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re: Why wasn't Laird drafted ??
Posted on 6/9/14 at 8:51 am to Iam4LSUnTN
Posted on 6/9/14 at 8:51 am to Iam4LSUnTN
quote:I'm honestly surprised he's made it as far as he has throwing like that. Also, fwiw AS has poor mechanics as well, better than Laird but still not good. Like you said, it's surprising a little league or high school coach didn't correct that a long time ago
Never seen a college player throw like that before Laird.
1
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:23 am to lsufball19
They have some guys in the league with funky throwing motions. Hunter Pence come to mind.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:34 am to illuminatic
Stevenson throws "across his body" which means he doesn't turn his shoulder toward the target. I know everyone raves about his ability to go get fly balls but he gives up a lot defensively. Long singles can be turned into doubles, flyouts to the outfield can result in runners tagging and advancing. These shortcomings were pointed out a couple times by ESPN analysts during the year. Did he and Laird have any assists during the year???
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:41 am to stubby33
quote:Yes, both did.
Did he and Laird have any assists during the year???
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:42 am to stubby33
Laird absolutely did have an assist.
Not sure there were all that many opportunities.. I don't see how you can knock either given the amount of ground they cover.
Not sure there were all that many opportunities.. I don't see how you can knock either given the amount of ground they cover.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:42 am to stubby33
quote:
Stevenson throws "across his body" which means he doesn't turn his shoulder toward the target. I know everyone raves about his ability to go get fly balls but he gives up a lot defensively. Long singles can be turned into doubles, flyouts to the outfield can result in runners tagging and advancing. These shortcomings were pointed out a couple times by ESPN analysts during the year. Did he and Laird have any assists during the year???
Agreed and Laird didn't have any I can think of. Don't understand why you put the weakest outfield arm in RF and not LF
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:45 am to SouljaBreauxTellEm
quote:
Not sure there were all that many opportunities.. I don't see how you can knock either given the amount of ground they cover.
Yes they were great at covering ground, no one denies that, but that doesn't mean either are without deficiencies
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:45 am to SouljaBreauxTellEm
quote:Laird had 2 assists. Stevenson had 1 this past season.
Laird absolutely did have an assist.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:45 am to SouljaBreauxTellEm
quote:
I don't see how you can knock either given the amount of ground they cover.
Because their arms are no where near major league average outfield arms. Yes, the amount of ground they cover can make up for a lot of their shortcomings in arm strength, but their arms are below average to put it nicely.
The stats on how many outfield assists they had is going to be irrelevant when it comes to major league scouting. They can still tell that their arms are not average for a major league outfielder.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:52 am to PurpleAndGold86
That is true. I also agree that they both have below average arms and can see how it wouldn't help their scouting. I appreciate their speed at the college level though. Could have a very well-rounded team next season with Fraley starting full time.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 9:59 am to SouljaBreauxTellEm
quote:
I appreciate their speed at the college level though.
No doubt. They are very talented college players. Laird hit right around .300 and Stevenson hit over .300. With that average and that speed they are very nice weapons to have in a college lineup today.
With that being said Laird's bat would never translate to anywhere near a .300 average at the professional level. He is a slap hitter that has shown little to no ability to turn an elite fastball around (not that he would be expected to do that at the professional level). He is also not a good base runner yet. Obviously very elite speed, but stealing bases at a 66.7% clip in college is very unimpressive, Especially when he only has 10 stolen bags on the year. Hopefully he will continue to improve over the next two years and will help LSU get deep into the postseason each of the next 2 seasons as well.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 10:16 am to PurpleAndGold86
On second thought assists are probably not a very good indicator of anything as a outfielder with a cannon probably is not tested very much by base runners whereas weak armed outfielders have probably many more opportunities as runners will take more chances against them. In short, assists from the outfield can be misleading.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 10:25 am to stubby33
Correct. And with the lack of power in college there are a lot of times where the outfielders are playing like 10 feet behind the infield, especially to the hitter's off field. A major league scout couldn't possibly care less about the number of outfield assists a guy has when they see the actual arm strength.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 11:43 am to lsufball19
quote:
Yes they were great at covering ground, no one denies that, but that doesn't mean either are without deficiencies
His point is that we didn't have anyone who was better, all things considered, than those guys.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 11:46 am to burke985
ULL's RF has a worse arm than Laird
Posted on 6/9/14 at 11:54 am to moneyg
quote:
His point is that we didn't have anyone who was better, all things considered, than those guys.
I'm not saying we did either, just speaking of Laird in terms of his draftability. He's good in the field solely because of his speed, but when you talk about him as a prospect for an outfield spot at the next level, you're going to need more than just speed
Posted on 6/9/14 at 3:37 pm to PurpleAndGold86
It is not true that Laird has shown no ability to turn on a good fastball. He chooses to hit opposite field. Read the reports shortly after he joined the team. PM expected he might surprise some wih his power due to his great bat speed. He has chosen not to hit that way though.
This post was edited on 6/9/14 at 3:39 pm
Posted on 6/9/14 at 3:40 pm to flucobaseball
quote:
It is not true that Laird has shown no ability to turn on a good fastball. He chooses to hit opposite field
Whether you are choosing to hit the ball the other way or not is irrelevant. He still isn't showing the ability to turn an elite fastball around. I did very clearly caveat that and say he will not be expected to do that at the next level, but I don't care what PM said 2 years ago. Mark Laird has 0 power. Look at his swing. He is hitting the ball the other way because of his elite speed, I get that, but that doesn't mean you NEVER turn on a pitch.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 3:43 pm to PurpleAndGold86
Okay he has shown the ability. I guess you are saying it only matters if the scouts see it in games. I never claimed he is a power hitter. I'm talking about bat speed.
Posted on 6/9/14 at 3:46 pm to flucobaseball
Right I am talking about being able to pull a baseball. A guy with an opposite field slap swing will get eaten alive by 95+ mph fastballs on the inside part of the plate at the professional level if they don't have the ability to clear their hips and turn a fastball around.
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