Nothing changed that I know of, but coaching from on top is a lot like playing from on top. Sometimes you have to realize that you have to keep doing the things that got you there if you plan on staying there. The staff didn't do a good job with pitching this year. Not enough good arms and they weren't prepared to succeed when their ace had an off season. Pitching was an absolute disaster. I think Mareneri knows baseball and is really a smart guy. I think he will correct the recruiting and coaching mistakes and pitching will improve.
Likely going Pro: Delino Deshields Jacoby Jones Zach Lee Garin Cecchini Cam Bedrosian Kevin Gausman Might be one or two other guys that might surprise and go to the draft. If we can get 1-3 of those guys listed to show up on campus, LSU will have a sick team. Especially if LSU lands one of those stud pitchers I listed... Some are saying Jones wants a ridiculous amount of money but its probably just leverage just like Lee is doing. However, we still have a few guys to get excited about that are considered true "studs", just injuries will hurt their draft stock. Eades is a great example. Cecchini's stock might fall enough in LSU's favor but I'm not holding my breath. I do not think we'll land both Jones/Cecchini since they're similar athletes. We have a couple other guys that will likely get drafted but probably not high enough to leave... LSU will need impact Freshman next year to be a great Baseball team.
Have no idea what figure Cecchini is looking. I wonder if he will be disappointed with the offer due to his injury.
Well, I read a article awhile back that said scouts were not as high on Jones as Cecchini. Also, they said Cecchini had a higher ceiling and even with his injury they were still looking at his potential. Before his injury he was basically a first round lock. Scouts haven't been as high on Jones but hes still a very high pick candidate, even if hes asking for a lot of money. I think its just leverage talk personally. In the interviews Jones didn't seem to be too thrilled in going to LSU over the MLB. On TD, Adam on there says Southall and Leblanc will likely leave too. He knows more about this than me, so I'd trust him on that. He says Leblanc has a kid and Southall might be a academic casualty. I don't know much on those guys personally. We'll see. I believe Jones stock has actually fallen a bit because of high demands. But some scout still have him as #1 in his position. I think our best shot is Cecchini of the two. Both can play multiple positions for LSU, are rangy and have power.
Dodgers have a history of not giving out the money and going through an ownership issue. Analyst saying this right now on he draft show. Their #14 pick overall last year ended up going to TCU instead. Probably gone but I hope the Dodgers mess it all up again.
Emanuel (Portland, Oregon): KG, did the Dodgers draft Lee as a throw away pick since all indications are they are going on the cheap this year?? Also, how far away is Lee if he does sign? Kevin Goldstein: I think there's a strong chance this is a pick dump. Baseball Prospectus | Events | Chat with Kevin Goldstein