Few college baseball coaches work the portal as well as LSU’s Jay Johnson does. In 2022, the Tigers’ hit the portal for Paul Skenes and Tommy White. Those two are among the biggest stars the sports has seen in recent years.
Last cycle, Johnson grabbed pitchers Luke Holman and Gage Jump. Both were critical parts of LSU’s weekend rotation as their draft stock rose in 2024.
LSU’s at it again, with a handful of big additions already on board. Pitching remains the focus with Jump, Holman, and potentially Griffin Herring all set to turn pro. Given the state of modern-day pitching, you can never have enough arms. LSU is using the portal to stockpile them with hopes of returning to Omaha in 2025.
Most of these names are moving up a level when arriving at LSU, coming from places like Wofford and Indiana State. That always comes with some uncertainty with how much better the talent in the SEC is. Here, we’ll break down LSU’s portal additions and what they mean for the program.
Hayden’s stuff might be good enough to earn him a decent draft slot, so LSU has to play the waiting game on this one. If Hayden does arrive in Baton Rouge, Jay Johnson is getting a pitcher with an electric arm.
Hayden only worked as a starter for Indiana State in 2024. It’s unclear what his role would be at LSU, but a weekend rotation slot isn’t out of the question. His strikeout rate was over 30% and among the best in the Missouri Valley Conference with an ERA under four.
But like so many pitchers at this level, he struggled with command. His K/BB was just 1.94. That ranked 43rd in the MVC among pitchers with 25+ innings pitched.
If Hayden puts it together, the potential is massive, but MLB teams know that too.
We’ll look at another Indiana State addition here with infielder Luis Hernandez, LSU’s top offensive addition so far.
Hernandez is from Puerto Rico and began his collegiate career as a catcher. In 2023, he shifted into the DH role for the Sycamores before playing catcher and first base in 2024.
Hernandez had a power explosion this year. After just nine homers over his first two years, he hit 23 as a junior with a .694 slugging. With Tommy White headed to the draft, Hernandez brings much needed power to LSU.
His OBP in 2024 was .421, it might be tough to repeat that in the SEC but as long as Hernandez is supplying the power, he’ll play his role for this team.
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