Stuck in a 1-2 hole with a runner on first base in his very first at-bat of the 2017 baseball season, Greg Deichmann powered a 414-foot bomb over the centerfield wall to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead over Army. This was the first of two home runs to come off the bat of the junior outfielder that weekend.
But it was a moment that nearly did not come to pass.
A week before opening weekend, during a normal Friday night scrimmage, an errant pitch hit Deichmann on the side of his face, fracturing it in three places. An injury that was originally supposed to sideline him for several weeks.
“Coming as close as it did to taking my last college opening day away from me, when I had only been a part of one, was kind of hitting me hard,” Deichmann said. “I was really upset and frustrated the night that it happened.”
Going from being out for several weeks, to being ready for Game 1, resulted in an eventful week leading up to opening night.
“Getting back on the field right away and making an immediate impact did mean a little bit more to me than just a normal opening day.” Deichmann said.
Deichmann got off to a phenomenal start this season, posting through the first eight games a .375 average and four home runs, one of which traveled 486 feet.
That combination of contact and power is something that Major League Baseball scouts really like about Deichmann. He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 26th round of the the 2016 MLB Draft.
Out of The Box and beyondddddd! ⚾️ I-10 drivers should watch out for @Greg_D07‘s next homer! 🎨: @clintself pic.twitter.com/j41kXiwHus
— LSU Creative (@LSUCreative) March 9, 2017
However, Deichmann declined a chance to play on the professional level to return for one more year.
“It was one of the biggest things to happen to us this offseason,” said LSU hitting coach Micah Gibbs. “We had a handful of guys that came back for their junior and senior years. Having those guys come back just adds to the maturity of the overall team.”
With that group of essential players returning, the expectations for this team are sky high.
“LSU has the same expectation every year,” Deichmann said. “Go to Omaha and win a national championship. We have the same core group of guys this year that we had last year and we have the same goal.”
With a collection of outstanding freshmen joining the team this season, Deichmann wants to be a leader to the younger generation of LSU baseball players. Much like when he was a freshman and older players mentored him.
“I want to help some of the younger guys come in and see what it takes to get to the point of success and the standard of excellence that LSU holds,” explained Deichmann. “That is what I saw while playing with Alex Bregman, Andrew Stevenson and Mark Laird.”
For Deichmann, it is about doing whatever it takes to win, even switching positions.
Playing primarily as a first baseman last year, Deichmann is taking on a new challenge this year. After talking with the coaches, they decided that a move to right field would be helpful to the team.
“He has straight-line speed, he can get out there and run some balls down, and he has a great arm, which helps out especially in right field.” explained Gibbs.
Having never played right field before, it is a change that is challenging, but at the same time welcome.
“Honestly going out there this year, it feels natural,” Deichmann said. “It’s the most natural I have ever felt on defense, and it’s the most fun I have ever had on defense. I am excited to be out there.”
Coming back and playing this season for LSU was important to Deichmann. Fighting through injury and passing up a chance to play in the pros were inspired by the lure of playing in Alex Box for one more year.
Deichmann said, “Playing in this atmosphere is something that you can never get back to, so I want to enjoy it for this last ride.”