As LSU prepares to open Southeastern Conference play this weekend, every position on the diamond seems to have an everyday starter in place except for one – right field. With as many as five players vying for the title of starting right fielder, LSU coach Paul Mainieri said the competition is still wide open. “I’m looking for a guy who will hit consistently and make the routine plays in right field,” he said after Sunday’s series-ending loss to Stetson. “There’s just no clear-cut person out there right now.” Submitting their resumes for the position this season are freshmen Chad Jones, Leon Landry and Johnny Dishon and juniors Rene Escobar and Nicholas Pontiff. Escobar and Landry have the most starts in right field this season. Landry has started eight games and played in 11. Escobar has started four games this season, including all three games in this past weekend’s series against Stetson. Landry, a Baton Rouge native, said whoever gets the starting nod will be more than qualified. “Everyone who’s a candidate for right field is capable of being in right field,” he said. “We all get our chances, and whenever we get thrown in there, we’ve got to produce.” Escobar, who played mainly at second base at Riverside Community College this past season, said offensive production will determine who wins the job. “It all comes down to who’s going to swing it the best,” he said. “If you’re hitting, you’re going to be in the lineup.” In 15 at-bats this season, Escobar is hitting .200 with three RBIs and five strikeouts. Landry is hitting at a .233 clip with five RBIs and three strikeouts. Pontiff leads the group of candidates with a .313 average in just 16 at-bats. “What I need out of a right fielder is someone who can really hit,” Mainieri said. “It’s the most important thing.” Jones has seen limited playing time this season because of his involvement in spring football activities. Because he is under scholarship with the football team, Jones must fulfill his football obligations before he can become a full-time contributor on the baseball team. The former Southern Lab High School star earned All-State honors in football and baseball as a senior and was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 13th round of the 2007 MLB draft. Jones is hitting .154 with two hits and a stolen base this season. “Chad is a great ball player,” Landry said. “But it’s [still] a great competition. I know I’m a good athlete, and the other guys are good athletes as well.” Although a clear-cut starter has not yet distanced himself from the pack, Mainieri said he is confident someone will step up and “grab the bull by the horns.” “Somebody will emerge,” he said with a wink. “There’s no question about it.”
—-Contact James Rees at [email protected]