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Started By
Message
Reflections from the 1st weekend of SEC ball
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:46 pm
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:46 pm
just some notes i took from the weekend
HITTING
- Neal & Pearson both looked comfortable vs LHP. Listening to Schlossnagle postgame, you got the sense that he thought the LHP would bother LSU more than it did.
They combined to go 4-9 vs LHP, & drew 5BB(!!) in the process.
- Jared Jones; not so fast my friend with all the Beloso talk. After a 7RBI Saturday, came back Sunday with 2 more hits. Only struck out 3x in 16 plate appearances this weekend.
- Tommy White & his bat control continue to amaze me. He is constantly hitting balls where people aren't, and at high speeds. He reminds me of Justin Turner formerly of the Dogdgers. Just a great, pure hitter, on top of the power.
- Gavin Dugas just a complete dirtbag at the plate. Get on base at all costs. Only had 2 Hits this weekend but was on base 6 other times via BB or HBP. Quietly had an RBI in each game. Love that for him.
- Paxton Kling, woof. 1-15 w/ 8k's. Did not see that coming. He has made steady contact ever since being re-inserted. They really worked him by mixing eye levels. I was starting to get the illusion that he was super-advanced, but this weekend was back to drawing board with plate discipline. He needs to be moved down into a spot with less pressure.
-And touching on Tre Morgan, his troubles have been a little overstated. Got unlucky with some balls put in play Sat/Sun. Had a nice Friday game. Was on base each game and ran bases well. Tre Morgan is fine.
DEFESNE
- Lets start with Jordan Thompson. If anyone had any doubt he was 'back', he put that to bed on Saturday, making a wide array of plays from various spots on the field. He is also unloading his throws without any worry; everyone seems on target. He legitimately looks like an early round draft pick after this year.
- Brady Neal just continues to impress. Friday night Coach Josh Jordan mentioned he was 5 for 5 on balls in the dirt. Not an easy task when you are catching Paul Skenes. Something he has handled rather seamlessly. Neal was dinged up on Saturday and had a rough-go. The play that really stands out on Sunday is throwing behind Tucker with 2outs down to second base to start that pick-off process. The kid is 18 and just does not blink. I see some of the same characteristics with him running the bases. He is super advanced.
- Gavin Dugas as long as he hits, he will play. But the more balls teams put into play, you can just see his is not natural to 2B. He is good enough, but there are times when you can see he does not have the instincts of a career middle inf. You live with it, but it showed a little this weekend.
PITCHING
- Paul Skenes, what can you really say. If you haven't seen the video from The Pitching Ninja that broke Twitter on Saturday morning, here it is: :56 sec of Paul Skenes' complete dominance. Skenes, as we watch him, is morphing into the best pitcher that LSU has ever seen. I get major Mark Prior-vibes and before this next MLB draft, I think he will have moved into the top 3-5 picks. If not push for 1.1
- Ty Floyd/ Thatcher Hurd both had rough starts. I kind of wish they would have pushed Hurd a little longer in the game since they had the lead. I still don't think he is far off from where we need him to be. He just needs innings. Johnson's guy Cooper was sitting there and I think he went to him to early. That is just me.
As for Floyd, I still think he should be moved to the bullpen. How much of a luxury would it have been to go to him yesterday? I think he pitches better being thrown into the moment, and in short spurts. As a starter, he throws too many pitches and has always had issues with walks. He isn't going to go deep into games to begin with.
- Which brings me to my next thought, Chase Shores should replace him in the rotation. I think once he is ramped up, he is good for 5IP most nights. Yes yes i know he does not have an out-pitch. But I love where he lives on the plate; everything is down and away. Opponents do not get much lift on his balls at all. He has been prone to walks, but that is not wildness, that is him nibbling IMO. I just do not think you miss much swapping these two guys, but you gain more with Floyd coming out of the bullpen than you do with Shores.
