Jay Johnson hired as Baseball HC

[LSUDad]

On 7/8/2021 at 7:03 PM, Nutriaitch said:

i’m gonna do some digging on Kelly to see his style/MO/though process on pitching. 

Sequencing, location, reasoning on it, etc. 

This might help:
 

LSU Pitching Coach Jason Kelly Says Tigers Not Done Making Big Moves With Baseball Roster

Kelly hoping to add one or two more "real big pieces" to pitching staff

 

GLEN WEST

UPDATED:

JUL 9, 2021

ORIGINAL:

JUL 9, 2021

The Jay Johnson era is off to a glowing start in his first few weeks with the program. He's brought in All-American Jacob Berry and catcher Tyler McManus to boost the offense but has also made two critical assistant coaches in pitching coach Jason Kelly and recruiting coordinator Dan Fitzgerald.

Most recently, the Tigers landed their first pitcher via the transfer portal in Eric Reyzelman, a hard throwing San Francisco transfer who throws 94-97 and will undoubtedly be an asset for the Tigers. But Kelly said on Off the Bench Friday that the purple and gold aren't done adding elite level pitching to the 2022 roster. 

"I don't think we're done bringing in a couple of more arms," Kelly said. "That's going to be discussed and now that I'm official, I think we might bring in one or two more real big pieces for us."

Kelly walks into a tricky situation with the pitching rotation in 2022 at LSU. He was a part of an Arizona State team in 2021 that had to replace its entire starting pitching rotation and closer by mid season. 

It was a tumultuous season but one that ended in success as the Sun Devils found a way to claw to the NCAA Tournament.

"It was full of ups and downs and losing those guys in the season, it felt like the end of the year. It was an incredible experience of perseverance from our guys. We took criticism, we fought back so I'm not going to say it's the best coaching job I've ever done but it was the most interesting."

 

 

It's a situation that Kelly will have to carry over with him from Arizona State to LSU as the Tigers have the difficulty of replacing starting pitchers Landon Marceaux, AJ Labas, Jaden Hill and Ma'Khail Hilliard as well as closer Devin Fontenot. The Tigers figure to return freshmen like Ty Floyd, Will Hellmers, Garrett Edwards and Javen Coleman, all guys who have showed flashes of immense potential but need to develop. 

Kelly, who is known to be one of the best pitching recruiters but also developers in the game, is excited for the chance to get to work with some of the returning players. 

"I've got a chance to look at a little bit of video and one thing I do know is everybody I've met is a really high character kid and is excited about the next step," Kelly said. "It's a super regional team and there's a lot of those characteristics in place that maybe you can't teach. Come in with a new voice and build on what they've done and I think we're going to get some excitement out of this group."

[Herb]

Johnson appears to be making some great moves, staff wise, and is bit by bit bolstering the roster. We might be scary good in a couple seasons.

[LSUDad]

On 7/10/2021 at 6:07 PM, Herb said:

Johnson appears to be making some great moves, staff wise, and is bit by bit bolstering the roster. We might be scary good in a couple seasons.

I want to see what he does this next season! Look who’s coming back. 
 

Senior pitcher Devin Fontenot announced after the second day of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft he will return to LSU for one more season. "I'm back!" Fontenot wrote on social media. "Fired up and preparing to help lead my teammates and Tiger Nation back to the promised land!"

[LSUDad]

Hilliard also returning! 
 

 

 

[LSUDad]

Pitcher Trey Shaffer transfers from Southeastern to LSU for his final year

 

 

 

Southeastern starting pitcher Trey Shaffer (15) pitches against LSU, Tuesday, February 19, 2019, at LSU's Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Advocate staff photo by HILARY SCHEINUK▲

 

 

BY WILSON ALEXANDER | Staff writer

Jul 13, 2021 - 2:00 pm

 

Trey Shaffer, a left-handed pitcher who spent the last three years at Southeastern, announced Tuesday he will transfer to LSU. Shaffer has one year of eligibility.

A former two-way player, Shaffer began pitching full-time before the 2020 season. He started four games as Southeastern’s ace and recorded a 1.23 ERA over 22 innings pitched during a season shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.

The performance earned Shaffer multiple preseason honors this spring, including a 2021 first-team preseason All-Southland Conference selection. Shaffer didn’t meet those expectations, recording a 4.95 ERA with 59 strikeouts over 40 innings pitched.

[LSUDad]

LSU Baseball Outfielder Gavin Dugas Will Return for 2022 Season

Dugas offensive fire power will make Tigers batting order lethal in 2022

 

GLEN WEST

UPDATED:

JUL 13, 2021

ORIGINAL:

JUL 13, 2021

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The momentum started to build among LSU's draft eligible veterans at the end of day two of the MLB Draft. Pitchers Devin Fontenot and Ma'Khail Hilliard announced their returns to the program for the 2022 season, leaving all eyes on outfielder Gavin Dugas. 

