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Message
re: Baseball Preview 2023 Edition (Feb 10th - Pro Prospects & SEC Standings)
Posted on 2/1/23 at 5:45 am to Adam4848
Posted on 2/1/23 at 5:45 am to Adam4848
SECOND BASE
Jack Merrifield Sr. 6’2 189lbs (53) Bats-R Throws-R
Gavin Guidry Fr. 6’2 182lbs (1) Bats-R Throws-R
Ben Nippolt Jr. 5’11 175lbs (5) Bats-L Throws-R
Gavin Dugas Gr Sr. 5’10 204lbs (8) Bats-R Throws-R
Besides DH this position is still a complete unknown that will continue to go back and forth leading up the week before opening night. You could pick any of these three right now because they'll rotate before the conference schedule. Jack Merrifield and Ben Nippolt have both played themselves into starting roles. Gavin Guidry has started to show a little more consistency at the plate as they try and fast track him to take over this position full time by the middle of the season. Gavin Dugas has had some tough luck with an eye problem as mentioned by Johnson last week…I’m listing him here but it remains to be seen how quickly he can get back.
Jack Merrifield came into LSU a season ago with somewhat high expectations in the thought he could shore up a relatively weak infield and provide some sort of stability. He was a guy that disappointed me a year ago, I thought he played extremely stiff in the field and wasn’t patient at the plate when he did get his chances in early 2022. Both the glove and bat were liabilities at the same time. Something is clicking right now, I don’t know if he feels less pressure with the influx of talent around him but his plate appearances continue to be more productive...he's not reaching like he used. He's squaring balls up the middle with effectiveness throughout the fall and early spring practice. After having taken reps at both 3B and SS during his time at LSU it’s obvious he can handle second base if they go this direction. Arm is above average, not the most athletic infielder yet has a has a lofty frame, is showing the ability to make the routine plays. I keep going back to this but something seems to be clicking right now…he’s making contact, staying patient, his strikeout percentages are way down, and he’s shown the ability to drive the ball into the gaps which was nonexistent in the at bats he received in 2022. Jack is never going to be a huge power threat at this level. Speed is average.
Gavin Guidry the uber talented two way player out of Barbe is being groomed into the future SS at LSU. I have him second on the depth chart right now simply because I question how quickly he gets adjusted to SEC pitching and I cant project him as the full time starter until we see it. His two best tools right now are his speed and electric arm as a former infielder/pitcher. Moves extremely well laterally and can make any throw look routine. If you were to tell me he could start opening night and hit 0.275 I think Johnson would take that chance and plug him in now and be done with it. At the same time I question how slow/quickly the coaching staff is trying to bring him along. Speed is a plus plus tool where he can fly down the line. Guidry still has a wiry frame and will fill out a ton over the next year and show more power. I’d like to see Gavin put the ball in play with more consistency where he can use his legs.
Ben Nippolt is my darkhorse to win the second base job. Originally at Des Moines Area CC he transferred over to VCU in 2022 where he stuck mainly at 3B on his way to becoming a first team ALL A-10 player. Nippolt was option C in the Carter Young and Jack Pineda sweepstakes but will be a nice veteran piece to this infield. Nippolt has wowed me on a couple of plays this spring, not a high ceiling type guy either but can move really well for a middle infielder. Arm is more than adequate for second base. Another singles type hitter from the left side who will need to hit at least 0.280 in my opinion if he’s to stick because he won't show any power and his base stealing threat isn't off the charts.
I don’t know where to put Gavin Dugas anymore? 2B? LF? He’s been sidelined for so long intermittently that he’s starting to fall behind others simply because he cannot get reps. His power is certainly a tool you try and do anything to get into the lineup but at this point I’m worried at how well he’s able to see the ball. This one’s a wait and see…
My take: It's not a weak position weak however it’s one of the few question marks on this team so I grade it as average at best. LSU had the recruiting class in the nation, the best transfer portal, but losing out on Young and Pineda was the biggest blemish last summer. Right now you have two veterans who I would call slightly above average defenders who give you options from both sides of the plate, below average power, and should hover around a 0.275 clip. Johnson a year ago labeled Gavin Guidry as the most important recruit of the class…he’s a draft eligible sophomore so maybe there will be some sense of urgency to use him as soon as he can. Still I’m going conservative and assuming Jack Merrifield continues to hit in spring practice he’s paid his dues and deserves a shot to start opening night. If Jack is the starter he’ll end up in either the 8 or the 9 hole depending on who’s catching.
