“I think the biggest thing that we’ve got to do moving forward is solidify our weekend rotation, which we lost last year,” Gaspard said. “Right now, we are pretty comfortable with Guilbeau, Carter, Bramblett and Eicholtz.”
All of the pitchers in the announced rotation started at least one game last year with the exception of Carter, a junior college transfer.
The Crimson Tide will return the majority of the bullpen, including closer Thomas Burrows and middle reliever Jay Shaw.
“I feel real good about our bullpen. Most of all of those guys are back in place where they were at last year,” Gaspard said.
Offensively, the team will have to replace first baseman Austen Smith, catcher Wade Wass and outfielder Ben Moore. It does return centerfielder Georgie Salem, second baseman Kyle Overstreet and shortstop Mikey White. White, a Hoover native, said he is excited to play in his hometown.
“I grew up in Hoover,” he said. “The [Hoover] Met was pretty much in my backyard. I’m excited to go back there and be with a different kind of fan base.”
Alabama opens the season Friday with a three-game series against Maryland Eastern Shore.
