Tiger Baseball observations so far

I read alot and think to myself I guess. Kinda long and DGAF if its too long for you to read.

I don't think JJ is far off from getting this team fully ready. There are things he doesn't know about this team, that we know simply because we've watched this team of players for a while.

...I think the Berry move to 3rd is good. Gio in right is solid and I think Gio with reps is gonna be a good thing esp since he is a lefty at the plate.

...anybody know what Gavin's stats were last year at this time? I'm sitting here wondering what has happened to him? I dont see the swagger. I realize his average was sitting around maybe 300 last year but he was crushing the ball on contact, lots of rbi's etc. He seems different this year. Maybe he needs to be where he was a staple in the line up like last year? maybe moving down altho I understand what jj is trying to get production wise from the bottom of lineup, has put him in a funk?

...I think the staff on the bump has great potential pitchers. Friday guy is set. Taylor and Dutton are special guys imo. Reyzelman is special imo. I think Hilliard being a Sunday guy would help Hilliard on day 3 to have a better edge in opponents. I dont believe floyd should be a day 2 starter, notice I said starter. I think he would make a fine closer even somewhere in the middle.

Don't bash please and I'm not judging here but as a coach, I cannot understand for the world why a fb ONLY throwing pitcher will be awarded a weekend start in the SEC. It won't end well. I know he was tinkering with something offspeed yesterday but it was not in the mix as a signature strike pitch. What is crazy is that if you take away a couple of plays he was actually still in the game against Texas. Just saying. I think he would make an excellent closer, maybe even better than the one we have now.

Hilliard is effective against high velocity hitting teams as we know who have been used to seeing higher velocity. He keeps these type teams off balance. He does not seem effective against weak swac,
southland like teams.

Seems like alot of teams lsu plays are weak bs teams until conference. You get to see your team shine but does it actually do any good other than managing a base for where you are? No, imo.

We all hate to lose. Stop taking it out on JJ.

Imo, Joubert and Merrifield are not really ready yet. They are new to this level. Sorry but jmo.

I understand JJ trying to be selective with his line up at the plate but countless times we take that first pitch fb/watered down duece strike right over the middle. We need to sit on that much more. As a coach, lsu needs to take that pitch away from opposing pitchers. Most of the line up are big fb hitters, green light them on first pitch strikes. I realize you don't wanna run yourself out of an at bat but nothing else is really working when your team is struggling at the plate. So many times since the beginning of the season we take right down the middle. I get it , but at some point you gotta open it up maybe by 3rd inning.

I understand why some are hard on Crews, Morgan, Berry etc about hitting in big games because their stats against the better competition are not as good as the powder puff comp. but again, this is why it is important we face the better competition. Acclimatization is important. Just sayin. The Tigers need many more nail biters and their shite pushed around before conference kinda thing. Many will disagree but it's true.

I'd like to see JJ jumps some umpire arse, maybe it isn't his persona but the plate guy last night was a straight arse and needed his shite pushed in. His zone was the size of a volleyball. Forget belt to knees type of thing.

Line up should be and many will disagree, I like the older line up philosophy. Some will disagree but I CHALLENGE anyone to prove to me why that first 4 from last year should change in any way? Combine the stats and production those first 4 got last year and get back to me. It's about chemistry and this is my ONLY gripe with JJ. I don't care what happened in preseason or fall. I look at last season and the chemistry was obviously there, I don't care who you brought with u from zona. JJ should think of this. Just sayin.

Crews cf
Morgan 1st
Doughty 2nd
Dugas(last year)lf
Berry 3rd
DH
Gio rf
Thompson(improving some at ss)
Millazo c



At ss, lsu has to continue to improve on defense, we lack a big stick at catcher and the fact that we changed Doughty to 2nd "changed" 2 positions from last year not one. This takes time to gel. It seemed to get somewhat better. I think Berry at 3rd will get much better, he showed he has a gun at 3rd. Jmo.

I'll get many downvotes. It's ok. The armchair coaches.

Jmo my take.

Good luck tonight against the Bears!