Rick Barnes coached teams always choke (and he was only there for one year), his monster season seems to be easily forgotten.
The funny thing is, because Rick Barnes coached teams always choke (and he was only there for one year), his monster season seems to be easily forgotten.
Petry's hitting approach is truly gifted. He can drive either a 100 mph fastball or off speed breaking balls out of the park with ease.
He adjusts so well to the situation and 2 strike counts don't seem to impact his steady approach. Reminds me a little bit of Christian Walker.
He adjusts so well to the situation and 2 strike counts don't seem to impact his steady approach. Reminds me a little bit of Christian Walker.
What I really like about him is like everyone, he'll make mistakes. For instance there will be a time or two a game where he'll pull his head off the ball. Unlike a lot of guys, those kind of issues always seem to be short-lived with him. I gotta think Monte deserves credit for correcting in real time and Petry for soaking it in the way he does.
Steve Pierce and C Walker, he reminds of them as pure hitter. Too lazy to research, wasn't Pierce on team when Monte was coaching with Tanner?
Maybe so, not sure. Funny you mention those two. I see a lot of similarities when it comes to Pierce. With Walker, I see a lot of him in Massina.
You don't know BO. Bo did it on the football and baseball field. Frank Thomas at allbarn wasn't too shabby. Like others I'm too lazy to look it up but how did Landon Powell do his freshman year?
Messina has been pretty impressive as well - quite a one/two punch.
As happened last night, Petry strikes out and Messina hits a HR. Other nights it's back to back HR's or Petry homers and Messina strikes out. Just a good 3/4 slot hitting combo for us.
Stats as of 4/21 below
Player avg gp-gs ab r h 2b 3b hr rbi tb slg% bb
20 Ethan Petry 4.31 38-36 137 40 59 6 0 19 59 122 8.91 13
19 Cole Messina 3.26 38-38 144 47 47 12 1 12 46 97 6.74 26
Truth is we can do a lot better getting more guys on base for them. The 1 spot has been weak all year no matter who is there. 2 spot has been spotty. Last night BBs was the top's saving grace... thank goodness for that. Nice to see us with runners on for the meat of the lineup... too often we dont.
I think it would be hard to compare different sports, but he’s as good a freshman at the plate as I can remember. Here is the list of freshman of the year that would be a good place to start a comparison!
https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Baseball_America_Freshman_of_the_Year
https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Baseball_America_Freshman_of_the_Year
Last edited:
Agree. Brewer has been an improvement and I like the top four line up as it is now. Brewer is a very good bunter (unlike French) and should probably do more until teams adjust to stop it. Don't see any better option for lead off with current regular players.
Interesting that it's been 33 years since the last pure OF won the award. And only 4 in the last 40. I'd say we're past due for another. Lol
Of course Brewer leads off with a double and Wimmer hits a homer right after I posted lack of production in those spots. Lol
Last edited:
Didn’t look at all of them, but here are a few stats just to give you a perspective!
Seth Beer .370 avg 18 hr 70 rbi
Raphael palimero .406/18/78
Robin ventura .461/21/92
Todd walker .400/12/76
Alex bregman .369/6/52
He just slapped a 2 run double. The kid is getting it done.
Saw he’s now the all-time freshman RBI leader for USC now. And there’s a few more games to play. He may put that record out of reach.
Doesn't seem to let anything bother him. Strike out, error, pick off, no problem!
Focused as a hitter on the situation and delivers!
Great pitching this series. Becker was impressive today!
I believe Pierce was a juco transfer, but definitely a big time impact player. As far as freshman baseball impact players go there’s no comparison beyond Smoak at Carolina and even he’s been surpassed by Petry. Hard to compare to other sports but if you go by the sheer number of games that Petry has either set the tone or been the difference in the decision, it’s hard to argue against him
since he has set the freshman home run and rbi records
what are the overall Homerun and RBI records?
what’s the single season records beyond USC?
I mean we have 4 weekend series left plus a few midweeks conf tourney and hopefully a long playoff run. Seems like he could break all the records. Or is he not even close somehow? Maybe something for the gorilla ball Era is more ridiculous
what are the overall Homerun and RBI records?
what’s the single season records beyond USC?
I mean we have 4 weekend series left plus a few midweeks conf tourney and hopefully a long playoff run. Seems like he could break all the records. Or is he not even close somehow? Maybe something for the gorilla ball Era is more ridiculous
I still remember the home run Smoak hit at Clemson and did the bat flip. Man both dugouts were getting ready for a baseball brawl, but the coaches for both teams kept everything under control. One of my favorite memories of Justin Smoak at Clemson. That home run still sits at one of the best of USC Baseball history.