Non-returning baseball players
Some are leaving for more playing time elsewhere, some because the Cajuns needed to open roster spots. Robichaux said he's working with all to find them homes elsewhere, some at junior colleges or in NAIA programs.
"We had to sit down and make some tough decisions as a coaching staff to try to better next year," said Robichaux, whose 23-30 Cajuns failed to qualify for the eight-team Sun Belt tournament, "and a lot of where we need to improve is at the plate.
"We felt we needed to bring in some more hitters, so it's just one of those things."
Include the drafted Harrison, and that's 17 in all who won't be back.
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<!-- Lost recruit
UL baseball coach Tony Robichaux already lost to the pros one pitcher he would love to have had next season, a lefty, would-be senior Jordan Harrison.
Another could be right behind.
The Kansas City Royals selected Ragin' Cajuns signee Ashton Goudeau, a righty, last Wednesday in the 27th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Robichaux really was hoping he would eschew going pro, and come to UL.
But indicators out of Missouri, where he pitched at both Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods in Kansas City and at Union High, are that Goudeau could be a no-go for the Cajuns.
The Missourian newspaper has cited unidentified "local sources" in reporting that "Goudeau likely will sign with the Royals, passing up a scholarship offer from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette."
Goudeau was 5-5 with a 2.17 ERA for Maple Woods this spring.
Several not
returning
Robichaux has identified seven more players from this past season's team not returning for 2013.
Four are reserve position players: Dominick Francia, a sophomore outfielder from Mobile, Ala.; Nick Jones, a junior outfielder from Slidell-Salmen High via Baton Rouge Community College; OF/3B James Peterson, a freshman from Amite-Oak Forest Academy; and freshman second baseman Thomas Simoneaux of Ruston High, the son of Louisiana Tech head coach Wade Simoneaux, who was a UL assistant on the 2002 College World Series team.
Three more are pitchers: Derek Howell, a junior from Krum, Texas, via Seminole State College; Henri Faucheux, a freshman from Reserve-Rivderside Academy; and Kyle Neely, a freshman from Merryville High.
Some are leaving for more playing time elsewhere, some because the Cajuns needed to open roster spots. Robichaux said he's working with all to find them homes elsewhere, some at junior colleges or in NAIA programs.
"We had to sit down and make some tough decisions as a coaching staff to try to better next year," said Robichaux, whose 23-30 Cajuns failed to qualify for the eight-team Sun Belt tournament, "and a lot of where we need to improve is at the plate.
"We felt we needed to bring in some more hitters, so it's just one of those things."
Francia -- who will probably transfer to an NAIA school -- played the most of the aforementioned seven, hitting .271 while appearing in 21 games and starting 12 during a season interrupted by an appendectomy.
Howell was a regular out of the UL bullpen, making 15 appearances -- including two starts -- while posting a 5.00 ERA in 36 innings.
None of the other five appeared in more than 15 games.
Robichaux previously said two others with eligibility wouldn't be returning -- designated hitter Tyler Frederick, who is foregoing his would-be fifth-year senior season, and backup catcher Adam Todd.
UL also lost seven seniors: starting catcher Chris Sinclair, starting CF Brian Bowman, starting SS Jordan Bourque, starting LF Daniel Nichols, No. 1 pitcher Jordan Nicholson, and pitchers Joe Zimmermann and Ethan Hebert.
Include the drafted Harrison, and that's 17 in all who won't be back.
Sun Belt picks
Besides Harrison, 13 other Sun Belt players were drafted -- including seven other pitchers.
The San Francisco Giants selected the most from the conference, five.
Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, FIU and UL Monroe topped the school list with three each.
The other 13 (with round number followed by team; all pitchers and seniors unless otherwise noted): FAU junior R.J. Alvarez (third round, Angels), ASU's Jacob Lee (ninth, Indians); ASU junior centerfielder Michael Faulkner (12th, Mariners); ULM shortstop Jeremy Sy (12th, Giants); FIU junior right fielder Jabari Henry (18th, Mariners); Middle Tennessee junior Hunter Adkins (18th, Brewers); FAU junior 3B Kyle Newton (19th, Rockies); ULM junior Randy Zeiglar (19th, Giants); FIU's Mason McVay (26th, Giants); ULM 1Bn Joey Rapp (28th, Giants); ASU's Brandon Farley (33rd, Giants); FAU's Ryan Garton (34th, Rays); and FIU 1B Mike Martinez (36th, Astros).
-- Tim Buckley
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Re: Non-returning baseball players
I would love to read this article. If someone can make it available. When you click the link it goes to The Advertiser and says " no longer available" OR at least a list of the 17 that won't be back. Thanks in advance, Thomas
Re: Non-returning baseball players
Yeah that's a little aggravating. I have a subscription, so I can read their online stuff, but they take it down now.
Re: Non-returning baseball players
Of the 17 on th list, the seniors were included. That was 7 (Bourque, Bowman, Ethan Hebert, Nicholls, Nicholson, Sinclair, Zimmerman.)
Jordan Harrison to the draft.
T-Fred and Adam Todd
Francia, Nick Jones, Thomas Simoneaux, James Peterson
Then the pitchers, I am not 100% sure of all of them. But I do remember, Faucheaux, Neely, Derek Howell. I don't remember if Colton Daigle was on the list....and I don't recall if he was previewed in Jay's blog either.
Re: Non-returning baseball players
Quote:
Originally Posted by
wcd35
Yeah that's a little aggravating. I have a subscription, so I can read their online stuff, but they take it down now.
Try this one.
http://www.theadvertiser.com/article...nclick_check=1
Re: Non-returning baseball players
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CajunAmos
Good find. Thanks
Re: Non-returning baseball players
Thank-you! I understand what he is doing! I thought Francia would be great next year, though! I guess he started looking earlier than this for replacements, because I would think the possibles would be well picked over by now. Please explain how I am wrong, if I am wrong. Looks to me like he was replacing before giving the marching orders. Contrary to some who post here I believe if you recruit them they are yours til they walk away or graduate. Damn the record. They are not Pawns, they are students. Thomas
Re: Non-returning baseball players
I might be wrong, but it appears that a 4 year scholly commitment is less the case in baseball than the other team sports. And that applies to more schools than not.
Re: Non-returning baseball players
I really liked Francia. That's disappointing.
Re: Non-returning baseball players
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ImperialCajun
I believe if you recruit them they are yours til they walk away or graduate. Damn the record. They are not Pawns, they are students. Thomas
That is a really good debating point. I see the loyalty angle to the kids part, but D1 athletics is cut-throat. I have mixed feelings about it.
We have all heard Tony's schpill about coddled players growing up in select ball with guaranteed AB's and innings. If they are guaranteed to be on the team, what incentive is there to work harder? I don't know that any player is guaranteed a roster spot for four years. Maybe some former players can chime in? Cutting players that are not producing also lights a fire under the _____ of the kids still on the team. I think Coach is backed into a corner and really doing what he has to do to make this a better team. Ugly? Yep! But we all want a regional caliber team.
Francia was the only one of those kids that I was dissapointed about.... But after all, I don't think he ever got a single hit in conference play.
