rookietiger995

Correct, TOPS accounts for Tuition only which reps around 40% of total cost of school. Baseball has to give minimum of 25% or higher in athletic aide and only 27 players can receive this aide. My point is if CPM pulled Toups scholly then he likely lost just 25% but would have retained his TOPS or any other academic $$ assistance he was receiving. I don't believe Toups was receiving greater than 25% and I doubt he chose to leave LSU over getting 25% athletic scholly pulled. I think he left b/c of the reasons mentioned above in my previous post.

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wasn't told to leave. scholarship pulled. too many new kids coming in and he had dang near a full ride. he chose to look elsewhere to get draft stock up. can't blame the kid. one of top picks coming out of high school and coach chooses to sit him with better on base percentage than most of the other OF

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surprised he was even on scholarship as CPM loves to pull the TOPS card with the La. based Wes Toups type players. I highly doubt he was on a "dang near full ride" with only 11.7 scholarships, at best he had 25% Baseball + whatever academic aid he qualified for. Also not sure about the "top picks" coming out of HS deal either. The kid is a decent player but not an absolute stud/standout IMO. Either way best of luck to him!

I don't think I agree about the tools. He has average speed and a pretty average throwing arm IMO. He has a PLUS hit/power tool and a really good baseball IQ. He's a nice player but I've never quite bought into the big time hype around him.

I think you could put Cabrerra back on that list,he looked very uncomfortable at the plate all weekend! 2-13 in the series with 8 K's is VERY unCabrerra like! That wrist has to still be bothering him.

Agree with all the position choices here except 1st base. I think CPM goes with Bianco over there to start the season. He loves to have "athletic" middle infield types all over the diamond and 1st is no exception(Jake Slaughter as a Fr). Beloso can flat rake and I think he gets some shots early esp at the DH spot but I think 1st base is Bianco's opening night and for as long as he can hold it down.

Also CJ Willis appears to be struggling at the plate, looks like he's around 4-16 with 10ks for the pre-season according to Scuba's stat line. OUCH

I don't think he has as much pop/power as AD. AD has that ability to stick the ball in gaps and occasionally put one of over the wall but also make solid, consistent contact and doesn't K much. I don't think GD is that type of guy but really just going by summer stats. 19-89(.213) 2 doubles,1 triple and 30Ks.

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Got to get Beloso & Dugas bats in the line up/IF.

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I think a lot of Beloso's PT will depend on how well he hits and what happens behind the dish. Biggest issue with Beloso is he is a DH/1B only so his playing time will depend a lot on his bat. If CPM gives him time and a rope he will adjust and likely be very productive. As for the C position, if Garza sticks behind the dish then Beloso will likely have to out hit Mathis and probably Willis to secure 1st, which I think he can do! Don't think Bryce gets much of a look at 1st this season. If Mathis wins C position look for Garza to slide to 1st and be tough to beat out. BIG body with huge stick(24 HR's as a Freshman in JUCO last season). I think DH spot will be BJ's to lose but certainly if CB hits he'll get some opps there. As for Dugas, he'll have to beat out Bianco at 3rd and as long as CPM hasn't already decided/crowned DB as the 3rd baseman GD should compete well over there. Should be some fun battles to watch as the fall and early spring unfold.

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Mason Templet spent last year at LSUE. He's now at ULL.

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Templet is done playing. He hurt his shoulder again playing summer ball and was faced with having to have a 3rd labrum surgery in 5 years and chose to just hang up the spikes. Sucks for him and his family!! Had a great year at LSUE and I'm sure the Cajuns were looking forward to getting some thunder in that otherwise limp lineup.

At this point I would put NOTHING past AB! They said he couldn't hit higher level/SEC pitching..He's doing it! Can't get guys out with just a FB.....He's doing it! Hasn't played 2b in who knows how long and he's doing it, quite well.

Let's face it this is AB's world and we are just living in it! Let the Bain train roll on!!

:geauxtigers:

"Eight hits for a scrimmage is greater than usual. I guess the pitchers throwing today were not the ones we will see often this season".

I don't know who threw against the "starters" group(they had most of the hits in the scrimmage) but I heard Webre's HR and 2b were off of Hess.....

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I too was curious when I saw Bain hitting. Can’t remember the AB but he didn’t look uncomfortable.

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Bain is only out there as a filler for scrimmage purposes. He will only play a position if we get multiple guys hurt and has to get in there bc there aren't any other options JMO