re: Official Adam4848 Baseball Preview Feb 11th (SEC Preview) *PAGE 25*

HEIGHT: 6'2"
WEIGHT: 208 lbs.

CATCHER

Ty Ross Jr.*
Chris Chinea Fr.
Michael Barash Fr.

Exactly three years ago Ty Ross was a reigning all American beginning his senior year of high school in Naples, Florida with a dream of playing professional ball. In two weeks Ross will be named the starter for his third and probable final season at LSU as he hopes to etch LSU’s 7th national championship trophy into history. Not one player on the current roster has improved his draft stock as much as Ty has over the course of the last three years. Ross came to school in 2010 as an undrafted freshman and with another solid year he could go anywhere from rounds 5-15 in the upcoming draft in June. If there is one thing Tiger fans don’t need to fret over it’s what kind of defense will come from the catcher position. Ross will be as good of a defender in the SEC as anyone this coming spring and with another improving year at the plate would be a probable All-American selection. Ross has always been a defensive specialist but his power numbers may jump this year depending on how selective he is at the plate, as he’s gotten much stronger since his freshman campaign. I see him hitting anywhere from 6-8 in the lineup. If there’s one weakness for Ross it’s straight line speed, but that’s not necessarily an issue with big bodied catchers. Chris Chinea and Michael Barash, are two highly touted freshman, both coming from the state of Florida. Chinea has as much raw power as anyone on the current roster and may see time as a potential backup at other infield positions if there is a need. Barash actually decided to skip the draft his senior year and enroll early at LSU, another talented kid who Mainieri may bring along slowly in his first year as he comes accustomed to college pitching.

Power------50
Hitting------55
Speed------35
Fielding----65
Arm---------65

*Scale 20-Lowest, 50-Average, 80-Top of the Charts*

Strength-Defense
Weakness-Point to point speed