- You look at A&M's roster and all the LHP, and you can see that LSU is still behind in staff building in this regard. Coach Paul left the cupboard bare with LHP and Jay is doing his best. So I understand the options are not deep past Riley Cooper and Ackenhausen, and that Cooper is Jay's guy, but man, I just think he trusts him a little too much for what he actually is. If you follow baseball and a specific team, this isn't anything new. There is always one guy you wonder why he gets the ball so much. Cooper should be situational, not an any situation guy like he is treated.
- Garrett Edwards ; hat tip. I think they found something with this guy. Great relief stint on Saturday. Kind of spoiled with 6R in the 6-7 innings to blow it open, but he held them at bay and kept LSU above water. At some point you probably have to move him back in the game to more higher leverage spot.
- Christian Little i still love his stuff and the confidence he has with all his pitches. I think Jay mismanaged the game a little there at the end. Little coming in when he did did him no favors. And it made for a strenuous appearance for him.
- All that said, I think LSU has a deep enough staff to have a really good year on the mound. I just do not think they are in the right spots yet, and they are still feeling that out. I think Jay really needs to streamline Gavin Guidry on the mound to see what he has. He has shown enough flashes to where I think he could be something for you. Yes, the mercy rule games have not helped develop the bullpen, but he should still have more than 1.1 IP this year.
HITTING
- Neal & Pearson both looked comfortable vs LHP. Listening to Schlossnagle postgame, you got the sense that he thought the LHP would bother LSU more than it did.
They combined to go 4-9 vs LHP, & drew 5BB(!!) in the process.
- Jared Jones; not so fast my friend with all the Beloso talk. After a 7RBI Saturday, came back Sunday with 2 more hits. Only struck out 3x in 16 plate appearances this weekend.
- Tommy White & his bat control continue to amaze me. He is constantly hitting balls where people aren't, and at high speeds. He reminds me of Justin Turner formerly of the Dogdgers. Just a great, pure hitter, on top of the power.
- Gavin Dugas just a complete dirtbag at the plate. Get on base at all costs. Only had 2 Hits this weekend but was on base 6 other times via BB or HBP. Quietly had an RBI in each game. Love that for him.
- Paxton Kling, woof. 1-15 w/ 8k's. Did not see that coming. He has made steady contact ever since being re-inserted. They really worked him by mixing eye levels. I was starting to get the illusion that he was super-advanced, but this weekend was back to drawing board with plate discipline. He needs to be moved down into a spot with less pressure.
-And touching on Tre Morgan, his troubles have been a little overstated. Got unlucky with some balls put in play Sat/Sun. Had a nice Friday game. Was on base each game and ran bases well. Tre Morgan is fine.
DEFESNE
- Lets start with Jordan Thompson. If anyone had any doubt he was 'back', he put that to bed on Saturday, making a wide array of plays from various spots on the field. He is also unloading his throws without any worry; everyone seems on target. He legitimately looks like an early round draft pick after this year.
- Brady Neal just continues to impress. Friday night Coach Josh Jordan mentioned he was 5 for 5 on balls in the dirt. Not an easy task when you are catching Paul Skenes. Something he has handled rather seamlessly. Neal was dinged up on Saturday and had a rough-go. The play that really stands out on Sunday is throwing behind Tucker with 2outs down to second base to start that pick-off process. The kid is 18 and just does not blink. I see some of the same characteristics with him running the bases. He is super advanced.
- Gavin Dugas as long as he hits, he will play. But the more balls teams put into play, you can just see his is not natural to 2B. He is good enough, but there are times when you can see he does not have the instincts of a career middle inf. You live with it, but it showed a little this weekend.
PITCHING
- Paul Skenes, what can you really say. If you haven't seen the video from The Pitching Ninja that broke Twitter on Saturday morning, here it is: :56 sec of Paul Skenes' complete dominance. Skenes, as we watch him, is morphing into the best pitcher that LSU has ever seen. I get major Mark Prior-vibes and before this next MLB draft, I think he will have moved into the top 3-5 picks. If not push for 1.1
- Ty Floyd/ Thatcher Hurd both had rough starts. I kind of wish they would have pushed Hurd a little longer in the game since they had the lead. I still don't think he is far off from where we need him to be. He just needs innings. Johnson's guy Cooper was sitting there and I think he went to him to early. That is just me.
