Following another disappointing early-summer exit, the old adage of “wait ’till next year” has become trite for LSU baseball fans.  After falling one game short of a trip to the College World Series – failing to reach the college baseball mecca for a third straight year – the Tigers graduate the final holdovers from LSU’s last trip to Omaha.  With rising seniors Mason Katz and Raph Rhymes returning as the meat of the batting order and all but three pitchers returning, expectations will surely be higher for next season’s Tiger baseball team.
PITCHING Aside from the loss of Friday night ace Kevin Gausman, closer Nick Goody and freshman Carson Baranik, the pitching staff should remain largely intact. Sophomore Aaron Nola will likely be asked to fill Gausman’s shoes in the Friday night role, with junior Ryan Eades slated to keep his spot in the weekend rotation if he improves as LSU coach Paul Mainieri expects. “He’s got room for improvement,” Mainieri said. “He’s going to have to get better, and his offspeed pitches are going to have to get better.” With all middle relievers and mid-week starters primed to return, the third spot in the weekend rotation and the closer’s spot remain very much in doubt. Senior Chris Cotton could factor into the rotation – as he boasted a 7-0 record in a “set-up man” role this past season. Opponents could muster only a .185 batting average against him. Junior Nick Rumbelow and senior Kevin Berry are experienced in late-inning situations, making them early front-runners to replace Goody. Incoming recruit Will LaMarche from Chabot College in California also has bullpen experience, making him another potential option.
INFIELD The Tigers will feel the greatest absence here, losing starting shortstop Austin Nola and starting third baseman Tyler Hanover, who started all 64 games at their respective positions. With both Katz and sophomore Tyler Moore having experience at first base, one could make the transition to the left side of the infield, possibly at third base. Junior JaCoby Jones could also move across the diamond to the left side. Sophomore Evan Powell and incoming freshman Alex Bregman may also factor into LSU’s infield plans. Bregman, out of Albuquerque Academy in New Mexico, is projected as either a second baseman or a catcher.
OUTFIELD After watching Stony Brook’s outfielders run down any fly ball in sight, it’s apparent that the Tigers need a more athletic outfield. Jones started the season opener in center field while junior Jackson Slaid was in left. The return of the speedy Chris Sciambra, a sophomore, fills the hole in center field. Slaid and Jones could foreseeably fill the outfield, making Rhymes a potential designated hitter. Delgado Community College transfer Sean McMullen comes in after starting in center field for Delgado in 39 games, giving a veteran presence if Sciambra isn’t fully recovered from his grisly neck injury. HITTING Mainieri didn’t mince words when he was explaining the offensive output after the super regional loss to Stony Brook. “We didn’t have a real dynamic offense all year, but it was usually good enough,” Mainieri said. If one aspect of the Tigers’ 2013 team is reassuring, it’s the batting order. Sciambra asserted himself as a dynamic leadoff hitter before breaking his neck, a spot he could reclaim to begin next season. Jones, Katz, Rhymes and junior Ty Ross return to the lineup, in that order, adding more experience to the offense that was nothing short of anemic in the postseason.  ____ Contact Chandler Rome at [email protected]