Texas' versatile lineup presents champagne problems for Jim Schlossnagle

The roster for Jim Schlossnagle’s first season as head coach of the Texas Longhorns has strength in its versatility. There are multiple positions where there is a legitimate two-deep of players. While this is a massive benefit, it will create some tough decisions for the coaching staff and some really good players may have to wait their turn.

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Versatility is most evident in the outfield. With Easton Winfield’s bat quickly heating up, he presents a unique challenge for Schlossnagle in the lineup. Schloss cannot pull a healthy Max Belyeu from the lineup in right. Will Gasparino’s glove and ability to cover ground in center is rare. It also seems like any time his bat touches the white leather good things happen. Those two are in ink in the everyday lineup.

So how does Schlossnagle handle left? In the last two games Winfield is 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Yet there is also Tommy Farmer IV, who earned a shot because of Winfield’s early struggles. Farmer hasn’t looked back since getting his chance, appearing in every game and recording a hit in all but two of them. He’s playing quality defense in left.

The answer for Schloss at this point likely is that he plays both Farmer and Winfield as much as he can. Having four outfielders is a luxury, and the DH spot is there for a hot bat to utilize.

Looking at the infield, and specifically third base, Texas has Adrian Rodriguez appearing more like a mere mortal with five errors. Like Belyeu and Gasparino, though, his bat cannot be removed from the lineup. In addition, from short to second to first, Jalin Flores, Ethan Mendoza, and Kimble Schuessler all have their spots locked up and are contributing defensively and offensively.

The guy that throws a wrench in the third base situation is Casey Borba. Over his last three appearances he is 5-for-11 with an RBI in each game. The staff has clearly been trying to find a way to get him into the lineup, including a start at second base where he looked a bit uncomfortable. However with Rodriguez still adjusting to college defense, Borba has a shot to get into the lineup at third base. Not only has he delivered offensively, but he has been solid defensively as needed.

At catcher, there’s Rylan Galvan who has yet to allow a stolen base and has been a bright spot offensively. Behind him are Cole Chamberlain and Oliver Service. Both are solid offensive options. There is also Jacquae Stewart who is a promising hitter and potential option if need be at first base or designated hitter.

This team is an all-around great hitting team. One of the stats that speaks to the versatility is that the leadoff hitter and the nine-hole hitter are tied for the team lead in homers with four. There are myriad ways that Schlossnagle could order the Texas hitters and they will likely all go over well.

Here’s the hard part: Given CF, RF, SS, 2B, 1B, and C are all locked down, how does Schlossnagle make the most of the handful of guys competing for at bats with just LF, 3B, and DH open? As mentioned earlier Rodriguez’s bat cannot be pulled out of the lineup. One choice as a result is leaving Farmer and Winfield in the lineup and relegating Borba to the bench. Another is to play both Rodriguez and Borba, forcing a hard choice in the lineup at left field.

There may be a lot more from Stewart, Chamberlain, and Service that hasn’t been made apparent yet. If any of the Longhorns get into a rough stretch, there are plenty of options and Schlossnagle can allow them to regroup instead of continuing to press offensively or defensively thanks to the depth.

There’s also a great strategic benefit in the ability to call on a dangerous pinch hitter at any point in a game to create a positive matchup without feeling like there’s a significant defensive drop-off.

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The depth and versatility in the lineup will undoubtedly come into play in the SEC, and that depth might be the winning edge in a few of the series against top opponents.