The first pitch of the 2018 LSU baseball season is on the horizon and many Tiger fans have pondered who will replace the effective rotation of pitchers that were used a season ago.
Replacing first-round pick Alex Lange, Jared Poche and freshman phenom Eric Walker will be junior Caleb Gilbert on Friday, sophomore Zack Hess on Saturday and sophomore Todd Peterson on Sunday.
Gilbert had one of the most memorable games in recent Tiger baseball history when he went seven innings against top seed Oregon State in the College World Series. Gilbert allowed two hits and one run while striking out seven to send LSU to the Championship Series against Florida.
In the offseason, Gilbert has worked on adjusting to a weekend starter role while adding a third pitch to his arsenal: the changeup.
“I’m still building from freshman year,” Gilbert said. “I’m not oblivious to what it means to be a Friday starter especially at this University. I’m not scared by it and will attack it like any other pitcher would, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Hess began his freshman campaign as the midweek starter but inconsistency on the mound turned him into a rotational pitcher for much of the season. It wasn’t until the playoffs when LSU Coach Paul Mainieri finally sniffed out the best role for Hess, which was to be the closer.
The electricity that Hess brings to the mound has been duly noted in the past but the second year pitcher has had to learn how to become a weekend starter and lasting longer in games. Hess said a big part of that is saving his energy on the mound.
“You have to go in the mindset that you’re going to be there for nine innings,” Hess said. “Picking and choosing your big fights when you need it and cruise at about 80 or 90 percent the rest of the way. You kind of have to alter your mentality a little bit.”
Hess is needed as a starter as of now, but if LSU can find another to take that spot, the closing position is one Hess might return to.
“In order to be able to pitch seven innings and keep it to less than 100 pitches,” Mainieri said. “You just can’t throw 20-25 pitches every inning. You have to have a couple of 10-pitch or less innings. You don’t have to strike everybody out. You have to be able to field your position. You have to be quicker at the plate to stop the running game. There’s a lot of things that go into being out there for seven innings, and I think Zack has a tremendous understanding of that.”
Mainieri said Peterson will be the Sunday starter to begin the season, but that role is not carved in stone until the sophomore proves himself. Peterson started a few different midweek games for LSU a season ago and pitched one shutout inning in the regional matchup with Texas Southern.
This past offseason has been about getting in better shape and while an exact amount has not been released, Peterson looks more energized and in shape with just one look at him.
“He’s looked good all fall,” Gilbert said of Peterson. “Saw tremendous growth and I think just understanding more about himself on the mound. He’s been able to force a lot of ground balls and I think they’ll utilize his strengths to our benefit this season.”
As far as rotational pitchers, LSU has brought in an abundance of new talent to compete for playing time. Freshman Makhail Hilliard has impressed the coaching staff and players since fall ball and will certainly be given a chance to succeed.
Perhaps the most intriguing of the new prospects is JUCO transfer Cam Sanders. Sanders was drafted in the 18th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but decided to bet on himself and transfer to LSU from Northwest Florida State College. Sanders figures to compete for a midweek starting job to begin the season with that role potentially expanding.
“I’ve had some control issues the past year,” Sanders said. “Working with [pitching coach Alan Dunn] has helped me a lot so everything we’ve been working on is coming together and I feel more in sync.”
Sanders said the biggest piece of advice he’s taken away from Dunn has been to remain true to himself and not let the mental aspect of the game affect his throws.
“He said I’ve got some great stuff,” Sanders said. “Just be confident in my stuff and not try to chase anything. My fastball has a lot more life to it and I can throw it without really thinking about it now.”
LSU Freshman Pitcher Caleb Gilbert pitching during LSU's 5-4 loss against Sacramento State on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 at Alex Box Stadium
