PGCROSSCHECKER COLLEGE TEAM SCOUTING REPORT

33. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE (39-20, did not qualify for NCAA post-season play).

Conference/Projected Finish: Sun Belt/1^st (19-5, 2^nd in 2006).

Coach: Tony Robichaux.

First Game: Feb. 13 vs. Nicholls State .

OVERVIEW: The Rajin’ Cajuns return the top three pitchers in the Sun Belt Conference from an ERA standpoint. Junior LHP Hunter Moody (12-2, 2.63) and junior RHP Buddy Glass (8-3, 2.17) will be 1-2 in the rotation and sophomore RHP Danny Farquhar (6-1, 2.17, 4 SV) is back as the closer. While all three enjoyed considerable success in 2006, none is considered a top prospect by pro standards. Moody has excellent command of below-average stuff, and achieves his success through the deception he gets from a low three-quarters, sling-like delivery. Glass throws slightly harder, at 86-88 mph, and commands four pitches. The 5-foot-10 Farquhar throws the hardest of the three, at 88-93, but his size is a deterrent to scouts. Junior C Jonathan Lucroy (.333-12-68), the team’s best all-around hitter and one of the nation’s top catchers, also is back. He’s joined in the lineup by senior 3B Devery Van de Keere (.368-9-41), who led the team in hitting a year ago, and senior OF Jefferies Tatford (.336-4-38).

X-Factor: Senior RHP Andrew Laughter (1-0, 11.25) and sophomore LHP Greg Wilborn (0-1, 5.90) had limited success in 2006, but rank as the team’s two best pitching prospects. If they live up to their potential, the Rajin’ Cajuns could have a deep, potentially dominating pitching staff.

TOP FRESHMAN: Justin Robichaux, 1b-rhp. The son of Rajin’ Cajuns coach Tony Robicheau, Justin will be brought along slowly this year. Third base is his best position, but he’ll play first base to ease the strain on his arm as he’ll also be used in middle relief. Down the road, he could be a middle-of-the-order hitter and top-of-the-rotation starter.

TOP SOPHOMORE: Greg Wilborn, lhp. The 6-foot, 160-pound Wilborn will slot into the rotation behind Moody and Glass. He has a very live arm with a fastball in the 89-91 mph range, but struggled with his command a year ago. He developed a better feel for the strike zone in the fall, along with a slider and changeup.

TOP JUNIOR: Jonathon Lucroy, c. Lucroy hit .379-5-48 as a freshman DH, before moving behind the plate as a sophomore. He was regarded as a better all-around catcher last year than either Western Kentucky’s Jordan Newton or Middle Tennessee State ’s Michael McKenry, who were drafted in the sixth and seventh rounds. He has good receiving and throwing skills, and has developed loft in his swing.

TOP SENIOR: Andrew Laughter, rhp. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Laughter worked only 12 innings a year ago after transferring from Jacksonville , but was Louisiana-Lafayette’s biggest surprise in the fall. His fastball was a steady 90-91 mph, and he made big strides with the command of his slider. He’ll be used in a swing role in 2007.