re: Adam4848 Baseball Preview Feb. 9th (RP)

Outfield
Blake Dean (Jr.) *
Leon Landry (So.) *
Jared Mitchell (Jr.) *
Chad Jones (So.)
Mikie Mahtook (Fr.)
Johnny Dishon (So.)
LSU’s is poised to have a strong outfield cotangent lead by speed, speed , and well you guessed it, power. If things go according to plan Dean will play a corner outfield position freeing up a spot at the DH role. If and when he switches to DH three young players will be vying for that one spot whom include Jones, Mahtook, and Dishon. So far reports from practice have been that Chad Jones is a totally different player of a year ago and that he may get a chance to start some. Will this translate into significant innings this season is yet to be determined. Mitchell and Landry alone make up the fastest outfield in the nation and if both can hit over .280-.300 consistently and draw walks I would expect 40 bases stolen between the two of them. Their role is simple this year, get on base and distract the pitcher, once that is accomplished big guys like Dean, Gibbs, Ochinko, and Gaudet can drive them in. When talking about Dean one can only imagine that this was a LHP who came to LSU on a scholarship to pitch and only after breaking his arm got a shot to bat. The rest is history and this year may be his last in the new Alex Box stadium as he looks to be signing a nice bonus if his numbers remain constant. Mikie Mahtook a very talented two way sport athlete from St. Thomas Moore (Laf.) is one of the strongest kids pound per pound on the team as a freshman. Look for Mahtook to work his way into late game situations as the coaches won’t be able to keep this kid off the field.

Grade: A