2016 LSU baseball preview: Lineup projections and roster breakdown
By Bailey Adams
Outfielders
In 2015, the regular LSU outfield of Jake Fraley, Andrew Stevenson and Mark Laird combined to hit .327 and finished the season with just three defensive errors. The Tigers will now have to compensate for the loss of both Stevenson and Laird.
Fraley is locked into an outfield spot, either in left or centerfield. Fraley hit .307 with 11 doubles, five triples, two home runs and 35 RBI in 2015. He made just two errors all season to go along with 95 putouts.
After Fraley, the other two spots are wide open. Freshmen Antoine Duplantis and Brennan Breaux have athleticism and speed to their advantage, but the bats of sophomore Beau Jordan and JUCO transfer Cody Ducote give them an opportunity to earn a starting spot in the outfield. Ducote struggled at the plate in the fall, but his .446 average, 19 doubles, eight home runs and 68 RBIs last season for Delgado Community College provide plenty of promise.
In an interview with The Advocate, Paul Mainieri compared Duplantis to former LSU outfielders Laird and Stevenson, calling the freshman a “budding superstar.” Duplantis could be a potential leader of the pack to claim the final two starting jobs in the outfield, although Mainieri also has said good things about Jordan.
With Fraley as the only lock in the outfield, it is possible that the early stretch of the season could determine who will get the majority of playing time when SEC play rolls around.
Projected Starting Left Fielder: Antoine Duplantis
Projected Starting Centerfielder: Jake Fraley
Projected Starting Right Fielder: Beau Jordan
Projected Starting Designated Hitter: Cody Ducote
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LSU opens up the season at home on February 19th with a three-game series against the Cincinnati Bearcats.