We're doing great in the draft this year. If all goes as planned, LSU will have a very good Freshman Baseball team next year. A lot of speculation is Dodgers never had intentions of signing Lee and as such, will forfeit the pick so they can get another pick next year. They are in a financial mess. Gausman is raw compared to Lee but he has a excellent arm, if someone can work on his offspeed, hes going to be a stud. Jones is rumored to be on full ship at LSU and that is why teams were passing him up. He was a 1st-2nd round talent but due to his agent representation, he wanted a lot of money to pass LSU up. He had nothing to lose being on full ship to LSU, which is very rare. That is why he fell so far. His agent is notorious for high negotiating bonuses. Teams simply didn't feel he was a highly signable prospect. Cecchini will probably be gone because the Sox have money to spend and this is how they do their drafts. They get high potential players and willing give big bonuses to them. Leblanc might be leaving because he has a kid, might not. Southall apparently has academic issues that might prevent him going to LSU anyway. I expect Ross to leave because he has all the leverage hes going to get being a JR. That is really the only pick that is going to hurt us since he was likely our day 1 starter for the beginning of next year. Then you combine the fact LSU is still getting prospects like Ryan Eades, who was highly regarded before his injury and probably was going Pro. But since he was picked so low, hes probably heading here. All the chips are falling into place...I just hope things go as expected from here on out.
PM's thoughts on the draft, sounds good for Lee. Paul Mainieri MLB Draft Interview - LSUsports.Net Cecchini apparently already signed as expected, got $1.6 million.
Some Gausman Quotes: Dodgers' draft pick Kevin Gausman's thoughts post-MLB draft | All Things Colorado Preps Sounds like he is living it up and a win-win either way. IMO he is doing some posturing with the "I am all about LSU right now" etc... The Dodgers will be right next door to his summer league so that works out for him.
Mixed reports on Cecchini but it looks like he has not signed any deal yet and the Red Sox want to look at him during summer ball to see if his injury has progressed to see if they are willing to pay his asking price which is high for a 4th rounder. But the Red Sox has the funds and are not afraid to use them.
I expect Gausman gone if they give him what hes looking for. If he pitches good over the summer, they might give it to him. People think Lee is just prep for next year. Its a much deeper draft and if they don't sign Lee, they get two first round picks. Gausman is probably the backup plan to Lee.
Good read about the chances of these guys coming to LSU. Leblanc sounds like a lock but a little too much like a lock. I wouldn't cont my eggs before they hatched here. Eades and Jacoby are with the team and will likely stay here since both were selected in the 19th. However, Eades and Cecchini are both eligible for next year's draft because of where their birthdays fall. 2theadvocate.com | Line Drives | LeBlanc LSU-bound, barring 'outrageous' offer — Baton Rouge, LA
Sounds promising all around based on these quotes: 2theadvocate.com | Featured LSU Stories | Mainieri not relaxing just yet — Baton Rouge, LA
