Examining the three in-season moves Paul Mainieri made — and the one he didn’t

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.