LSU Baseball tries to eliminate stolen bases.

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Opponents last year went 92 for 106 on stolen base attempts against LSU, the highest successful percentage (86.79) in the Southeastern Conference. Throws to second or third base often arrived too late.

The previous LSU teams under coach Paul Mainieri had allowed a 69.77% average on stolen base attempts. Mainieri and the players believed the pitching staff, catchers and infielders needed to work together to fix the problem.

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LSU focused on throwing out runners throughout the offseason. Catchers tried to improve their footwork and accuracy. Pitching coach Alan Dunn emphasized disrupting the timing of the runner. The pitchers varied their looks and tempo, and the catchers threw down to first base more often during scrimmages. 

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Alex Milazzo signed with LSU last summer. The four-year starter from Zachary excited the coaching staff before he reached campus because of his defensive ability. Mainieri estimated he threw out eight runners during fall practice. He might be LSU’s best defensive catcher on the roster.
“Probably throws better than any catcher I've had here at LSU,” Mainieri said.

As the season begins, Milazzo will split time — Mainieri said about “50/50” — at catcher with returning starter Saul Garza.

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The Tigers want to protect Garza and give Milazzo experience. Garza missed fall practice after surgery to repair his left thumb, which hyperextended on Garza’s second day in the Cape Cod Baseball League. LSU tried to let the thumb heal on its own, but soreness had persisted for two months when he underwent surgery in September. 

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Slowed by a torn meniscus, Garza finished last season as one of LSU’s most productive hitters, batting .303 with 27 RBIs and five home runs. The majority of his production came near the end of the schedule. He batted .415 (32 of 77) over his last 21 games.

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