With a year under their belt patrolling the LSU outfield, expectations are high this season for Tigers outfielders J.C. Holt, Jon Zeringue and Ryan Patterson — or “The Big Three” as outfielders coach Jody Autery refers to them.
How good are these three outfielders? So good that key contributors from the 2003 outfield, Bruce Sprowl and Quinn Stewart, are looking at redshirting in 2004.
Barring injury, expect to see Patterson man left field, Holt in center and Zeringue patrolling right. All were newcomers to the LSU outfield in 2003, and now they represent one of the best groups in the Southeastern Conference.
“We do have an experienced outfield,” Holt said. “We’ve played with each other a while. Me and ‘Z’ have been here for three years and Patterson’s going on his second year. We’re real familiar with each other. All three of us had good summers [in the Cape Cod league].”
Offensively, there may not be a more dangerous set of outfielders in the SEC.
Holt, who hit .299 with five home runs, 36 RBIs and 16 stolen bases last season, bats lead-off for the Tigers. At 5-foot-10, 170 pounds, Holt is the fastest player on the team and his main job is to get on base.
“Holt will set it up batting,” Zeringue said. “He just needs to get on base in any way possible. Me and Patterson are here to bring him in. We swing for the long ball and Holt tries for base hits.”
Patterson and Zeringue, who hit further down the order, both had big sophomore seasons in 2003.
After transferring from Texarkana Junior College, Patterson broke into the LSU lineup and hit a team-high 16 home runs with 51 RBIs and was second on the team with a .350 batting average
Zeringue started off 2003 in a miserable slump but rallied to hit .339 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs for the season.
The group is known for what it can do with the bat.
Autery said this is one the fastest outfields in the country and also much improved defensively. None of the three came to LSU as a full-time outfielder. 
“Patterson came as a DH and just worked and worked and has turned into a nice left fielder,” Autery said. “Patterson has tremendous arm strength, something left fielders don’t always have. Holt came in as a second baseman. His speed compensates for everybody. He’s one of the fastest in the country. He’s doing well. Zeringue has a tremendous arm and speed for a big guy. He came as a catcher.”
Zeringue feels with the talent and chemistry of the three, they should be able to cover a good bit of ground. 
“We feel like if you hit the ball in the air, unless it’s shot out of a cannon, we’re going to go get it,” he said.
Junior outfielder Rhett Buteau will serve as the main defensive replacement in the outfield. Buteau hit .200 in 10 at-bats last season.  
“Rhett’s a guy that won’t produce offensively as those three guys, but I tell you what, he’s one of the best defensive guys we’ve got,” Autery said. “He can really take reads and good angles on balls and go get them.”
Autery said starting third baseman Ivan Naccarata can also play outfield if needed. 
“He’s very comfortable out there,” Autery said. “I wouldn’t lose any sleep if he was there either.”
Zeringue said the group knows expectations are high for “The Big Three.” 
“We’ve got experience under our belt, so hopefully we’ll be tough mentally too,” Zeringue said. “I think we’re a good solid group of guys. Hopefully we can give everybody what they’re looking for.”