Jon Zeringue did not mince any words when describing his defensive play in left field last season.
In fact, the sophomore was brutally honest.
“I was terrible,” he said. “It was like a circus act. It was embarrassing.”
Though Zeringue had only one error for the season, he did not demonstrate mobility after his move from catcher to outfield. This is mostly due to the fact he was not completely healthy, according to head coach Smoke Laval.
“He had a bad knee, so he really didn’t have a choice to move to the outfield,” Laval said. “He’s really worked hard. He knew he had to work even harder, and he did.”
Indeed, Zeringue looks to have the inside edge to be in Friday’s starting lineup in right field, according to Laval. He will probably be joined by junior college transfer sophomore Bruce Sprowl in left field and last year’s second baseman J.C. Holt in center.
Zeringue said this year should be more productive for him, considering he hit just .245 with two homers and eight RBIs last season.
“I worked real hard, and [now] I get a lot of compliments from the coaches,” Zeringue said. “I feel 500 percent more comfortable. I know more of what to expect. I’m a lot more confident.”
Sprowl comes straight from Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Last season as a freshman, the 5-foot-9 Sprowl hit .343 with four home runs and 38 RBIs.
Two others, Quinn Stewart — who will likely be the team’s designated hitter — and Ryan Patterson also could contribute in the outfield. Stewart has a powerful bat, hitting .420 last year with 18 homers and 74 RBIs at Odessa Junior College, in Odessa, Texas. Patterson also hit a stellar .439 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs, while playing at Texarkana College.
“Sprowl’s a tough guy,” Laval said. “He’s scrappy and won’t ever cost you a game. Stewart can change a game with one swing of the bat. Patterson can do it all: power, speed and [has] a good arm.”
Sprowl said he tries to work as hard as he can.
“I just put as much effort in at practice,” Sprowl said. “I just go by myself. If you worry about someone else, you won’t achieve what you want.”
Holt will use his above-average speed to ease the transition to center field from second base, where he started 35 games last year.
“It’s been fun,” Holt said of the transition. “Last fall, coach told me I was going to move to the outfield because of my speed. It does have to do with running down the balls in the gap.”
Holt hit .349 as a freshman last season, including a stout .407 in NCAA Tournament play. He also made the 2002 Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American team.
“He’s going to lead off on Friday,” Laval said. “Chances are he’s going to do very well. He has better than average speed.”
Despite the youth in the LSU outfield, Holt said the inexperience is not really a concern.
“We have a lot of youth out there, but I played in front of big crowds out there and [Zeringue] played out there,” Holt said. “I don’t think there will be any problems out there. We may be younger than last year, but I think we have just as much talent.”