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Examining the three in-season moves Paul Mainieri made — and the one he didn’t
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:23 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:23 am
https://www.tigerrag.com/analysis-how-the-west-was-won/
Move 1 | Inserting Zach Watson in center field | Date: March 9
Watson has been a revelation in center field since taking over during the final weekend of non-conference play. His effortless range in every direction has saved countless extra-base hits and made LSU’s outfield defense, an early-season issue, a quantifiable strength.
Watson has also emerged as a force offensively as his rookie season has progressed. Between his speed and “wiry” strength — listed at just 166 pounds, he belted four home runs this season — Watson has become a second leadoff hitter of sorts for LSU in the No. 9 hole.
Move 2 | Moving Zack Hess to the Bullpen | Date: April 3
There’s no question Newman’s hasty return was a much-needed stroke of good fortune, but Mainieri’s controversial decision to move Hess from midweek starter to setup man transformed LSU’s relief corps into a force to be reckoned with.
LSU wouldn’t have won the SEC without Hess in the bullpen. Hess posted a 3-0 record and one save while pitching to a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings. He struck out 21 while opponents hit just .179 against him. LSU’s top two late-inning guys have allowed just three earned runs across 28 innings of work in SEC play. There’s at least four league games LSU wouldn’t have won without Hess’ efforts in relief.
Move 3 | Nick Coomes supplanting Jake Slaughter at first base | Date: April 11
Nobody came close to filling the void left when All-SEC DH Bryce Jordan went down in preseason camp with a knee injury. Eventually Coomes hit his way into the conversation, but Mainieri had to find a position for the backup catcher. When Slaughter, the struggling freshman first baseman, committed two defensive lapses that created such an opening.
The coach told Coomes to give first base a shot before the Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic. He’s been there ever since. Coomes finished SEC play hitting .284 with 11 RBI and a team-high seven doubles. He’s also proved himself to be a more-than-serviceable first baseman defensively. His emergence solidified LSU’s regular starting unit.
Move 4 | Not benching Mike Papierski
Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make. Calls to bench Papierski crescendoed as his batting average hoovered around the Mendoza Line (.200) for much of the season. With the offense as a whole struggling, many outside the program wanted Coomes or Jordan Romero, considered more powerful hitters, inserted behind the plate.
LSU’s pitchers have total faith in his ability to block balls in the dirt and he shuts down an opposing running game with his arm. Papierski threw out 21 would-be base stealers this season, three more than any other backstop in the SEC.
Mainieri said “He’s going to do all the dirty work that you need to be a good team. When he hits, it’s a bonus.”
As one assistant coach put it, despite the fact that 99 percent of people wouldn’t understand why, a case can be made Papierski had been LSU’s MVP this season. Any offense the switch hitter provided along the way would literally be gravy. - This guy obviously knows nothing about baseball - signed THE RANT
Over LSU’s last four SEC series, he’s hit .302 (13-for-43) with four home runs, 12 RBI, nine runs scored and drawn 12 walks. LSU went 11-1 during that span, with him coming through with two game-winning hits.
Papierski finished SEC play hitting .280 and led the team with an on-base percentage of .460. His four home runs and .467 slugging percentage in league play are second only to Deichmann.
Move 1 | Inserting Zach Watson in center field | Date: March 9
Watson has been a revelation in center field since taking over during the final weekend of non-conference play. His effortless range in every direction has saved countless extra-base hits and made LSU’s outfield defense, an early-season issue, a quantifiable strength.
Watson has also emerged as a force offensively as his rookie season has progressed. Between his speed and “wiry” strength — listed at just 166 pounds, he belted four home runs this season — Watson has become a second leadoff hitter of sorts for LSU in the No. 9 hole.
Move 2 | Moving Zack Hess to the Bullpen | Date: April 3
There’s no question Newman’s hasty return was a much-needed stroke of good fortune, but Mainieri’s controversial decision to move Hess from midweek starter to setup man transformed LSU’s relief corps into a force to be reckoned with.
