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Message
re: Baseball Preview: 2020 Season (Feb 10th - Pro Prospects & SEC Predictions)
Posted on 2/1/20 at 7:25 am to Adam4848
Posted on 2/1/20 at 7:25 am to Adam4848
SHORTSTOP
1) Hal Hughes Jr. 5’11 178lbs (3)
2) Zach Arnold Fr. 6’2 197lbs (2)
3) Collier Cranford Fr. 6’0 186lbs (16)
Hal Hughes by all accounts will begin the season as LSU’s starting shortstop. Hal may only be remembered for one thing during his career but he has a big opportunity on a big stage to right the ship so to speak. Zach Arnold who is dealing with a lingering rib injury won’t be available until right before conference play, he figures to be the main competition along with Collier Cranford. Zach Mathis would be an emergency fill in but would require major shuffling of the infield.
Hal Hughes was brought to LSU as a defense first infielder. In all honesty he did a serviceable job as a freshman in a position he had no business being apart of. The hope was that would springboard into his sophomore year…which didn’t pan out. Hughes by trade is a singles only hitter where he’ll run a couple in the gap on occasion. I’ve seen Eddie Smith working with him one on one and he appears to be focusing on driving the ball up the middle of the infield with each at bat. This approach lends the best possible outcome as Hughes has above average speed to beat some driven balls in the ground from time to time. The walks, HBP, singles, essentially anything need to start improving because an average of 0.200 and OBP % sub 0.300 are going to get the coaches scrambling to look at different infield lineups. Hal’s glove is steadily becoming a plus plus tool and his arm has always been great from the left side of the infield. Hal has played every position on the infield except first base and has the ability to shift at any time depending on the situation. I’ve always been really high on his defense and it’s the reason he’s starting right now.
Zach Arnold is a kid that kind of flew under the radar for a bunch of collegiate and MLB teams. An injury took him out for the entirety of his sophomore season in high school and because of this didn’t get invited to as many showcases. He’s got a very nice frame for a middle infielder and is still growing so he may be a real power threat later in his career. Speed is slightly above average. He makes hard contact and on occasion will run some out although he’s more of a live drive hitter right now. He’s shown soft hands and the ability to field both SS and 3B in the short time he’s been healthy. Zach’s had a bit of bad luck thus far and injuries have taken him out basically the entirety of fall and thus far in spring. To be blunt he’s really behind because of this and it’s going to take some time knocking off the rust when he gets back in a month. Depending on how well the rest of the infield is doing along with Hal Hughes will determine how fast or how slow they can ease him in. Not many kids redshirt at big time programs especially with the MLB draft and for that reason I don’t think Arnold will...a lot depends on how fast he’s able to adjust to the college game with little to no practice. He’s a definite late bloomer but was a tremendous sign late in the process after Christian Cairo decided to go pro with the Indians. He may be one of the steals of this signing class we look back on in 2-3 years.
Collier Cranford who I highlighted on with other positions is a guy that has taken some reps here and adds depth. Has a great arm and may become a defensive replacement later this year.
My take: There are holes offensively with this group and it remains to be seen how well LSU can mask this in the short term. With that being said Hughes is a very advanced defender and at a position where it is essential during SEC play. As crazy as it sounds there’s the possibility that Hal will blossom and follow the path Kramer Robertson did in 2016…while not as explosive. LSU doesn’t need Hughes to hit 0.300 but his at bats must be more productive at the bottom of the order. He's got one of the better gloves in the SEC but I can’t give the position anything over an average grade for now with Hughes inconsistency’s at the plate and Arnold in all likely not being able to play live ball till conference play. Collier Cranford in all likelihood could see some starts early during non conference play to give the coaches a new look if they see fit.
Hal Hughes
Power------40
Hitting------40
Speed------55
Fielding----70
Arm---------70
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Zach Arnold
Collier Cranford
POSITION LOSSES:
Josh Smith
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 50
1) Hal Hughes Jr. 5’11 178lbs (3)
2) Zach Arnold Fr. 6’2 197lbs (2)
3) Collier Cranford Fr. 6’0 186lbs (16)
Hal Hughes by all accounts will begin the season as LSU’s starting shortstop. Hal may only be remembered for one thing during his career but he has a big opportunity on a big stage to right the ship so to speak. Zach Arnold who is dealing with a lingering rib injury won’t be available until right before conference play, he figures to be the main competition along with Collier Cranford. Zach Mathis would be an emergency fill in but would require major shuffling of the infield.
