A pipeline has developed between the LSU baseball team and the professional baseball franchise 912 miles north of Baton Rouge.
LSU junior catcher Micah Gibbs became the latest Tiger to extend LSU’s connection with the Chicago Cubs when he was selected June 8 in the third round of the MLB draft on.
Gibbs joins former LSU stars Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot and DJ LeMahieu, Gibbs’ roommate of two years, in being drafted by the north Chicago team.
“[LeMahieu] texted me about four or five times and called me twice,” Gibbs said on the day on the draft. “I guess he’s going to try to recruit me [to sign with the Cubs].”
LSU also has a link with Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry, a friend of LSU coach Paul Mainieri.
Gibbs, a recent selection to the 2010 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-American second team, took LeMahieu’s advice and signed with the Cubs on Friday.
“I love the Cubs,” Gibbs said. “I’ve always wanted to play at Wrigley Field, like every kid probably does.”
Now LSU faces the challenge of replacing the three-year mainstay behind the plate.
“It’s going to be extremely hard to replace him,” Mainieri said. “He’s as good as it’s going to get in college baseball.”
Sophomore catcher Grant Dozar is the only experienced returning catcher on the 2010 team.
“Grant’s the only catcher returning for us,” Mainieri said. “He’ll be right there in the mix.”
Dozar played in 35 games in 2010, primarily as a third baseman. The Morgan City native hit .277 in 94 plate appearances, recording 26 hits and a memorable walk-off home run against Alabama on April 18.
“Hopefully I left Grant with enough knowledge that I can give him,” Gibbs said. “It’s his job to lose.”
Mainieri said he may lean on an incoming freshman to take the place of Gibbs.
Tyler Ross, out of Naples, Fla., could be the heir apparent to Gibbs. The Barron Collier High School prospect was drafted in the 46th round by the Philadelphia Phillies, but reports have indicated that Ross will choose to come to LSU.
“[Ross is] a very good baseball player,” Gibbs said. “I haven’t seen him play, but I’ve heard tremendous things about him.”
Lakeside High School catcher Jackson Slaid, out of Sibley, La., could be another option for Mainieri, who said his coaching staff is still searching for more catcher prospects.
“We would like to bring in one more guy to bring in some really good competition here,” Mainieri said.
Mainieri said the catcher position will be an open competition in the fall.
“We’re going to go with the best man,” Mainieri said. “We’re going to have a few options and let them play and see who comes along the quickest.”
Mainieri said defensive skills will be key in determining a new catcher.
“Most importantly is going to be his defense,” Mainieri said. “If they hit — that’s going to be icing on the cake.”
Filling the void at catcher is going to be on Mainieri’s mind during the offseason.
“Besides pitching, that’s pretty much my No. 1 concern for next year,” Mainieri said. “We’ve taken that position for granted the past couple of years. The person coming in has some big shoes to fill.”
Gibbs may be gone to the Cubs organization, but he plans on returning to see how the position battle turns out.
“I’m sure the coaches have secured some good catchers here for the future,” Gibbs said. “Hopefully I can come back in the winter and fall and help some of these guys.”