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re: LSU Baseball Portal Tracker
Posted on 6/16/26 at 8:20 am to mikejsjr0912
Posted on 6/16/26 at 8:20 am to mikejsjr0912
quote:
Ruckert played a lot last year and proved himself worthy.
Ruckert played as much as he did because Dardar wasn’t great in the field (although he technically had a higher fielding percentage than Ruckert). He hasn’t proven himself to be starter worthy yet.
quote:
Jay isn’t going to just shove him to the bench.
He’s going to play the best player
This post was edited on 6/16/26 at 8:26 am
1
Posted on 6/16/26 at 9:11 am to mikejsjr0912
quote:
Ruckert played a lot last year and proved himself worthy.
Ruckert played well for a true freshman and has a nice career ahead of him likely. But what did he prove himself worthy of exactly? A roster spot? Sure. Playing time? Absolutely. A starting gig? Not even. The ‘26 version of Ruckert is not good enough to start on the ‘27 LSU team. He’ll have a chance to develop, make a jump, and win a job.
But unless there’s an injury, Ruckert and Pearson look to be the odd men out on the IF as far as starting jobs go in ‘27. Right now. It will be interesting to see if they decide to stick around and compete and maybe have to wait until ‘28 to start. I sure hope they do—we’ll need guys like them to contribute over the long haul. But they have to do what’s best for them, and they have 2 weeks to have discussions enter the portal. Really hope they stay. But would understand if they don’t.
Posted on 6/16/26 at 9:40 am to Hot Carl
Ruckert needs to acquire a few more gloves.
If Milam has labrum surgery and needs time off at the start of the season, or an odd day here and there pre-conference, Park slides over to short and Ruckert should put himself in a position to play third.
If Kurland has to miss time due to injuries, Ruckert needs to make sure he can step in at 2nd.
He should also be working on learning corner OF in case platoon opportunities arise with him and William Patrick.
Or what if no other CF options assert themselves and they want to try Park out there? Again Ruckert needs to be able to play 3rd.
As a LHH bench bat, he needs to make himself available at every position possible.
If Milam has labrum surgery and needs time off at the start of the season, or an odd day here and there pre-conference, Park slides over to short and Ruckert should put himself in a position to play third.
If Kurland has to miss time due to injuries, Ruckert needs to make sure he can step in at 2nd.
He should also be working on learning corner OF in case platoon opportunities arise with him and William Patrick.
Or what if no other CF options assert themselves and they want to try Park out there? Again Ruckert needs to be able to play 3rd.
As a LHH bench bat, he needs to make himself available at every position possible.
Posted on 6/16/26 at 10:28 am to ProjectP2294
Totally agree. Ruckert could wind up playing as much or more than he did last year. But it’s nit gonna be all at 2nd base. He needs to be a super utility guy like you said. Be able to play 2nd, 3rd, corner OF, SS in a pinch, and be a dependable LHPH that you know is gonna give you a good AB every time he steps in the box,
Posted on 6/16/26 at 9:33 pm to Hot Carl
RHP from USC, Velazquez, committed to the Tigers.
This post was edited on 6/16/26 at 10:08 pm
Posted on 6/16/26 at 9:41 pm to saturncube21
To lsu, was a 3rd/4th starter for usc
Posted on 6/16/26 at 11:34 pm to KingofthePoint
quote:
Ruckert played as much as he did because Dardar wasn’t great in the field
If I'm not mistaken, at least four players played at 2B this year (Dardar, Simpson, Ruckert, and Clauss). Ruckert's PT went up when Dardar got hurt. Jack, arguably, has a higher ceiling than the others.
Ruckert's situation is a microcosm of the college baseball dilemma. As a HC, it's hard to pass up on someone with as much SEC experience as Kurland (and perhaps Dardar last year). OTOH, Ruckert 'lost' valuable reps as a true Fr because Dardar was brought in. Now he'll lose reps as a Soph because Kurland was brought in.
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:31 am to AlwysATgr
thats just the way its going to be unless a guy is a straight stud as a freshman or is at a position that we dont land an upgrade in the portal at.
Posted on 6/17/26 at 11:58 am to AlwysATgr
Tough cycle, but it is the landscape of college baseball. The best path for the college freshman at the premier programs is to drop down a level get valuable experience, play lights out and jump in the portal - get your payday and hit the field at the college of your dreams.
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:05 pm to Hot Carl
Here’s my question. Why does everyone automatically assume the guys from the portal are going to be the everyday starters. How about let everyone compete and whoever performs best wins the job. Guys like Patrick, Pearson, Ruckert all deserve the same opportunity as the portal guys. Put the best 9 on the field, regardless of NIL, and go win the game. That’s what happened in 25, guys competed, if they didn’t win the job they embraced their role and contributed where needed. Guys like Brown, Josh Pearson, Ethan Frey, Braswell and John Pearson. When they didn’t start, they were ready to come in and do a job. Those are High Character Guys.Hope these portal guys are like that this year instead of what we had in 26.
Posted on 6/17/26 at 12:55 pm to johno71
Best path for any freshman should be go where you can play and put up numbers. Period. Very few people are ready to start or contribute heavily at the SEC level as an 18 yo
Posted on 6/17/26 at 1:48 pm to Ballhog52
quote:It's a safe assumption.
Why does everyone automatically assume the guys from the portal are going to be the everyday starters.
Bino Watters will start in the outfield. Wachs will start in the outfield.
Dawson Park will very very likely start in the infield. He is as toolsy as they come and has produced.
Cade Kurland is a 4 year SEC starter. If he's healthy he will very likely start at 2B.
This isn't the Dardar/Carraway/Simpson/Yorke group. This group is all high level draft prospects who have produced against good competition.
quote:We will. The guys we brought in will likely perform the best.
ow about let everyone compete and whoever performs best wins the job.
quote:And they'll get it, but none of shown, thus far in their college careers, that they deserve PT over the guys we brought in.
Guys like Patrick, Pearson, Ruckert all deserve the same opportunity as the portal guys.
Posted on 6/17/26 at 2:12 pm to PP7 for heisman
hope all of them including ruckert, patrick, pearson, and yamin will get the ABs to hit at least 1 home run 
Posted on 6/17/26 at 3:24 pm to Teauxler
Is Curiel staying at LSU?
Posted on 6/17/26 at 3:52 pm to MelGibsonPatriotGif
Not likely, but if he does, game changer. He would make the batting lineup unbeatable.
Posted on 6/17/26 at 8:15 pm to TigerMac81
Going pro? Or transferring?
Posted on 6/17/26 at 8:17 pm to MelGibsonPatriotGif
85% chance he goes pro
14.95% chance he returns
0.05% he transfers
14.95% chance he returns
0.05% he transfers
Posted on 6/17/26 at 9:56 pm to csorre1
I don't know what position Ruckert may wind up playing, but after watching his stroke at the plate, I think I want him in the lineup. I love his stroke and with some more strength in the offseason, i have hopes of him being like Curiel this year. I may be wrong, but I like the kid.
Posted on 6/18/26 at 7:07 am to Teauxler
Can the OP post where guys leaving LSU are going?
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