Baseball Preview: 2020 Season (Feb 10th - Pro Prospects & SEC Predictions)

CATCHER



1) Saul Garza Jr. 6’3 229 lbs (13)
2) Alex Milazzo Fr. 5’10 185 lbs (20)
3) Hayden Travinksi Fr. 6’3 224 lbs (25)
4) Braden Doughty Jr. 6’1 184lbs (45)

We’re starting to see stability and competition form with the added depth, something that has been a glaring weakness the past two seasons. Saul Garza who was one of the most improved position players over the second half of last season should start the opener. Two highly thought of freshmen step in both possessing entirely different skill sets respectively at the position. Alex Milazzo, a defensive specialist from right up the road in Zachary, and Hayden Travinksi, with MLB type power, out of Shreveport. The addition of both will give the unit instant plug and play guys with minimal limitations as well as flexibility to shift anyone around as needed.

Saul Garza’s last two falls have consisted of surgery in 2018 to repair a meniscus and surgery in 2019 to repair a hyper extended thumb. Because of this limited work prior to last season it was painfully obvious Saul fell behind schedule adjusting to D-1 pitching when he got back. It appears the surgery on the thumb was more a precautionary measure taken by the coaching staff to ensure he would be ready to go for 2020 and he’s at 100% right now. The first time since 2017 LSU will return a starting catcher which typically lends to higher productively on both offense and defense. Garza appears much more confident in the batter’s box thus far this spring. He actually hit over .400 during the final month and a half and against high caliber competition confirming that the talent was there. Because of this late season surge he actually drew interest early in the MLB draft as a draft eligible sophomore and received two offers of over 500k which he turned down to return for his junior season. The frame is what you look for in an everyday catcher and as long as he can continue to refine his glove work behind the plate and eliminate some teachable mistakes from a season ago he’s got the ability to have an ALL-SEC type year. Pop time has been improving with the work he’s put in through last summer and he has an above average arm to stay at the position this year with his bat. Power is a true plus plus tool at the college level and that was shown by multiple opposite field shots during the second half of SEC play in 2019 once he was able to settle in. Saul has such impressive upper body strength, the only thing I worry about is him overanalyzing things at times, the talent is there. He’s a fastball hunter and when he’s able to lay off breaking stuff then pitchers aren’t going to have the ability to overpower him too often. He’s got pure gap to gap power on any swing and could get close to 20 doubles. I don’t think 15/50/0.300 type season is out of the question if he’s in the heart of the order. Speed isn’t great and he’ll never be a threat to steal.

Alex Milazzo appears to be the catcher of the future and Mainieri keeping him on campus last summer jump started that process of grooming him with the current pitching staff. The MLB average pop time for a catcher (time from when the ball hits the catchers mitt to the time it is in the glove of the fielder) is 2.0 seconds. Alex in high school was averaging 1.75 to 1.85 seconds pop time +/- to account for sensitivity. I can’t find a weakness in Milazzo’s defense…the only thing I would change would be to make him 6’2 or 6’3 giving him a little more range. Arm is a plus tool and is accurate on almost every throw that I’ve seen. He’s a definite lock to start a couple games from time to time when Garza needs a break. As a line drive hitter from the right side of the plate I’d like to see him add some power over the next couple of years. He’s a very instinctive runner and above average for a catcher. Mainieri has made an emphasis to recruit and sign defensive minded catchers who can eventually blossom offensively ala Ty Ross, Michael Papierski…Milazzo appears to follow that bloodline. Depending on how the lineup comes together and if there’s another position for Garza elsewhere it shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Milazzo take over full time if the coaches feel he’s necessity behind the plate. The hitting for average needs to do a bit of catching up and that’s the only thing I can think of that would limit playing time while Garza is still on the roster.

Hayden Travinksi is one of the highest rated kids of this freshmen class and was a real threat to sign professionally. Due to signability concerns he passed on offers in day two of the draft in order to attend LSU. Travinksi’s raw power reminds me of Matt Clark ’08 but from the right side of the plate. He’s still a boom or bust guy at the plate…with this being said there’s way too much pop in that bat to ride the bench without being given a couple of starts in February and March before conference play.The presence of a Cabrea/Garza/Beloso/Travinski in the same lineup would give LSU 4 players who could hit the ball out of any park at any time and any weather condition. Because Travinski is slighty behind Milazzo defensively right now I think his fastest path to playing time is at DH/1B for now. It is still uncertain if Transinki’s long term position will be at catcher.

Braden Doughty is now a junior and will serve as the primary bullpen catcher and add depth to the position. He’ll be a typical defensive/pinch runner replacement late in ball games or mop up duty.

My take: I feel much better about the position as a unit than I have since LSU was in the championship series in 2017. Saul Garza needs to take that next step and lead this talented but inexperienced group as he holds the line so to speak for the younger guys as they get more comfortable. There’s plus plus power with Garza and Travinski. Milazzo is a true weapon behind the plate and someone that can limit what other teams do on the base paths. Garza should be a heart of the order type bat and has the potential to exponentially increase his draft stock with a good year against what will be phenomenal competition week in and week out in the SEC.

Saul Garza

Power------70
Hitting------60
Speed------40
Fielding----55
Arm---------65

POSITION ADDITIONS:
Alex Milazzo
Hayden Travinski

POSITION LOSSES:
Brock Mathis

POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 65

This is probably the shortest gap between football and baseball season we have ever seen.

Hell yes! Look forward to this thread all year.

Of all the players you could use to demonstrate an 80....you went zach watson?!

Glad we’re back!

Yes. Yes. Yes.

I’ve only been on this board long enough for 2 Adam previews but this gets me hyped

Thanks Adam!

Awesome work looking forward to all of it! I regret I have but one upvote to give.

Going to be waiting everyday for the next preview like:

Adam, always look forward to your opinions on the team, am I doing something wrong while reviewing? I only see First Base reviews then tag goes blank??