For LSU junior pitcher Alex Lange, this offseason was all about improvement.
Lange has worked tirelessly to get back to where he was as a freshman when he went 12-0 as a starter for the Tigers.
After coming off a sophomore season where he went 8-4 with a 3.79 ERA, Lange decided that his game needed some tinkering.
Lange’s improvement began with his involvement with Team USA during the summer, which he said benefited not only his game but his life as well.
“It was one of the best experiences of my life, honestly,” Lange said. “Being around all of those guys and being around the different cultures and the style of baseball. They all play different from us. It’s something I’ll cherish forever.”
Working with elite talent from other schools around the country helped Lange develop his game, he said. Lange remembers talking to his fellow teammates about what it takes to be successful when on the mound.
“I was around some guys that will do some things in the big leagues,” Lange said. “I got a chance to learn from those guys. It was just kind of comparing yourself and learning how other guys be successful and maybe that will help you win as well.”
LSU Coach Paul Mainieri was encouraged by a recent bullpen session and said Lange is due for his best season yet and Team USA is one of the reasons.
“I just feel the experience with USA Baseball last summer, two years of experience under his belt, he had a few rough moments last year,” Mainieri said. “Not all that different than Alex Bregman had when he was in his sophomore year. It’s going to be a sad day for me when Alex Lange throws his last pitch for LSU, believe me. He’s one of the all-time greats as far as I’m concerned.”
Lange worked on his delivery during the offseason, which he hopes will help with better ball placement on his pitches.
“It was just trying to repeat my delivery,” Lange said. “I think halfway through last year I found something that I really liked and was comfortable with and was able to repeat multiple times over and over again.”
There still remains a question mark behind Lange and senior pitcher Jared Poche’ on the depth chart. Mainieri has stated that he wants to develop a third starting pitcher, and freshman Eric Walker and Zach Hess are the leading candidates for the job.
Lange said both fit the mold of being great pitchers, and he feels excited about the state of the Tigers pitching rotation.
“They’re the real deal,” Lange said. “I think they’re going to be really special for us. Eric is one of the most polished freshman pitchers I’ve seen command wise and pitchability wise. He’s going to pitch some big innings for us and I think Zach can as well. He’s a hard thrower, a lot of cut on his ball. He’s an awesome talent, and he is really going to help us.”
With Lange entering possibly his final season at LSU, he wouldn’t trade this college experience for anything.
“This is all I’ve ever wanted to do is play baseball at LSU,” Lange said. “This is the greatest experience I’ve had in my first three years here, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. For me to sit here and say I don’t think about it is a lie, but with that said, this is where I want to be. I’m here for a reason, the reason I chose to come to college.”