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2019 LSU Baseball Season

Discussion in 'The Tiger's Den' started by CajunlostinCali, Jan 10, 2019.

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tirk im the lyrical jessie james

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CajunlostinCali said: ↑

Some pitching outlooks for the 2019 season:

Starting Pitching

LSU’s Hess will have something to prove in 2019. Hess made his mark two seasons ago as a big-time closer, shining at the College World Series with an electric fastball and mean streak, earning him the distinction as “Wild Thing”. Well, he was forced to harness his emotions a bit last season as he moved to the weekend rotation. There, he was just OK at times, good at others and bad in other situations, finishing the season with an ERA north of five, along with 107 strikeouts and 49 walks. The Tigers rested Hess for much of the fall, but Mainieri feels like his stuff has taken a jump and he’s truly ready to prove his worth as a starter at the collegiate level. That’s a good development, because he’ll be needed more than ever if the Tigers are going to reach their goals.

Walker was a standout freshman pitcher for the Tigers two seasons ago. He almost threw a no-hitter against Auburn late in the season before losing it in the eighth inning. A few weeks later, he was diagnosed with an arm injury and had season-ending surgery during the College World Series. The Tigers desperately missed Walker’s services last season. He’s back and his presence will certainly be felt. Walker isn’t going to blow hitters away with his fastball, but he’ll sit in the upper-80s and into the 90s and will show very good feel for the changeup at times. Command is his forte, and if he has it, he’ll be really good. If not, things might not go well for the Tigers.

Last but certainly not least, keep an eye on the freshman righty, Marceaux. Marceaux originally was expected to enroll early at LSU, but backed off that possibility before holiday break commenced two years ago. Now, the 6-foot, 185-pounder, is ready to make a huge first impression. Marceaux was 90-93 with his fastball in the fall, along with a plus curveball and changeup combination and maturity beyond his years. Clearly, we’ll see what he’s truly made of when he takes the mound against SEC teams, but Mainieri said the righty might be the best freshman pitcher he’s ever had in his program. If that’s not impressive and loud, I’m not sure what is.

Bull Pen

Anyone around the LSU program will tell you the bullpen was an adventure at the start of last season, but things began to come together a bit as the campaign progressed. Peterson, a hard-throwing righty, formed into a shutdown closer and was dominant by season’s end. Peterson didn’t throw a lot this fall, as Mainieri wanted to rest his better arms. But he looked better physically and the long-time LSU skipper said he was up to 94-95 with his fastball, along with a hammer curveball when he did toe the rubber. That’s a good place to start if you’re the Tigers.

The Tigers have plenty of additional talented options. In terms of experienced returning arms, keep an eye on righties Caleb Gilbert and Matthew Beck. Gilbert had offseason surgery to take care of some fraying in his labrum, while Beck was shut down this fall after experiencing some tenderness at the conclusion of his standout summer at the Texas Collegiate League. Gilbert has been a mainstay for the LSU pitching staff, and will sit anywhere from 90-94 with his fastball, along with feel for a slider and more. Beck is a breakout candidate. The 6-foot-7, 235-pounder, has a loud physical presence and was electric this past summer, sitting 89-92 and up to 93-94 with his fastball, along with his trademark hammer 12-6 curveball.

Sophomores Ma’Khail Hilliard, AJ Labas and Devin Fontenot also will be relied heavily upon. Hilliard was a savior for the LSU starting rotation last season, but his role in the rotation is in jeopardy after not throwing much this fall because of some arm tenderness. Hilliard has poise and will sit in the upper-80s into the low-90s at times. He also has feel for a nasty curve. Labas also logged some important innings last season and is back for more, while Fontenot was 92-94 with his fastball early in the fall before being shut down. He could start in the midweek, but the Tigers like him as a potential long/middle relief type of guy.

In terms of newcomers, Jaden Hill and Riggs Threadgill stood out this fall. Hill is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound righthander who has an impressive and athletic frame. He sat 90-92 and up to 93 with his fastball this fall, while the changeup was nasty at 80-81 and he attacked hitters with a 79-81 mph slider that had some late tilt. Threadgill is a physical 6-foot-4, 215-pounder, as well, and sat 88-91 with a sinker, along with a slider at 79-81 and a changeup at 79-80. He creates natural sink on his pitches, and the Tigers feel like he’ll be up to 92-93 in no time.

There could be more arms in the mix. Rye Gunter, Easton McMurray and Cole Henry, all talented first-year players, missed the fall with injuries. Mainieri said in the fall all three were expected back this spring, and they clearly have talent. Gunter is a big, physical Lone Star State product who can get up to the mid-90s, but who will sit in the low 90s most of the time and who has a swing and miss curveball. Meanwhile, Henry pitches in the low-90s, but actually was up to 97 at one point last spring. The Tigers like the fact Henry is a strike-thrower and command specialist with his fastball. He will be an immediate impact guy if he can stay healthy.
Click to expand...

Cpm had a media day thingy at noon. I didn't get to listen but I think it's available on demand.

tirk, Jan 25, 2019

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LSUpride123 likes this.
Bengal B Founding Member

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tirk said: ↑

Cpm had a media day thingy at noon. I didn't get to listen but I think it's available on demand.
Click to expand...

It's on right now on Moscona show

Bengal B, Jan 25, 2019

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tirk im the lyrical jessie james

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Bengal B said: ↑

It's on right now on Moscona show
Click to expand...

I did hear his opening statement. Hess is a starter year round. Don't even ask about him as a closer.

tirk, Jan 25, 2019

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CajunlostinCali Booger Eatin Moron

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tirk said: ↑

I did hear his opening statement. Hess is a starter year round. Don't even ask about him as a closer.
Click to expand...

We gonna need a strong pen this year. Hope them youngins got some in em for this SEC run

CajunlostinCali, Jan 25, 2019

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shane0911 Helping lost idiots find their village

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CajunlostinCali said: ↑

We gonna need a strong pen this year. Hope them youngins got some in em for this SEC run
Click to expand...

No faith in our bats?

shane0911, Jan 25, 2019

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Bengal B Founding Member

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There are no lefties on the pitching staff.

Bengal B, Jan 25, 2019

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CajunlostinCali Booger Eatin Moron

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shane0911 said: ↑

No faith in our bats?
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No faith in our pitching whisperer

CajunlostinCali, Jan 25, 2019

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shane0911 Helping lost idiots find their village

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CajunlostinCali said: ↑

No faith in our pitching whisperer
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Yeah I see what you mean. Especially when the HC likes to give up outs. Need to be able to sit em down in order quite a bit.

shane0911, Jan 25, 2019

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LSUpride123 PureBlood

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Keep the game day threads in check and we won’t have a problem @shane0911

LSUpride123, Jan 25, 2019

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tirk im the lyrical jessie james

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Bengal B said: ↑

There are no lefties on the pitching staff.
Click to expand...

McMurray. Large fella.

tirk, Jan 25, 2019

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