re: Baseball Preview 2024 Edition (Feb 10th - Pro Prospects & SEC Predictions)

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Adam - I have a catching question that I am not sure how to ask for purposes of this discussion but I will try. I recall during some of the CWS broadcasts it was mentioned about how well Milazzo did at stealing strikes for pitchers. Specifically think i remember it with Floyd. How much weight does the ability for the catcher to add value to the pitching staff matter vs offensive production? Is that quantifiable? Not talking about blocking balls in the dirt to prevent passed balls or wild pitches. I am talking borderline strikes one catcher can get vs another. With the great group of catchers we have, this is one element i don't think gets discussed much. seems the lean is mostly to the bat.

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My opinion - Depends on the lineup you're working with. Last year anyone would argue LSU didn't have hole/automatic out in it's lineup and so you have more slack so to speak if you wish to go with a defensive catcher at times. Catchers stealing pitches, you're right it's hard to quantify it and it doesn't get brought up enough. Over the course of a year I think things tend to even out but if you're in an elimination game then yes that becomes a bigger focal point.

With this years potential starting 9 you go down what they have returning and you've lost 60% of your HR's, 60% of your 2B's, 60% of your total runs...it's not unmanageable but there are still a few question marks on defensive side, how much will this team run on the base paths? Personally I think Johnson needs to figure out a way to have both Neal and Travinski in the lineup at all times if they can afford it over the course of the season. Milazzo will catch a ton, LSU hasn't had this kind of depth at catcher in quite some time.