Official Adam4848 Baseball Preview Feb 11th (Season Predictions/SEC) *Page 10*

Height:6'0
Weight:204 lbs.

1ST BASE

Tyler Moore Fr.*
Grant Dozar Sr.

Another local talent from the greater Baton Rouge area will begin his career as an LSU Tiger later this month with high expectations. His name is Tyler Moore, a catcher from Dunham high school, Moore hit an outstanding .561 BA with 15 HR’s in his senior campaign. While the 1st base position has yet to be settled whether or not Mainieri keep Katz in RF or 1B, I however am sold on Moore’s ability to play the position right away. If Katz remains in right field Moore will most likely become the only left-handed bat in the starting lineup since the 2010 season. Moore’s frame will allow him to play anywhere on the corner infield positions as well as catcher for LSU. While Tyler still must get accustomed to 1st base he has all the necessary tools to be a successful three to four year starter. Moore, a natural catcher, has a very accurate arm and displays average speed for his position. Tyler's success at the plate could be vital in LSU's run towards a western crown. Grant Dozar will continue to be that viable leader on and off the field as he will be used in the platoon role in key situations late in the game. Also, don’t be surprised to see Dozar get numerous at bats if a certain player starts slumping, he may be LSU’s most important bench player in the upcoming season.

Power----------55
Hitting----------50
Speed----------50
Fielding--------45
Arm-------------55

*Scale 20-Lowest, 50-Average, 80-Top of the Charts*

Height:6'0
Weight:188 lbs.

SHORTSTOP

Austin Nola Sr. *
Beau Didier Jr.

A year ago at this time Austin Nola was poised to have quite a solid junior year potentially landing him a contract in the top 5 rounds of the MLB draft, that didn't happen...Austin now returns as a senior motivated and determined to get back to Omaha in his final year at LSU with his brother Aaron. Both have shown eagerness to play side by side and they finally get their respective chances. When Austin is tuned in defensively there may not be a more fluid shortstop with the glove in the SEC let alone the country at his respective position. Nola has made incredible gems ever since his freshman season and will continue to make them as a senior. His best tool by far is the glove with his arm strength coming just a tad below. I think Nola's bat this year will go a long way in determining how high he's drafted in June. If he hits well over 300. and show he can steal bases from time to time I could easily see him going in the top 20 rounds. Austin never has hit for power and I don't see that changing, his approach is gap to gap while focusing on going the opposite way when needed. If tiger fans learned anything during the 09' championship run when a big hit was needed it was a calming sight seeing Nola step up to the batters box.

Power---------35
Hitting---------50
Speed---------50
Fielding-------70
Arm------------65

*Scale 20-Lowest, 50-Average, 80-Top of the Charts*

Height:6'0
Weight:180 lbs.


Height:6'3
Weight:205 lbs.


Height:5'10
Weight:190 lbs.

OUTFIELD

Raph Rhymes Jr. *
JaCoby Jones So. *
Mason Katz Jr. *
Arby Fields Jr.
Alex Edward Jr.

LSU's outfield is by no means deep but it is talented. All three starters return from last season with most notable JaCoby Jones moving from the infield to center in replace of Mikie Mahtook. Mahtook will surely be missed, but the athletic play of Jones will ease the pain a great deal. If the season were to start today Rhymes wouldn't be able to make certain throws from left field, his arm just isn't 100%, but the coaches are doing everything they can to get him comfortable out there. For now I'm leaving Raph in LF; however don't be suprised to see him in at DH to begin the season. Jones in my opinion will make as smooth a transition from 2B to CF as anyone in the league he's got a great deal of potential in that frame and behind Gausman LSU's best pro prospect. JaCoby's athletic enough to play anywhere and it will show in the coming weeks. Katz a returning starter in RF will have that spot locked down if he remains out there. What you see is what you get with Mason, his bat is his centerpiece. Out of the group Katz comes in with slighty better power than the rest, Jones has the better glove. I still see Rhymes hitting over 330.-340. this year; he was recruited to LSU because of his explosive hitting and all signs point to another fantastic year at the plate. Arby Fields the football transfer from Northwestern (2010) will backup in center as well as left and will be the first one out there in the need of a replacement. Edward a returning starter for a part of his career will also split time in the outfield as well as possible DH.

Rhymes
Power-------55
Hitting-------60
Speed-------50
Fielding-----50
Arm----------45

Jones
Power-------50
Hitting-------55
Speed-------65
Fielding-----65
Arm----------65

Katz
Power-------55
Hitting-------60
Speed-------55
Fielding-----60
Arm----------60

*Scale 20-Lowest, 50-Average, 80-Top of the Charts*

Height:6'4
Weight:185 lbs.


Height:6'3
Weight:198 lbs.


