*Official Adam4848 Baseball Preview Feb 11th (SEC Preview)*

HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 195 lbs.

CATCHER

Tyler Moore Jr.*
Chris Chinea So.
Kade Scivicque Jr.

Before I begin the catcher position I want to make a note that the Mainieri himself has not named a starter here nor does he know at this time who will run out on February 14th. For now we will analyze Tyler Moore whether he ends up at C or 1B. Over three years ago Moore signed his letter of intent to play baseball at LSU, in the last two years Tyler has had his share of ups and downs. With Ross departure from the program the defensive side of the ball will take a hit no question. Although Tyler doesn't possess the arm strength or glove Ross had in his prime his bat should be slightly better and should expect to hit anywhere from 5-7 in the lineup in most probable cases protecting Ibarra. If LSU expects to even sniff Omaha Tyler Moore is going to need to absorb some of the power production that departed in the likes of Katz, Rhymes, and Jones. Besides McMullen most of the power from the left side will come from Moore and I expect anywhere from 5-10 HR's on the year as an everyday starter. The silver lining in all of this is Moore has had his share of clutch performances both as a freshman and sophomore respectively. After serving time as a backup and starter in 2012-2013 he is primed to have a solid campaign for LSU whether it’s at catcher or first base. Chris Chinea the talented big bodied catcher from Florida is still clearly in the thick of things and is starting to come into his own as he matures over the course of his first collegiate season. The best defensive catcher of the group would be Kade Scivicque a JUCO transfer who may see meaningful innings this spring. In my opinion none of the three candidates to date have the job locked up anywhere close to the point we won't see at least all three taking pitches. As of now with experience and his left handed bat Moore is getting the nod but expect this position to split time at least in the first month leading into SEC play.

Power------55
Hitting------55
Speed------45
Fielding----50
Arm---------50

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

Strength-Pressure hitter
Weakness-Glove

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

HEIGHT: 5'7"
WEIGHT: 190 lbs.

THIRD BASE

Christian Ibarra Sr.*
Connor Hale Jr.

Christian Ibarra's impact last year cannot go unnoticed, after losing Tyler Hanover to graduation the third base position was wide open and at times in fall practice a mystery. After trying out guys such as Moore, Bregman, Jones, Mainieri finally settled on Ibarra who would go on to become a first team all-SEC player in his first year as well as shore up the defensive left side of the infield. Alex Bregman and Christian Ibarra will form the top left side of the infield in the SEC and arguably in the entire country. Christian's strong suit is the arm, he can make almost any play fluidly and is quick enough at the hot corner to field bunts. If there is one thing that can't be stated enough it's the strength Ibarra has in both his upper and lower body. Christian who last year finished #7 in the SEC in doubles can drive pitches into the gaps with ease. His power for his size is well above average and it will be his job this year to protect Bregman most likely either at the 4 or 5 hole in the lineup. If Ibarra can swing the bat anything near the way he did consistently last year the 1-5 hitters for LSU will again be lethal for opposing teams. Christian's speed is average on the base paths but he won't be used to swipe bases this year in the cleanup spot. Although not specifically a recruit his return to school was one of the biggest gets for the Tigers last June. Backing up will be a combo of Hale if available and Robertson.

Power------60
Hitting------60
Speed------50
Fielding----60
Arm---------65

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

Strength-Strong arm
Weakness-Projectability/Room to fill out

HEIGHT: 5'8"
WEIGHT: 188 lbs.

DESIGNATED HITTER

Sean McMullen Sr.*
Kramer Robertson Fr.
Kade Scivicque Jr.

Sean McMullen, and outfielder by trade, will find himself in the DH role to start the season. Sean entered the program as a potential filler in left field but quickly saw himself become a productive DH at the top of the order and should be the Tigers leadoff hitter. When I look at a prospect like McMullen his game doesn't jump off the chart in any particular category yet his role on the team is vital. The effect of having an experienced lefty bat at the one and two hole in the lineup will create opportunities for guys like Bregman, Ibarra, and Moore in the middle of the lineup. Sean's bat is a tad above average, he does an excellent job at taking pitches and getting on base. Power numbers won't be tops on the team but he'll get his share of 4-5 HR. His strength is going with pitches and spraying them to the opposite side of the field where McMullen and Bregman both lead LSU in doubles with 18 last season. Speed is average, he's not a liability on the base paths but he doesn't steal often. If needed defensively he's a LF in my book. Backing up this position is hard to gauge with the unknowns still in waiting as to what the final spots will be at C, 1B, and 2B. If those positions are filled with Moore, Chinea, and Hale respectively I see guys such as Robertson and Scivicque who are close to cracking the lineup in a backup spot or platoon position. There may not be a need to rotate guys at this position but the depth is there which any team making a run deep into the postseason needs.

