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Message
Defensive Issues - Baseball
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:29 pm
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:29 pm
This isn’t a coaching issue from the standpoint of teaching and working on defense. These kids are more than capable of playing defense, and have been coached to do so.
This is, however, a coaching issue as to why we’re where we are now.
The season should’ve started with Doughty at 3B, Thompson at SS, and Merrifield at 2B. At worst, you maybe flip Thompson and Doughty to start, since Doughty had been playing SS for much of the spring scrimmages then transition if you think it’s needed. Berry and Jobert are your RFs, Crews and Gio are your CFs (let Gio work everywhere), Dugas and Pearson are your LFs (let Pearson get some work in RF). Your DH is Berry, Jobert, Beloso, etc.
Hindsight is 20/20, blah blah, but this was all pretty obvious.
Now you have both physical changes in positions taking place amidst mental struggles. Snowball effect. Doughty just got comfortable at 2B, then he got moved and now he’s going to be spooked again. Thompson doesn’t know what he’s doing at 2B, so he’s just staying spooked. Poor Merrifield hasn’t hardly seen his natural position since he got here. All of these guys, including Berry at 3B, show flashes but it’s a lot to handle on the fly.
The coaching staff had bad takes and it’s going to be hard to correct now. If you move guys again, they start to second guess themselves again.
The only way this defense improves is if the players dig deep and say “I’m not making an error no matter where I’m playing. I’m better than this.” Get a kangaroo court going. The players have been put in a bad spot, but they need to take it upon themselves now.
This is, however, a coaching issue as to why we’re where we are now.
The season should’ve started with Doughty at 3B, Thompson at SS, and Merrifield at 2B. At worst, you maybe flip Thompson and Doughty to start, since Doughty had been playing SS for much of the spring scrimmages then transition if you think it’s needed. Berry and Jobert are your RFs, Crews and Gio are your CFs (let Gio work everywhere), Dugas and Pearson are your LFs (let Pearson get some work in RF). Your DH is Berry, Jobert, Beloso, etc.
Hindsight is 20/20, blah blah, but this was all pretty obvious.
Now you have both physical changes in positions taking place amidst mental struggles. Snowball effect. Doughty just got comfortable at 2B, then he got moved and now he’s going to be spooked again. Thompson doesn’t know what he’s doing at 2B, so he’s just staying spooked. Poor Merrifield hasn’t hardly seen his natural position since he got here. All of these guys, including Berry at 3B, show flashes but it’s a lot to handle on the fly.
The coaching staff had bad takes and it’s going to be hard to correct now. If you move guys again, they start to second guess themselves again.
The only way this defense improves is if the players dig deep and say “I’m not making an error no matter where I’m playing. I’m better than this.” Get a kangaroo court going. The players have been put in a bad spot, but they need to take it upon themselves now.
7
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:31 pm to DRock88
(no message)
This post was edited on 6/4/22 at 6:03 am
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:33 pm to DRock88
an actually thoughtful and reasoned analysis - thanks DRock
ETA: but what about the lack of hitting with RISP - is that attributable to coaching?
ETA: but what about the lack of hitting with RISP - is that attributable to coaching?
This post was edited on 4/2/22 at 6:36 pm
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:37 pm to Magician2
quote:
How's it not a coaching issue when Johnson's defenses were just as bad at Arizona? Why does everyone avoid this.
They weren't good at Arizona, but they weren't this bad and I'd argue that we have as or more capable players here right now.
Like I said, it is a coaching issue but it's not about coaching them or caring about making plays. Even if he doesn't coach defense or care about it, with better players here you don't regress. Much more to it.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:40 pm to TexasTiger33
quote:
what about the lack of hitting with RISP - is that attributable to coaching?
I haven't digested that enough yet. I truly believe the defense is the primary issue. I also don't like how poorly we hit LHP, but that's for another day, too.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:40 pm to DRock88
I agree there have been mistakes made on positions and I’m with you that all these players are capable.
I just don’t know why this is happening. I refuse to believe that we just skip fielding in practices. In fact, I would bet they’re taking extra reps. I think it’s like you said.. mental at this point. It’s just snowballing at this point
I just don’t know why this is happening. I refuse to believe that we just skip fielding in practices. In fact, I would bet they’re taking extra reps. I think it’s like you said.. mental at this point. It’s just snowballing at this point
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:46 pm to sweetwaterbilly
quote:
I think it’s like you said.. mental at this point. It’s just snowballing at this point
These kids are still young. We're not talking about upperclassmen. It's alot of head games for them to wrap themselves around. And, the coaching decisions have not helped them settle in to just playing baseball.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:47 pm to DRock88
I don't think it's too late to put Merrifield at 2B, Thompson at SS, and Cade to 3B. Start it in midweek game.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:53 pm to DRock88
Fundamentals and pitching. Both are visibly lacking.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:54 pm to AlwysATgr
quote:
I don't think it's too late to put Merrifield at 2B, Thompson at SS, and Cade to 3B. Start it in midweek game.
