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Message
Jay Johnson Roster Press Conference Notes
Posted on 8/21/23 at 1:11 pm
Posted on 8/21/23 at 1:11 pm
Jay Johnson Intro
On Cam Johnson: will keep him away from coach Kelly, could play DE for the football team. 100mph from left side
On Jake Brown: Gatorade POY in LA. Will attempted 2-way player. Terrific athlete, may be the best hitter in the state. Need more athletes and LH hitters in lineup.
On Kade Anderson: Would not have made it to campus if he had not gotten injured.
On Steven Milam: switch hitter, can play SS/2B. Potential to play early, heady player, will adjust well to this level. Off the charts competitor
On Ryan Kucherak: One of the best HS programs in country. 6.5 60yd, lightening in bat.
On Austin Roelling: terrific summer in Utah. One of first commits. Really believe he can play SS. Thought he would get to campus due to his size.
-Tried to recreate Skenes/Hurd this year in transfer portal.
On Luke Holman: Thought he was as good as Dollander after watching film before series this year.
On Gage Jump: pursused aggressively, picked UCLA over AZ originally when Jay was there.
On Kade Woods: was excited when he showed interest once in portal.
On Justin Loer: Tough arm angle, competitior, physically pitcher.
On Michael Braswell: like his skillset, played very well vs LSU. There is another tick in his game in which we think we can tap into.
On Mac Bingham: massive surprise he was not drafted. Once decided wasnt going professional, had a relationship there to pursue.
Nate Yeskie
On LHP: No disrespect to RHP, but you can never have enough LHP. My track record with LHP is strong. Different look, holding runners. Excited about the LHP pieces currently on roster, new and old.
Why he chose LSU: Starts with Jay and history of program. Believing what Jay is building here...LSU is the beacon of CBB. Have some unfinished business from our first stint together. We have a really good working relationship.
On SEC Baseball: more players to draw from, the style of play is different. There is a physicality where the HR and Ks are more prevalent.
On Pitching Philosophy: identify what they do well, and play to those things. Narrow down things they can control, and attack that in aggressive fashion, whether as starter or reliever. Help players become best version of themselves.
On Technology in Pitching: as baseball evolves, we will continue to see it. Is it driving force, no, but the information is valuable. Human condition is more important and tells me a lot about pitcher. The information can sometimes be misleading. Need to be fluid in adjustments.
On Freshmen Class: I had to double take when i saw Cam Johnson for first time. He looks like Aroldis Chapman, has a backround with his dad lifting weights. Brown and Anderson, playing at LSU means the world.
On draft Surprises: saw some swings from Larson, he looks good. Getting Travinski and Milazzo back were huge, having experience at C is big. Excited about the guys who will play 1 more time at the Box.
Approach on Two Way Players: had some guys at UNLV, Oregon St and at AZ. Want to look out for their arm first, due to rotation throwing and swinging. Have to get their bodies right playing baseball full time.
Jay Johnson
On draft luck: I think the shortened draft helps a lot. I think it is great for CBB and great for the players. I try and educate families on path to professional baseball via LSU. We had a good group that bought into the program. Postseason run helped.
On getting Travinski back: You've played pretty well, and outside of Dylan down the stretch there might not have been a more valuable player. Injury history was not great, so maybe thats why dropped. Told him if went in top 5, you should go pro. If it gets past that, we need to have a talk about coming back to LSU.
Hayden sent him a hitting video a few weeks ago about being fired up to come back. Wants the opportunity to put together a full season.
On Freshmen Draft Prospects: The longer i do this, the more i realize how much families value the college experience. Re: Cam Johnson, came to campus a bunch and was dismissive of it because of how talented he was. But looking back the family wanted him in college.
Two players who passed up LSU last year for draft texted and said they should have came to LSU
On Kaleb Appleby: Looks good, body is in shape to throw. Will ramp up to Oct 5th. Will be ready to go in the fall.
On New Coaches: The familiarity was a big deal. Enjoy LSU being a stepping stone but understand stability is important. Yeskie will be a great coach for this pitching staff. Ive tried to hire Terry 4 out of the last 5 years.