With two seasons of eligibility remaining, Dugas made it official on Tuesday as he joined his fellow pitcher veterans by returning to the LSU baseball team next season. The presence and leadership Dugas will provide in the field and at the plate is unlike most others on this team. 

He very quickly asserted himself as one of the leaders of the team throughout the 2021 season and also became one of the timely hitters as well, coming through with countless big hits in big moments. Dugas batted .295 in his first full season as a starter to go along with 19 home runs and 66 RBI. 

Adding that firepower to a lineup of Dylan Crews, Tre Morgan, Cade Doughty and Jacob Berry makes for an explosive offense. Adding Johnson's influence as a hitting coach should also help Dugas whittle down on the team high 63 strikeouts. Dugas could propel himself up draft boards as he's also developed a reputation of being a tough nosed defender in the outfield. There is risk involved with returning as Dugas did suffer injuries in each of his first two seasons.

Dugas also proved to be a more than capable left fielder and brings stability to the outfield opposite Crews. That centerfield position will still very much be in the air as Giovanni DiGiacomo and Brody Drost feel like the two best options moving forward.

[Hatchertiger]

Per DandDon we are now returning every position player who started the final game of this past season.  One starter, Hilliard and our closer Fontenot. Add Berry, and the 2 transfer pitchers and a new group of freshman and there is a lot to look forward to for next year!!!

[LSUDad]

Marc Wanaka will become LSU's volunteer hitting coach, Jay Johnson confirms

 

 

 

New LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson gives the fans a thumbs up at Alex Box Stadium Monday June 28, 2021, in Baton Rouge, La. Fans were invited to watch a live stream of Johnson's press conference on the video board inside the stadium and remain after for an on-field Q&A following his remarks to media. STAFF PHOTO BY BILL FEIG▲

 

 

BY WILSON ALEXANDER | Staff writer

Jul 15, 2021 - 12:45 pm

 

Marc Wanaka, a longtime assistant on Jay Johnson's staffs, will join him at LSU as the volunteer hitting coach, Johnson confirmed Thursday morning. The agreement is pending a background check.

Johnson and Wanaka have known each other for about 25 years and worked together the past eight at Nevada and then Arizona, where they became known for their prolific offenses.

Johnson wanted to keep Wanaka on his staff after he took the job at LSU last month. They will coach the hitters together.

"There is a very synergistic mindset and approach to what we are doing," Johnson said. "There will never be a confusing element to our players about the expectation of what a quality at-bat is or what we're trying to do relative to a hitter's count, a two-strike count, runners in scoring position, mechanical blueprint. All of those things will be really, really well put in place so it puts the player in the best position to be successful."

[LSUDad]

Live Oak catcher Blaise Priester commits to LSU

• July 17, 2021
• By Ken Trahan 
• Category: College Baseball, LSU

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LSU has added another outstanding catcher to its program.

Live Oak’s Blaise Priester has committed to Jay Johnson and his LSU baseball program.

 

Priester (6-2, 210), who originally signed with Meridian Community College, posted a .426 average with 10 home runs, eight doubles, six triples and 44 RBI as a senior. He earned 5A all-state honors.

Also outstanding defensively, Priester threw out 12 of 22 (54.5%) of runners who tried to steal against him.

Previously, former Slidell and Delgado star Tyler McManus left Samford and committed to LSU as well.

[LSUDad]

REPORT: LSU adds their third Arizona player, sixth transfer overall

LSU Baseball

Riley Cooper (38) announces transfer to LSU.(Arizona Athletics/Mike Christy)

By Spencer Chrisman

Published: Jul. 16, 2021 at 9:00 PM UTC

 

 

 

 

 

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - The LSU Tigers and head coach Jay Johnson have added their third Arizona baseball transfer and their sixth overall this off-season. Freshman left-handed pitcher Riley Cooper announced that he would be transferring to LSU via Twitter.

Cooper, joins fellow pitcher Bryce Collins who announced that he would be attending LSU earlier on Friday, July 16. They join All-American Jacob Berry who was the first transfer to join the Tigers since Jay Johnson became head coach.

A native of Fresno, Calif. Cooper ,is the fourth pitcher to transfer to LSU, joining former University of San Francisco pitcher Eric Reyzelman, Southeastern Lion Trey Shaffer and Collins.

The Tigers also got a big boost to their pitching staff when seniors Ma’Khail Hilliard and Devin Fontenot announced they would be returning to Baton Rouge next season.

