Weather hindering LSU pitching progress
A rainy and cold two week-period drew the attention of LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri.
Mainieri revealed his frustration when he met with the media Thursday afternoon. Bad weather on the weekends has prevented the Tigers from simulating what will happen when the regular season begins one week from Friday.
“I can’t remember a preseason with the weather so dynamic,” Mainieri said. “In the three weekends before the season, we try to simulate weekend series during the regular season. We haven’t had one weekend yet where we could go with our Friday, Saturday, Sunday starters.”
Mainieri pointed out that Zack Hess could be affected in the opening series against Notre Dame by what occurs with the weather this weekend. If Hess is unable to throw this Saturday or Sunday, he would be pushed back to Monday. Throwing innings Monday would reduce his pitch count against the Irish.According to Mainieri, the starting rotation is set for the Notre Dame series. Caleb Gilbert will throw on opening night followed by Hess and Todd Peterson. Junior college transfer Cam Sanders will start the first midweek game against UNO.
Roles in the bullpen have not yet been determined although it appears that freshmen Ma’Khail Hilliard and Devin Fontenot may be asked to handle the final two innings.“Ma’Khail had some rough outings in the scrimmages,” Mainieri said. “His velocity was down. He was good the last time out. He was throwing 90, 91 (miles per hour) and had his good curve ball. Devin has been pretty consistent. He throws strikes. He has a funky delivery. He reminds me of Louis Coleman.
“Nick Bush has been pretty consistent. The other guys are there one day and not the next. One day a guy looks great and the next day he takes a step back. I think that’s how it’s going to be early in the year. I am looking for guys who throw strikes and execute the pitches Alan (Dunn) calls.”
There have been no changes in the everyday lineup with the exception of catcher where Hunter Feduccia is still sidelined with a broken bone in his left hand. Mainieri remains hopeful Feduccia will be available for the Notre Dame series. Nick Coomes would be Feduccia’s replacement.
“Hunter is still status quo,” Mainieri said. “He tried to swing the bat Wednesday, but his hand was too sore. He is doing no hitting and no receiving. He is doing drills blocking balls and keeping his arm in shape.
“If he is not able to play in an intrasquad game Sunday or Tuesday, it would be pretty difficult for him to play the first weekend. I was hoping Hunter would be feeling better by now. But, Coomes has looked great.”
The starting infield consists of Jake Slaughter at third base, Josh Smith at shortstop, Brandt Broussard at second base and Bryce Jordan at first base. The three outfielders are Daniel Cabrera in left, Zach Watson in center and Antoine Duplantis in right. Beau Jordan is the No. 1 designated hitter.
Mainieri has been pleased with the progress of two freshmen – outfielder Nick Webre and infielder Hal Hughes.
“Nick Webre has been one of the best hitters out here the first two weeks,” Mainieri said. “He continues to impress. Hal Hughes has been good as well. Hughes has looked good at all three infield positions. We are developing both of them as starting players.”
The Southeastern Conference released the coaches’ preseason predictions and all-conference team Thursday. Duplantis and Watson were LSU’s two honorees. Rather surprisingly, the Tigers were picked to finish fourth in the Western Division – behind Arkansas, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.
“I remember talking to the team in the fall of 2007,” Mainieri said. “We were coming off a 29-26-1 season. I told the players that this will be the last season anybody will take LSU lightly in baseball. We were picked fifth in 2008 and we won the West and went to Omaha.
“I don’t think we have been picked lower than first or second in the West since 2008. Evidently, somebody is going to take us lightly this year. We’ll get what we earn.”