LSU wouldn’t have won the SEC without Hess in the bullpen. Hess posted a 3-0 record and one save while pitching to a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 innings. He struck out 21 while opponents hit just .179 against him. LSU’s top two late-inning guys have allowed just three earned runs across 28 innings of work in SEC play. There’s at least four league games LSU wouldn’t have won without Hess’ efforts in relief.
Move 3 | Nick Coomes supplanting Jake Slaughter at first base | Date: April 11
Nobody came close to filling the void left when All-SEC DH Bryce Jordan went down in preseason camp with a knee injury. Eventually Coomes hit his way into the conversation, but Mainieri had to find a position for the backup catcher. When Slaughter, the struggling freshman first baseman, committed two defensive lapses that created such an opening.
The coach told Coomes to give first base a shot before the Wally Pontiff Jr. Classic. He’s been there ever since. Coomes finished SEC play hitting .284 with 11 RBI and a team-high seven doubles. He’s also proved himself to be a more-than-serviceable first baseman defensively. His emergence solidified LSU’s regular starting unit.
Move 4 | Not benching Mike Papierski
Sometimes the best moves are the ones you don’t make. Calls to bench Papierski crescendoed as his batting average hoovered around the Mendoza Line (.200) for much of the season. With the offense as a whole struggling, many outside the program wanted Coomes or Jordan Romero, considered more powerful hitters, inserted behind the plate.
LSU’s pitchers have total faith in his ability to block balls in the dirt and he shuts down an opposing running game with his arm. Papierski threw out 21 would-be base stealers this season, three more than any other backstop in the SEC.
Mainieri said “He’s going to do all the dirty work that you need to be a good team. When he hits, it’s a bonus.”
As one assistant coach put it, despite the fact that 99 percent of people wouldn’t understand why, a case can be made Papierski had been LSU’s MVP this season. Any offense the switch hitter provided along the way would literally be gravy. - This guy obviously knows nothing about baseball - signed THE RANT
Over LSU’s last four SEC series, he’s hit .302 (13-for-43) with four home runs, 12 RBI, nine runs scored and drawn 12 walks. LSU went 11-1 during that span, with him coming through with two game-winning hits.
Papierski finished SEC play hitting .280 and led the team with an on-base percentage of .460. His four home runs and .467 slugging percentage in league play are second only to Deichmann.
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 12:09 pm
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:33 am to Tiger Ree
Move 5 | Not continuing to try and put Jordan Romero in the lineup
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:34 am to Tiger Ree
He did bench Pap but Romero didn't take advantage. He tried to keep Slaughter at 1B but he didn't take advantage.
The other two were good moves but we can look closer. Watson came in because Breaux didn't take advantage and I think he got hurt. He was next man up and Beau was still getting spot duty. And you also had Duplantis arm injury that we don't know the seriousness of.
The Hess move was out of necessity because, again, people didn't step up and there were three huge injuries, two of them permanent. Bain, Reynolds, Kiel, Norman, Newman and Cartwright.
Look, PM deserves credit. He made good in game decisions left and right. He found the right lineup at the right time no matter how frustrating it is to see it still moving around in May as a fan. That deserves praise. But these specific "moves", when looking at how they played out, aren't nearly as "Nola to SS" as this makes them out to be.
The other two were good moves but we can look closer. Watson came in because Breaux didn't take advantage and I think he got hurt. He was next man up and Beau was still getting spot duty. And you also had Duplantis arm injury that we don't know the seriousness of.
The Hess move was out of necessity because, again, people didn't step up and there were three huge injuries, two of them permanent. Bain, Reynolds, Kiel, Norman, Newman and Cartwright.
Look, PM deserves credit. He made good in game decisions left and right. He found the right lineup at the right time no matter how frustrating it is to see it still moving around in May as a fan. That deserves praise. But these specific "moves", when looking at how they played out, aren't nearly as "Nola to SS" as this makes them out to be.
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 7:36 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:41 am to ell_13
I agree with much of what Ell said. Some of the moves were made out of necessity, and the Coomes for Slaughter move was late in taking place.
I'll add that the most important of all of his moves was "Moving Hess to the Bullpen". I doubted that move when it was made but it 100% improved the back end of the bullpen and I agree with the article in that LSU doesn't win the SEC without Hess pitching late innning pressure situations for LSU. That was a season changing move made by Paul.
