The LSU Tigers' standout outfielder Chris Stanfield nears a return after a hand injury.
The LSU Tigers baseball season is off to a 5-0 start. The offense is dominant and the pitching is promising, but things haven't been completely smooth. Highly anticipated outfielder Chris Stanfield suffered an injury during the second game and hasn't returned since.
Stanfield slid home headfirst in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Panthers. He was out on a fielder's choice, and it was a collision that looked like it hurt when it happened. The Tigers outfielder got up, shaking his hand as if it stung, and the rest is history.
While LSU has been able to survive without the senior, he is an important piece of their defense. With him, they have the best defensive outfield group in the country. He is someone they want back as soon as possible.
The good news is, it shouldn't be too much longer of a wait to see him return.
Glen West of 247Sports recently posted an update from Tigers coach Jay Johnson about Stanfield:
"From the man himself, won't be long. That put a big smile on my face," said Johnson. The swelling in Stanfield's hand has gone down, which is a great sign.
While with the Auburn Tigers, Stanfield was almost purely a defensive asset. He had wRC+'s of 78 and 75 in his two seasons there. Johnson saw something in him, though, when he got two hits off Paul Skenes as a freshman. A feat not many ever completed.
The speedy outfielder posted a 94 wRC+ in his first year at LSU with a .298/.414/.404 slash line. He started this season out two-for-eight with a double and a walk before his injury.
Brayden Simpson, Mason Braun, Tanner Reaves and Daniel Harden have all taken cracks at left field with Stanfield out. The Tigers having such depth is nice, but Johnson will be eagerly awaiting having his starting unit back together.