Friday was the start of full squad workouts for an LSU baseball team ranked preseason top 5 and looking to return to the College World Series after losing in the Chapel Hill Regional last year.
One of the Tigers’ top performers in 2024 will likely play a different position in 2025. Steven Milam was a first-team freshman All-American last season at second base, hitting .326 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs.
Coach Jay Johnson says Milam is a great defensive player and it would be better for the team if he was on the left side of the infield.
“I think of it like basketball a little bit, doesn’t the best defender guard the guy that scores all the time, so baseball why wouldn’t you put one of your better guys where they are going to hit it a lot,” Johnson said.
If Johnson deems Milam should start at shortstop. That would likely move last year’s starting shortstop Michael Braswell to third base. But don’t expect Braswell, who settled in as the Tigers starting shortstop after some early season struggles, to give up short easily to Milam.
At Sunday’s scrimmage, both players were sharing time at third base and shortstop.
The competition will also be fierce at catcher. LSU has four of them on its roster and Indiana State transfer Luis Hernandez impressed Johnson during fall ball.
“The unknown was that he didn’t catch a lot last year because they had a ridiculously good defensive catcher, but he’s exceeded all of my expectations where he’s at and obviously we see a really good hitter in there,” Johnson said.
Hernandez hit 23 home runs in the Missouri Valley Conference last year.
Johnson is also high on freshman Cade Arrambide from Tomball, Texas, who has a big-time arm behind the plate.
“He had an outstanding fall, he hit right around .360, the bats were way more professional that you will be anticipate for a somebody who hasn’t had exposure to this level of play, he obviously has power, the arm strength really jumps off the page at you,” Johnson said.
Blaise Preister also has power. The former Live Oak High star in Livingston Parish hit seven home runs during Fall Ball. He hit 14 home runs at Meridian Community College last season.
Six-foot-five Edward Yamin is another option at catcher. The transfer from Dayton batted .342 with 13 homers, 14 doubles and 54 RBI. Yamin can also play first base and is a designated hitter candidate.