Jack Merrifield
Power------40
Hitting------45
Speed------50
Fielding----55
Arm---------55
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Ben Nippolt
Gavin Guidry
POSITION LOSSES:
Cade Doughty
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 50
Jack Merrifield Sr. 6’2 189lbs (53) Bats-R Throws-R
Gavin Guidry Fr. 6’2 182lbs (1) Bats-R Throws-R
Ben Nippolt Jr. 5’11 175lbs (5) Bats-L Throws-R
Gavin Dugas Gr Sr. 5’10 204lbs (8) Bats-R Throws-R
Besides DH this position is still a complete unknown that will continue to go back and forth leading up the week before opening night. You could pick any of these three right now because they'll rotate before the conference schedule. Jack Merrifield and Ben Nippolt have both played themselves into starting roles. Gavin Guidry has started to show a little more consistency at the plate as they try and fast track him to take over this position full time by the middle of the season. Gavin Dugas has had some tough luck with an eye problem as mentioned by Johnson last week…I’m listing him here but it remains to be seen how quickly he can get back.
Jack Merrifield came into LSU a season ago with somewhat high expectations in the thought he could shore up a relatively weak infield and provide some sort of stability. He was a guy that disappointed me a year ago, I thought he played extremely stiff in the field and wasn’t patient at the plate when he did get his chances in early 2022. Both the glove and bat were liabilities at the same time. Something is clicking right now, I don’t know if he feels less pressure with the influx of talent around him but his plate appearances continue to be more productive...he's not reaching like he used. He's squaring balls up the middle with effectiveness throughout the fall and early spring practice. After having taken reps at both 3B and SS during his time at LSU it’s obvious he can handle second base if they go this direction. Arm is above average, not the most athletic infielder yet has a has a lofty frame, is showing the ability to make the routine plays. I keep going back to this but something seems to be clicking right now…he’s making contact, staying patient, his strikeout percentages are way down, and he’s shown the ability to drive the ball into the gaps which was nonexistent in the at bats he received in 2022. Jack is never going to be a huge power threat at this level. Speed is average.
Gavin Guidry the uber talented two way player out of Barbe is being groomed into the future SS at LSU. I have him second on the depth chart right now simply because I question how quickly he gets adjusted to SEC pitching and I cant project him as the full time starter until we see it. His two best tools right now are his speed and electric arm as a former infielder/pitcher. Moves extremely well laterally and can make any throw look routine. If you were to tell me he could start opening night and hit 0.275 I think Johnson would take that chance and plug him in now and be done with it. At the same time I question how slow/quickly the coaching staff is trying to bring him along. Speed is a plus plus tool where he can fly down the line. Guidry still has a wiry frame and will fill out a ton over the next year and show more power. I’d like to see Gavin put the ball in play with more consistency where he can use his legs.
Ben Nippolt is my darkhorse to win the second base job. Originally at Des Moines Area CC he transferred over to VCU in 2022 where he stuck mainly at 3B on his way to becoming a first team ALL A-10 player. Nippolt was option C in the Carter Young and Jack Pineda sweepstakes but will be a nice veteran piece to this infield. Nippolt has wowed me on a couple of plays this spring, not a high ceiling type guy either but can move really well for a middle infielder. Arm is more than adequate for second base. Another singles type hitter from the left side who will need to hit at least 0.280 in my opinion if he’s to stick because he won't show any power and his base stealing threat isn't off the charts.
I don’t know where to put Gavin Dugas anymore? 2B? LF? He’s been sidelined for so long intermittently that he’s starting to fall behind others simply because he cannot get reps. His power is certainly a tool you try and do anything to get into the lineup but at this point I’m worried at how well he’s able to see the ball. This one’s a wait and see…
My take: It's not a weak position weak however it’s one of the few question marks on this team so I grade it as average at best. LSU had the recruiting class in the nation, the best transfer portal, but losing out on Young and Pineda was the biggest blemish last summer. Right now you have two veterans who I would call slightly above average defenders who give you options from both sides of the plate, below average power, and should hover around a 0.275 clip. Johnson a year ago labeled Gavin Guidry as the most important recruit of the class…he’s a draft eligible sophomore so maybe there will be some sense of urgency to use him as soon as he can. Still I’m going conservative and assuming Jack Merrifield continues to hit in spring practice he’s paid his dues and deserves a shot to start opening night. If Jack is the starter he’ll end up in either the 8 or the 9 hole depending on who’s catching.
