June 7, 2018
COMING THIS FALL
DENHAM SPRINGS HS FOOTBALL
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THE WIZARDRY OF OS
Assistant Basketball Coach and Head Swimming Coach at Central High
I got halfway through writing about this past baseball season and then realized, I don’t want to look back on this year of LSU sports. Then I realized I have 3 months of articles to write without actual game action. Oy!
So how are we going to handle this long stretch with nothing but tired top 10 lists, off the field drama, and a lack of positive memories from the past sports season? I am not sure, but I certainly am putting the 2017-18 sports season in the grave.
Then I started writing another article. Here was the main message.
Go down the line of every great LSU baseball team and you will find Alex Lange, Aaron Nola, Kevin Gausman, Anthony Ranaudo, and other dominant starting pitchers. Friday night starters whose combination of stuff and command have them pitch into the 7th inning and beyond on almost every start even when the opponent is their most energized.
As we look forward to the future of LSU baseball, this is the role that must be filled if LSU is to have a better season next year. I had a couple of paragraphs about the potential of the pitching staff, but LSU is going to be relying on guys coming off injuries or brand new pitchers. I hadn’t gotten to the position players, but losing three of the top four hitters (Bain, Duplantis, and Watson) was not a pretty picture for the offense.
Then the MLB draft began, and a funny thing happened. All the bad fortune LSU baseball had this year, turned into good fortune. The only current LSU player selected in the first ten rounds was Nick Bush! Congratulations Nick. But to be honest, I would have lost a million dollars if someone had bet me that Bush would be selected before Duplantis, Watson, Sanders, and Hess. In addition, only two signees were drafted in the first ten rounds. Amazing!
Before we start celebrating a national championship, there are a number of things to keep in mind. First, there are many more rounds to the draft and many of these players will be selected eventually. Second, even if a player is selected lower than expected they could sign a contract. Third, even if LSU has a great team and is the fourth national seed, they can lose in a regional (isn’t that right Ole Miss).
Having gotten that out of the way, LSU baseball is now in excellent shape for next year. I am sure 2-3 players will sign with a major league team even though they get selected 12 rounds later than expected. But, not all of them.
This news is going to make Mainieri’s job of managing a 35 man roster with 11.7 scholarships very challenging. If Watson returns, I am sure LSU was promising someone his scholarship money and that money won’t be available. The NCAA really sets up baseball coaches to be “bad guys.”
We should be sure to exercise caution when looking forward to the next college baseball season. Nevertheless, it is exciting to think that the LSU baseball staff won’t be scouring JUCO baseball rosters for guys that were overlooked to fill out the roster next year because LSU lost more returning players and signees to the draft than expected. LSU will certainly have more players ready to play in Alex Box than expected a week ago.
I look forward to seeing how it all shakes out over the summer and breaking down what could be a VERY talented 35 man roster in August.
HEY REF
Dennis is taking this week off.
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