Like Robichaux does almost every season, I would look for him to experiment with the lineup early in the season. I think the catch position will be a race between Dillon Guilory & Thad Giffen.
Last year Dillon red shirted but he traveled with the team many times. If Lucroy would have went down, he could have been our go to guy.
Thad Giffen passed up a pro contract to play at UL. From what I have been told, he was being contacted by the pros as early as the 7th round. He is the real deal.
I expect Scott Hawkins to get some early playing time in the OF. If all goes well, he could be a fixture there.
Only time will tell. This is going to be an exciting season!
Griffin will start behind the plate. He's very good defensively, maybe as good as Lucroy.
Hawkins will work at first base, as will Harst. Hawkins shoulder won't allow him to play the outfield, I don't think.
Robe will probably play in the field less. He'll be one of the go-to guys in the pen.
If Hawkins is getting more playing time in the field, that'll leave a big DH spot open for Robe, depending on when he's working. He's just got to swing the bat better than he did at the end of last season. though, i do like the sound of having a guy like him come out of the bully and shut some folks down when we need some big outs. Him setting up and/or working in long relief (and maybe some spot starts) with Danny F still closing.?.?.?That's gonna be sick
At practices so far, they've been playing Hawkins at first, and TRobe has been playing some third. Grant Derouen has been playing some second. Griffin, Lafleur and Petitto have been playing the catcher position. You'd have to be impressed if Griffen starts as a freshman at catcher, as it's awfully tough to call the game in Robes system as a freshman.
Did lucroy always call his own game? Griffen doesn't necessarily have to call his own game. There's nothing wrong with robe sending in the signals until grif's comfy with the system and the game and until robe's comfy with grif.
As far as I know, yes. His first year he learned from Captain Morgain (who called the best game of any catcher I've seen as a cajun). My guess is it will still take a little time for griffin to master the system, might not start the season as the starter, but for sure at some point will probably take over behind the plate.
Tuffguy
but that's kinda what I was getting at...He was the starting catcher calling his own games as a true freshman. He did start some games that year but was mostly a DH and was able to get comfortable with it his freshman season so that he was ready to go as a full time starter during his sophomore season.
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