:bball: I WOULD APPRECIATE ANYONE BEING ABLE TO INFORM US OF THE BASEBALL RECRUITS WHO SIGNED THEIR LETTER OF INTENT DURING THE EARLY SIGNING PERIOD. THANK YOU.
Some here are even more sensitive... Anyway, LSU finished with the 5th-ranked recruiting class in baseball. Follow the link below: http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=27865&SPID=2173&DB_OEM_ID=5200&ATCLID=194258
Great article. Thanks. I can't wait for baseball season. There's something special about watching a game at Alex Box. I know the new stadium will be awseome but their will never be another Box. Getting back to the recruits, that recruiting class bodes well for the Tigers as long as everyone can stay healthy. I suppose the domination by L S U in the 1990's will not be duplicated by the Tigers or for that fact anyone else for a long time to come. But, we still have the memories of those glorious years under Coach Bertman and I have all the confidence that Coach Laval and his players will keep that excellence which has long been associated with the program, going for a long time to come. Geaux Tigers:yelwink2: :lsup:
Lots of fans aren't convienced that Smoke can keep it going. To be honest, looking at the makeup of a team like Texas (specialized pitching staffs--i.e. recruiting a dedicated closer, focusing on pitching, speed and defense) is what is getting it done in college baseball these days. Since the restrictions on the metal bats (changed the alloys used, cutting down on all the long balls), "Gorilla ball" is going out of style. Case in point, we had a team that led the SEC in HR's last season but we had a difficult time manufacturing runs in close, low-scoring games. If we faced a good pitcher, it was "see ya later". We just didn't have the base-stealing speed, and enough players that hit for a high average to play "hit-and-run". We also had some pretty bad games defensively. I'd like to see Smoke start recruiting a few speedy guys with good gloves and sprinkle in some "mashers" (preferrably at 1st base and RF). Time will tell how this recruiting class holds up. But I do like some of the pitchers we signed. I also have heard high praise for that kid from Oregon (who should be our next SS).
That Jason Ogata kid from Oregon looks very promising. But I'd like to see us recruit more agile kids. Guys like CJ, Hollander, Sprowl and older guys like Gill and Fontenot. We can't win with homeruns alone anymore. We need to do it with pitching and the much dreaded (at least by me) "small ball." I for one think this season looks VERY promising. I like our pitching and we have a good mix of power guys and finesse type players... Defense worries me, but not really too much after watching CJ and Hollander in the infield last year. I hope Ogata can hurry up and step in at SS or 2nd, more likely 2nd since he's 6 ft 180-ish... And will should be able to handle first. We also have Bryan Harris. Outfield looks good with Padron, Stewart and Sprowl. Looks very promising guys.
Yeah, after all of the MLB draft settled, I like a good bit of the guys we have. I'm not well-educated with some of the pitchers, but it is good to have gotten a solid number of arms coming in. From the position-player standpoint, like you mentioned, Ogata was one that I was impressed with--at least by reports. You and I seem to have the same thought process concerning the "style" of team we need: combination of power and finesse with more emphasis on pitching than what we've had in recent past. Man, it's too bad Determan won't be around to use his last year of eligibility. (but it's selfish--from a fan's view to want him here considering the outstanding job in the classroom that he's done. He'll make a great doctor once he's finished med school).