Jack Merrifield
Power------40
Hitting------45
Speed------50
Fielding----55
Arm---------55
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Ben Nippolt
Gavin Guidry
POSITION LOSSES:
Cade Doughty
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 50
This post was edited on 2/3/23 at 8:39 am
6
Posted on 2/1/23 at 5:45 am to Adam4848
SHORTSTOP
Jordan Thompson Jr 6’1 176lbs (4) Bats-R Throws-R
Gavin Guidry Fr. 6’2 182lbs (1) Bats-R Throws-R
Ben Nippolt Jr. 5’11 175lbs (5) Bats-L Throws-R
Jack Merrifield Sr. 6’2 189lbs (53) Bats-R Throws-R
There are going to be a lot of familiar faces here from the second base preview as most of these names rotate. Jordan Thompson is the clear front runner and Johnson has mentioned it more than once he’ll start opening night. Gavin Guidry appears to be the SS of the future however Ben Nippolt has taken more and more reps meaning he could be the quicker option if they go with a proven left handed bat. Jack Merrifield provides depth if he’s needed to fill in.
Jordan Thompson a two year starter was thrown into the starting lineup by necessity as a true freshman due to a weak left side of the infield. Weeks before the start of the 2022 season Jordan suffered a nagging knee injury that was believed to affect him more than what was previously thought. Thompson at the plate is a tough player to forecast…his HR totals from year one to two dropped slightly yet he increased his 2B’s, average, slugging percentage, and he greatly reduced his strikeout to walk ratio. Going into his junior season I think we'd all like to see more consistency at the plate where I think he's more than capable of doing so. Has a knack of going into mini slumps during series and hitting in bunches in others. At the same time he's had two of LSU’s much clutch hits in the walk off HR against Oklahoma and the RBI single against Southern Miss to tie game 2 in the regional. Jordan posses above average pop for his frame at this level when he stays centered and doesn’t get off balance trying to reach. Another bat who’s sat around 6-8 HR’s his career however I think putting him around some more potent players in the lineup should get more pitches to hit and when he does square up balls he shows above average power. Speed is above average although he’s never been a guy they use on the base paths. Glove and receiving has always been something Jordan’s handled well and will continue to do so. Arm is a plus plus tool and what I’ve noticed rewatching game film is more times than not when he doesn't have time to think he makes spectacular plays…when he has too much time he gets inside of his head and short hops the ball to Morgan. Make no mistake this has been worked tirelessly over the offseason and Johnson's full confidence means he knows something we don't so I'm willing to be optimistic here.
Gavin Guidry will eventually become the SS next year, he may see some time here in mop up duty or be pushed into a starting role depending on how Thompson fares. At the end of the day I think Gavin's path forward to quicker playing time is at 2B.
Ben Nippolt has gotten more and more work here starting in the spring so keep an eye out for him at this spot. I still think Ben is slightly better suited at 2B as well.
My take: Year three is the make it or break it year. I think all of us are hoping he takes the Kramer Robertson path where the hard work and perseverance becomes his success story and not a what if. In the batting order I think he fits in perfectly at the 5 or 6 where they try and reset the lineup for the back half. If Thompson can have a 0.300 with 10 HR’s and 40 RBI’s with a 0.940-0.950 fielding percentage then you call that a win. Something that I've been thinking about as well is the improvement in this pitching staff where there will be less fielding opportunities. Even though Johnson went after Young and Pineda to shore up the middle infield, that can all be forgotten if Thompson makes the linear progression he needs to and becomes as much of a leader on the field as he is in the dugout.
Jordan Thompson
Power------55
Hitting------50
Speed------60
Fielding----60
Arm---------70
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Gavin Guidry
Ben Nippolt
POSITION LOSSES:
Collier Cranford
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 60
Jordan Thompson Jr 6’1 176lbs (4) Bats-R Throws-R
Gavin Guidry Fr. 6’2 182lbs (1) Bats-R Throws-R
Ben Nippolt Jr. 5’11 175lbs (5) Bats-L Throws-R
Jack Merrifield Sr. 6’2 189lbs (53) Bats-R Throws-R
There are going to be a lot of familiar faces here from the second base preview as most of these names rotate. Jordan Thompson is the clear front runner and Johnson has mentioned it more than once he’ll start opening night. Gavin Guidry appears to be the SS of the future however Ben Nippolt has taken more and more reps meaning he could be the quicker option if they go with a proven left handed bat. Jack Merrifield provides depth if he’s needed to fill in.
