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Meet LSU Baseball's New Starting Shortstop
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:29 am
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:29 am
7
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:30 am to Brbengal
1. He is versatile
Prior to this injury, Hughes was LSU’s backup at shortstop, second base and third base. Mainieri hinted during the preseason that in late-game situations, he favored putting Hughes in at third base and moving third baseman Jake Slaughter to first base to give LSU its best possible defensive lineup.
2. He’s a coach’s son
Hughes is the son of former Virginia Tech and Oklahoma coach Pete Hughes. The elder Hughes won more than 500 games as a head coach, 250 of which came at Boston College, where he often coached against Mainieri, who worked at Notre Dame at the time. Pete now works as an assistant coach at Georgia.
3. His defense isn’t a myth
For his efforts in high school, Hughes was voted the 2017 Oklahoma Defensive Player of the Year. He made just one error during his entire senior season.
4. Where he goes, teams win
Hughes is the winningest player in the history of his high school, leading his program to district championships as a freshman and senior and region championships as a sophomore and junior.
5. He’ll hit near the back of the lineup
Though he hit .360 as a high school senior, Hughes’ bat doesn’t define him. The freshman is more of a spray hitter who will be used for singles and sacrifice bunts, likely from the No. 8 or No. 9 spot in the lineup. Between him and junior college transfer second baseman Brandt Broussard, LSU’s middle infield shouldn’t pack too much of a punch over the next month.
Prior to this injury, Hughes was LSU’s backup at shortstop, second base and third base. Mainieri hinted during the preseason that in late-game situations, he favored putting Hughes in at third base and moving third baseman Jake Slaughter to first base to give LSU its best possible defensive lineup.
2. He’s a coach’s son
Hughes is the son of former Virginia Tech and Oklahoma coach Pete Hughes. The elder Hughes won more than 500 games as a head coach, 250 of which came at Boston College, where he often coached against Mainieri, who worked at Notre Dame at the time. Pete now works as an assistant coach at Georgia.
3. His defense isn’t a myth
For his efforts in high school, Hughes was voted the 2017 Oklahoma Defensive Player of the Year. He made just one error during his entire senior season.
4. Where he goes, teams win
Hughes is the winningest player in the history of his high school, leading his program to district championships as a freshman and senior and region championships as a sophomore and junior.
5. He’ll hit near the back of the lineup
Though he hit .360 as a high school senior, Hughes’ bat doesn’t define him. The freshman is more of a spray hitter who will be used for singles and sacrifice bunts, likely from the No. 8 or No. 9 spot in the lineup. Between him and junior college transfer second baseman Brandt Broussard, LSU’s middle infield shouldn’t pack too much of a punch over the next month.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:31 am to ell_13
He was the defensive player of the year in the Futures Collegiate League in 2017. He played in the Collegiate wooden bat summer league as an incoming freshman competing primarily against guys with college experience.
ETA:
LINK
ETA:
LINK
quote:
The 2017 Futures League Defensive Player of the Year is Hal Hughes (LSU) of the Pittsfield Suns. Hughes had a .964 fielding percentage at shortstop, making just 7 errors in 329 innings played. He had 61 putouts and 124 assists. His fielding percentage was 3rd highest among shortstops. Hughes is going to be a freshman at LSU in the fall.
This post was edited on 2/21/18 at 11:33 am
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:31 am to ell_13
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:33 am to ell_13
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:35 am to ell_13
If he plays well and isn’t just an automatic out, I’d consider leaving him at short and putting Smith back at 3rd when he comes back. Unless Slaughter figures it out, which I am not optimistic about.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:41 am to Hot Carl
I concur
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:44 am to tigerfoot
Puts on TD game face...
How upset is PM that he has to use Hughes now and not save him for later on a la Austin Nola so he can get credit for a "gut feeling"?
How upset is PM that he has to use Hughes now and not save him for later on a la Austin Nola so he can get credit for a "gut feeling"?
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:51 am to ell_13
Lol
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:54 am to ell_13
If the rest of the lineup is hitting I’m perfectly fine with a slightly above .200 hitter playing flawless defense at short.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 11:56 am to Brbengal
I'm not really worried about him defensively. I just hope he can provide some offense. Only time will tell.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:01 pm to Brbengal
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:01 pm to geauxtigers33
Hal is better than a 0.200 hitter, imo.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:02 pm to Hot Carl
It's an interesting thought. That would definitely give us a strong infield defensively. Knowing now that Smith was playing through that injury last weekend it makes sense now. He definitely didn't look comfortable. Maybe just put Smith at 3rd to ease him back into it after the injury.
I hate seeing Smith go down but I'm excited to see what Hughes can do. We know Mainieri puts an emphasis on defense, especially later in the year. That's why I think he might stay in the lineup for good.
I hate seeing Smith go down but I'm excited to see what Hughes can do. We know Mainieri puts an emphasis on defense, especially later in the year. That's why I think he might stay in the lineup for good.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:05 pm to ell_13
If what you say is true, Smith might be a bat looking for a position in the field when he comes back.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:05 pm to ell_13
I actually feel much better about this situation, now.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:06 pm to ell_13
quote:I thought Brandt batted exceptionally well this weekend. Got robbed on a bunt single too
Between him and junior college transfer second baseman Brandt Broussard, LSU’s middle infield shouldn’t pack too much of a punch over the next month.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:15 pm to ProjectP2294
He reminds me of Bregman. Hope he pans out and maybe surprise us a bit with his bat.
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:18 pm to danielcoco11
quote:Is your dad a pilot?
danielcoco11
Posted on 2/21/18 at 12:22 pm to Brbengal
it's not our infield giving up 9 runs/game.
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