I wouldn't hate it. But, expect bumps and bruises, at least early. I said it when they moved Doughty to SS - you're still going to take some licks.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:55 pm to DRock88
All starts with promising a player a position. Hopefully he learns his lesson and never does that again
Posted on 4/2/22 at 6:59 pm to OchoDedos
quote:
Fundamentals and pitching. Both are visibly lacking.
I'm not going to argue fundamentals if the players are out of position. I agree that they've played poorly from a fundamental standpoint, but they're out of position. If you're referring to Tre, guess what, he's going to do it Tre's way. Travinski and McManus are pretty bad, but they shouldn't even be in there as much as they have - we do need a better focus on catchers moving forward, though.
Even though pitching was inherited, we have plenty of capable arms. Too early to discuss development. I hate the pitch calling, and the relief sequences/frequency has also been questionable.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:03 pm to DRock88
In high school most guys play 1B/3B or 2B/SS, by that I mean they know how to play both. Some of them know 3/4 positions.
Same with outfield, most guys have played two, if not all three, OF positions.
Coach wanted Berry and Jobert both in the lineup.
This is absolutely mental among the players. Catching the ball is not supposed to be mental. They are way overthinking things.
Same with outfield, most guys have played two, if not all three, OF positions.
Coach wanted Berry and Jobert both in the lineup.
This is absolutely mental among the players. Catching the ball is not supposed to be mental. They are way overthinking things.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:03 pm to Yeti_Chaser
quote:
All starts with promising a player a position. Hopefully he learns his lesson and never does that again
I doubt that happened. Both player and coach want to win. One or the other or both couldn't sleep at night if it was about a promise and that promise was killing the team. Berry has been a problem at times, but the middle infield has been the bigger issue.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:09 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
In high school most guys play 1B/3B or 2B/SS, by that I mean they know how to play both. Some of them know 3/4 positions.
Same with outfield, most guys have played two, if not all three, OF positions.
Coach wanted Berry and Jobert both in the lineup.
This is absolutely mental among the players. Catching the ball is not supposed to be mental. They are way overthinking things.
Sure, but the game moves faster up here. It does come down to just playing baseball and catching the ball, but it's not as easy as just going to another position seamlessly. Moving in the OF may be a bit easier.
Berry and Jobert are your RF/DH combo if you work your fall and spring right. I think Beloso's re-emergence caused some overthinking.
The mental side is subconscious. The player has to address it, though.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:12 pm to DRock88
quote:
Now you have both physical changes in positions taking place amidst mental struggles.
Nah. When a ball is hit to the infielder, and all he has to do is field it and throw to first, and he blows it, that has nothing to do with shuffling positions. I’ll grant you the cluster frick when we had the infield shift on, but that’s it.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:14 pm to DRock88
quote:
They weren't good at Arizona, but they weren't this bad
Berry was statistically a lot worse at Arizona. He’s terrible, man.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:16 pm to DRock88
Paul gave him the best defensive line up for this team. It’s the same damn position players as last year aside from exchanging J. Berry for Z. Arnold.
It’s obvious to everyone that Berry is a liability on defense. It’s also obvious that JJ promised to start Berry in the field in order to get him to BR.
Having said that, it is obvious JJ is trying to put together his best hitting line up and is just praying that somehow the defense improves as the season goes along.
As a former SEC middle infielder I can tell you that the majority of LSU’s infielders do not use sound fielding techniques on a consistent basis.
It’s obvious to everyone that Berry is a liability on defense. It’s also obvious that JJ promised to start Berry in the field in order to get him to BR.
Having said that, it is obvious JJ is trying to put together his best hitting line up and is just praying that somehow the defense improves as the season goes along.
As a former SEC middle infielder I can tell you that the majority of LSU’s infielders do not use sound fielding techniques on a consistent basis.
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:22 pm to Penrod
quote:
Nah. When a ball is hit to the infielder, and all he has to do is field it and throw to first, and he blows it, that has nothing to do with shuffling positions.
What do you see as the issue?
Posted on 4/2/22 at 7:23 pm to SoloTiger
quote:
As a former SEC middle infielder I can tell you that the majority of LSU’s infielders do not use sound fielding techniques on a consistent basis.
What school did you play at and when?
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