Hal Hughes was brought to LSU as a defense first infielder. In all honesty he did a serviceable job as a freshman in a position he had no business being apart of. The hope was that would springboard into his sophomore year…which didn’t pan out. Hughes by trade is a singles only hitter where he’ll run a couple in the gap on occasion. I’ve seen Eddie Smith working with him one on one and he appears to be focusing on driving the ball up the middle of the infield with each at bat. This approach lends the best possible outcome as Hughes has above average speed to beat some driven balls in the ground from time to time. The walks, HBP, singles, essentially anything need to start improving because an average of 0.200 and OBP % sub 0.300 are going to get the coaches scrambling to look at different infield lineups. Hal’s glove is steadily becoming a plus plus tool and his arm has always been great from the left side of the infield. Hal has played every position on the infield except first base and has the ability to shift at any time depending on the situation. I’ve always been really high on his defense and it’s the reason he’s starting right now.
Zach Arnold is a kid that kind of flew under the radar for a bunch of collegiate and MLB teams. An injury took him out for the entirety of his sophomore season in high school and because of this didn’t get invited to as many showcases. He’s got a very nice frame for a middle infielder and is still growing so he may be a real power threat later in his career. Speed is slightly above average. He makes hard contact and on occasion will run some out although he’s more of a live drive hitter right now. He’s shown soft hands and the ability to field both SS and 3B in the short time he’s been healthy. Zach’s had a bit of bad luck thus far and injuries have taken him out basically the entirety of fall and thus far in spring. To be blunt he’s really behind because of this and it’s going to take some time knocking off the rust when he gets back in a month. Depending on how well the rest of the infield is doing along with Hal Hughes will determine how fast or how slow they can ease him in. Not many kids redshirt at big time programs especially with the MLB draft and for that reason I don’t think Arnold will...a lot depends on how fast he’s able to adjust to the college game with little to no practice. He’s a definite late bloomer but was a tremendous sign late in the process after Christian Cairo decided to go pro with the Indians. He may be one of the steals of this signing class we look back on in 2-3 years.
Collier Cranford who I highlighted on with other positions is a guy that has taken some reps here and adds depth. Has a great arm and may become a defensive replacement later this year.
My take: There are holes offensively with this group and it remains to be seen how well LSU can mask this in the short term. With that being said Hughes is a very advanced defender and at a position where it is essential during SEC play. As crazy as it sounds there’s the possibility that Hal will blossom and follow the path Kramer Robertson did in 2016…while not as explosive. LSU doesn’t need Hughes to hit 0.300 but his at bats must be more productive at the bottom of the order. He's got one of the better gloves in the SEC but I can’t give the position anything over an average grade for now with Hughes inconsistency’s at the plate and Arnold in all likely not being able to play live ball till conference play. Collier Cranford in all likelihood could see some starts early during non conference play to give the coaches a new look if they see fit.
Hal Hughes
Power------40
Hitting------40
Speed------55
Fielding----70
Arm---------70
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Zach Arnold
Collier Cranford
POSITION LOSSES:
Josh Smith
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 50
This post was edited on 2/4/20 at 9:38 pm
4
Posted on 2/1/20 at 7:25 am to Adam4848
THIRD BASE
1) Zack Mathis Jr. 5’8 188lbs (17)
2) Collier Cranford Fr. 6’0 186lbs (16)
3) Hal Hughes Jr. 5’11 178lbs (3)
4) Cade Doughty Fr. 6’1 201lbs (4)
Another late addition to the signing class a year ago and it looks like it could be one of those diamonds in the rough. Zack Mathis may look strangely similar to now departed Chris Reid when fans see him step into the box for the first time but that’s about where the comparisons stop. Mathis thus far has taken the third base job by storm and I can say confidently has earned himself a starting spot somewhere in this lineup. Behind him Cranford, Hughes, and Doughty are all possibilities.
Zack Mathis out of San Joaquin Delta College in California was a 39th round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins however elected to attend LSU in the hopes of starting on the infield for the Tigers. Mainieri has raved about him time and time again and has said he spends more time in batting cages than anyone he can remember in recent memory. Zack from the left side of the plate maintains a low center of gravity does an excellent job keeping his hands in bringing the bat level through the zone consistently. Very advanced pitch recognition and very rarely do you see him reaching for anything. One thing I've admired is his ability to go with something if given, very rarely has he been rolling over anything. He’s one of those volume hitters that will pound out singles and doubles in bunches. His bat has yielded more power than I honestly would have thought at this point in his career but the exit velocities off his bat don’t lie. Mainieri has a quote in Mathis bio saying he saw glimpses of Ryan Schimpf and I’m now starting to see why. Speed is slightly lower than a plus tool…23 stolen bases in two years of JUCO may translate to a few here or there while at LSU but he’s not a going to light it up running in a straight line. I like his glove at third thus far and he looks more comfortable where the position doesn’t require a rangy athlete. Because of his bat he becomes an option at SS if Mainieri wants to get another hitter in the lineup.
Collier Cranford is someone who I’ve highlighted at other positions. He’s an option to slide to 3B defensively if needed.
