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Clemson Baseball Head Coach Monte Lee Previews the Fall Practice Season
By Makenna Biehl
Clemson Baseball Head Coach Monte Lee met with media on Zoom Friday to discuss the upcoming fall practice season. Lee started by saying how things are different because of their larger than usual roster this year; this is due to the smaller sized MLB Draft. However, Lee explained how the NCAA has been flexible with the limit of players on the roster and on scholarship.
Lee: “We had a lot of guys that would’ve been drafted on a typical year, but those opportunities weren’t there this year.”
— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) October 2, 2020
Lee further explained how this larger than regular roster might come as a benefit. He said, “We have a number of guys who we think could fill our lost positions. Once we see how they look in game-like situations, then we’ll begin to develop a feel for who we think our weekend rotation could be.” With an extensive roster, there is a lot of competition put in place on the team for starting positions.
Lee: “The big thing that everybody has to embrace for us this fall is how much competition there’s going to be.”
— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) October 2, 2020
Lee told media that he would coach the freshman group this year because he believes that they need a lot more one-on-one time with him. He genuinely believes that the freshman group is going to be a special one.
Lee on Caden Grice: “He has been dominant on the mound. He has to figure some things out as a hitter because we want to develop him there. He moves really well for a big guy. I think he has the chance to be a star.”
— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) October 2, 2020
Lee on Cooper Ingle: “He’s an athletic catcher. I’m very impressed with him, he has a chance to be a good player.”
— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) October 2, 2020
Lee on Blake Wright: “This kids got a chance to be a very, very good player. He has a motor unlike the other freshman, he’s an intense player.”
— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) October 2, 2020
Lee: “Max Wagner, Blake Wright, and Cooper Ingle are all freshman that’ll be really good for us.”
— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) October 2, 2020
Lee and his coaching staff have taken the extra precaution of keeping their facility closed to limit close contact between players, which will hopefully help guarantee a successful and healthy fall practice season.
Lee: “We aren’t using our facility right now because you can lose a roster real fast if you don’t manage COVID. We want to keep our guys out of close proximity areas so that we can manage if a guy or two tests positive.”
— ClemsonSportsNews (@ClemSportNews) October 2, 2020
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