As for Floyd, I still think he should be moved to the bullpen. How much of a luxury would it have been to go to him yesterday? I think he pitches better being thrown into the moment, and in short spurts. As a starter, he throws too many pitches and has always had issues with walks. He isn't going to go deep into games to begin with.
- Which brings me to my next thought, Chase Shores should replace him in the rotation. I think once he is ramped up, he is good for 5IP most nights. Yes yes i know he does not have an out-pitch. But I love where he lives on the plate; everything is down and away. Opponents do not get much lift on his balls at all. He has been prone to walks, but that is not wildness, that is him nibbling IMO. I just do not think you miss much swapping these two guys, but you gain more with Floyd coming out of the bullpen than you do with Shores.
- You look at A&M's roster and all the LHP, and you can see that LSU is still behind in staff building in this regard. Coach Paul left the cupboard bare with LHP and Jay is doing his best. So I understand the options are not deep past Riley Cooper and Ackenhausen, and that Cooper is Jay's guy, but man, I just think he trusts him a little too much for what he actually is. If you follow baseball and a specific team, this isn't anything new. There is always one guy you wonder why he gets the ball so much. Cooper should be situational, not an any situation guy like he is treated.
- Garrett Edwards ; hat tip. I think they found something with this guy. Great relief stint on Saturday. Kind of spoiled with 6R in the 6-7 innings to blow it open, but he held them at bay and kept LSU above water. At some point you probably have to move him back in the game to more higher leverage spot.
- Christian Little i still love his stuff and the confidence he has with all his pitches. I think Jay mismanaged the game a little there at the end. Little coming in when he did did him no favors. And it made for a strenuous appearance for him.
- All that said, I think LSU has a deep enough staff to have a really good year on the mound. I just do not think they are in the right spots yet, and they are still feeling that out. I think Jay really needs to streamline Gavin Guidry on the mound to see what he has. He has shown enough flashes to where I think he could be something for you. Yes, the mercy rule games have not helped develop the bullpen, but he should still have more than 1.1 IP this year.
33
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:49 pm to Lester Earl
Lester Earl, the football and baseball post game analysis king
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:50 pm to Lester Earl
People give you shite on here and so do I—when you deserve it. But this is an excellent analysis. There are some that would be loath to admit it but most all of the time you are very knowledgeable about LSU sports and sports in general.
This post was edited on 3/20/23 at 1:33 pm
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:52 pm to timlan2057
quote:
People give you shite on here and so do I—when you deserve it. But this is an excellent analysis
Agreed. Nice contribution.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:53 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
- Christian Little i still love his stuff and the confidence he has with all his pitches. I think Jay mismanaged the game a little there at the end. Little coming in when he did did him no favors. And it made for a strenuous appearance for him.
Face it, these guys are going to have to be firemen at times and come in during a jam with runners on and put out the fire.
They can’t always enter a game at the start of an inning with the bases empty in a high-leverage situation.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:55 pm to timlan2057
quote:
Face it, these guys are going to have to be firemen at times and come in during a jam with runners on and put out the fire.
For sure, but i just saw a lot of people holding it against him in the game thread. That is almost an impossible situation.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:55 pm to Lester Earl
Nice write up Lester. I agree with it all except your opinion on Shores over Floyd. Which time will tell on that situation. I just don't like how Shores gets through the lineup once and then after that one time is when it seems to go downhill for him. With that said, I also don't remember Jay letting him try to work through that situation very much. Seems to have him on a short leash after 1 time through the lineup.
This post was edited on 3/20/23 at 12:58 pm
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:56 pm to Lester Earl
Agreed with most of that. Not sure Shores can last enough innings as a starter. He and a Floyd are similar. We need one of them to take the next step for sure.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:56 pm to timlan2057
Guidry not ready
Vs central Arky yes
Vs Arky no
Vs central Arky yes
Vs Arky no
This post was edited on 3/20/23 at 12:57 pm
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:57 pm to Lester Earl
Don't disageee with your analysis.
Kling had no business starting on Sunday much less remaining in the game. Jay needs to play to win not get cute.
