2016 LSU baseball preview: Lineup projections and roster breakdown
By Bailey Adams
Middle Infield
One of two remaining players from last year’s opening day lineup is junior infielder Kramer Robertson.
Robertson’s strong showing in the Purple and Gold World Series this past fall could give him an edge at second base heading into the spring. He started last season at second base, but struggles to find consistency cost him his spot before missing time with an elbow injury. In 27 games, including 12 starts, Robertson hit .286, but came up with just two extra base hits.
Paul Mainieri declared Robertson the frontrunner for the starting second base job in fall practice, but Cole Freeman and Greg Deichmann both have the ability to shift to second base if Robertson is unable to muster up consistency early in the season.
The departure of No. 2 overall MLB Draft pick Alex Bregman leaves a monumental hole at shortstop, but the competition for the spot is not necessarily wide open as February approaches.
It appears that the leading candidate to replace Bregman is freshman Trey Dawson, who decided to attend LSU after being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 32nd round of the MLB Draft. As a high school senior, Dawson hit .425 with a .557 on-base percentage and committed only one error at shortstop. He stole 20 bases as a senior, and was 43-of-50 on stolen base attempts throughout his high school career.
Freeman and freshman O’Neal Lochridge have seen time at shortstop as well, but their work at third base and Mainieri’s praise for Dawson seems to point toward him as the starting shortstop for opening day.
Projected Starting Second Baseman: Kramer Robertson
Projected Starting Shortstop: Trey Dawson
Next: Outfielders