LSU coach Paul Mainieri continues to tinker with his lineup.
Mainieri said on Thursday that sophomore outfielder Antoine Duplantis will move from center field to left field. As a result the team will try out sophomore outfielder Brennan Breaux and freshman Zach Watson in centerfield this weekend against Wichita State.
Breaux is expected to start Friday night and Watson on Saturday with Sunday up for grabs.
Mainieri says he holds center field to high standard and wants to use this series to try out other guys.
“Brennan has never really had a shot out there,” Mainieri said. “I’m very high on Zach Watson, I think he’s an electric player and the only way we can see what he’s got is if we throw him out there.”
Mainieri did say this could be a short term experiment and that Duplantis is still an everyday player for the ball club.
“I just thought this was a good weekend to see how it looks,” Mainieri said.
Papierski returning to switch hitting
Mainieri also revealed that junior catcher Michael Papierski will return to switch hitting.
Paperski switch hit most of the 2016 season, but decided to start this season batting right-handed.
But, because of struggles against right-handed pitchers, Papierski will try switch hitting again.
“He’s had a little trouble facing right handers,” Mainieri said. “Especially breaking balls but right now he’s lacking in terms of confidence when facing those right handed breaking balls. I think getting back in the left handed box will be a little bit of an uplift for him.”
Papierski said it felt good to get back on the left side and hopes he’ll see some success from it this weekend.
“It felt good to get back on the left side,” Papierski said. “Hopefully I’ll see the ball better from right handed pitchers and help this team win.”
LSU sophomore outfielder Antoine Duplantis (20) swings the bat on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, during the Tigers 6-1 victory over Maryland at Alex Box Stadium.
