LSU baseball: The legacy of the No. 8 Jersey
By Alex Asaro
A look back at the recent history of LSU baseball and the legacy of the No. 8 jersey.
With the LSU baseball team having shown momentous perseverance and leadership throughout the SEC tournament this week, it is easy to recall past players who have made large impacts on the baseball program.
Besides the guidance of head coach Paul Mainieri, most people think of the leader of the LSU baseball team as the player who is wearing the No. 8 jersey.
The number represents the player on the team that shows the most passion and dedication to making LSU baseball and themselves of the highest caliber.
Currently that number belongs to the only returning starter from 2015, junior center fielder Jake Fraley.
The Delaware native is one of the most productive players on the team this season, hitting .324 average with 54 runs, 31 RBIs, and stealing 25 bases, and has continued to honor the tradition that was passed to him from former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman.
Members of the team who wore this jersey in the past have made their mark not only on the LSU baseball program but also have spread their passion to Major League Baseball organizations all over the country.
Mikie Mahtook
There is no better person to exemplify the greatness while at LSU and subsequent success that comes from wearing the No. 8 jersey than the person that started the tradition in Mikie Mahtook.
Much like his success at LSU, Mahtook has found his way to the top of the Tampa Bay Rays prospect boards.
After being drafted in the first round of the MLB Draft by Tampa Bay in 2011, Mahtook has bounced his way around the Rays organization for the past few years.
Having done his job in succeeding in Triple-A ball games, Mahtook was given a few stints with the major league ball club last season, but nothing really came of it.
This was until Mahtook was given a chance as a September call-up for the Rays.
The Godfather of the No. 8 jersey more than took advantage of his time in majors as he hit for a .356 average while smashing four homeruns with 13 runs and eight RBIs in the month of September.
Needless to say Mahtook ended the 2015 season very hot and has become a buzzing prospect in the Tampa Bay organization coming into 2016.
His poise and play have given way for another opportunity just recently for the 26-year-old.
As of May 22, Mahtook has been called up again to replace the Rays’ regular starting center fielder Kevin Kiermaier who will be sidelined for the next 8-10 weeks with a hand injury.
Once again Mahtook is given the chance to show his skills and enrich the collection of members who have honored the No. 8 jersey.
This could be a big chance for Mahtook to solidify himself with the major league club and represent his Tigers on the professional level.
Mason Katz
The player of who was first awarded the number 8 jersey from Mahtook was former Jesuit High School standout Mason Katz.
Katz has been a bit of a different story than Mahtook since being taken in the first round of the 2013 draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
He had his best season in 2014 as he averaged .237, scoring 57 runs while knocking in 71 RBIs and firing off 20 homeruns.
Playing a total of 124 games in 2014, Katz has not been able to revamp those numbers as he has been plagued with injury problems while bouncing around the Cardinals’ farm system.
He currently plays second base with the Palm Beach Cardinals in the Florida State League of advanced A class of play.
Though since his leaving of LSU Katz has continued to be a big part of the Southeast Louisiana community and large promoter of the baseball program.
Still chasing the dream of making a big league ball club Katz shows the determination of players who honor the No. 8.
Alex Bregman
Carrying on the tradition after Mason Katz was quite possibly the best baseball player to grace LSU’s campus in Baton Rouge, as it was shortstop Alex Bregman who shouldered the responsibility of being the new team leader.
While leaving only a season ago, the Golden Spikes Award finalist has found much success since being drafted in the first round by the Houston Astros with the second overall pick.
Bregman has found himself atop the Astros’ list of prospects in the minor leagues for most of this current MLB regular season.
Leading the Corpus Christi Hooks (AA) team in most statistical categories Bregman is hitting .338 with 32 runs, 33 RBIs and smashed 12 homeruns through 34 games this season.
Even with these numbers, Bregman is unable to move up to the major league ball club due to a log jam of talent that Houston has at second base and shortstop with Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa.
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In bettering his chances of making the Astros 40-man roster Bregman has since taken on duties at third base, which is a position that Houston is suffering at currently.
The Astros have the lowest batting average among third baseman in the American League, but that could very much change if Bregman gets the call up.
Changing positions in order to fill the role that a team needs very much exemplifies characteristics of players like Mikie Mahtook and Mason Katz.
While seeing the different paths of each of these three players it goes to show that wearing the No. 8 jersey for the LSU Tigers means more than just having success on the professional level.
Being No. 8 is a symbol of what LSU baseball is at its core through determination and leadership on and off the field.
And then once their career is over with LSU they will know that they have made their mark on the program for years to come.