2011 Cajun Baseball Team

[cjr3888]

That's why I am so pumped about next year. There is so much potential to get better at key positions with the talent coming in to the program. I always said to give it time for Trahan to bring in his players.

[raginsaints]

_ Strentz and Leonards were signed as athletes, could end up at a number of positions. Nicholson and Hubbell will challenge for rotation spots. Griffen will move back to catcher this fall, so he will share that duty.

Compton will have an opportunity to DH and play first base. Bourque will be given a shot at 2nd, with Porrier possibly moving over to DH. Fredrick was solid at 3B, don't look for him to move anytime soon. Hunter Ovens and Nichols will also be part of the outfield; But Ovens could be considered for a move because he has a corner bat. Fall ball will be very interesting, because some seniors may have to move to other positions. _

What do you think about the centerfield situation? Francia have any shot of challenging Bowman?

[LifeTimeCajun]

while bowmans bat improved a little this year, I still dont reallly care for him inthe leadoff spot. Probably be ok in CF, but his bat still has a ways to go. Of course he can create havoc on the bases with his speed, just needs to be more consistant at getting on base.

[CajunConnection]

_ Strentz and Leonards were signed as athletes, could end up at a number of positions. Nicholson and Hubbell will challenge for rotation spots. Griffen will move back to catcher this fall, so he will share that duty.

Compton will have an opportunity to DH and play first base. Bourque will be given a shot at 2nd, with Porrier possibly moving over to DH. Fredrick was solid at 3B, don't look for him to move anytime soon. Hunter Ovens and Nichols will also be part of the outfield; But Ovens could be considered for a move because he has a corner bat. Fall ball will be very interesting, because some seniors may have to move to other positions. _

I thought Griffin would concentrate more at pitching. Pretty good catcher when he caught but his bat is a liability.

[cajun1300]

_ Strentz and Leonards were signed as athletes, could end up at a number of positions. Nicholson and Hubbell will challenge for rotation spots. Griffen will move back to catcher this fall, so he will share that duty.

Compton will have an opportunity to DH and play first base. Bourque will be given a shot at 2nd, with Porrier possibly moving over to DH. Fredrick was solid at 3B, don't look for him to move anytime soon. Hunter Ovens and Nichols will also be part of the outfield; But Ovens could be considered for a move because he has a corner bat. Fall ball will be very interesting, because some seniors may have to move to other positions. _

T,

Do you think that the Cajuns may be keeping an eye out for a juco catcher? I think that position will be the biggest hole to fill.

Also, do you think Goulas will get a look in CF because of all the quality corner OF guys - Fuselier, Marvel, Ovens & Nichols?

[LifeTimeCajun]

I think with the quality outfielders it's gonna come down to what bats are gonna play.


igeaux.mobi

[CajunT]

_ What do you think about the centerfield situation? Francia have any shot of challenging Bowman? _

I'll preface what I've been told: Bowman needs to stay healthy and he doesn't get good breaks on the ball in CF. Franica has been told that he will be given every opportunity to compete in CF this fall. I'm not going to say he is a lock, because I've never seen the kid play ball. But from what the coaches have said about him, USA and Auburn were ____ed he is going to play ball for the Cajuns. Coach Rob did state that Leonards is a good enough athlete to play CF as well, although with the numbers we have he may RS.

[CajunT]

_ I thought Griffin would concentrate more at pitching. Pretty good catcher when he caught but his bat is a liability. _

Coach told me Griffen's knee should be healthy enough to start behind the plate. His defense is too good, but his bat and knee will never be good enough to play the number of games Keefer played this year. Look for Griffen to share time behind the plate with Strentz,if he can hit college pitching well enough. His intangibles are too good not to be a good hitter. But Dillion Guillory killed the ball his senior year as well, so who knows what will happen in the fall. Adams will also get a chance, he is playing with Alexandria this summer in the Texas Collegiate League to get some work behind the plate and AB's.

[raginsaints]

I did some research on Francia but I couldn't really find much. I like Brian, but from the little information I've gathered, I think I'm going to like Dominick more.

[CajunT]

_ T,

Do you think that the Cajuns may be keeping an eye out for a juco catcher? I think that position will be the biggest hole to fill.

Also, do you think Goulas will get a look in CF because of all the quality corner OF guys - Fuselier, Marvel, Ovens & Nichols? _

Fuselier played his first full season in the field this year, I think he has a higher ceiling then he has shown at this point. Pitching and playing the OF part time as a freshman, stunted his growth at the plate in my opinion. Very few freshmen can do both well in college baseball, Cory Coles was better suited for it.

Goulas has been really consistent the past two years at the plate and in outfield. So if anyone might be moved, it might be him. He has a faster release then Fuselier on his throws and is more confindent in chasing balls to the wall. But I think going into the fall, he is still the guy, in RF.

Marvel doesn't have the range of Fuselier or Goulas, so I don't see him moving either out of position. If Ovens bat is as good as advertised, someone will have to move or maybe they give him a shot at first.

Nichols showed he can play the outfield well during the fall and his bat wasn't too bad either. He really didn't get a chance to play much once he injured his knee this past spring.
I hope he is healthy so we can see him play a lot more in the fall.

As for signing another catcher, I don't see it. Unless someone leaves the program, Coach stated they probably don't have any scholarship money available.

[Parrott]

I did some research on Francia but I couldn't really find much. I like Brian, but from the little information I've gathered, I think I'm going to like Dominick more.

More on Francia (From one of my blogs in mid-May):

Another Cajuns signee, outfielder Dominick Francia from St. Paul's in Mobile, Ala., could get drafted this summer but likely not high enough to keep him from ending up on campus next season. The athletic Francia hit .415 with 24 stolen bases last year to help his team reach the Alabama Class 5A state semifinals. His father, Jimmy Francia, and uncle, David Francia, both played baseball at South Alabama. His uncle played in the minors for the Philadelphia Phillies (seven years) and Chicago White Sox (one year) before becoming a scout for the San Diego Padres. Dominick also has two cousins - Shaun Cumberland and Drew Cumberland - with pro baseball experience. Shaun went in the 10th round to the Tampa Bay Rays in 2003 and played in the minors for the Rays and Cincinnati Reds from 2003-09. Drew was the 46th overall pick in the 2007 draft by the Padres and is now playing in High-A for the organization. It's quite a baseball pedigree.

http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pb...Id=personaDest

[raginsaints]

Sounds like a solid player. We're gonna have talent to spare in the outfield, I just hope someone steps up at 1st base and catcher.