1) Cade Beloso So. 6’0 227lbs (24)
2) CJ Willis So. 6’2 192lbs (23)
3) Drew Bianco So. 6’0 219lbs (5)
4) Hayden Travinksi Fr. 6’3 224lbs (25)

First base will be a strength for the Tigers in 2020, not much unexpected here. Cade Beloso who started a majority of the games here a season ago will be a day one starter and is getting more and more comfortable defensively with every rep he takes. There could be any combination of guys to follow depending on how the rest of the infield works out. CJ Willis and Drew Bianco make the most sense given their size and prior experience at the position with Hayden Travinski a dark horse to become the long term guy in years to come.

Cade Beloso returns as LSU’s 2nd leader in returning HR production and 1st in RBI’s. Beloso just a freshman a season ago was one of the more consistent hitters for LSU in long spurts and became an instant power threat from the left side of the plate. Even with this power surge he wasn't your typical cleanup type bat at least from what we saw in 2019. The work he’s put in with Eddie Smith it’s starting to refine his pitch recognition and he’s barreling up more balls where as last year his pure strength was able to make up for in times he was would got fooled. Cade's slugging percentage was lower than it should have been in 2019 because only 13 of his 61 total hits were for extra bases, with that being said Cade is a natural hitter who will always hit for a high average. Chances are more than not some of these swings are going to start turning into doubles and HR’s which I see trending up this year. If he’s around the 5 hole he’ll have plenty of opportunity to be one of the leaders in RBI’s again. Power is a plus plus tool and with his balanced and level bat path he’s going to get hits in bunches. The ball just explodes off his bat and I’m really looking forward to the progression he makes from his first to second year. Speed is below average. I didn’t think he could maintain first base from the defensive side a year ago but he’s one of the most improved gloves I’ve seen on this team and the coaches are electing to keep him there long term. Arm is average, from where he is this won’t be a liability on the infield.

CJ Willis is a guy without a true position right now. Defensively he’s best suited for a corner spot somewhere such as 1B/DH/LF and right now it just depends on what path will get him the quickest playing time. CJ’s got that MLB type frame and one of the highest ceilings of this sophomore class. To date he hasn’t shown the consistency to win a starting spot or at least enough to force the coaches no choice but to play him. He’s taking longer to develop but he’s by no means out, there will be open competition at DH/LF and Willis is athletic enough to play the outfield position if need be.

Drew Bianco has taken some reps at 1B in the past and has experience at this position.

Hayden Travinski is another big bodied corner infielder/catcher who could see time here in mop up duty if need be short term.

My take: Cade Beloso will start at first base opening night and from there I don’t expect him to change positions unless there’s an infield shift that effects multiple positions. Mainieri lead teams at 1B haven't had many power bats from the left side of the plate and when you get good one's who can hit they rarely leave the lineup. CJ Willis, Drew Bianco, and Hayden Travinksi all give you above average power from multiple sides of the plate if a platoon is needed. Cade seems to be a true 5 hole hitter who can clean up the bases if the 4 hole cannot. My hot take is I wouldn’t be surprised to see Beloso flirt with 18-20 HR’s this year.

Cade Beloso

Power------70
Hitting------60
Speed------40
Fielding----55
Arm---------50

POSITION ADDITIONS:
Hayden Travinski

POSITION LOSSES:
NONE

POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 65

This post was edited on 2/2/20 at 8:27 am

4 ...

Report Post

Posted by Adam4848

Member since Apr 2006

19016 posts

Posted on 2/1/20 at 7:25 am to Adam4848

SECOND BASE

1) Gavin Dugas So. 5’10 198lbs (6)
2) Cade Doughty Fr. 6’1 201lbs (4)
3) Collier Cranford Fr. 6’0 186lbs (16)

Mainieri has made it clear this is a two man race and it's going to be one of the positions to keep a closer eye on over the next two weeks. Gavin Dugas is getting every opportunity to start with highly touted freshman Cade Doughty right behind him. Both have the ability to be everyday starters in this lineup so it may be one of those whoever doesn’t end up at 2B may see alot of time at DH at least early in the year.

If you remember Gavin Dugas was sidelined for a majority of 2019 after tearing a ligament in his left thumb during a non-conference game in late February. He would only play in 19 games…starting 10 so when he was healthy the coaching staff trusted in him as a true freshman. Gavin’s one of the stronger players on the entire team, slightly stocky build, explosive lower body strength. As a converted SS from high school he's starting to look more and more comfortable at 2B and in the long run I think he'll stick there. He's been producing some rather nice exit velocities over the fall and thus far in spring however I still look at him as a line drive hitter which will be his bread and butter to stick in the lineup. He’s got a quick first step out of the box and plus plus speed, also one of those aggressive players who can and will try to stretch some routine singles and doubles into doubles and triples respectively. Right now I can only label him as an average hitter at the college level but he’s got a pretty nice ceiling and looks to be a potential 4 year guy at the college level. Glove is about average but he has the quickness to get to most balls…arm is good and won't be a problem from the right side of the infield. I'd like to see Gavin show some patience in the box and draw some walks, him raising his OBP % will do great things for the lineup. Speed is a true plus plus tool and he plays faster on the base paths thanks to his natural instincts.

Cade Doughty out of Denham Springs is one of the more impressive looking freshmen in this class and has the ability one day to be a five tool player at the collegiate level. The coaches have been waiting on him for quite some time and were ecstatic the in news he delivered just before the draft last June stating his desire to attend college. Cade’s strength right now is bat awareness. When I say this what I mean is he’s played up in competition for some years now, attended many showcases, he’s seen quality pitching for much of his youth and has continued to excel. He’s an advanced hitter that can go to all sides of the field with power and will hit for a high average over the long run. Right now his defense hasn’t been playing to the level where coaches can trust him as an everyday 2B or 3B. In time that will improve as he gets more and more reps. Because of this Doughty is a strong candidate to start the season at DH with the potential to slide to 2B if Dugas is struggling at the plate and they need another bat.

Collier Cranford out of Zachary missed a majority of his senior season because of Tommy John Surgery and because of this slid under the radar a bit. He’s another defensive first infielder who’s an extremely good athlete with plus speed and a plus arm on the infield. He's going to be backing up multiple infield positions at this time.

My take: Two different type of players with little to no experience fighting for the same position. Because of this I can only give an average grade which is generous. Doughty has the higher ceiling over the long run but he'll need to improve his glove if he wants to be a serious contender here. I do expect Dugas to start at 2B opening night, this may turn into a scenario where both will change out week to week before they start to set positions for the Shriner’s classic. Even if Doughty doesn't start opening night I still think he'll get significant playing time early on as they try and get him more comfortable playing everyday. With Dugas starting I like him as a potential 1 or 2 hitter where he can play to his strengths and give this lineup some more speed at the top. Right now defense is going to control this position...that may change later on if the coaches feel more fire power is needed in the batting order.

Gavin Dugas

Power------50
Hitting------50
Speed------70
Fielding----55
Arm---------60

POSITION ADDITIONS
Cade Doughty

POSITION LOSSES
Brant Broussard

POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 50

This post was edited on 2/4/20 at 7:16 am

2 ...

Report Post

Posted by deaux