That's what I was thinking. We bring back a fair amount of talented starters and many guys with super talent that couldn't find an open spot on the feild to play. Plus recruiting has been pretty good.
Weekend Starters Ranaudo - Jr. Ott - So. Von Rosenburg - Fr. or Austin Ross - Jr. ???? Midweek Starters Chris Matulis - So. Daniel Bradshaw - Jr. Setup Daniel Bradshaw - Jr. Chad Jones - Jr. Closer Paul Bertuccini - Sr. Position Players LF Leon Landry - Jr. CF Mike Mahtook - So. RF Chad Jones - Jr. (first half of the season) ????? 3B Tyler Hanover - So. SS Austin Nola - So. 2B Ryan Schimpf - Sr. or Tyler Hanover - So. ?????? 1B Sean Ochinko - Sr. or Grant Dozar - So. ?????? C Micah Gibbs - Jr. DH Blake Dean - Sr. Thoughts: Not a bad weekend staff. LSU will contend just based on the starting pitchers. The offense is another question as well as who takes Ott's place as closer. We know how important it is to have a dependable closer (ask Texas about game 1, which ultimately decided their fate). Could Bradshaw fill that role? Or does he become a weekend or midweek starter? And then there is Paul Bertuccini, maybe the most likely candidate? Lots of special talent coming in as freshmen, and some will definitely contribute. We have a good chance of repeating if we can get a closer that allows Ott to start and Blake Dean returns to supply the needed power. Let's not forget Leon Landry was on pace for nearly 20 home runs this past season before being benced.
We were something like 48-0 with the lead after 6 innings. I leave Ott as the closer. I'm still high on Matulis as a potential game 3 starter. I think Ross will mature into the Saturday guy.
Yeah we may start the season like that and see how it progresses. I hope Ross takes the next step up, that would be great. My nephew DOTB was telling me Coach has intentions of moving Ott to the starters role next season. And if those 3 championship saving innings vs Texas is any indication of what is in store, look out.
If Dean comes back, its to play a position to raise his pro stock, so 1st or LF not gonna DH. Hanover is a 2B, thats his natural position so that leaves 3B open for Dozar.
Not really, once Jimmy got caught "preaching" to that prostitute on Airline Highway he's been pretty irrelevant actually. :grin: Wonder if Blake Dean will return and try and earn a position?
Freshmen Zack Von Rosenburg and Brody Colvin could be weekend starters. LSU maybe stronger next year than this year. Depends who stays.
Losing some really great guys. "Maybe" might be stretching it, but only because (as some have said) this may have been LSU's best TEAM ever. To me, the key to getting back to Omaha next year will be replacing Coleman, finding one more good reliever, and finding infielders who can match Schimpf and Ochinko's production. They may already be there, sitting on the bench. Nola, for instance, started to swing the bat much better towards the end of the season. I'll say this - LSU has a chance of pushing hard for the SEC champ title again next year.
So can someone please put up a percentage that players are gone next season out of: LeMahieu = ? Schimpf = ? Ochinko = ? Dean = ? Gibbs = ? Coleman = 100 % Mitchell = 100 %