Was behind on staffing with other SEC schools, so the pitch was easy to add new guys. I sought out guys that are over-qualified. I Think we have 4 guys that could be college coaches.
On Gavin Guidry: He did not play summer ball, was not ready physically after what he contributed on the mound. Had to recover and rebuild. Want to give him an opportunity to be an INF. Liked some things in the fall. With that being said, he was one of the best RP in college baseball, and we are not moving off of that at this time. I don't think he will throw a ton in the fall but will continue to condition his body.
On Thatcher Hurd: If you remove two outings, and stack up his numbers, he is an All American. Was spectacular in the postseason. Need to pattern him with how he finished the season. We had to re-circuit his competitiveness. Has put on 10-12 lbs. Spent 10 days in Cali then was back here working out.
On Zeb Ruddell: went to Cal Ripken league and won the championship. Coach of team texted and alreaddy asked for Zeb to come back next year. Decided to redshirt him from the offset, added 20lbs. The talent is there. Talent vs usable skill is the question. Very excited to see where he is at in fall practice, and potentially a guy that can make a huge contribution.
On Aiden Moffett: Played in Northwoods League. Had a really good summer, bunch of strikeouts. Small pieces of game experience was huge. Has uncoachable traits. Quality of pitches are much much better. Had Moffett in mind when hired Nate Yeskie.
On Steven Milam: i value him highly. One of the two players I really believed we needed to show up here. Big bat speed in small frame. Can really defend, will give him shot at SS/2B. Tampa Bay Ray scout/friend gave props for "getting the lil guy in the draft". Said same thing with Mac Bingham. This is a "guy".
On Cam Johnson: will keep him away from coach Kelly, could play DE for the football team. 100mph from left side
On Jake Brown: Gatorade POY in LA. Will attempted 2-way player. Terrific athlete, may be the best hitter in the state. Need more athletes and LH hitters in lineup.
On Kade Anderson: Would not have made it to campus if he had not gotten injured.
On Steven Milam: switch hitter, can play SS/2B. Potential to play early, heady player, will adjust well to this level. Off the charts competitor
On Ryan Kucherak: One of the best HS programs in country. 6.5 60yd, lightening in bat.
On Austin Roelling: terrific summer in Utah. One of first commits. Really believe he can play SS. Thought he would get to campus due to his size.
-Tried to recreate Skenes/Hurd this year in transfer portal.
On Luke Holman: Thought he was as good as Dollander after watching film before series this year.
On Gage Jump: pursused aggressively, picked UCLA over AZ originally when Jay was there.
On Kade Woods: was excited when he showed interest once in portal.
On Justin Loer: Tough arm angle, competitior, physically pitcher.
On Michael Braswell: like his skillset, played very well vs LSU. There is another tick in his game in which we think we can tap into.
On Mac Bingham: massive surprise he was not drafted. Once decided wasnt going professional, had a relationship there to pursue.
Nate Yeskie
On LHP: No disrespect to RHP, but you can never have enough LHP. My track record with LHP is strong. Different look, holding runners. Excited about the LHP pieces currently on roster, new and old.
Why he chose LSU: Starts with Jay and history of program. Believing what Jay is building here...LSU is the beacon of CBB. Have some unfinished business from our first stint together. We have a really good working relationship.
On SEC Baseball: more players to draw from, the style of play is different. There is a physicality where the HR and Ks are more prevalent.
On Pitching Philosophy: identify what they do well, and play to those things. Narrow down things they can control, and attack that in aggressive fashion, whether as starter or reliever. Help players become best version of themselves.
On Technology in Pitching: as baseball evolves, we will continue to see it. Is it driving force, no, but the information is valuable. Human condition is more important and tells me a lot about pitcher. The information can sometimes be misleading. Need to be fluid in adjustments.
On Freshmen Class: I had to double take when i saw Cam Johnson for first time. He looks like Aroldis Chapman, has a backround with his dad lifting weights. Brown and Anderson, playing at LSU means the world.
