After breezing through the pre-conference schedule with a 17-1 record, the LSU Tigers open SEC play this afternoon against the Missouri Tigers.
The Tigers enter the first conference series of the season either ranked number one or two in the major college baseball poll.
LSU has not shown many weaknesses through the first 18 games of the schedule and roles have been established.
Chris Stanfield started game one as the Tigers lead-off hitter. But Stanfield found success as the Tigers number nine hitter, serving as a second lead-off man for a dangerous top of the order.
Freshman left fielder Derek Curiel is an on-base machine as the lead-off hitter, with an on-base percentage of .602.
Slugging first baseman Jared Jones has benefited with having men on base when he hits. Jones leads the team with 7 home runs and 28 RBIs. He’s also had a team-high eight doubles.
Second baseman Daniel Dickinson has supplied the protection behind Jones with a .373 batting average with six home runs and 26 RBIs.
Going into the season there was a log jam for playing time in right field and designated hitter. Jake Brown and Josh Pearson sharing time in right field is working with both hitting at least .351.
Ethan Frey is starting against left-handed pitching and he’s hitting .357.
Steven Milam has provided the Tigers with steady play at shortstop, while also htting .391 with 4 home runs and 20 RBIs and just one error on the season.
Luis Hernandez has also been good behind the plate, hitting a respectable .275 with one home run and 6 RBIs.
Hernandez has done well blocking balls and it remains to be seen what will happen when the Tigers face a team that likes to steal a lot of bags. Is Hernandez up to the task?
Tanner Reaves has seen more playing time at third base than Michael Braswell. Braswell has struggled with a.182 batting average. Reaves has replaced Braswell and is hitting .333, two home runs and 9 RBIs.
On the mound, LSU’s weekend rotation looks strong with Kade Anderson, Anthony Eyanson and Chase Shores. Anderson and Eyanson have been dominant at times, but can they show that dominance in SEC games.
Casan Evans has emerged as the team’s closer, Zac Cowan has emerged as one of the Tigers top relievers, who can give you three to four innings.
Connor Benge can come in when there are runners on base.
DJ Primeaux is a good option against left-handed hitters.
Coach Jay Johnson said freshman William Schmidt will pitch on the weekends exclusively the rest of the season. The hard throwing right-hander brings swing and miss stuff out of the pen.
Don’t forget about Conner Ware. The ERA is high at 7.45, but he’s a talented left-hander that will be asked to get big outs.
LSU is still missing veteran reliever Gavin Guidry, but his season debut is near.
The Tigers open the SEC schedule against Missouri. Mizzou has struggled with an 8-8 record and could finish in last place in the league.
