What happened to Cook?

[cajun2bag]

_ Is Will Long going to be any better offensively than Bostick? I haven't seen anything, maybe he's turned the corner. I think our defense would get worse with Long at SS and Greg at 2nd. Long had no range last year and Bostick is really good defensively. _

I don't know why we must recruit guys from northern JUCO's. The competition level at those junior colleges is not very good at all. We have had far more bust than success from the JUCO's. Why not go to Texas/Florida JUCO's and quit getting guys from up North. They may have good stats, but the fact is they don't have to be that good to put up good numbers!

[raginsaints]

Isn't Bostick from Las Vegas or something? That's more West than North.

[CajunZ1]

Why not go to Texas/Florida JUCO's and quit getting guys from up North. They may have good stats, but the fact is they don't have to be that good to put up good numbers! _

I'm not sure, but maybe it's because the southern JUCO's are picked over regularly by upper tier teams. The northern's may have fewer playmaker's but the good ones are easier to get (not paid attention to).

[CajunT]

_ Is Will Long going to be any better offensively than Bostick? I haven't seen anything, maybe he's turned the corner. I think our defense would get worse with Long at SS and Greg at 2nd. Long had no range last year and Bostick is really good defensively. _

If Long can hit what Bourque did with his on-base percentage, then yes. We don't know, but if Long was not out we would not be having this discussion. Long was the starter going into the season and Bostick was on the bench. So this really is not a change, but what the coaches had planed from opening day. If you are not winning, changes are going to be made.

[raginsaints]

I agree that we shouldn't be afraid to make changes, I'm just a little jaded when it comes to Will Long, he raised my blood pressure last year with his defense. I'm hoping he can come back and serve me a big bowl of crow; play good defense and hit the ball well, I'm just not expecting it.

[J-Town Cajun]

_ A. I believe Hawkins is struggling at the plate because he is playing the 1st base position. Yes he is hitting .301, but if you have been watching his at bats, he looks a little off. He can be a much better hitter if he is able to concentrate completely on hitting. That is what gives the DH position an advantage.

B. Fontenot and Bostick are playing well up the middle. Bringing Long could lead to some lack of chemistry and that would not be good for the team. Bostick is hitting 8-hole. That spot in the order is not a power hitter spot. It is a good defensive player that can handle the bat (i.e. bunt and hit n run). There is no guarantee that Fontenot could play 2B as well as he is playing SS. The ball comes off of the bat completely different than when playing SS. It would take some time to adjust.

C. As for wasting scholarships on players that aren't getting significant playing time, that is complete BS. You put the best unit of 9 (not the 9 best players) on the field no matter if it is made up of 3 year scholarship starters or true freshman walk-ons. You play to win no matter what. It has nothing to do with respect or paying your dues. _

A. You are right that Hawkins is batting .300 but he is also struggling. He seems to out in front of the ball and often lunging for it. He has popped up and K'ed more often than he should be this year. He needs to stay back on the ball.

B. Although Fontenot's fielding % is pretty good so far this season he seems very shaky fielding the ball (bobbling it) and he has a very weak arm which a stronger arm may make a few more plays throughout the year. Regardless we need a 3rd middle infielder so we can pinch-hit or in case of injuries.

C. I agree you put the best team on the field and not play players who earned respect. That is why I say play Hawkins at DH.

[LifeTimeCajun]

_ If Long can hit what Bourque did with his on-base percentage, then yes. We don't know, but if Long was not out we would not be having this discussion. Long was the starter going into the season and Bostick was on the bench. So this really is not a change, but what the coaches had planed from opening day. If you are not winning, changes are going to be made. _

You also got to remember in the lineup that Borque was playing in, he was the 9 hole most of the time, and was able to turn over the lineup time and time again. That year there were not as many "dead outs" in that lineup. I dont have a problem with someone that is a defensive specialist being in the lineup everyday. The difference in this years line up is for the better part of the season, we have had some guys that I would classify as dead outs. Too many of them bunched in a line up isnt good. And some of those guys this year happen to be some power guys

[CajunT]

_ You also got to remember in the lineup that Borque was playing in, he was the 9 hole most of the time, and was able to turn over the lineup time and time again. That year there were not as many "dead outs" in that lineup. I dont have a problem with someone that is a defensive specialist being in the lineup everyday. The difference in this years line up is for the better part of the season, we have had some guys that I would classify as dead outs. Too many of them bunched in a line up isnt good. And some of those guys this year happen to be some power guys _

Bingo! Exactly the point I'm trying to make! Until these kids are more consistent, we need as many contact hitters in the lineup as possible. The power will be supplied by Hawkins,Griffen, Kieffer and Smith, but someone has to get on base.

[cajunbaseball1]

_ Is Will Long going to be any better offensively than Bostick? I haven't seen anything, maybe he's turned the corner. I think our defense would get worse with Long at SS and Greg at 2nd. Long had no range last year and Bostick is really good defensively. _

Long has the best range out of any infielder we have... The best arm out of any infielder we have... And the coaching staff believes in him.

Long .921 in 2008... Fontenot .929 in 2009

Seems like we're splitting hairs with a .008 difference. Especially when Long gets to more balls.

[cajun2bag]

_ Long has the best range out of any infielder we have... The best arm out of any infielder we have... And the coaching staff believes in him.

Long .921 in 2008... Fontenot .929 in 2009

Seems like we're splitting hairs with a .008 difference. Especially when Long gets to more balls. _

I'll say it! WILL LONG IS TERRIBLE! He is been nothing more than a huge let down. He can't field or hit. Lets say he gotten better.....maybe he will hit 230 and only make an error every other game.....fact is he should not play. He has had good falls most every year he has been here..When the lights turn on he thinks hes a big leaguer and he is a t-baller

[CajunRage]

_ Long has the best range out of any infielder we have... The best arm out of any infielder we have... And the coaching staff believes in him.

Long .921 in 2008... Fontenot .929 in 2009

Seems like we're splitting hairs with a .008 difference. Especially when Long gets to more balls. _

That is just the tough breaks in baseball. Long got hurt and Fontenot took advantage of it. I just don't see how you can pull Fontenot at this point.

[cajunbaseball1]

_ I'll say it! WILL LONG IS TERRIBLE! He is been nothing more than a huge let down. He can't field or hit. Lets say he gotten better.....maybe he will hit 230 and only make an error every other game.....fact is he should not play. He has had good falls most every year he has been here..When the lights turn on he thinks hes a big leaguer and he is a t-baller _

Hahaha, but our other option is to have a guy hitting under 200 at second making every play and a guy out of place at SS making errors. I just wish there was one guy who would hit 330 and not make errors that would ease the situation...and maybe hit some 2 baggers every now and then. But the truth is we have a situation up the middle where there is no clear cut answer.

[cajunbaseball1]

_ That is just the tough breaks in baseball. Long got hurt and Fontenot took advantage of it. I just don't see how you can pull Fontenot at this point. _

Not pull... put him in a position that is better for him. 2nd. I can definitely justify sitting Bostick at this point.

Or put Long at 2nd if that makes you happier

[HOUCajun]

Man, did Will Long steal some of your girlfriends or something? The venom towards the guy is pretty strong.
If the coaches think he has improved to the point that he deserves to start, I will have to asume they know what they are doing.
i hope the guys gets healthy so the coaches have more options.

[cajun2bag]

_ Man, did Will Long steal some of your girlfriends or something? The venom towards the guy is pretty strong.
If the coaches think he has improved to the point that he deserves to start, I will have to asume they know what they are doing.
i hope the guys gets healthy so the coaches have more options. _

HE HAS IMPROVED EVERY YEAR!!!!!!