LSU coach Paul Mainieri met with the media Monday to discuss the upcoming 2019 baseball season, a season filled with lofty expectations thanks to a 16 man recruiting class and veteran leadership.
After a first-round elimination to the eventual National Champion Oregon State Beavers, the Tigers were hoping for the best possible results in the MLB Draft. Mainieri was ecstatic to learn that outfielders Zach Watson and Antoine Duplantis and ace Zack Hess would all return for the 2019 season.
By returning to the team, Mainieri was then able to take all three with him for Team USA this summer, which completed play in mid-July. An injury to Duplantis cut his trip short, but sophomore Daniel Cabrera was called on to fill in, and showed out in front of the best players in the country.
Cabrera batted .300 with two home runs and six RBI in 14 appearances for Team USA, an experience Mainieri said will only benefit the sophomore slugger.
“From the first day he got there, Daniel showed he belonged,” Mainieri said. “His pitch recognition is great, his outfield defense is improving. By the time he finishes his junior year, he’s going to be a really high draft choice.”
Hess threw nine scoreless innings for Team USA with six strikeouts in what Mainieri called an “unbelievable” showing from the LSU ace. Mainieri said Hess’ success does not depend on his ability, but rather his consistency, which if Hess is able to master, will make him a lethal pitcher in the SEC next season.
“His mechanics were so smooth and I don’t think he went to a three ball count one time this summer,” Mainieri said. “The other pitchers on our team were all totally captivated by Zack and how dominant he was. By feeling is he’ll have that consistency and will be a first round draft choice next year.”
Mainieri said, despite losing coveted shortstop Brice Turang to the pros, the class is loaded with talent at all levels, but especially the pitching staff.
The Tigers added freshmen pitchers Cole Henry, Jaden Hill, Landon Marceaux, Chase Costello, Will Ripoll, Rye Gunter and Riggs Threadgill. The influx of pitchers is a good problem for Mainieri to have and all should compete for major playing time in the 2019 season.
In addition to the retooled pitching staff, the Tigers brought in outfielder Giovanni DiGiacomo, first baseman Cade Beloso, and catchers Saul Garza, Brock Mathis and CJ Willis.
“There’s at least a half dozen of these players that could’ve left for the draft,” Mainieri said. “Many of them have turned down significant signing bonuses to come to school here. So I’m excited about the opportunity to work with these guys and the impact they are going to have on our program.”
The catching position saw a major drop off in productivity after a string of success including Michael Papierski, Kade Scivicque and Sean Ochinko. Mainieri said he wants to see more of an outgoing personality behind the plate, calling it the second most important position on the field.
Garza and Mathis have a head start on the job as Willis is fighting back from injury and will not be ready for fall camp.
“This past year our catching was below the standard we’ve come to be used to,” Mainieri said. “Rebuilding that catching core is a priority for us and hopefully those guys will step up and show that position can be a position of strength once again.”
Mainieri also gave updates on some injured LSU players that missed significant time last season.
Shortstop Josh Smith, who missed all but nine games last season because of a back injury, but Mainieri said Smith has been “feeling great” and expects him to be ready for fall camp.
Smith has seen various back specialists this summer while also working with LSU trainer Cory Couture.
“He told me he hasn’t had an ounce of pain in three or four weeks,” Mainieri said. “He has not hit yet but has started to do some sprints and just trying to get the back as strong as possible before he starts to swing. Obviously having him back will be a big part of our team.”
Sophomore pitcher Eric Walker will be a “full go” in fall camp, after undergoing Tommy John surgery at the end of the 2017 season.
Walker was fantastic as a freshman and Mainieri complemented his will and strength to get back to what he was two season ago.
“This entire year he has been dedicated to getting himself back healthy,” Mainieri said. “He threw three bullpens last week, all without any incident. Alan Dunn was able to see it and the consensus assessment was ‘You would’ve never thought he was hurt if somebody didn’t tell you.’ I don’t think we’ll have to worry about his health one bit once fall comes around.”
Sophomore Nick Storz still hasn’t started throwing after a chronic shoulder injury has been slowly healing, leaving his status for fall camp up in the air.
LSU will begin fall practice with an added bonus of being allowed to play two games in the fall against another school. Mainieri announced the Tigers would have a home-and-home series against UNO sometime later this fall.
The 56 game season will open with a three game series featuring Army, Air Force and UL-Monroe starting on February 15th from Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers also have grueling three game non-conference series against the Texas Longhorns and the University of California before opening up conference play against Kentucky.
“I have no doubt in my mind that we have a championship-caliber team personnel wise,” Mainieri said. “Now it’s up to me and our staff to mold this group of guys into something beautiful and we have a lot of work to do.”
