LSU baseball enters the fall with a promising depth in its lineup, as six players who started in last season’s Chapel Hill regional final are back on the roster. Among them are Jake Brown, Ashton Larson, Steven Milam, Josh Pearson, Michael Braswell, and Jared Jones, giving the Tigers a stronger base of returning talent compared to last year when only Tommy White returned as a full-time starter.
Coach Jay Johnson, however, isn’t making any promises about starting spots as the team gears up for fall scrimmages on October 10. “There’s an open dry erase board with nine spots that you can go a lot of different ways with. And I’m excited about that,” Johnson said.
Last season, LSU struggled at the plate, particularly in conference play, which contributed to their 3-12 start against SEC opponents. Johnson acknowledged these struggles during a recent press conference but is optimistic about the adjustments made during the offseason.
This offseason, Johnson has built a team designed to endure offensive challenges, aiming to avoid reliance on any single player. “I don’t think we’re hostage to, ‘Hey, this one guy has to do it, or it’s going to be really hard,’ or ‘If this guy gets hurt, we’re in a bad spot,'” Johnson said. “Like, I don’t feel that way at all, and I’m excited about that.”
Johnson’s optimism is rooted in the versatility, power, and depth the Tigers added through the transfer portal and junior college recruits. Key additions include Indiana State transfer Luis Hernandez and Dayton transfer Eddie Yamin, who are options for catcher, first base, and outfield, with a combined 36 home runs last season. Incarnate Word transfer Dalton Beck, who hit a career-high 18 homers, can also serve as a left-handed pitcher.
Utah Valley State transfer Daniel Dickinson brings experience at multiple infield positions, while junior college transfer Tanner Reaves adds flexibility with the ability to play seven positions.
“On the position player side, I think we were very aggressive in maybe looking at how the game is played now in college baseball, definitely in the SEC, relative to physicality, strength, the importance of the extra-base hit,” Johnson said. “I was just down there and saw three of them right now for the first time, and the bat speed, the physicality, the conviction of what they’re doing stands out, and we needed an infusion of that. And I think they will complement the returning players.”
With the combination of versatile newcomers and powerful bats, competition for playing time is expected to be fierce this fall and preseason. This depth, coupled with the arrival of promising freshmen like Cade Arrambide, Derek Curiel, Michael Ryan, and David Hogg, further intensifies the battle for positions.
“I just think the depth on the position player side and competition is going to be fierce,” Johnson concluded, emphasizing the importance of competition in shaping the Tigers’ lineup for the upcoming season.
