It’s Valentine’s Day, but if someone tells you Happy Opening Day, it’s because they love LSU baseball!
Last year a talented Tigers team got off to a 3-12 start in SEC play. They played better down the stretch and through the SEC Tournament to reach the tournament championship game.
But the slow start in SEC play put them on the road for a Regional and they lost to North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Regional. Disappointing end for a team expected to be in Omaha to defend its College World Series title.
Expectations are high the Tigers will get to Omaha this year. Here are five things to watch for during this fun journey.
Talented arms that lack SEC experience
On paper, it looks like LSU has a deep and talented pitching staff. But only a couple of pitchers have experience pitching in the SEC. Last year, weekend starter Luke Holman was an anchor, because of his two seasons at Alabama before transferring to LSU.
The 2025 version of the Tigers does not have someone like Holman.
LSU’s opening day starter Kade Anderson made several appearances in SEC games last year, but only in relief and never for more than an inning. Chase Shores logged seven innings in SEC action in 2023 before his season-ending elbow injury.
Gavin Guidry has two years of SEC experience, but as a late inning reliever.
LSU’s non-conference schedule will not provide a strong test for the Tigers starting pitching. There could be some bumps early in the SEC schedule as they face really good hitters in a hostile environment.
Bullpen trust circle
For every head baseball coach, figuring out who they can trust in the bullpen is one of the top priorities. Coach Jay Johnson was blessed to have someone like Griffin Herring last year. Herring came out of the bullpen, pitched four to five innings and shut the opposing team down.
It will be hard for an LSU pitcher this season to duplicate what Herring did last year, a 1.79 ERA in 50.1 innings.
Riley Cooper and Nate Ackenhausen were also trusted bullpen arms during Johnson’s time at LSU.
Johnson knows what he has in Gavin Guidry, who might have more multiple inning performances this year. But who else will step up?
On Wednesday, Johnson believes he could have as many as ten guys he could count on, which would be a high number.
Johnson has mentioned names like Conner Ware, Cason Evans, Connor Benge, DJ Primeaux, Jaden Noot, Cooper Williams, left-hander Dalton Beck, Grant Fontenot, Zac Cowan, and Jacob Mayers. Cowan could fill the role Herring had last year, but as a right-handed pitcher. Mayers’ fastball is good enough to close games.
Freshmen Phenoms
There are two freshmen on this team that should be in pro ball. Right-handed pitcher William Schmidt and left fielder Derek Curiel. Schmidt looked like a sure fire first-round pick in the Major League Baseball draft as he mowed down the competition while pitching at Catholic High last spring. But Schmidt’s desire to play in the purple and gold won out over a seven-figure signing bonus from a Major League team.
Will Schmidt be a midweek starter, or will we see him out of the bullpen as they ease him in,
Curiel has drawn comparisons to former LSU star Dylan Crews. Just like Crews, Curiel will start at a corner outfield spot his freshman season and he’ll probably be your starting center fielder next year. Curiel also hits from the left-side and is a little bigger than Crews. The California native has been named the SEC Preseason Freshman of the Year.
Revolving pieces in the outfield and catcher
LSU has four catchers, and Jay Johnson is used to playing multiple catchers. For the last two years it was Alex Milazzo, Brady Neal and Hayden Travinski. Expect Luis Hernandez to get a lot of playing time early on. The coaching staff also really likes freshman Cade Arrambide.
Johnson said he has eight different outfielders that can start, but he can only start three at a time. Getting them regular playing time and keeping them happy will be tough. There’s the possibility they’ll play five or six outfielders a game during the non-conference portion of the schedule.
Bear Conversation
LSU first baseman Jared “Bear” Jones hit 28 home runs last season, double the number he hit his first freshman campaign. All great power hitters need protection in the batting order, so they can feast on pitches to drive out of the park.
Last year Jones had Tommy White and Hayden Travinski, a pair of veteran hitters that opposing pitchers had to account for.
Who will provide that protection for Jones this season? Luis Hernandez hit 23 home runs at Indiana State last season and Dickinson hit 18 home runs at Utah Valley State, but they’ll see better pitching this season.
Maybe Jake Brown can find his power stroke in his second season at LSU. Blaise Preister could fill the Travinski role. Not a great defensive catcher, but a power bat as a designated hitter you can’t keep out of the line-up.