(This is the third in a series previewing the 2015 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns baseball team.  Today, The outfield and designated hitter)

In our preview of the Cajuns' infield (click here to read it), we spoke not only about what the Cajuns' lost offensively, but also what they'll miss from that stellar defense.

In the outfield, we can talk about that, too.

All-American Caleb Adams (.381-11-42 .502 OBP) and center fielder Seth Harrison (.323-9-65) both hit in the middle of the lineup and both made huge contributions and had clutch hits during that magical 58-10 season a year ago.

But the Cajuns will also miss that duo defensively.  Adams and Harrison combined for just three errors a season ago and Harrison had eleven outfield assists.  That may be as hard to replace as the offense.

The outfield may be a position where several players will see action, depending on how the opening day starters do.  Right now, Evan Powell is the likely candidate to play left field.  As we talked about in the infield/catcher preview, the versatile Powell can play multiple positions and will be asked to do so during the season, especially behind the plate where he will spell Nick Thurman.  Powell hit .250 with four homers and 14 RBI a season ago, but those who watched him regularly know he has scary power, and, playing every day, could easily hit double digit home runs.  He'll have a tough time replacing Adams defensively, though.

Dylan Butler has been pretty much a mainstay in the Cajuns' lineup. Every season he's had great at bats and has been a clutch player.  But there have also been stretches where he's struggled and has had to sit and watch for awhile.  The Cajuns can't really afford for that to happen this year, as Butler (.290-6-31) will be counted on to be in the lineup on a daily basis.  Butler has hit 22 career home runs and, like Powell, is capable of hitting double digit homers.  But he needs to hit consistently and needs to shore things up on defense, where he made seven errors a year ago.

Derek Herrington, a junior college transfer from LSU-Eunice will anchor the outfield in center.  Herrington is a natural center fielder and a solid defensive player.  He's really the only pure center fielder on the roster.  Unless he's a disaster at the plate, he'll be in the lineup.  Herrington may not hit .320, but he can really help this team in the outfield.  His brother Dalton played at ULM, where he hit .266 with 9 homers and 36 RBI and stole 24 bases last season.

But if anyone falters, Kyle Clement will be there.  You can expect Clement to play a lot and could either play the outfield or serve as the Cajuns' designated hitter.  Clement hit .333 in 36 at bats with nine rbi.  He had a torrid fall, leading the Cajuns in hitting.  He'll play a lot and could wind up being an every day player.

Redshirt junior Adam Angelle (Teurlings Catholic/LSUE) missed last season with an injury and he will get some opporunities to prove himself, especially if someone falters ahead of him.  Brian Mills (Hinds CC) has the body (6-3, 185) to cause some damage and can really run.  And, Jam Williams (6-3, 190, Farmerville/Union Parish HS) has crazy good skills.  He's not ready yet, but he's getting better every day.  He's the type of player who could get drafted as a junior and as a result, probably won't redshirt.  But remember his name.  He's going to be a very good player.

All of the above can, of course, wind up in the designated hitter spot.  But if he doesn't play third base, Tyler Girouard will occupy that spot in the lineup as he did a year ago.  If Girouard does play third base, Brenn Conrad certainly becomes a DH possibility.  It will be interesting to see how head coach Tony Robichaux and his staff handle that situation, since the three biggest DH contenders (Girouard, Clement and Conrad) all hit left handed.

It will be difficult for this Cajuns' outfield to put up the kind of numbers we saw last year from Adams, Harrison and company.  This outfield probably won't be as good defensively, either.  But these guys will hit enough, play enough defense and have enough depth to make the Cajuns solid, if not spectacular.

 

 

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