I'll add that the most important of all of his moves was "Moving Hess to the Bullpen". I doubted that move when it was made but it 100% improved the back end of the bullpen and I agree with the article in that LSU doesn't win the SEC without Hess pitching late innning pressure situations for LSU. That was a season changing move made by Paul.
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 7:45 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:43 am to Choupique19
There was a definitive turning point with #3.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:45 am to Bayou
Yes, I was just editing my post to add a comment about that.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:47 am to Choupique19
I'm not criticizing PM. But if an article is going to "examine" a move, then examine it.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 7:50 am to ell_13
My intent is to agree that the Hess move was a great call by Paul.
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 7:51 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 8:17 am to Tiger Ree
But he's Les Miles and is stubborn and never makes a change
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 8:17 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 8:20 am to Tiger Ree
quote:
Papierski had been LSU’s MVP this season
Pap was struggling, hitting and on defense.
I'm glad he was able to turn it around. It took longer than expected.
MVP.... why do people constantly label him as the best player on the team?
Pap is a fine catcher however we have guys like Freeman, Deichmann, Lange, and the list goes on.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 8:29 am to Bayou
quote:
There was a definitive turning point with #3.
Agreed
Posted on 5/23/17 at 8:32 am to StickD
quote:
MVP.... why do people constantly label him as the best player on the team?
You would have to find the LSU assistant coach who made the comment and ask him. I'm sure he will change his tune when you explain your thoughts on what he said.
Oh, and welcome to the 99 percent !!!
Posted on 5/23/17 at 8:42 am to Tiger Ree
They need to save MVP talk for after regionals, supers, and Omaha.
It will take multiple MVP's to win each of them.
It will take multiple MVP's to win each of them.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 8:42 am to StickD
quote:MVP =/= Best in many circumstances. And it can be argued that Pap has been our best player the last month.
MVP.... why do people constantly label him as the best player on the team?
Posted on 5/23/17 at 8:52 am to ell_13
Deichmann's slash line with Coomes hitting behind him:
.276/.475/.500
4 HRs, 16 RBI, 22 BB, 13 K in 80 PA. His walk rate goes up 11% but his K rate goes down 2%. So even though he's getting less to swing at, he's not pressing to try to make things happen.
.276/.475/.500
4 HRs, 16 RBI, 22 BB, 13 K in 80 PA. His walk rate goes up 11% but his K rate goes down 2%. So even though he's getting less to swing at, he's not pressing to try to make things happen.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 9:35 am to ell_13
quote:
MVP =/= Best in many circumstances. And it can be argued that Pap has been our best player the last month.
He's a poor man's Ty Ross that his coaches try to convince us is a Brad Cresse. I know you love him, ell (you wanted him over Kade Scivicque years ago), but that's the truth even taking into consideration his hot play.
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 9:36 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 9:44 am to ProjectP2294
We've had 8 different players bat 5th... 9 bat 6th. It's been a struggle.
Going back to the OP. Let's actually examine each move:
1) Zach Watson to CF
- He was definitely NOT on March 9th... there wasn't a game that day.
- This was the Wichita St series, Game 2. In game 1, Breaux was put in CF and Duplantis was moved to LF because of his arm. They tried putting him back in CF, but it's still just too much of a liability out there. Guys were tagging from 2nd to 3rd in balls in the left center.
- Watson was 3-4 in the game with 4 RBI. Damn good start and that earned him the start the next day going 1-3. He had multiple hit games in his next 3 starts before going 0-3 in game 2 vs Georgia.
- So Breaux becomes an afterthought and Beau is competing solely for DH after this because Watson's average never dips below 0.300 bottoming out at 0.306 during the A&M series.
2) Hess to Pen
- This was announced right before the UGA series and most people called it. PM wanted his best available for the SEC and that no longer included Norman (TJ) or Newman (Back). I'd call this one "you do it because you have to". I think if we still had Norman and Newman and one of these 3 relievers had a good year (Reynolds, Bain, Kiel), Hess would still be getting work as a 4th starter.
3/4) Coomes to 1B; Pap stays at C
- I'm lumping these together because I can't talk about Coomes without talking about where we originally had him and why. Also, these two situations are very similar yet took opposite turns.
