SECOND BASE

1) Cole Freeman Sr. 5’9 174lbs (8)*
2) Chris Reid So. 5’9 187lbs (17)
3) Mason Templet Fr. 6’1 205lbs (23)

The strength of the team will be the middle infield and that starts with Cole Freeman who will take the #8 jersey from Jake Fraley and become one of the team captains. With a plethora of incoming talent at the corner infield positions I’m in a way foreshadowing the move of Chris Reid towards the right side of the infield assuming everything is peachy with respect to 3B. Mason Templet, another one of the extremely talented freshmen will push for playing time.

Cole Freeman has continued to exceed expectations at every level, he doesn’t have a big frame, he doesn’t hit for power and yet he lead LSU in hitting last season (0.329) as well as winning the Cape Cod League batting title last summer (0.374), that hitting clip in the wooden bat summer league is not an easy thing to do by any means. I cannot stress how big a victory it was persuading Freeman, the 18th round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to return to campus. While he loses all negotiating leverage this summer for the 2017 MLB draft Mainieri said it didn’t take any convincing given how badly this core nucleus of players want to win a title. So what makes Freeman such a difficult out in the lineup? As a natural slap hitter Cole’s approach like many others given his physical stature is primarily to spray the ball up the middle and between the gaps. With this approach it sacrifices power tremendously but allows Cole more control where he’s less likely to pop out or strikeout on average. As arguably the best bunter on the team Freeman recognizes opportunities given and takes anything to reach base; from there he's able to absolutely wreak havoc on the base paths. Freeman is not the fastest player on the team but his tremendous instincts along with great footwork should allow him to take the role from now departed Jake Fraley as the leader in stolen bases. Even with Cole serving most of his time in the 9 hole a season ago as Mainieri typically likes a strong hitter to "turn the lineup over" this year he'll move to the top of the order. The way this lineup is built it's no surprise he fits in as that perfect 1 or 2 hole hitter. As long as his batting average, on base percentage, and stolen bases are in the top 1/3 of the starting nine then Freeman will be doing everything he’s asked to do offensively. Freeman’s arm is above average where he can consistently makes throws falling away from the bag if he needs to. On defensive his first instincts are good, his glove is advanced, and he makes the routine plays with minimal effort. Besides Kramer I don’t think anyone’s draft stock on this team has soared more than Cole Freeman in the past 18 months; with another impressive year in the SEC I think an MLB team will grab him in the top 12 rounds as easy sign to quickly place in their farm system.

Chris Reid as with first base will back up second, this is where I think Chris naturally fits on the infield given his lack of range defensively.

Mason Templet another heralded freshman will be a fantastic collegiate hitter one day but it may have to wait. Mason’s a corner infielder by trade but may end up as the Tigers 1B in a year or two as Slaughter moves to the left side of the infield. Templet, a natural pull hitter from the left side of the plate, has a very fluid swing and watching him take batting practice is always a treat. Mason’s still rehabbing a shoulder injury from high school football so early in his career if he’s to make an impact with this already deep team it’ll be DH.

My take: With Freeman you’re getting one of the most versatile athletes in the Southeastern Conference who can change the nature of the game in so many ways with his bat, speed on the base paths, as well as a flashy glove. Cole Freeman and Kramer Robertson a year ago turned into quite the tandem up the middle and they’ll become the vocal leaders on the infield. Because I think Freeman has found his natural position he'll continue to thrive as one of the most well rounded players in LSU's lineup and compete for 1st or 2nd team ALL-SEC honors.

Cole Freeman

Power------40
Hitting------60
Speed------70
Fielding----65
Arm---------60

FINAL GRADE: 65

This post was edited on 2/3/17 at 9:09 am

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Posted by Adam4848

Member since Apr 2006

19064 posts

Posted on 2/1/17 at 7:41 am to Adam4848

SHORTSTOP

1) Kramer Robertson Sr. 5’10 168lbs (3)*
2) Josh Smith Fr. 5’10 178lbs (4)
3) Cole Freeman Sr. 5’9 174lbs (8)

Spearheading the middle of the infield alongside Cole Freeman will be Kramer Robertson who returns to LSU after earning First-Team ALL-SEC honors a season ago along with turning down the chance to sign a MLB contract with the Cleveland Indians who took him the 32nd round. The shortstop position isn’t up for competition heading into the spring, but for insurance reasons Josh Smith or Cole Freeman could slide in here without skipping a beat.

Kramer Robertson has taken his lumps in college, had his fair share of offensive struggles during 2014-2015, was a topic of potentially transferring for more playing time, contemplated an offer from the Cleveland Indians, and yet finds himself as potentially the most important piece on this team. There is no question Kramer is the vocal leader in the locker room and when LSU first takes the field and it’s going to be his energy they feed off of. Kramer’s game is eerily similar to that of Cole Freeman and you’ll see plays they make daily that seem to mirror the other. What I’m most excited in regards to Robertson’s offense is the patience he’s steadily developing in the box, he's keeping his hands closer to his body and driving the ball where pitched. I think you’ve seen the game has started to slow down for him and he’s comfortable, he’s taking pitches he wouldn’t in year one and two and because of the compactness of his swing this has yielded great success. Don’t expect a sudden power surge from him, I’m thinking he’ll top out at 4-5 HR’s but he'll contend for the most doubles on the team, I like him anywhere in the 3-5 hole. Like many other players on this year’s team Kramer is tremendously athletic and will be given the green light to steal bags at his discretion where he will be a weapon on the bases. If there is one area I would like to see him improve its aggressiveness on the base paths at times where I think he can steal more bases that what he's shown in the past. It won't ever show up in the box score nevertheless his greatest achievement has been locking down short stop where he's become the quarterback of the defense, become a leader for the freshmen, as well as provide stability in the heart of the order. Due to his frame and lack of power Kramer’s not going to be a top target from any MLB organization this June but you’re aren’t going to find many other collegiate defenders with his arm strength. Kramers greatest tool is arm strength where he'll make accurate throws from anywhere in the infield at anytime with his glove being above average and one of the best in the SEC.

Cole Freeman will be able to slide here if need be as well as Josh Smith without losing much defensively, I'll touch more on Smith tomorrow covering third base.

My take: Shortstop will be a strength for LSU in 2017 and where Robertson goes this team will follow. I'm expecting more of the same production out of Kramer as he looks to be protected in this lineup and get his fair share of hittable pitches which bodes well for this excellent fastball hitter. If indeed Robertson finds himself sandwiched between Freeman and Deichmann in the batting order that will spell trouble for opposing pitchers this spring comparable to 2013 with Bregman-Rhymes-Katz.

Kramer Robertson

Power------45
Hitting------60
Speed------65
Fielding----65
Arm---------70

FINAL GRADE: 65

This post was edited on 2/4/17 at 9:46 am

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Posted by crazyLSUfan

LA (Lower Alabama)

Member since Aug 2006

6698 posts

Posted on 2/3/17 at 10:02 am to Adam4848

Adam, is it fair to think Freeman has David Ecstein ceiling? (Not only this year but in terms of pro potential?) Or is that an unfair expectation?

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Posted by Quatre Pot

Member since Jan 2015

1560 posts

Posted on 2/3/17 at 5:11 pm to Adam4848

It's that time again!!
Adam I don't think I ever remember a scout giving a player an 80 rating. What's an example of a player with an 80 tool?? Just curious

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Posted by tigerfan in bamaland