Every championship team needs a breakout star. Ethan Frey was that guy for the Tigers in 2025.
Frey was on the 2023 national championship squad, but only had 19 at-bats on that extremely talented team.
In 2024, a shoulder injury that required surgery in the offseason resulted in .228 batting average over 57 at-bats.
The talented athlete from the small town of Rosepine in southwest Louisiana broke out in 2025 and became the Tigers full-time designated hitter. Frey finished the season with a .331 batting average with 13 home runs 50 RBIS.
Frey led the team with a .641 slugging percentage, finished second on the team in batting averages, tied for second on doubles and second in home runs.
Frey now has a big decision to make. According to MLB.com, Frey is ranked as the 119th best prospect in next month’s Major League Baseball Draft. Scouts believe he can hit for power and they like his athleticism even though he only played a few innings in right field this season.
Based on his prospect ranking, Frey will likely be selected in the first few rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft. But if Frey elects to return to LSU for his senior season, he can show the scouts he can play the field and he can improve at the plate.
Coach Jay Johnson is willing to do anything to have Frey as a member of the 2026 Tigers.
“Ethan can live in my house if he wants to come back next year, I’ll move into the apartments or dorms like that’s how much I think of Ethan,” Johnson said. “He’s a great player, I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes high in the draft, but if he doesn’t, I’d love to have him, I think he can win the Golden Spikes Award next year if he came back.”
The Golden Spikes Award goes to the best college baseball player. If Frey won the Golden Spikes, he would be a first-round selection in the 2026 draft and receive a larger signing bonus.
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As a Louisiana kid, Frey has loved his time wearing the purple and gold, so do you do it, or do you get a head start on what could be a long and successful professional baseball career?
A difficult decision for Frey. But at least he knows he’ll have a place to live in Baton Rouge if he comes back.