There won't be much news capable of dialing back the hype and expectations surrounding the 2023 LSU baseball team, but they did suffer some unfortunate news this week.
Star pitcher and top MLB draft prospect Grant Taylor, who had a key role down the stretch of the 2022 season, will miss the entire year due to a UCL injury in his throwing arm, according to a report from Kendall Rogers of D1Baseball.
Taylor had a 4-1 record and a 5.81 ERA over 31 innings pitched, along with an impressive 39 strikeouts. After an impressive Cape Cod League showing with a 3.14 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 21 innings, he was expected to be a key contributor in 2023. His absence could lead to some shuffling on a team that head coach Jay Johnson sees as having a surplus of starters.
With Taylor out of the mix, the team will likely build its rotation around transfer Paul Skenes, the expected Friday starter, and Thatcher Hurd on Saturdays. Options could include Ty Floyd, transfer Christian Little, Chase Shores and others.
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Even without Taylor the Tigers will field an elite roster that has multiple preseason All-American selections and is ranked No. 1 in the preseason poll. According to MLB.com's projections, they have three other top 100 draft prospects, including outfielder Dylan Crews (No. 1), pitcher Paul Skenes (No. 4) and pitcher Ty Floyd (No. 86).
The Tigers kick off the 2023 season on Feb. 17 at Alex Box Stadium against Western Michigan.
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