This team will only go as far as their weekend guys. Floyd and Hurd need to be able to go longer innings. Feel like we will get some good to great games with them and maybe shores then some bad ones because just inconsistent.
Kling had no business starting on Sunday much less remaining in the game. Jay needs to play to win not get cute.
This team will only go as far as their weekend guys. Floyd and Hurd need to be able to go longer innings. Feel like we will get some good to great games with them and maybe shores then some bad ones because just inconsistent.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 12:59 pm to Lester Earl
I agree with almost everything you said, except I want to see Floyd have another shot on Saturday night. I think the kid can become a solid pitcher for us. He was off this past weekend, struggled to locate his fastball which he normally doesn't do. Lets see what he can do this weekend and then make a change if necessary. As far as Hurd, I think he is a SEC caliber starter, he just needs a little more time to regain his confidence and get into a groove. I also like Shores but only after Floyd gets another chance to prove his worth as a starter. Just my opinion
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:00 pm to Lester Earl
Great analysis Lester. Agreed with it all.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:01 pm to Magician2
quote:
Kling had no business starting on Sunday much less remaining in the game. Jay needs to play to win not get cute.
Who do you think should have played? Jobert?
Or push Pearson to RF, Morgan to LF, JOnes to 1B, and Beloso to DH.
I don't agree with you but curious your thoughts on it. I just think Kling needs to get moved down and work through the adjustment.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:02 pm to LsuTool
quote:
Not sure Shores can last enough innings as a starter
Floyd’s average outing in 13 starts the last two seasons is : 4.1 IP
He isn’t lasting long either
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:02 pm to Lester Earl
quote:
Cooper should be situational, not an any situation guy like he is treated.
Cooper is a guy that came come in when the bases are jammed and get you a couple of outs and out of the jam. He's that quick change of pace guy. The ultimate fireman.
In no shape or time whatsoever should Cooper ever start an inning. Bring him in, get out of the inning, repeat tomorrow.
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:03 pm to Lester Earl
Great post.
Not worried about the lineup at all...in fact there's nothing really to post about it on my end.
The coaching staff didn't get too cute but in hindsight when LSU built that lead Friday he wanted to get Christian more work and he was no where near as sharp yesterday and it showed. A 4-0 score and you go great call...9-0 score and you're like hey maybe we could have saved him but he was already warm.
I do agree that Floyd is a better piece in the pen. In my preview I thought he could become an above average to very good Sunday guy. Shores right now can be an average Sunday starter but they are going to need to to ride him and let him figure it out as he goes. Either way those two are basically interchangeable to me right now.
If you can somehow utilize Floyd, Little, Ackenhausen, and Cooper as your main bullpen pieces Fri-Sat then there should be no reason why guys such as Edwards/Dutton/Collins/Guidry/Money can't at least piece games together inning by inning at the end of series. (It doesn't look good on paper but they've done it before and LSU should be able to score over 6-7 runs in games three's on average.)
All in all I said I would be ecstatic to take 2/3 on the road against what is most likely going to be LSU's toughest road series this year. The schedule is so incredibly front loaded so LSU can afford to take 1-2 stumbles over the next two weeks.
Not worried about the lineup at all...in fact there's nothing really to post about it on my end.
The coaching staff didn't get too cute but in hindsight when LSU built that lead Friday he wanted to get Christian more work and he was no where near as sharp yesterday and it showed. A 4-0 score and you go great call...9-0 score and you're like hey maybe we could have saved him but he was already warm.
I do agree that Floyd is a better piece in the pen. In my preview I thought he could become an above average to very good Sunday guy. Shores right now can be an average Sunday starter but they are going to need to to ride him and let him figure it out as he goes. Either way those two are basically interchangeable to me right now.
If you can somehow utilize Floyd, Little, Ackenhausen, and Cooper as your main bullpen pieces Fri-Sat then there should be no reason why guys such as Edwards/Dutton/Collins/Guidry/Money can't at least piece games together inning by inning at the end of series. (It doesn't look good on paper but they've done it before and LSU should be able to score over 6-7 runs in games three's on average.)
