Takeaways from Week 2 of Mizzou Baseball’s Fall World Series

Oct 18, 2024 | Uncategorized

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Missouri baseball plays an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

We saw some new standouts and bounce back performances in the series’ final two games

Mizzou Baseball’s Fall World Series is now complete after five intrasquad scrimmages over the past two weeks.

When I left late in the final game, Los Tigres led 52 to 29 (score being kept across all five games) over TWT.

Missouri baseball plays an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

With the series’ outcome clear, the two sides used the later innings of the final game as an opportunity to bring in pitchers further down the roster.

Case in point? Transfer Cayden Nicoletto, who threw three innings last year in NAIA and is listed exclusively as an outfielder on the roster, entered in game five’s seventh inning.

I had to leave the final game after the middle of the eighth, so stats do not cover the last three half innings.

Missouri baseball plays an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

With that being said, here are my takeaways from the final two games of the Fall World Series:

Peyton Basler impressed in the games Wednesday and Thursday, going 1-3 with a run scored and two walks in addition to an RBI sacrifice fly the day before. The community college transfer could be a name to watch at second base.
Speaking of names to watch, Gehrig Goldbeck looked reliable at shortstop and went 1-1 with three walks in the series’ final game. That shortstop position will be a battle to keep your eye on in the spring.
Pierre Seals, a Memphis transfer, looks like a solid bet to become a lineup regular this season. He was 1-2 with a no doubt home run to left field Thursday in the first inning, and had an OPS near 1.000 with 10 home runs in the AAC last year.
Speaking of Memphis transfers, I’d be shocked if Cameron Benson isn’t the regular starter in left field this season. He was one of the players which flashed the most in the opening three games, and he continued his impressive performance throughout the series.
The outfield depth should be significantly improved this year. Jeric Curtis and Kaden Peer, two frequent starters last season, return. Benson and Seals, the Memphis transfers, look ready to take big roles. You also have Brock Daniels, who split time between first base and left field, and NAIA All-American Cayden Nicoletto.
Brock Lucas dominated in two innings Thursday as the starter for TWT, shutting down Los Tigres with five strikeouts across seven batters and no hits allowed. The righthander had a 3.63 ERA last season in 18 appearances and could figure into the battle for a rotation spot.
Freshman Victor Christal looked far better Thursday compared to his first week of action, where he struggled greatly with command. He went 1-2-3 in one inning of work, inducing two pop ups and striking out Jeric Curtis. I’m not ready to say he can compete for a regular role out of the bullpen, but it’s an encouraging sign from a young pitcher who clearly has lots of potential.
Charlie Miller, the sophomore righty, continues to impress me. He did not allow a hit in 1.1 innings of work, securing three straight groundouts and striking out Kaden Peer.
I’ve got some concerns about pitching depth, especially out of the bullpen. Javyn Pimental, Daniel Wissler, Brock Lucas and Josh McDevitt seem like the top candidates to start. But there were far fewer standout relievers. Ian Lohse returns and Charlie Miller looks prepared for a step up, but there are plenty of questions in this group.
A healthy Sam Horn would make a huge difference, though I’m not willing to put too much stake into that with his injury history. In the SEC you need more than 3-4 solid relievers to survive, especially without an elite rotation. I don’t know the Tigers will have that.
On the positive side, the Tigers looked primed to increase offensive production this season. Jackson Lovich seems like he’s ready to take the next step, and the depth in the outfield is much improved along with some solid options at catcher and in the infield.

At the end of the day, we truly shouldn’t put too much stock into what we see during a few intrasquad scrimmages. But the Tigers have given the baseball faithful a few positive signs after a heavy reset season in the spring to begin Kerrick Jackson’s rebuild.

Missouri baseball plays an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, at Taylor Stadium in Columbia (Cal Tobias/Rock M Nation)

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