On draft Surprises: saw some swings from Larson, he looks good. Getting Travinski and Milazzo back were huge, having experience at C is big. Excited about the guys who will play 1 more time at the Box.
Approach on Two Way Players: had some guys at UNLV, Oregon St and at AZ. Want to look out for their arm first, due to rotation throwing and swinging. Have to get their bodies right playing baseball full time.
Jay Johnson
On draft luck: I think the shortened draft helps a lot. I think it is great for CBB and great for the players. I try and educate families on path to professional baseball via LSU. We had a good group that bought into the program. Postseason run helped.
On getting Travinski back: You've played pretty well, and outside of Dylan down the stretch there might not have been a more valuable player. Injury history was not great, so maybe thats why dropped. Told him if went in top 5, you should go pro. If it gets past that, we need to have a talk about coming back to LSU.
Hayden sent him a hitting video a few weeks ago about being fired up to come back. Wants the opportunity to put together a full season.
On Freshmen Draft Prospects: The longer i do this, the more i realize how much families value the college experience. Re: Cam Johnson, came to campus a bunch and was dismissive of it because of how talented he was. But looking back the family wanted him in college.
Two players who passed up LSU last year for draft texted and said they should have came to LSU
On Kaleb Appleby: Looks good, body is in shape to throw. Will ramp up to Oct 5th. Will be ready to go in the fall.
On New Coaches: The familiarity was a big deal. Enjoy LSU being a stepping stone but understand stability is important. Yeskie will be a great coach for this pitching staff. Ive tried to hire Terry 4 out of the last 5 years.
Was behind on staffing with other SEC schools, so the pitch was easy to add new guys. I sought out guys that are over-qualified. I Think we have 4 guys that could be college coaches.
On Gavin Guidry: He did not play summer ball, was not ready physically after what he contributed on the mound. Had to recover and rebuild. Want to give him an opportunity to be an INF. Liked some things in the fall. With that being said, he was one of the best RP in college baseball, and we are not moving off of that at this time. I don't think he will throw a ton in the fall but will continue to condition his body.
On Thatcher Hurd: If you remove two outings, and stack up his numbers, he is an All American. Was spectacular in the postseason. Need to pattern him with how he finished the season. We had to re-circuit his competitiveness. Has put on 10-12 lbs. Spent 10 days in Cali then was back here working out.
On Zeb Ruddell: went to Cal Ripken league and won the championship. Coach of team texted and alreaddy asked for Zeb to come back next year. Decided to redshirt him from the offset, added 20lbs. The talent is there. Talent vs usable skill is the question. Very excited to see where he is at in fall practice, and potentially a guy that can make a huge contribution.
On Aiden Moffett: Played in Northwoods League. Had a really good summer, bunch of strikeouts. Small pieces of game experience was huge. Has uncoachable traits. Quality of pitches are much much better. Had Moffett in mind when hired Nate Yeskie.
On Steven Milam: i value him highly. One of the two players I really believed we needed to show up here. Big bat speed in small frame. Can really defend, will give him shot at SS/2B. Tampa Bay Ray scout/friend gave props for "getting the lil guy in the draft". Said same thing with Mac Bingham. This is a "guy".
Posted on 8/21/23 at 1:17 pm to Lester Earl
Helluva write up. Thank you. The future is bright!
Posted on 8/21/23 at 1:22 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
On Austin Roelling: terrific summer in Utah. One of first commits. Really believe he can play SS. Thought he would get to campus due to his size.
Just to note that this is the first incoming class under Johnson that was assembled completely under him. Previous classes still had players recruited and committed by the previous staff. ETA: I misspoke. It's the 2024 class, not the 2023 class.
quote:
On Kaleb Appleby: Looks good, body is in shape to throw. Will ramp up to Oct 5th. Will be ready to go in the fall.
