re: LSU Baseball - 2014 Post Season Thread

Day 6: Freshman # 41 Andrew Mitchell!



LSU Profile

Andrew is a local (New Orleans is local right?) left-handed pitcher who made large strides his senior season in high school. He's one of those players who may not have reached his ceiling and with hard work could become a solid role player out of the bullpen in the future.

Paul Mainieri Quote:

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Andrew is a young left-handed out of Jesuit High School in New Orleans. An outstanding student, Andrew uses his intelligence on the mound and really knows what he is doing. At times he looks dominating on the mound and just needs to develop consistency to become a very valuable pitcher on the LSU staff. It will be exciting to see how he quickly he develops the characteristics it will take for him to be counted on.

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Mitchell Commits to LSU

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"I'm ecstatic," Mitchell said. "It's really a dream come true. LSU is a premier program and it's so close to home. It's the best of both worlds."

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"Alan Dunn is one of the best pitching coaches in college baseball and the thought of him developing me into a better pitcher is awesome," he said.

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"The thing that made Andrew so valuable to us was his versatility," [Jesuit Coach, Joey] Latino said. "I could start him, I could use him in middle relief, I could use him as a closer. That speaks to his intelligence as a pitcher. He understands what each role entails and the nuances involved."

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Day 7: Freshman #58 Christian Pelaez



LSU Profile

Christian is a LHP from Miami, Florida. He's not overpowering topping out in the upper 80s, but his motion and release are extremely fluid and consistent with all 3 pitches. PM compares him to Cotton for this reason, but unlike Cotton, his #2 pitch is his curveball which isn't sharp but he can control very well.

Paul Mainieri Quote:

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Christian is a classic left hander that really knows how to pitch. Another Chris Cotton-type guy, he has a silky smooth delivery and uses a fastball, curveball and changeup all from the same release point. He pounds the strike zone and has a lot of savvy for a young pitcher. Christian is a great student of the game and a guy that we may count on in pressure situations right away. Another product from talent-rich south Florida, he has competed against great competition his entire baseball career and we expect him to be ready to contribute quickly.

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Pelaez Throws Great Game in Loss

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Pelaez’s complete-game effort came in Florida Christian’s first trip back to the state final four since 2006.

The senior LSU signee struck out seven and allowed only five hits.

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Day 8: Freshman #16 Jared Poche



LSU Profile

Jared is a LHP from Lutcher High School who had almost a perfect senior season: 12-0, 0.61 ERA, 143 SO in 80 innings, State Championship, and just about every baseball award there is. This may remind people of Aaron Nola, but the two stellar pitchers are extremely different. Poche's fastball sits in the upper 80s with less movement, but he beats batters with his sharp curve and deceiving change which helps the FB seem like a plus pitch.

Paul Mainieri Quote:

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Jared is a highly-touted southpaw from right down the road in Lutcher, La. Although Jared wasn’t drafted out of high school, it was only because he was deemed ‘unsignable’ by the pro scouts as a result of his strong commitment to playing at LSU. Jared’s fastball consistently sits in the 90 mph range and he features a very hard 12 to 6 curveball that he can command. He was highly decorated after leading Lutcher High School to the state championship, as he was a 1st team High School All-American and the Louisiana Player of the Year. This guy has a chance to be special and I can’t wait to see the influence Alan Dunn will have on him.

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Poche Named Mr. Baseball

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Already, Poche has been voted the Class 4A Outstanding Player and the Louisiana's Gatorade Player of the Year. By claiming Louisiana's Farm Bureau/Mr. Baseball award from the Louisiana Sports Writers Association, Poche completed an unofficial triple crown.

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"Playing baseball at LSU has always been my dream and I can't wait," Poche said. "I feel like I improved my command of my pitches between my junior and senior years. I've got to keep working to get better."

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