LSU’s baseball team is adding an innovative tool for its upcoming season.
The Tigers have implemented a new video and scouting player and development room, equipped with computers and overhead televisions to show film to players and coaches.
The team hired video coordinator Jamie Tutko in the offseason to run the video room.
Tutko comes to Baton Rouge after working as a video coordinator with the Miami Marlins organization from 2014-16. He was also a Cincinnati Reds affiliate from 2012-13.
“Some of the stuff we do here with the video is a little different than with any other sports,” Tutko said.
Tutko’s job includes filming scrimmages and games at varying camera angles and developing a scouting report to assist the LSU coaches.
Tutko is a graduate of St. Leo University, where he was captain of the baseball team and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sports business in 2011.
LSU will use the room for player development and scouting other teams throughout the season. The coaching staff will now have the ability to show the players what they are doing right or wrong.
The new video room will assist in game preparation against opponents for big matchups.
“We’ll use the video to scout opponents,” Tutko said. “So we have a full game plan for when we play Florida and other SEC schools.”
Video and analytics have become a big part of team success in the MLB over the past eight to 10 years. With the transition to college, Tutko is hoping for that same success for the Tigers this year.
“We want to stay ahead of pretty much everybody else in college baseball,” Tutko said. “So that was one of the main reasons [for building the video room].”
The room was finished in early January, and LSU is already preparing for the season opener. Coaches and players have started using the room to develop a gameplan for the Tigers’ first game.
“Some student interns have already been in here to chart a couple of games we have been preparing for,” Tutko said. “We’ve had some coaches working with our catchers and watching some footage as well.”
With high expectations for this season, the video room is expected to help players in a new way.
“It’s easy for a coach to see something from a player and be able to tell him,” Tutko said. “But to be able to come in here and show them what they are doing wrong or what they are doing right at the same time will help that player tremendously.”
LSU opens its season on Feb. 17 when they host Air Force at Alex Box Stadium.