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

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

Strength-Experienced hitter
Weakness-Top line speed

HEIGHT: 6'1"
WEIGHT: 215 lbs.



HEIGHT: 5'8"
WEIGHT: 182 lbs.



HEIGHT: 6'3"
WEIGHT: 187 lbs.



HEIGHT: 6'0"
WEIGHT: 160 lbs.

RELIEF PITCHING

Joe Broussard Jr.*
Hunter Devall So.*
Kurt McCune Sr.*
Brady Domangue Jr.*

Zac Person Jr.
Henri Faucheux Jr.
Nate Fury Sr.
Parker Bugg Fr.
Troy Whitty Fr.

The bullpen was and still is the big question mark regarding the 2014 team. Nearly half of all innings pitched last year have departed. When I look at how the bullpen shapes up we first look into which of the starters out of Nola, Glenn, Poche, and Bouman will be the hybrid. I don't see any of those guys settling into a midweek starting role which would place them in the long reliever spot. This name gets brought up countless times again but its been adopted as the Jared Bradford/Louis Coleman role by Mainieri himself. For those out there unaware it's when Mainieri saves a top line pitcher on the staff to either assist in the closing out of a close ball game early in the weekend or save the arm for a spot start or long relief in the oncoming days. While this doesn't bring about a set schedule for the pitcher it is advantageous in tournament play when 4-5 starters are needed. Turning to the bullpen I think Joe Broussard and Kurt McCune lead the way in terms of experience and how many innings they can eat up. Broussard has the flashiest stuff, he'll sit lower 90's on his fastball and has an above average slider. He can be very good in two-three inning spurts. Kurt McCune is a guy who's seen his share of up's and downs, but he seemed to settle into a bullpen role last year which will be vital for the Tigers. Kurt may end up as the setup guy similar to Bourgeois or Rumbelow. Nate Fury has an arm injury that may or may not have him ready to contribute. His recovery time is still at least 4-6 weeks minimum. Hunter Devall and Henri Faucheux will be two situational left handed arms, the progression Devall's having I'm told is ahead of schedule; he will be needed. Zac Person, the teammate of probable closer Brady Domangue, from LSU-Eunice is a guy I really want to see in the way they use him. If the season started today Domangue would be the closer. After having a sensational career in JUCO Brady's experience and his ability to throw his out pitches for strikes are going to be called upon early on. The two freshmen arms I see with the most potential are Parker Bugg and Troy Whitty. Bugg while slowed with mono has been late to get out of the gate; however his stuff is ahead of the other freshmen and will see more and more innings as the weather warms. Whitty is a freshman with a ton of potential, Dunn is going to work him in when he can as his arm isn't as developed. Jesse Stallings and Chris Pelaez will both redshirt. Hunter Newman who has had arm soreness will not be ready to pitch for a while, he'll be monitored regularly until a decision is made.

Broussard
Arm Strength----------65
Movement---------------60
Stamina------------------50
Control-------------------60

Devall
Arm Strength----------50
Movement---------------55
Stamina------------------50
Control-------------------60

McCune
Arm Strength----------50
Movement---------------55
Stamina------------------60
Control-------------------60

Domangue
Arm Strength----------60
Movement---------------60
Stamina------------------60
Control-------------------65

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

Strength-Potential
Weakness-Experience

Pro prospects

Senior
1. Christian Ibarra 2B
2. Kurt McCune RHP
3. Sean McMullen LF
4. Nate Fury RHP

Junior
1. Aaron Nola RHP
2. Cody Glenn LHP
3. Joe Broussard RHP
4. Kyle Bouman LHP
5. Brady Domangue RHP

Sophomore
1. Alex Bregman SS
2. Hunter Newman RHP
3. Chris Chinea C
4. Mark Laird LF*
5. Andrew Stevenson CF

Freshmen
1. Jared Poche LHP
2. Jake Fraley CF
3. Parker Bugg RHP
4. Kramer Robertson 2B
5. Jarret DeHart RF

* draft eligible sophomore

FIRST

Love your reviews!!! Living in the land of the Swine, I don't get a lot of info on our team and your insight is greatly appreciated!!!

Thanx!!!

I'm glad it's almost time for baseball at the box!