HEIGHT: 6'2"
WEIGHT: 185 lbs.

SECOND BASE

Connor Hale Jr.*
Kramer Roberston Fr.
Danny Zardon Fr.

The fact that Connor Hale originated out of the same feeder school that produced Nick Goody in 2012 may spell good news for LSU. Last spring in the months leading up to the summer both Mainieri and Sanchez sought a backup plan in the likely hood that Christian Ibarra would bolt for the draft. Needless to say they needed a viable third baseman who could step in immediately in order to give the deep in-fielding class time to mature. Insert Hale, Ibarra's replacement who should find himself playing major innings on the right side of the infield. What Connor brings is stability and experience to a team that is in need of a veteran spark plug in the lineup. Hale's relative speed grades out as average and I don't see him as a major threat on the base paths. His defense is solid for the position and has a plus arm...again not the athlete Jones was but serviceable to say the least. What Hale lacks in power he makes up in hitting for a high average and getting on base. When I look to compare the way he hits with someone in the current lineup I think of a lanky right handed McMullen who plays smart and sprays the ball all over the field, he doesn't strike out often. I see Hale ending up at either the 8 or 9 hole where he can potentially take advantage of great pitches when pitchers start to seemingly let up at the bottom of orders. Kramer Roberston the and Danny Zardon are two extremely talented freshmen who I both feel will have solid careers as Tigers. Roberston is a superb athlete from the right side who can play almost any position on the field while Zardon is a more conventional right handed hitter and has continued to do what the coaches ask of him. Mainieri will sub and use both guys often in my opinion.

Power------35
Hitting------60
Speed------50
Fielding----55
Arm---------55

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

Strength-Contact hitter
Weakness-Raw Power

This post was edited on 2/4/14 at 12:40 am

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Posted by Adam4848

Member since Apr 2006

19019 posts

Posted on 2/1/14 at 1:55 pm to Adam4848

HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 190 lbs.

SHORTSTOP

Alex Bregman So.*
Kramer Robertson Fr.

Alex Bregman is the centerpiece of this team moving forward. If you were to create a player from scratch it would replicate Alex's game in more ways than not. Bregman, a five tool player, is polishing his game before our very eyes week after week. Besides his hitting his tools aren't top of the charts but he does everything in combination extremely well. If the 2015 draft were today there would be no question Bregman would find himself in the top 5-10 picks, MLB clubs are in love with his work ethic. Bregman's bat is what separates him from the rest of the middle tier players in the SEC, the way he can drive his hands through the ball and send doubles to the opposite side of the field as a freshman is quite rare in the new bat age. While his power wasn't off the charts last year he was more of a table setter for Katz and Rhymes. If Ibarra is inserted behind Alex he can better protect him his power numbers will continue to rise. The difference in strength between a freshman and a sophomore who has had a full year in the program is considerable. I see Alex hitting in the three hole as he did in 2013. While Bregman does not have top line speed his instincts on the base path are well above average and is a threat to go in most situations. The glove work last year was a pleasant surprise and defense improves with repetition, his arm is strong for his size. There was talk about seeing what he looked like at the catcher position; however I don't see Mainieri changing a position that is working so well to date, I see him sticking at SS for the next two years. An all-around player of Alex Bregman's caliber doesn't come around a program but once every 5-10 years, I recommend watching him in person if you haven't gotten the chance. The backup's are Robertson and Ibarra in the likely hood that there is a change at the position.

Power------65
Hitting------75
Speed------65
Fielding----60
Arm---------65

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

Strength-Phenomenal bat
Weakness-May project as a 2B next level

This post was edited on 2/4/14 at 11:22 am

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Posted by Pilot Tiger

North Carolina

Member since Nov 2005

73164 posts

Posted on 2/3/14 at 11:34 am to Adam4848

quote:
Last spring in the months leading up to the summer both Mainieri and Sanchez sought a backup plan in the likely hood that Christian Ibarra would bolt for the draft. Needless to say they needed a viable third baseman who could step in immediately in order to give the deep in-fielding class time to mature. Insert Hale, Ibarra's replacement who should find himself playing major innings on the right side of the infield.

Ibarra didn't go anywhere and he plays third base

I think you meant Jacoby Jones

This post was edited on 2/3/14 at 11:35 am

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