re: Baseball Preview 2026 Edition (Feb 10th - Pro Prospects and SEC Predictions)

Nitpicking a bit here Adam. But I would have rated Curiel’s hitting 75+. Also would rate Brown 70 on speed. He can really gallop and I personally thought it was pretty evident that he was faster than Curiel. Just my opinion. Love the thread as always!

Jay shut down the radar readings in the scrimmages due to the mph’s being posted online. The reporting of those almost certainly originated here at some point.

Jay said he doesn't look at the internet but one of his coaches brought it to his attention.

Chat GPT:

Here’s a position-by-position comparison of the preseason expectations from the tigerdroppings.com Adam4848 thread vs. how those positions actually played out for the 2025 LSU Tigers baseball season (with real statistical/usage data from the season) — organized by key units (offense, defense, pitching):

? 1. Catcher (C)

Preseason Preview Expectations (Adam4848 / fan posts):

Cade Arrambide was noted as a top freshman catching prospect.

Fans speculated some catching competition with maybe veteran transfers or Arrambide taking early innings.

Actual 2025 Outcome:

Luis Hernandez emerged as the primary everyday catcher, starting ~49 games with solid offense.

Arrambide played significant backup time (~19 starts) but was not the full-time catcher.

Key Difference:
Preseason hype focused on Arrambide’s prospect status; in reality Hernandez led the position for most of the season.

? 2. Infield (1B, 2B, 3B, SS)
Position Preseason Prediction Actual 2025 Starter / Performance
1B Jared Jones expected to be middle-of-order bat Jared Jones started and hit effectively, anchoring first base.
2B Fans mentioned middle infield with Mic Paul / Milam possibilities Daniel Dickinson was the everyday 2B starter.
3B Left open / mixed speculation Michael Braswell III (and occasionally Tanner Reaves) at third base.
SS Expected solid production (Milam projected) Steven Milam was full-time shortstop, playing all games.

Key Differences:

Preseason chatter had uncertainty about some infield roles; LSU locked in a consistent starting infielder group all season.

Dickinson and Braswell were more established hitters than some preseason fans anticipated.

? 3. Outfield
Outfield Spot Preseason Talk Actual 2025 Usage & Performance
LF Derek Curiel expected to be a core freshman bat / star prospect. Curiel was the regular left fielder, hit around .345 and led team in many offensive categories.
CF Chris Stanfield projected due to speed/population in thread. Chris Stanfield predominantly started in center, consistent presence.
RF Some speculation about RF depth Jake Brown became primary right fielder.
DH / Role Not a big focus Ethan Frey was a significant DH hitting over .331 with power and run production.

Key Differences:

Curiel & Stanfield met or exceeded expectations, with Curiel playing like a bona-fide impact bat.

Ethan Frey’s breakout as a key power bat (DH) wasn’t a major preseason prediction but became a defining role.

?? 4. Pitching Staff
Weekend Rotation
Role Preseason View Actual 2025 Results
Friday Ace Pitching depth talked about with Anderson, Eyanson Kade Anderson was true #1 starter and postseason star.
Saturday / Sunday Eyanson & Shores mentioned as rotation pieces. Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores contributed heavily.
Midweek / Depth Some talk of Schmidt, Rizy etc. as young arm prospects. Depth was used situationally (Schmidt, Cowan, Ware, Noot, Evans making spot starts).

Key Differences:

Preseason: rotation was projected on paper with Anderson/Eyanson.

Reality: rotation delivered real wins, with Anderson earning national honors and efficient innings throughout.

?? 5. Bench / Role Players

Preseason:

Fans hoped freshmen like Arrambide, Casan Evans, Mikey Ryan, Rizy, Costello might contribute as bench/role players.

Actual Impact:

Some freshman roles did materialize, but veterans and transfers played the major reps.

Freshmen were present, but consistent playing time remained with established starters.

?? Summary of Differences by Position
Unit Preseason Thread Expectation Season Reality
Catcher Freshman Arrambide breakout Veteran Hernandez led with Arrambide backing up
Infield Some uncertainty Defined, consistent starters (Jones, Dickinson, Milam, Braswell)
Outfield Curiel + Stanfield expected Curiel & Stanfield starred; Brown filled RF; Frey emerged as key bat
DH / Extra Hits Less discussed Frey became one of LSU’s best hitters
Pitching Anderson/Eyanson projected Rotation delivered top performance; Anderson earned national recognition
Bench Depth Highlighted multiple freshmen potentials Bench helped, but main roles went to core veterans

Chat GPT roasting me?

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Pretty damn solid Job, Adam! Thanks for all the insights. I enjoy reading!

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Thank you!

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Chat GPT roasting me?

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That's how you know you made it

I'd put Stanfields speed higher than his fielding. His speed allowed him to make up for some poor judgements last year in CF

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Mic Paul in the infield? Quite the expected hallucination

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I heard one big ten preview podcast this year where a guy said Mic Paul would a good utility player getting reps in the outfield and at 2B for Washington. So it’s not just AI that doesn’t know shite, it’s the people trying to act like they cover college baseball.

Hard to ignore what Braun is doing this spring. Just look at the stats posted by Ballhog above. He's hitting for average and power.

Plenty of options here. The four you mentioned, Arrambide as mentioned and either Dardar or Reaves.

It would be nice to see that position emerge as a strength.

Schmidt went on a different level this weekend. After 3 walks in his first inning, he came back and dominated
If he can duplicate that, he will be in the rotation.
We know what Evans can do but so far this fall and spring we haven't seen it.
Moore has been really good fall and spring but he did fade in the fifth inning this weekend.
I know Jay would love to have a lefty in the rotation. Even if Williams doesn't start, he's going to be a weapon.
I'm just a big fan of Noot. I'm real curious what role he carves out this season.