When the 2026 LSU baseball season ended, LSU head coach Jay Johnson had to get started in putting together a new outfield.
It appears Johnson has completed construction of his new outfield, as Oregon’s starting right fielder, Angel Laya, has committed to LSU.
Laya received Freshman All-American honors from both Perfect Game and Baseball America and put up big numbers in the Pacific Northwest.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder has a smooth swing from the left-handed batter’s box. He hit .296 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs. He set three Oregon freshman records, finishing with 120 total bases, 49 runs scored, and 14 home runs, tied with teammate Naulivou Lauaki Jr.
Laya hit in the middle and near the top of the order for Oregon and also possesses a strong arm in the outfield.
Laya’s announcement that he was transferring out of the Oregon program was a stunner. He was the Ducks’ starting right fielder on opening day, and the San Diego native hit right away, clubbing two home runs in the second game of the season.
He was part of an outstanding freshman class for Oregon that also featured Bradyen Jaska and Lauaki Junior as the Ducks reached the Super Regionals, before losing to Texas.
Laya was also a big-time recruit for Oregon. Perfect Game ranked him as the 12th best freshman in the country coming out of Eastlake High School in San Diego. If he continues to develop, he’ll be a high-draft pick in the 2028 MLB draft.
Angel Laya is LSU bound 🤝
The Tigers have landed THREE of the top six players in our 2026 transfer portal rankings 👀
(via angel.laya53/IG) pic.twitter.com/y4m9xQHT4I
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 4, 2026
The addition of Laya ends any speculation that Jake Brown will return for his senior season. It was a long shot anyway, as Brown is expected to be a second-round pick in the draft and receive a signing bonus between one and 2.5 million dollars.
Laya is the third outfielder that LSU has added through the transfer portal this offseason, joining former Notre Dame star Bino Watters and former Tulane star Jason Wachs.
The question remains: who will play centerfield? Wachs has been mentioned as a possibility in centerfield, but he mainly played right field for the Green Wave. Watters was a left fielder for Notre Dame.
William Patrick is returning for his sophomore season. He certainly has the speed to play centerfield, but only hit .220 last season.
Incoming freshman Nathaneal Davis from Orlando, Florida, is another possibility. He was a potential third- or fourth-round pick in the MLB draft, but has already said he’s heading to LSU. Davis has great speed and is considered a plus defender.
Johnson has created competition, and he’s giving himself options in case of injury or ineffectiveness.
