Official Adam4848 Baseball Preview Feb 10th (Prospects & SEC prediction)

CATCHER



Kade Scivique Sr.* 5’11 225lbs (22)
Mike Papierski Fr. 6’3 205lbs (2)
Chris Chinea Jr. 5’11 220lbs (26)

Who’s going to catch? Who’s going to get the most reps? Who will start the most games? All of these question marks have been up for debate since Houston eliminated LSU from postseason play last year in the regionals. Fortunately Mainieri is going to have three options, combined as a group they bring about leadership, veteran presence, power, and the youngest with seemingly exceptional potential. Playing devil’s advocate if there is one flaw to date it’s not one of catchers has separated himself in every aspect of the game that Mainieri is ready to pull the trigger. Kade Scivique and Chris Chinea return to the Tigers while Mike Papierski enters his freshman season.

I whole heartily expect one of either Scivique or Chinea to start opening night with the other at DH. Kade Scivique’s game is simple, he’s one of the strongest players on the team using his legs and hip action to drive balls to the gaps and out of the park. Where he gets in trouble is where he reaches, but with maturity and plate discipline he can remain a mainstay in the middle of the order especially with the new lower seamed balls with more carry. Kade doesn't possess a plus glove or arm behind the plate yet he's not a liability for the position.

We can argue Chris Chinea to date has not lived up to his potential and it motivated him last summer to earn all-star accolades in the famous Cape Cod wooden bat league. Also a strong bodied catcher, Chinea’s glove has improved since arriving to Baton Rouge in the fall of ’12, I look for him to platoon between all three positions C, 1B, and DH. Defensively Chris is currently behind the two others at the position, it may push him to DH early on or platoon 1B.

Then enters Mike Papierski, the highest selected high school catcher to be drafted and turn down a pro contract, coming in round 16 of the Toronto Blue Jays. When I say the sky is the limit for Mike, it is. Possessing a 6’3 frame and the ability to hit from both sides Mike has the ability to push for playing time early and if his bat gets hot won’t leave the coaches much of a choice but to pencil him in as a starter. Out of the three he has the best arm and most upside, it’s only a matter of when is he mature enough to take the load of being an everyday catcher in the SEC. I could easily envision a scenario ala. Micah Gibbs in ’08 in the way he was slowly brought in behind Sean Ochinko and starting around SEC play never looking back. If there is a position battle throughout the year it's going to be catcher.

With all this said at the end of the day the winner of the position will solidify playing time with the glove and the ability to keep runners at bay which will greatly aid the young arms on this staff. Last season in SEC play LSU as a unit threw out 40% of base runners which ranked third in the conference, a stat that may be surprising, but a testament to the group a season ago. Expect the catcher position to hit anywhere from the 4-8 hole in the lineup. Depth will not be an issue at this position and for good measure it will be needed. For the time being Scivique will be listed as the starter.

Kade Scivique
Power------65
Hitting------55
Speed------45
Fielding----50
Arm---------55

FINAL GRADE: 60

Can't wait to see this years team & look forward to your preview Adam!

In!

Thank you! Not it feels right. Didn't even wate my time reading the other ones

It's never almost baseball season until Adam's preview comes out.

Great analysis on the catchers Adam.

"Baseball been bery bery good to me"

Someone is a little envious in this thread

always great Adam. Thanks for the time and effort!

I'm really excited about this season and this team. I think we really have all the pieces this year to win it all.

50....
Is that based on the group's potential, your prediction, or what their production has been to this point?