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

HEIGHT:6-7
WEIGHT:230


HEIGHT:6-2
WEIGHT:190


HEIGHT:6-6
WEIGHT:213


HEIGHT:6-2
WEIGHT:224

Starting Pitching
Anthony Ranaudo (Jr.)*
Austin Ross (Jr.)*
Chris Matulis (So.)
Or
Joey Bourgeois (So.)*

In the fall of 2006 Terry Rooney made a trip to New Jersey; it would be a recruiting effort that changes a divisional team into a title contender. Anthony the then 6’7 215 basketball and baseball standout showed flashed on the mound. He was then nicknamed at his high school the “Tower of Power” and pro scouts started swarming to ball games. What Ranaudo didn’t have in high school was the overpowering fastball and steady movement on his off speed pitches which makes him the All-American he is today. The Rangers low balled the 11th round pick in what could be the first college pitcher taken in this year’s draft. After going 12-3 last year with an incredible earned run average Ranaudo has turned into the true dominant Friday night ace. For the second year in a row he will man this position with more experience both in Alex Box and Omaha. Austin Ross is not like the other AR; he doesn’t have an overpowering 96 mph fastball or devastating twelve to six hook. Austin is what makes up the backbone to the staff; he eats up innings and has a decent walk to strike out ratio. In the offseason Ross significantly improved his changeup to give him that outpitch which he struggled so much on last year. With gems he pitched against the likes of Ole Miss, Arkansas, and South Carolina last year he knows he can do it and will be striving to every weekend in succession of Ranaudo. I’m taking a shot in the dark here saying that Daniel Bradshaw will be the go to relief pitcher opening up that third spot. With this it will either be Chris Matulis or Joey Bourgeois. Matulis a 6’6 LHP was an All-American out of high school and was drafted by the Devil Rays before electing to attend college. He got innings early on last season running his fastball up to 91 mph before hitting the freshman wall and not seeing any time in the postseason. Like other pitchers he got back on the mound last summer and flourished hoping that this year will be his coming out party with the amount of potential he has. Bourgeois a RHP with a very sturdy build is a power pitcher, the kind that thrives in Mainieri’s system. Like Verdugo and Martin in 08 if Joey gets out the gate hot and continues to pitch well early on he will find himself as that third starter. Weekday starters…..ehhhh give Ben Alsup and Shane Reidie and we’ll call it a day.
Grade: B+

Anthony Ranaudo
Arm Strength---5
Movement------4
Stamina----------5
Control-----------3


Austin Ross
Arm Strength---4
Movement------2
Stamina----------3
Control-----------4

Chris Matulis
Arm Strength---4
Movement------3
Stamina----------3
Control-----------3

Joey Bourgeois
Arm Strength---4
Movement------3
Stamina----------4
Control-----------4

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

Jordan Rittiner? Redshirt? Thoughts?

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Jordan Rittiner? Redshirt? Thoughts?

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Reliever

Mormann has as much potential as Ranaudo, Matulis, and Reidie all big phyiscal power pitchers. Right now he's just had a bit of control issues and hasn't been on his A game consistently. He's still going to get alot of innings, but definitely not one of LSU's top 3-4 starters right now. Mormann's going to get out of his funk and come on strong as the season progresses.

I think it'll be bourgeois as the 3rd starter with matulis on the weekday rotation along with lasuzzo or mormann/alsup. Mormann has the tools but has been all over the place. I see them letting him work through it a little bit. Lasuzzo has looked great IMO though and I really see him breaking out. He might be another setup guy or closer when ott isn't available if they don't let him start. He is a hard LHP with good control. They really need a weekday guy who can last through 6-7 innings though. Alsup is the only guy with the experience I see to fill that right away. I am still not sold in riedie at all.

Who is redshirting for sure?

Lowery and Garrett are redshirting to the best of my knowledge.

One of the coaches said Luquette will be out till beginning of April, don't know what they plan on doing with him.

Edward would be the only other possiblity, but with limited depth they may have to pull it.

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Lowery and Garrett are redshirting to the best of my knowledge.

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Is this because of the arm trouble that Garrett had last year? I know Lowery has back issues.

I think whether or not Luquette redshirts depends on how Dozar, Didier, and Delatte step up.

i'd like nola at 2 as well. much better contact hitter than landry. good bunter. can execute hit and runs. also wouldn't mind him at 6. landry's speed is so dangerous though. it gives you a chance at having a leadoff caliber guy on even if watkins does not reach base. hanover is another guy that will be in that mix. he is an above average hitter for sure with some nice pop.

I'll get back on the Austin Ross bandwagon. Not so sure about the 2 rating on movement Adam. That would be my only disagreement to what you've posted so far. I look for him to a have a solid 2010. Again, thanks for the hard work. Great posts!!

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In the offseason Ross significantly improved his changeup

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Can't wait to see this. This is going to make all the difference. Great updates. Thanks again.