Cajuns’ Infield Has Depth, Versatility..and Blake Trahan -From the Bird’s Nest

This is the second in a series previewing the 2015 Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns baseball team.  Today:  The Infield and Catchers.

Everyone knew Jace Conrad was going to be a good ballplayer. But not too many thought he’d be a consensus first team All-American by his junior season.  Conrad had a phenomenal junior season, hitting .364 with 96 hits, 32 for extra bases.  He hit nine homers, drove in 65 runs and stole 22 bases.

But the Cajuns also lost third baseman Ryan Leonards (.328-4-35, 18 SB), stellar defensive first baseman Chase Compton (.290-3-44, .993 fielding pct) and catcher Michael Strentz, who only hit .231 but hit ten bombs with 43 RBI.

That’s a lot of firepower to replace.  Not to mention the infield contributed to a fielding percentage of .979, the best in school history.

But an anchor returns to solidify the infield and a couple of newcomers are ready to make a contribution.  Here’s a look at the 2015 Cajuns’ infield:

CATCHER—Junior Nick Thurman got 13 starts last year as Strentz’ backup.  The left handed hitter hit .222 last season with 13 RBI.  If you recall, Thurman got a lot of playing time early in the season, mainly because pitchers loved throwing to him.  Thurman has the capability of, as head coach Tony Robichaux says, turning balls into strikes with his ability to frame pitches.  Thurman will hold his own with anyone in the league defensively.  He’ll get the bulk of the work.  There’s only one other catcher on the roster and that’s the versatile Evan Powell.  The senior can play the outfield, the corner infield and go behind the plate.  He’ll do all of that at some point in time during the season.  Don’t expect Thurman to get 50 starts behind the plate.  Powell will probably catch more this year than Thurman did last year.  He’s got excellent power (four homers, .513 slugging percentage in 60 at bats) and, playing every day, should improve his .250 batting average from last season.

FIRST BASE—Senior Greg Davis  (.314-3-23 6-6 SB in 83 at bats) showed what he was capable of during an eight game stretch last season when he was named Sun Belt Conference Player of the Week.  Davis is an outstanding athlete who can run, hit and hit for power.  Davis is no Compton defensively, but he’ll hold his own with the glove.  Davis’ biggest challenge is to get away from the “feast or famine” guy that he was a year ago.  If he can duplicate the .314 average, but do it with consistency, he’ll be exactly what the Cajuns need.  Freshman Gunner Leger can play first base as well, but as long as Davis can avoid a prolonged slump, he’s the guy.  Leger could be used as a defensive replacement, but his value this year is as a pitcher.  If something happens to Davis, Robichaux will probably move some people around rather than ask Leger to do too much.

SECOND BASE—There’s another Conrad in town.  Brenn, the younger brother of Jace, returns after a year in the junior college ranks.  The coaching staff loves his compact swing which sends line drives all over the ball park.  Conrad (5-10, 200) also might be, along with Powell, the most versatile Cajun.  He can play second, third, first and even catch in an emergency.  But that position also has Stefan Trosclair (6-2, 195, JR-LSUE), a solid hitter and fielder, who brings that same fiery attitude to the ball park that Jace Conrad did.  Trosclair is waiting to be cleared by doctors to throw after labrum surgery.  If he’s healthy, he could be a solid addition at second base.  And, that would create a bit of a dilemma for the coaching staff that really wants Conrad’s bat in the lineup.  That’s where his versatility might pay dividends.

SHORTSTOP—Second team All-American Blake Trahan (.355-4-49, 91 hits, 15 SB) anchors the Cajuns’ infield for the third season.  Trahan is one of the best shortstops in the country, both hitting and fielding.  The preseason Sun Belt Conference player of the year was already one of the leaders and will take on a more important role in that regard this season.  Trahan started all but one game last season and saw action in all 68 contests.  The website d1baseball.com has already chosen Trahan as its preseason Sun Belt Player of the Year.  Heralded freshman Kennon Fontenot, 5-10, 195 will play behind Trahan, but also can play second base, which may be his ideal position.  Fontenot originally signed with Oklahoma State before winding up with the Cajuns.

THIRD BASE—Joe Robbins missed almost all of last season with an injury, appearing in just three games.  He was awarded a redshirt and is listed as a sophomore.  Robbins played as Trahan’s backup his freshman season, but the staff really likes him at third base.  A slick fielder, the coaches are impressed with Robbins’ improvement as a hitter.  He’ll get an opportunity to carry it over into the season.  Tyler Girouard (.324-3-32, .433 on base pct) thought he was done after getting his degree.  But his decision to return for his senior season bolsters this club in a lot of ways.  He’s another left handed hitter, and an experienced player.  Healthy now after battling leg and knee injuries, Girouard could be back in the field defensively at his natural position.  But make no mistake about it.  As good as “Shug” is, his presence in the clubhouse may be his biggest contribution.  He’ll be in the lineup most days, either at third or as the Cajuns’ designated hitter.  When all is said and done, don’t be surprised if Conrad sees plenty of action here as well.

This infield is going to be solid defensively but it would be a bit much to ask for it to be as good as last year.  There's some potential for some really good offense here, but again, last years' numbers probably won't be duplicated.  Still, this infield will be one of the better ones in the Sun Belt.