After struggling at the plate all last season, LSU senior outfielder Jared Foster just wanted to crack the lineup in 2015.
Batting leadoff never crossed his mind.
But when LSU coach Paul Mainieri informed Foster he’d take the first at-bat in the second game of the Tigers’ doubleheader against Boston College on Feb. 20, he was ready.
“I had no idea,” Foster said. “But I’m glad I got the chance. I was ready to play.”
Foster went 2-for-3 at the plate and drew two walks in his first appearance as a leadoff man this season. He followed that performance by batting 2-for-4 during the Tigers’ 16-2 dismantling of the Eagles on Saturday.
After slumping to a .115 batting average last season, Foster’s big weekend brought more relief than excitement, but he said he’s hoping it can continue this year.
The three-year letterman experienced success earlier in his LSU career but was never able to sustain it. But with age comes maturity, and Foster said he now knows how to handle prosperity.
“I just have to stay with my same approach,” Foster said. “Don’t try to get too big. Stay hitting the ball, but don’t get too excited up there. Just go to every plate appearance ready to hit.”
Foster showed he was ready on his first pitch as the leadoff man.
Moments after stepping to the batter’s box in the bottom of the first inning Friday, Foster crushed the first pitch toward Boston College junior left
fielder Logan Hoggarth.
Hoggarth couldn’t make a play on the hard-hit ball, giving the speedy Foster just enough time to race around the bases and slide safely at third for his first career triple.
Foster said he simply saw a pitch he liked.
“If they’re going to throw me a fastball [down the] middle, I’m going to try to hit it hard,” Foster said. “Fortunately enough he did, and I got a pretty good swing on it.”
Mainieri debated between giving Foster his opportunity or keeping junior outfielder Mark Laird — who batted leadoff in the first five games of the season — in the No. 1 hole. But Mainieri said he’s seen what Foster can do with the first pitch, and he wanted to see it in a game.
“Foster likes that first pitch, and he can do damage with it,” Mainieri said. “I wouldn’t have been surprised if he hit the first one off the scoreboard.”
Foster’s first at-bat as a leadoff man showed his aggressiveness at the plate, but it also gave him a chance to showcase his speed, another common sighting for Mainieri.
“He’s a great athlete,” Mainieri said. “He might be the best athlete on our team.”
Foster’s big weekend was more reminiscent of his breakout freshman and sophomore seasons in Baton Rouge than his regressing junior campaign.
The Barbe High School product started 27 games as a freshman in 2012. Though he batted only .218, Foster tallied five doubles, one home run, 13 RBIs and four steals, tying for third on the team that season.
Foster carried the momentum from his rookie year into his second, delivering more
despite fewer opportunities.
The senior played in 42 games during his second season but made only 15 starts. However, he held his own
whenever he was in.
Foster batted a career-best .359 in 64 at-bats as a sophomore. He finished the season with two doubles, two home runs, 12 RBIs, 19 runs and three stolen bases.
But Foster’s most memorable performances came during the 2013 postseason.
Foster was named to the 2013 Southeastern Conference All-Tournament Team after he batted 4-for-6 with an RBI and a .778 on-base percentage. He also recorded two steals and four runs, including the tournament-clinching score in the 11th inning to defeat Vanderbilt.
Foster followed up that performance by blasting a two-run home run in the 2013 Baton Rouge Regional against Jackson State.
But after that memorable run, things went south for Foster. He acknowledged he tried too hard as a junior, always looking to crush the ball rather than get on base. His .194 on-base percentage was the worst on the roster last season.
“The thing with last year is I was pressing too much,” Foster said. “I was trying to do too much. I just chilled out this year. I’m having fun and looking at things a different way. I’m not trying to get too big. It feels good to get up there relaxed.
Foster’s teammates have
noticed the change.
“Jared came in this year with a different mindset,” said LSU junior shortstop Alex Bregman. “He’s having fun, and he’s swinging the bat and playing to his capability. It’s fun to watch him hit every time he goes up there because you know there’s going to be something hit hard.”
After racking up four hits, three extra-base hits, four runs and two RBIs as the Tigers’ leadoff man against Boston College last weekend, Foster has made a strong case for more playing time.
But this time, he’s hoping it can last.
“It’s a big ball thrown at me right now,” Foster said. “Hopefully it stays like that for a while.”
You can reach David Gray on Twitter @dgray_TDR.