Greg Deichmann is on a power surge.
Through 18 games, the junior right fielder has belted seven home runs, which is four shy of matching his total from last year.
What’s changed this year for Deichmann?
Well, for one, it could be his confidence level.
“He goes up there thinking he’s the best player in the country,” junior catcher Michael Papierski said. “I’m just glad he’s having the success he’s having and helping us win, and hopefully he goes out there and continues to do what he does.”
So far this season, Deichmann has a batting average of .338 and has 24 RBI’s.
Deichmann has also had eight multi RBI games this season. He had 15 last season.
“He’s become a man before our very eyes,” LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. “We always saw the potential of greatness and now we’re realizing that greatness.”
Despite having facial surgery earlier in the season, Deichmann is currently tied for sixth in home runs and seventh in RBI’s nationally.
Deichmann said he’s been encouraged by the start to his season and hopes to continue this level of play.
“I feel pretty locked in on both sides,” Deichmann said. “I’m seeing the pitches pretty well and having some strong at bats.”
Mainieri also mentioned that the biggest way for Deichmann to keep up this level of success is to not get impatient behind the plate.
“The biggest problem he’ll have now is to not get impatient,” Mainieri said. “We don’t have a lot of home run threats in our order and so most teams go into the game with the idea to not let Deichmann beat them. He’s got to make sure to not expand the strike zone and get himself into a slump.”
LSU recently moved sophomore center fielder Antoine Duplantis to left field and is starting freshman Zach Watson at center.
Deichmann said the change is all about communication.
“We work on communication a lot in the outfield,” Deichmann said. “Watson has got some explosive speed, so I think he’ll do a good job out there, and we’ll have to see in a couple of days.”
Mainieri added that the Tigers have a way of strong method for communicating and is not concerned with communication issues.
“We have a standard way we communicate on balls,” Mainieri said. “Hopefully the two guys that will be in center field will communicate effectively, and it shouldn’t have any impact.”
Even with the success, Deichmann is always looking for ways to improve and said he’s focused on staying consistent.
“There’s always stuff you can improve on,” Deichmann said. “With me, and I think with a lot of people, [it] is just consistency. Getting a pitch and not missing it and making the routine plays every time and the exceptional plays every chance you get. Just working toward being perfect.”
LSU junior infielder Greg Deichmann (7) prepares to swing the bat on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, during the Tigers’ 14-0 win against Maryland at Alex Box Stadium.