- PM did everything he could to keep both Pap and Slaughter in the lineup. One turned it around; the other didn't. At the same time pap was finding his swing and proving to everyone he can be the defensive catcher we thought he could be, Slaughter was falling apart at the plate. And while his defense at 1B was beautiful to see, it's not a premium position for defense. We had to find someone who could hit.
- Pap was getting so "bad" at one point that PM was willing to start Romero with a torn rotator. Think about that for a second...
- Coomes started to break out during the Arkansas series and that's when Slaughter lost it. Coomes came in for Pap and was 2-2 in Game 2 (with some huge ABs), 1-4 in game 3 while Slaughter was 1-11 in the series starting all 3 games. The next weekend vs Ole Miss, Coomes was at 1B and basically held on to the spot from there. Although, again, PM tried to get Slaughter involved multiple times.
- Ole Miss was also when Pap's BA bottomed out at 0.197... In the second half of the SEC (15 games), Pap was only 0-fer in 3 of them. He was 15-45 with 17 walks in the last 5 series.
Going back to the OP. Let's actually examine each move:
1) Zach Watson to CF
- He was definitely NOT on March 9th... there wasn't a game that day.
- This was the Wichita St series, Game 2. In game 1, Breaux was put in CF and Duplantis was moved to LF because of his arm. They tried putting him back in CF, but it's still just too much of a liability out there. Guys were tagging from 2nd to 3rd in balls in the left center.
- Watson was 3-4 in the game with 4 RBI. Damn good start and that earned him the start the next day going 1-3. He had multiple hit games in his next 3 starts before going 0-3 in game 2 vs Georgia.
- So Breaux becomes an afterthought and Beau is competing solely for DH after this because Watson's average never dips below 0.300 bottoming out at 0.306 during the A&M series.
2) Hess to Pen
- This was announced right before the UGA series and most people called it. PM wanted his best available for the SEC and that no longer included Norman (TJ) or Newman (Back). I'd call this one "you do it because you have to". I think if we still had Norman and Newman and one of these 3 relievers had a good year (Reynolds, Bain, Kiel), Hess would still be getting work as a 4th starter.
3/4) Coomes to 1B; Pap stays at C
- I'm lumping these together because I can't talk about Coomes without talking about where we originally had him and why. Also, these two situations are very similar yet took opposite turns.
- PM did everything he could to keep both Pap and Slaughter in the lineup. One turned it around; the other didn't. At the same time pap was finding his swing and proving to everyone he can be the defensive catcher we thought he could be, Slaughter was falling apart at the plate. And while his defense at 1B was beautiful to see, it's not a premium position for defense. We had to find someone who could hit.
- Pap was getting so "bad" at one point that PM was willing to start Romero with a torn rotator. Think about that for a second...
- Coomes started to break out during the Arkansas series and that's when Slaughter lost it. Coomes came in for Pap and was 2-2 in Game 2 (with some huge ABs), 1-4 in game 3 while Slaughter was 1-11 in the series starting all 3 games. The next weekend vs Ole Miss, Coomes was at 1B and basically held on to the spot from there. Although, again, PM tried to get Slaughter involved multiple times.
- Ole Miss was also when Pap's BA bottomed out at 0.197... In the second half of the SEC (15 games), Pap was only 0-fer in 3 of them. He was 15-45 with 17 walks in the last 5 series.
This post was edited on 5/23/17 at 9:58 am
Posted on 5/23/17 at 9:50 am to ell_13
quote:
And while his defense at 1B was beautiful to see, it's not a premium position for defense.
I wonder what role Slaughter's defensive prowess played in Kramer taking more chances defensively and whether or not he's KRob is a little more focused/or playing within himself more now that Coomes is there.
It's probably not a huge difference, but we're taking a deep dive in this thread so whatever.
Posted on 5/23/17 at 10:54 am to Tiger Ree
Biggest moves were letting Pap go back hitting switch or left and leaving him in then moving Hess to the bullpen, huge improvements since! But all great points and all have made the difference at the end of the season. I believe they can be even better if the top of the lineup starts swinging they they are capable. GT
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