Jordan Thompson a two year starter was thrown into the starting lineup by necessity as a true freshman due to a weak left side of the infield. Weeks before the start of the 2022 season Jordan suffered a nagging knee injury that was believed to affect him more than what was previously thought. Thompson at the plate is a tough player to forecast…his HR totals from year one to two dropped slightly yet he increased his 2B’s, average, slugging percentage, and he greatly reduced his strikeout to walk ratio. Going into his junior season I think we'd all like to see more consistency at the plate where I think he's more than capable of doing so. Has a knack of going into mini slumps during series and hitting in bunches in others. At the same time he's had two of LSU’s much clutch hits in the walk off HR against Oklahoma and the RBI single against Southern Miss to tie game 2 in the regional. Jordan posses above average pop for his frame at this level when he stays centered and doesn’t get off balance trying to reach. Another bat who’s sat around 6-8 HR’s his career however I think putting him around some more potent players in the lineup should get more pitches to hit and when he does square up balls he shows above average power. Speed is above average although he’s never been a guy they use on the base paths. Glove and receiving has always been something Jordan’s handled well and will continue to do so. Arm is a plus plus tool and what I’ve noticed rewatching game film is more times than not when he doesn't have time to think he makes spectacular plays…when he has too much time he gets inside of his head and short hops the ball to Morgan. Make no mistake this has been worked tirelessly over the offseason and Johnson's full confidence means he knows something we don't so I'm willing to be optimistic here.
Gavin Guidry will eventually become the SS next year, he may see some time here in mop up duty or be pushed into a starting role depending on how Thompson fares. At the end of the day I think Gavin's path forward to quicker playing time is at 2B.
Ben Nippolt has gotten more and more work here starting in the spring so keep an eye out for him at this spot. I still think Ben is slightly better suited at 2B as well.
My take: Year three is the make it or break it year. I think all of us are hoping he takes the Kramer Robertson path where the hard work and perseverance becomes his success story and not a what if. In the batting order I think he fits in perfectly at the 5 or 6 where they try and reset the lineup for the back half. If Thompson can have a 0.300 with 10 HR’s and 40 RBI’s with a 0.940-0.950 fielding percentage then you call that a win. Something that I've been thinking about as well is the improvement in this pitching staff where there will be less fielding opportunities. Even though Johnson went after Young and Pineda to shore up the middle infield, that can all be forgotten if Thompson makes the linear progression he needs to and becomes as much of a leader on the field as he is in the dugout.
Jordan Thompson
Power------55
Hitting------50
Speed------60
Fielding----60
Arm---------70
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Gavin Guidry
Ben Nippolt
POSITION LOSSES:
Collier Cranford
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 60
This post was edited on 2/4/23 at 6:36 am
Posted on 2/3/23 at 8:18 am to Adam4848
quote:
SECOND BASE
quote:
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 50
Posted on 2/3/23 at 8:53 am to Adam4848
quote:
I don’t know where to put Gavin Dugas anymore? 2B? LF? He’s been sidelined for so long intermittently that he’s starting to fall behind others simply because he cannot get reps. His power is certainly a tool you try and do anything to get into the lineup but at this point I’m worried at how well he’s able to see the ball. This one’s a wait and see…
I hate this for Dugas because last year he got banged up and missed some time and then decided to come back and is injured again. If healthy I think he would have been the second base started until Guidry was able to get more playing time and then it would have been almost an equal playing time deal. Disappointing cause with how loaded the roster is idk where he slides to now.
Posted on 2/3/23 at 1:25 pm to Adam4848
I agree Merrifield will likely start opening day. I remember seeing his numbers from the box scores last fall and it was impressive. I think he could turn out to be a reliable option at 2B and a valuable hitter in the lineup.
This post was edited on 2/3/23 at 2:56 pm
Posted on 2/3/23 at 6:39 pm to Adam4848
I miss Doughty
Posted on 2/4/23 at 9:44 pm to Adam4848
quote:
Johnson a year ago labeled Gavin Guidry as the most important recruit of the class…he’s a draft eligible sophomore so maybe there will be some sense of urgency to use him as soon as he can.
quote:
Gavin Guidry Fr. 6’2 182lbs (1) Bats-R Throws-R
I'm a little confused here?? If Gavin Guidry is a Freshman, how is he a draft-eligible sophomore. Maybe I'm reading something wrong???
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