Mainieri on Off the Bench

Mainieri just gave a pretty good interview on OTB and I'm going to try to give some cliffs for those who didn't listen:

-Expects Duplantis to be the leader of this team. Said he's one of his 10 favorite players he has ever coached. Also thinks Josh Smith will emerge as a leader for this team.

-Smith will likely lead off in the lineup this year.

-Cabrera will likely bat 6th to start the season, but expects him to move into the top 3 next season, if not before. Expects his name to be called early in the draft three or so years from now.

-Slaughter will play 3rd initially. Talked about how he was the man in high school and now that he's in college he's not used to having set backs. Talked about Hal Hughes stepping in if they have any struggles.

-Hess will be a weekend starter. Wishes they could use him as their closer, but referenced him as their best arm and they want to give him the opportunity to be a starter. Said if he doesn't perform at a very high level or has someone else emerge they are open to moving him back to the closer role.

-Has heard that Zach Watson could be a first rounder this coming year in the MLB draft. Said "unfortunately" he's a draft eligible Sophomore.

-Spoke highly of Alan Dunn. Said they may not have multiple guys that can throw 95 like Florida but in Dunn's tenure at LSU they have the lowest ERA of any team in the SEC over that time period. His biggest concern in the fall was pitching and spoke of how the pitching really wasn't that great. Said he's amazed at the improvement his pitchers have shown just in the few weeks they have been back and he's starting to get very excited about the pitching staff. Referenced three freshman that are injured but they will get back (Storz, Vietmiere, and Labas) only making them stronger.

-Cam Sanders will start the season as the mid week starter. Reminds him of Aaron Nola on the mound, said his stuff is very similar. Where Nola has the advantage is his control, though he said Sanders isn't ultra wild and when he keeps it around the zone he's "special." Said if he can consistently hit the zone then he could be a weekend guy.

-Wouldn't reference Ochinko as the hitting coach but then essentially went on to say Ochinko would be the guy without actually saying it. Said they are very fortunate to have a guy waiting that could do the job at a high level.