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Last season, Cooper went 3-0 with a 4.88 ERA, allowing 26 hits over 31.1 innings pitched, and struck out 20 batters.

[Hatchertiger]

A truck with U of Arizona stickers and Arizona license plate passed me heading east on the basin bridge yesterday.  I bet it was one of Johnson's players who is transferring who was on his way back to Zona.  Excited to see what the team can accomplish next season.  Milazzo better get his bat going, .183 isn't going to cut it with what we have coming in.

[Nutriaitch]

5 hours ago, Hatchertiger said:

A truck with U of Arizona stickers and Arizona license plate passed me heading east on the basin bridge yesterday.  I bet it was one of Johnson's players who is transferring who was on his way back to Zona. 

 You know how long it takes to get to Arizona heading EAST from there?

[LSUDad]

1 hour ago, Nutriaitch said:

 You know how long it takes to get to Arizona heading EAST from there?

When you get into Tx on I-10, the sign  says :

Houston 283

El Paso Tomorrow 

 

lol

[Hatchertiger]

2 hours ago, Nutriaitch said:

 You know how long it takes to get to Arizona heading EAST from there?

If faster if you head west. 

[LSUDad]

LSU announces Marc Wanaka as assistant baseball coach

BySONNY SHIPP 65 minutes ago

Share3 Comments

 

 

Does LSU even need Derek Stingley Jr. to play receiver?

 

BATON ROUGE, La. – Marc Wanaka, who helped develop one of college baseball’s most dynamic offenses at Arizona, has been hired as an LSU assistant coach, head coach Jay Johnson announced Thursday.

 

Wanaka has worked on Johnson’s staffs since the 2014 season, when Johnson began his tenure as the head coach at Nevada. They coached hitting together for two seasons at Nevada (2014-15) and six seasons at Arizona (2016-21) prior to arriving at LSU this summer.

 

Arizona advanced to the College World Series in 2016 and 2021 and captured the 2021 Pac-12 title during Wanaka’s term as an assistant coach.

 

“I am very excited to add Marc as an assistant coach at LSU,” Johnson said. “Marc has been a huge part of our success, and his on-the-field contribution will greatly impact our players and our team success at LSU. Marc is unmatched in terms of time commitment and work ethic to make each player the best that he can be.

 

“His on-the-field contribution will be significant and impactful in regards to player development and game preparation. Hiring Marc helps us round out a very complete coaching staff that will put our current and future Tiger players in a great position.”

 

Arizona position players thrived under the tutelage of Wanaka during his tenure with the Wildcats. Over the past six seasons, he helped produce 12 All-American position players and 19 MLB Draft picks, 12 of which were selected within the first 10 rounds.

 

Among Wanaka’s Arizona All-Americans is infielder/DH Jacob Berry, who joined Wildcats teammate Daniel Susac as the 2021 National Co-Freshmen of the Year. Berry has since transferred to LSU, where he will be reunited with Wanaka.

 

The Wildcats in 2021 led the nation in hits and ranked first in the Pac-12 in runs, hits, doubles, triples, RBI, walks, batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, total bases and extra-base hits.

 

Arizona finished first in the Pac-12 in hits, runs, and on-base percentage in four of Wanaka’s five full seasons, and the Wildcats led the league in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs per game and batting average in three seasons. And in each of Wanaka’s final two full seasons, the Wildcats topped the league in hits, walks, runs, runs per game, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and batting average.

 

Arizona never posted a season batting average lower than .285 with Wanaka on the staff, and the Wildcats combined for 2,460 runs in six seasons, an average of 7.6 runs per game.

 

Wanaka served as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2014 season at Nevada, and he was then promoted to assistant coach and helped lead the Wolf Pack in 2015 to one of the best seasons in school history. Nevada posted a 41-15 record and captured the school’s first-ever Mountain West title with a 22-6 mark in league play.

 

Prior to his arrival at Nevada, Wanaka served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at San Diego Mesa College for four seasons. In his four years at SDMS, the team’s ERA dropped from 5.66 to 3.72, and it earned 2012 Pacific Coast Conference championship.

 

Wanaka also served as the associate head coach and pitching coach at El Paso Community College from 2007-09. The 2008 squad advanced to the Region 5 playoffs.

 

He served as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator at Shasta College in Redding, Calif., from 2003-07. The 2004 and 2005 teams competed in the Northern California State playoffs.

 

During the 2002-03 campaign, Wanaka coached at Point Loma Nazarene, where he worked with the pitchers and catchers. The Sea Lions finished second in the Golden State Athletic Conference.

 

3COMMENTS

Wanaka got his coaching start at New Mexico Highlands, where he worked with the pitchers and catchers from 2000-2002. He earned his bachelor's degree in sport science from Trinity College and University in 2008.