All in all I said I would be ecstatic to take 2/3 on the road against what is most likely going to be LSU's toughest road series this year. The schedule is so incredibly front loaded so LSU can afford to take 1-2 stumbles over the next two weeks.
This post was edited on 3/20/23 at 1:05 pm
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:13 pm to BayTiger13
quote:
Or push Pearson to RF, Morgan to LF, JOnes to 1B, and Beloso to DH.
No reason not to give a veteran like beloso a chance - can do no worse than what we saw
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:14 pm to Lester Earl
Good writeup. I agree with most everything you said. My main takeaways
I was almost more impressed with only having 3 K's than his 7 RBI's. I think him limiting strikeouts is huge.
I would still like to see him hitting a little better. Not that he's been bad necessarily, but I would like a little better average or a little more pop, either or.
I'm not totally sure why, but I've always had this feeling. Even though his numbers have been good, I feel he's not a starting pitcher for some reason.
I'm not totally convinced of this yet. Asking him to go 5 innings each weekend is a lot. But you're right, Floyd isn't able to last that long either.
I would really like to see this as well.
quote:
Jared Jones; not so fast my friend with all the Beloso talk. After a 7RBI Saturday, came back Sunday with 2 more hits. Only struck out 3x in 16 plate appearances this weekend.
I was almost more impressed with only having 3 K's than his 7 RBI's. I think him limiting strikeouts is huge.
quote:
- Lets start with Jordan Thompson. If anyone had any doubt he was 'back', he put that to bed on Saturday, making a wide array of plays from various spots on the field. He is also unloading his throws without any worry; everyone seems on target. He legitimately looks like an early round draft pick after this year.
I would still like to see him hitting a little better. Not that he's been bad necessarily, but I would like a little better average or a little more pop, either or.
quote:
As for Floyd, I still think he should be moved to the bullpen.
I'm not totally sure why, but I've always had this feeling. Even though his numbers have been good, I feel he's not a starting pitcher for some reason.
quote:
- Which brings me to my next thought, Chase Shores should replace him in the rotation.
I'm not totally convinced of this yet. Asking him to go 5 innings each weekend is a lot. But you're right, Floyd isn't able to last that long either.
quote:
I think Jay really needs to streamline Gavin Guidry on the mound to see what he has.
I would really like to see this as well.
This post was edited on 3/20/23 at 1:18 pm
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:20 pm to Lester Earl
Good post. I'll add that I was impressed with the way White moved at 3B. He looks much better than Berry did over there. I don't expect him to be some amazing defensive player, but I don't think he will be a liability on the IF which was a concern of mine before the season.
I would leave him at leadoff for the one more game in the midweek and see what he does. He started slow as he adjusted to college pitching and then figured it out. Now hes starting slow as he adjuats to SEC pitching and will figure it out. I'll bet he will be better at home next weekend.
I don't like a guy out of the pen that gives up long fly balls and HRs. Too easy to give up critical runs late in games. I'd rather him start where a solo bomb or sac fly won't kill us. When Floyd became a full time starter last year he went 5.1, 4.2, and 6 innings vs Vandy, Tenn, and Southern Miss with a bad defense. I'd say that's deep enough for a saturday/Sunday guy. I wouldn't make a change just yet
quote:
Paxton Kling, woof
I would leave him at leadoff for the one more game in the midweek and see what he does. He started slow as he adjusted to college pitching and then figured it out. Now hes starting slow as he adjuats to SEC pitching and will figure it out. I'll bet he will be better at home next weekend.
quote:
As for Floyd, I still think he should be moved to the bullpen.
I don't like a guy out of the pen that gives up long fly balls and HRs. Too easy to give up critical runs late in games. I'd rather him start where a solo bomb or sac fly won't kill us. When Floyd became a full time starter last year he went 5.1, 4.2, and 6 innings vs Vandy, Tenn, and Southern Miss with a bad defense. I'd say that's deep enough for a saturday/Sunday guy. I wouldn't make a change just yet
Posted on 3/20/23 at 1:21 pm to Lester Earl
frick.
I hate when I agree with Lester Earl.
I hate when I agree with Lester Earl.
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