Height:6'3
Weight:175 lbs.

STARTING PITCHING

Kevin Gausman So. *
Ryan Eades So. *
Kurt McCune So. *
Cody Glenn Fr.
Joey Bourgeois Jr.

By far LSU's most talented position, for tiger fans...great news. Last season when Mainieri was forced to use these three freshmen for a majority of the season he knew there would be a great learning curve. All three had their struggles as well as their moments of greatness. With Gausman you have arguably the most talented pitcher in the SEC who will fight for the lead in total strikeouts this season. His fast ball has been sitting roughly 94-96mph thus far but will pick up latter in the spring. It will also most likely be Kevin's last year in an LSU uniform as it is a forgone conclusion he will be a top ten draft pick in the summer...something Mainieri knew when he got Kevin to stay with LSU. Ryan Eades is finally at full strength after his high school injury and hasn't looked better. After being named one of the best prospects in the cape code league after holding a 0.84 era in over 30 innings Ryan will work his way back to becoming that potential 1st rounder he was three years ago. Kurt McCune, LSU's Friday night guy in 2011 will probably find himself in the Sunday role to start the season...more good news. Kurt is going to be the Tigers change of pace starter as he doesn't throw nearly as hard as the other two, rather focuses on spot location with a mix of his two offspeed pitches. Although the weekday starters have yet to be determined I'd look for Cody Glenn the talented lefty out of Texas to start to work some innings here as well as Joey Bourgeios who is back from arm surgery. How well Glenn pitchers early in the season could land him the role as the top LHP out of the bullpen.

Gausman
Arm Strength----------75
Movement--------------65
Stamina-----------------65
Control------------------65

Eades
Arm Strength----------70
Movement--------------65
Stamina-----------------60
Control------------------55

McCune
Arm Strength----------55
Movement--------------60
Stamina-----------------60
Control------------------65

*Scale 20-Lowest, 50-Average, 80-Top of the Charts*

Season Predictions for Regular Season

39-17
16-14 in SEC

LSU's SEC slate this year opens up with two teams who will likely find themselves at the bottom of the SEC WEST so it is imperative for the Tigers to get off to a great start in the first six games. Last year LSU was mentally devistated in the SEC opener and never recovered.

LSU then takes on Arkansas and Florida who are near the top of their respective divisions.

After the very tough six game stretch LSU's schedule lightens up a bit with Alabama, Kentucky, Georiga, and Ole Miss before back to back series to end the regular season with Vanderbilt and South Carolina who will be quite a challenge to put it lightly.

The key to LSU's success will be winning at least 12-13 games vs AUB, MISS. ST., ALA, UK, OLE, and UGA.

The SEC is extremely top heavy again...series against USC, VAN, ARK, and FLA will be tough.

I think LSU will end up as a 4 or 5 seed in the SEC tournament.

LSU hosts a regional for the first time since 2009.

LSU travels on the road for a super regional.

MISS ST.
Top Pitcher-Caleb Reed
Top Hitter-CT Bradford

@AUBURN
Top Pitcher-Cory Luckie
Top Hitter-Zach Alvord

ARKANSAS
Top Pitcher-DJ Baxendale
Top Hitter-Dominic Ficociello

@FLORIDA
Top Pitcher-Hudson Randall
Top Hitter-Mike Zunino

ALABAMA
Top Pitcher-Tucker Hawley
Top Hitter-Taylor Dugas

@KENTUCKY
Top Pitcher-Taylor Rogers
Top Hitter-Thomas McCarthy

GEORGIA
Top Pitcher-Michael Palazzone
Top Hitter-Levi Hyams

@OLE MISS
Top Pitcher-Bobby Wahl
Top Hitter-Alex Yarbrough

VANDERBILT
Top Pitcher-Tyler Beede
Top Hitter-Mike Yastrzemski

@SOUTH CAROLINA
Top Pitcher-Michael Roth
Top Hitter-Christian Walker

You da man Adam!

Looking forward to the other positions.

Below average hitting is kind of scary. Although those numbers are probably better than last year.

YAYYYYY!!



What were his stats last season on throwing guys out? Just curious

quote:

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I'd think below average would still be better than the .205 or whatever it was batting average last year

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Agreed.

quote:

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Message Posted by josh336 I'd think below average would still be better than the .205 or whatever it was batting average last year

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Yea, any improvement would be nice. It was tough seeing an almost automatic out last year. He is legit in the field though

I just moved to Tenn, do they do a sort of internet radio broadcast for all the games? I'm going to miss tuning in to 98.1 all the time.

Ross threw out 10 of 59 runners trying to steal...that is only 17%. Snickeris only threw out 1 of 9, which is 11%. Those numbers MUST get better this year.

Good Stuff!