re: Fall Baseball Stats through 10 Scrimmages

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Is Guidry the opening day SS with Merrifield at 2B? Seems like Thompson is getting a strong push from these guys.

Before fall I thought Guidry might beat out Thompson at SS but Thompson would start at 2B. Now I’m not so sure.

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You cant take anything from this really right now in terms of who starts down the road.

One thing to remember in all this is how Jay looks at Thompson. Jay likes him regardless of what a lot of people think. He consistently comments how Thompson is one of the most clutch hitters on the team and seems to come through when the big hit is needed. He has said that multiple interviews. I don't think stats in the fall will make a difference in the starting SS spot. It is Thompson's to lose and I think Guidry will have to be a lot better to take the SS position in the spring.

LSUBaseballData
@LSUBaseballData
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21h
TOP TRACKMAN EXIT SPEEDS FROM TODAY'S SCRIMMAGE:

Tommy White 110.9 mph
Tommy White 109.3 mph
Dylan Crews 107.6 mph
Jared Jones 107.0 mph
Tre Morgan 106.1 mph
Brayden Jobert 105.8 mph
Gavin Dugas 105.2 mph
Brayden Jobert 103.9 mph
Josh Pearson 103.5 mph
Brady Neal 103.2 mph

Skenes- 98mph 17K
Floyd- 96mph 15K
Taylor- 98mph 14K

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I get it. We can't just keep talking about his toughness and clutchness and talent if it's not helping win baseball games consistently. By contrast, Thompson was actually so bad on defense at the start of the season that he cost us baseball games, cost us pitches with guys that didn't need to be taxed.

Again, I get it. And I hope somebody steps up at SS, be it Thompson or someone else, but we can't keep talking about Thompson's potential in year 3. It's time to be that guy consistently or use somebody else. We didn't have anybody else last year.

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at the end of the year he was helping win games though. Thompson got better and better as the year went on.

Now guidry is very very talented and could potentially take it by the end of the year but its not going to be easy.

I don't think I recall saying, "Good thing we have Jordan Thompson or else we would've lost that game." I do agree that he settled down as the season progressed, and and he has gotten better season over season, too. I guess I just don't see him as entrenched as what most do. Again, I hope whoever is the SS gets the job done.

ETA: And to the point about Jay loving him, he loved him so much he was bringing in White, Pineda, Young, and asked Dugas to come back to play infield with Guidry also signed.

Of course there is real possibility of both playing with the loser of the SS position moving to 2b. If they both play I would think the better glove goes to SS and that might be Guidry but too early to say.

I'm equally unsure. I see what Jay sees, but it just hasn't really done anything more than flashed at times. Big power, but you only see it a handful of times per season. Looks real good going the other way, at times, but other times just waves at the outside half of the zone. Heady player most of the time but, at times, you wonder if he's ever played baseball before when it comes to pitch selection, movements, just general decision making. Big arm, but struggles with making the throw so it doesn't really even matter. Moves like a cat at SS but kicks balls right at him.

I think Thompson was in the lead, after missing on Pineda and Young. I don't think he's in the lead anymore. Guidry may have to separate some more for Jay to feel comfortable with a freshman there, but Thompson is behind right now.

But, yes, it is still very early.

Something I've loosely been following, too, is what combinations show up most. I can't say for certain, but I believe Morgan, Dugas, Guidry, and White have been more consistent than any other infield combo. Whether that means anything, who knows. Last year, Jay tried to keep the teams balanced. It's looked different this year. He seems to be looking at combinations, and hitter/pitcher matchups to make sure they all see everybody.

You don't have to worry about keeping it even when the drop off at most positions is thin. Ruddell is a B guy, leading everyone in hitting. In the middle infield and behind the plate, they each have some kind of trade off whether they are A or B that could make them an A guy. I think it's about seeing what fits best now. And, I think alot of combinations will fit, especially when considering R/L combinations, Skenes on the bump or at DH, etc.