The way he talked about Applebey was a lot about proving himself. Read into it what you will. I don't like to speculate on player attrition but it seems like he has to earn his spot for the spring. To be fair, it's the same position Garrett Edwards was in going into last fall.
quote:
Two players who passed up LSU last year for draft texted and said they should have came to LSU
I thought that was a cool comment. I wonder who it was. Robby Snelling just got promoted to AA.
This post was edited on 8/21/23 at 2:24 pm
Posted on 8/21/23 at 1:46 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
On Freshmen Class: I had to double take when i saw Cam Johnson for first time. He looks like Aroldis Chapman, has a backround with his dad lifting weights.
![](https://i.postimg.cc/FR85sh3m/IMG-2234.jpg)
Posted on 8/21/23 at 1:59 pm to Lester Earl
Very impressed with the detail and thoroughness of that - he really must not do anything but 'think baseball.'
I like
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Icongeauxtigers.png)
I like
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconcheers.gif)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconusaflagsmiley.gif)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Icongeauxtigers.png)
Posted on 8/21/23 at 2:25 pm to Lester Earl
Re Thatcher Hurd, what does CJJ mean when he says "need to re-circuit his competitiveness"? As in recharge it, start it back up?
Posted on 8/21/23 at 2:32 pm to ProjectP2294
quote:That class is so insane.
Two players who passed up LSU last year for draft texted and said they should have came to LSU
Snelling, Misiorowski (sp?) and crawford are all tearing up the minors.
Posted on 8/21/23 at 2:37 pm to LSUnatick
He didn’t name names but said they both made $2 mil+
Posted on 8/21/23 at 2:38 pm to Lester Earl
Not a single media member asks about Alex Box renovations...Baton Rouge media at its finest ![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconbarf.gif)
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/Iconbarf.gif)
Posted on 8/21/23 at 2:39 pm to LSUDeuce2
Or White’s surgery/injury
Or Bryce Collins being off the roster
Or injury updates on Neal and Milazzo
Or Bryce Collins being off the roster
Or injury updates on Neal and Milazzo
Posted on 8/21/23 at 2:39 pm to Keltic Tiger
quote:
Thatcher Hurd, what does CJJ mean when he says "need to re-circuit his competitiveness"? As in recharge it, start it back up?
Seems like he was getting in his own head when things didn’t go his way. So they had to re direct that competitiveness into more of an assertiveness
Posted on 8/21/23 at 3:56 pm to Lester Earl
When looking at the roster, I want everyone to recognize that OF is not a position listed next to Jared Jones. So enough with the "Jay said he sees him as a corner OF in the future" nonsense. That comment was meant for Frey.
Posted on 8/21/23 at 4:04 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
Re: Cam Johnson, came to campus a bunch and was dismissive of it because of how talented he was. But looking back the family wanted him in college.
Even Jay Johnson didn't think there was any chance that Cam Johnson would make it to campus.
Posted on 8/21/23 at 4:35 pm to Keltic Tiger
I took that to mean not get down on himself because so competitive.
Use the competitive trait positively
Use the competitive trait positively
Posted on 8/21/23 at 4:43 pm to Lester Earl
quote:Interesting
Two players who passed up LSU last year for draft texted and said they should have came to LSU
Posted on 8/21/23 at 5:08 pm to ell_13
quote:
Or Bryce Collins being off the roster
I figured some combination of Collins, Dutton, & Hellmers would not be on the roster come February.
Posted on 8/21/23 at 5:26 pm to emanresu
so is Trenton Lape not playing 3B when he gets recovered? That's interesting.
Posted on 8/21/23 at 5:29 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
On Cam Johnson: will keep him away from coach Kelly, could play DE for the football team. 100mph from left side
No kidding! He is a lefty listed at 6’-5” 240lbs as a freshman!
![](https://images.tigerdroppings.com/Images/Icons/IconPimp.gif)
Posted on 8/21/23 at 5:32 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
On Cam Johnson: will keep him away from coach Kelly, could play DE for the football team. 100mph from left side
quote:
On Freshmen Class: I had to double take when i saw Cam Johnson for first time. He looks like Aroldis Chapman, has a backround with his dad lifting weights.
Inject it into my veins
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