re: Official Adam4848 Baseball Preview Feb 10th (Pro Prospects) *Page 8*

This thread should take off on the 6th(outfield).Good write up Adam.

Somehow, regretfully, I missed these last year. Great job.

Katz impresses me the most of the reserve infielder from watching him in practice and scrimmages. I think he may play more than people think as the season goes on and we need to rest some guys.

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Fall practice. They scrimmage a lot and are open to the public

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Gotcha, thanks.

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I see some talk about the expactations of the younger guys who have never seen the field and different players that you're excited about. How do you know about these guys, and how do you know enough about them to predict how they will be in college.

I ask because I would like to follow baseball recruiting more closely and get a feeling for the players before the season starts, I just don't seem to come across much baseball recruiting info or anything.

Great job on the write ups so far Adam.

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Great question...Predictions I make about the younger guys tend to be based off how hard they were recruited throughout highschool, if MLB teams made an effort to scout them, how they did in fall practices. In baseball everybody usually has a shot to contribute as a freshman, at least getting a couple at bats or innings to prove his worth.

Going to scrimmages before the season really opens you up to see how these newcomers interact and perform with the guys they will be playing with and practicing everyday. As always thanks everyone for the compliments.

HEIGHT: 5-11
WEIGHT: 185

Shortstop
Austin Nola (So.)*
Matt Fury (Fr.)
Mike Lowery (Jr.)%

Every time you see Austin Nola field a ground ball going up the middle and make an almost impossible throw you would think you were looking at a reiging All-American shortstop. Truth is Nola only has a half a season under his belt and was slated to be the backup Shortstop last year when Mainieri made a crucial lineup switch in mid April of last year; moving Austin Nola into the lineup, LeMahieu to second base, and Schimpf to the outfield. As soon as Austin was inserted double plays began to be made on a regular basis something that built confidence into the pitchers. Although Nola hit an ugly .240 last year he did make solid contact on many balls that just never found holes. In the regional’s last year he had the two biggest hits; the first one that broke open the game against Southern University and a single that drove in the winning run vs. Baylor. He will have to improve his on base percentage as well solidifying himself as a true hitter unless he wants to hit at the bottom of the order for the second year in a row. Nevertheless I have full confidence when Austin is on the field because one thing he does not do is fold under pressure which includes having the best arm on this ball club. Matt Fury the lone walk-on will be one of the primary backup's in case of injury due to the redshirting of Mike Lowery, a JUCO infielder, who is out the season with a back injury.
Grade: B-

Austin Nola
Hitting------3
Arm----------5
Fielding-----4
Speed-------4
Power- -----2

Grading Scale 1-Poor 2-‘’ 3-Average 4-‘’ 5-As good as it gets

I honestly see him at 6-7 in the lineup if Mainieri wants Watkins and Landry at 1 and 2. LSU's lineup under Mainieri always has a 9 hole hitter who has good pop just to put pressure on the opposing pitchers; whether or not it's Nola, Delatte, Hanover, or even Landry remains to be seen.

1.Watkins
2.Landry
3.Dean
4.Gibbs
5.Mahtook
6.Gaudet
7.Nola
8.Delatte
9.Hanover

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You know, after I posted it, I was thinking that I was comparing it to Majors level. Overrated is the wrong term. Gibbs is my favorite, fwiw.

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You could have said, "referencing Gibbs behind the plate: He is money."

Nola batted 2nd yesterday behind watkins. Hanover was cleanup behind dean. All looked good.

Pitching was pathetic though from Garrett.

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Great question...Predictions I make about the younger guys tend to be based off how hard they were recruited throughout highschool, if MLB teams made an effort to scout them, how they did in fall practices. In baseball everybody usually has a shot to contribute as a freshman, at least getting a couple at bats or innings to prove his worth.

Going to scrimmages before the season really opens you up to see how these newcomers interact and perform with the guys they will be playing with and practicing everyday. As always thanks everyone for the compliments.

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Thanks for clearing that up Adam, ready for the season to start and hearing your thoughts on how the team progresses as well as seeing everyone in the G threads.