Hal Hughes is someone who I’ve highlighted at other positions. He’s an option to slide to 3B defensively if needed.
Cade Doughty I don't seeing playing 3B if he’s not able to handle 2B however it’s still an option if and when because they love his potential and is one of those high ceiling type athletes.
My take: There’s defensive depth to slide here where needed. I think if there’s a long term backup Cade Doughty or Collier Cranford seem to be best fit, both are different type players who could give the coaches two different options. In the lineup Mathis has currently been working in the three hole and anytime a first year player finds himself in that spot there is major confidence behind that decision. His approach plays perfectly to sit in the two or three hole and will become one of those high OBP% type bats. Realistically he should be protected in the order and is someone that teams have limited scouting reports on so I could seem him exploding onto the scene in 2020 if things work out for him. Sometimes you hit on JUCO players and Mathis appears to be that next great transfer. When I grade the overall position I would rate it higher if there was more experience in the depth chart but that may be nitpicky.
Zack Mathis
Power------65
Hitting------70
Speed------55
Fielding----50
Arm---------55
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Zack Mathis
Collier Cranford
Cade Doughty
POSITION LOSSES:
Chris Reid
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 60
1) Zack Mathis Jr. 5’8 188lbs (17)
2) Collier Cranford Fr. 6’0 186lbs (16)
3) Hal Hughes Jr. 5’11 178lbs (3)
4) Cade Doughty Fr. 6’1 201lbs (4)
Another late addition to the signing class a year ago and it looks like it could be one of those diamonds in the rough. Zack Mathis may look strangely similar to now departed Chris Reid when fans see him step into the box for the first time but that’s about where the comparisons stop. Mathis thus far has taken the third base job by storm and I can say confidently has earned himself a starting spot somewhere in this lineup. Behind him Cranford, Hughes, and Doughty are all possibilities.
Zack Mathis out of San Joaquin Delta College in California was a 39th round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins however elected to attend LSU in the hopes of starting on the infield for the Tigers. Mainieri has raved about him time and time again and has said he spends more time in batting cages than anyone he can remember in recent memory. Zack from the left side of the plate maintains a low center of gravity does an excellent job keeping his hands in bringing the bat level through the zone consistently. Very advanced pitch recognition and very rarely do you see him reaching for anything. One thing I've admired is his ability to go with something if given, very rarely has he been rolling over anything. He’s one of those volume hitters that will pound out singles and doubles in bunches. His bat has yielded more power than I honestly would have thought at this point in his career but the exit velocities off his bat don’t lie. Mainieri has a quote in Mathis bio saying he saw glimpses of Ryan Schimpf and I’m now starting to see why. Speed is slightly lower than a plus tool…23 stolen bases in two years of JUCO may translate to a few here or there while at LSU but he’s not a going to light it up running in a straight line. I like his glove at third thus far and he looks more comfortable where the position doesn’t require a rangy athlete. Because of his bat he becomes an option at SS if Mainieri wants to get another hitter in the lineup.
Collier Cranford is someone who I’ve highlighted at other positions. He’s an option to slide to 3B defensively if needed.
Hal Hughes is someone who I’ve highlighted at other positions. He’s an option to slide to 3B defensively if needed.
Cade Doughty I don't seeing playing 3B if he’s not able to handle 2B however it’s still an option if and when because they love his potential and is one of those high ceiling type athletes.
My take: There’s defensive depth to slide here where needed. I think if there’s a long term backup Cade Doughty or Collier Cranford seem to be best fit, both are different type players who could give the coaches two different options. In the lineup Mathis has currently been working in the three hole and anytime a first year player finds himself in that spot there is major confidence behind that decision. His approach plays perfectly to sit in the two or three hole and will become one of those high OBP% type bats. Realistically he should be protected in the order and is someone that teams have limited scouting reports on so I could seem him exploding onto the scene in 2020 if things work out for him. Sometimes you hit on JUCO players and Mathis appears to be that next great transfer. When I grade the overall position I would rate it higher if there was more experience in the depth chart but that may be nitpicky.
Zack Mathis
Power------65
Hitting------70
Speed------55
Fielding----50
Arm---------55
POSITION ADDITIONS:
Zack Mathis
Collier Cranford
Cade Doughty
POSITION LOSSES:
Chris Reid
POSITION OVERALL GRADE: 60
This post was edited on 2/5/20 at 7:27 am
Posted on 2/4/20 at 7:14 am to Adam4848
delete
This post was edited on 2/4/20 at 7:15 am
Posted on 2/4/20 at 7:14 am to Adam4848
delete
This post was edited on 2/4/20 at 7:15 am
Posted on 2/4/20 at 3:45 pm to Adam4848
I don’t think Hal has 70 throw. More like 60
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