LSU Baseball

I know everyone's been clamoring for my 2009 report, so here it is. By the way Scoot, you got's ta invite John Chapman to this party.

I've had season tickets for years to this shit. But just this year they moved into a new park, which is AAA level. It's truly bad ass. Check it out on lsusports.net. Anyway, not too many losses this year and some great freshmen. First year since 1997 that they're guaranteed an Omaha berth. They lost their first game tonight, but the season still bodes well. For those of you who hate baseball, I hate you.

KEY LOSSES:
Jared Bradford - RHP (graduation)
Matt Clark - 1B (draft)

LINEUP:
2 Catcher: Soph. Micah Gibbs is back at batting cleanup. He's fantastic on defense and he's the only switch hitter on the team. Backup is Shawn Ochinko, who sounds like the guy Scoot saw slip on the ice the other day, but he's white as shit. B+
3 1B: Jr. Shawn Ochinko is back, for the first time at first base. He's been on a tear in the past few games, knocking in a ton and playing a serviceable first base. Definitely a candidate for Most Improved. His major league prospects are only harmed by the fact that he won't be able to find a position, being a second string college catcher. Aluminum bat hitter. A. He's backed up by F Grant Dozar, who also catches, and S Buzzy Haydel, the best defender on the team.
4 2B: Jr. Ryan Schimpf: Every time I write this dude's name in the scorebook I think I'm adding too many letters. But nope, they're all in there. Good hitter. Good bunter and base stealer, if you like that sort of think, which I don't. Backed up by black speed demon Sr. Chris McGhee and also Buzzy.
5 3B: Soph. Derek Helenihi: He moves from RF to his natural position. Which it turns out he's not that great at. He is the position player who needs to be looking over his shoulder the most. F Tyler Hanover has started a couple of games and looks good.
6 SS: Soph. D.J. LeMahieu: Carrie's heartthrob. He's gone after this year, being a 21-year old sophomore. Second-best defender on the club. Bats fifth and has the best average. Backup is F Austin Nola, the Catholic High standout who's gotten a few plate appearances, but shows nerves in the field.
7 LF: Jr. Blake Dean - The best hitter on the team. He has a terrible throwing arm, but he makes up for it with his bat. Third year of best hitter. Definite first rounder in May. Splits time at DH. More on backups later.
8 Soph. Leon Landry - Black dude. Slammed face first into the wall in last year's regional but held on to the ball, becoming a crowd favorite. Backed up by high-sock wearing Arab F Mikie Mahtook.
9 Soph. Jared Mitchell - He'll play through spring practice this year and join the football team as the #4 WR in August. Tied for Most Improved Player, as his plate discipline has skyrocketed this year.
DH: This position is split among McGhee, Sr. Nick Pontiff and Chad Jones (who will miss 20 days when he goes to spring football). Several times one of these dudes will play in the field while Dean DH's. It's all about the righty-lefty matchups.

RHP: Soph. Anthony Ranaudo - This dude rolled for 12 K's tonight, after killing 10 his last time out. He's taller than I am and totally dominant. He's a starter.
Soph. Austin Ross - Sinkerballer who hasn't lost yet. Lock for the SEC rotation.
Sr. Ryan Byrd has been MIA. F Shane Riedie started one game and lasted an inning. He needs work. F Matty Ott looks fantastic in relief. Soph. Daniel Bradshaw has had issues. They're eyeing him for the third SEC started, but I have my doubts. Sr. Louis Coleman should definitely be the Friday night dude, but Mainieri has decided he needs to be a "closer" so we'll see how that goes. History points to this being a mistake (with Bradford) so I expect to see him in the rotation by the middle of the conference season. Soph. Jordan Nicholson doesn't figure to see much action this season and may be redshirted. Sr. Nolan Cain was supposed to be a midweek starter but has been battling elbow trouble. Jr. Paul Bertucinni is a get-out-of-the-inning guy. And he's good at it. Soph. Ben Alsup may break into the rotation. F Spencer Mathews is the worst. He's gotten chances and hasn't converted yet.

LHP: Sr. Ryan Byrd must have something wrong with him because he doesn't have an app yet. Either that or they're redshirting him. F Randy Zeigler has gotten a couple of apps and also plays INF. He'll be OK. F Chris Matulis will probably be the regular midweek starter. He's got a big future with his breaker.

There you go. You'll notice a disturbing lack of lefthanded arms. It's a good thing they have six of nine lefty batters in the order, with Chad Jones and Grant Dozar coming off the lefty bench.

All in all this team looks fantastic. Barring injuries, we should see them play in June.