LSU Baseball: Who's in? Who's Out? The Offseason Update

The Tigers continue revamping their roster via the portal, key players depart in 2023 MLB Draft.

Jay Johnson and the LSU Tigers are in the midst of a roster overhaul this offseason as they revamp this program for the 2024 season. With the core of their National Championship squad departing for the next level, Johnson has hit the portal with force.

But the portal isn’t the only way this program is retooling its roster. After several 2023 signees were selected in the 2023 MLB Draft, Johnson swayed three of the four to Baton Rouge rather than sign their pro contracts.

It’s a massive win for this program with LSU now securing their top recruiting class, aside from Blake Mitchell, to campus.

Mitchell was selected No. 8 overall by the Kansas City Royals where he put pen to paper on his pro deal, beginning his journey at the next level.

Here’s a look into who’s departed the program, the portal haul and more from this offseason:

2023 MLB Draft Selections

Paul Skenes - No. 1 Overall to the Pittsburgh Pirates

LSU right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes came to Baton Rouge to perfect his craft, and after one year with the Tigers, he quickly became the top pitcher in all of college baseball. On Sunday, it all came together after Skenes was selected No. 1 overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Skenes finished the 2023 season with a 12-2 record as LSU’s ace with a 1.69 ERA, which ranked second in the nation. His 209 strikeouts — an SEC record — led the nation, as did his 0.75 walks plus hits per inning pitched.

Dylan Crews - No. 2 Overall to the Washington Nationals

Dylan Crews ended his legendary LSU career as a National Champion, and after rewriting the record books, he departed Baton Rouge as an icon. On Sunday, Crews was selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Nationals in the 2023 MLB Draft.

Crews, a junior from Longwood, Fla., batted .426 (110-for-258) for LSU’s 2023 National Championship team with 16 doubles, two triples, 18 homers, 70 RBI and 100 runs. He was voted to the College World Series All-Tournament Team, batting .375 (12-for-32) in the CWS with one double, one triple, one homer, three RBI and 11 runs scored.

Ty Floyd - No. 38 Overall to the Cincinnati Reds

Ty Floyd took the country by storm after striking out 17 batters against Florida in the College World Series Finals, and after the historic performance, his MLB Draft stock soared. Now, Floyd has been selected No. 38 overall by the Cincinnati Reds.

He recorded a brilliant outing in Game 1 of the College World Series Finals vs. Florida (June 24), working 8.0 innings and allowing three runs on eight hits with one walk and a career-high 17 strikeouts. The 17 Ks represented the most by an LSU pitcher in a CWS game and it tied the CWS record for most strikeouts in a game prior to extra innings.

Grant Taylor - No. 51 Overall to the Chicago White Sox

LSU right-handed pitcher Grant Taylor was selected Sunday night in the second round of the MLB Draft (51st pick overall) by the Chicago White Sox.

Taylor, a product of Florence, Ala., did not pitch this season after suffering an elbow injury in February. He pitched in 17 games (two starts) as a true freshman in 2022, recording a 4-1 mark and a 5.81 ERA in 31.0 innings with 21 walks and 39 strikeouts. Taylor will sign with the White Sox.

Tre' Morgan.- No. 88 Overall to the Tampa Bay Rays

Morgan, a New Orleans, La., native, batted .316 (85-for-269) on the year with 15 doubles, four triples, nine homers, 53 RBI and 66 runs. He finished No. 2 in the SEC in triples, No. 2 in sacrifice flies (8), No. 5 in hit-by-pitch (18), No. 8 in hits and No. 9 in runs scored.

Morgan was voted to the 2023 College World Series All-Tournament Team, batting .344 (11-for-32) with three doubles, one triple, six RBI and six runs. He hit a team-high .556 (5-for-9) in the NCAA Super Regional versus Kentucky with one double, two homers, three RBI and four runs. Morgan will sign with the Rays.

Who Else Signed Pro Deals?

• Gavin Dugas
• Garrett Edwards
• Brayden Jobert
• Riley Cooper

Who Hasn’t Signed?

• Jordan Thompson (no decision made yet)
• Javen Coleman (has not signed yet)
• Blake Money (has not signed yet)
• Christian Little (returning to LSU)

The 2023 Transfer Portal Haul

Justin Loer (Xavier) - Pitcher

Xavier’s Justin Loer committed to the Tigers on June 18 and will take his talents to Baton Rouge this fall. The left-handed pitcher is coming off of a big-time season for the Musketeers, striking out 57 batters in just 63 innings pitched.

Loer boasted a 1.89 ERA during the 2023 season for Xavier. A player who can come in and make an instant impact for the Tigers, Johnson and his staff secure a much-needed lefty for next season.

Michael Braswell (South Carolina) - Infielder

A high-profile transfer, Braswell started 54 games at shortstop as a freshman in 2022 for the Gamecocks while hitting .289 in his first season. Along with an infield role, Braswell saw a few innings on the mound in relief towards the end of his freshman campaign.

In his career with South Carolina, Braswell hit .255/.372/.353 in 153 at-bats. A guy who isn’t known for his power, his development will be crucial once arriving in Baton Rouge. 

Kade Woods (Alabama) - Pitcher

Woods was 4-1 with one save and a 5.52 ERA in 17 relief appearances in 2023, including two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

In 29 1/3 innings on the bump, Woods allowed 23 hits, walked 15 and struck out 38 batters during his time with the Crimson Tide.

Gage Jump (UCLA) - Pitcher

Jump missed the 2023 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, but will be ready for the 2024 season. A member of the Bruins 2021 recruiting class, Jump was a hot commodity before committing to UCLA.

In seven appearances and three starts during the 2022 season, Jump tallied a 1-1 record with a 3.86 ERA, .172 batting average against and 22 strikeouts across 16.1 innings.

Mac Bingham (Arizona) - Outfielder

The PAC-12 All-Conference outfielder shined in 2023, batting .360 with 10 home runs on the season. Bingham also had an on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.006 on the year for the Wildcats with 51 RBI and 91 hits.

Bingham has the chance to be a monster addition for this program as they reload for the 2024 season. After a career year in 2023 with the Wildcats, we could see his game reach that next level under the coaching of Jay Johnson and his staff.

Remaining Target: Alabama Ace Luke Holman

LSU’s 2023 Recruiting Class

The Draftees:

• Blake Mitchell - 1st Round Selection - Signed Pro Deal
• Jake Brown - 16th Round Selection - Heading to LSU
• Cameron Johnson - 20th Round Selection - Heading to LSU
• Ashton Larson - 20th Round Selection - Heading to LSU

The Remaining Signees:

Steve Milam (SS) - No. 1 Player in New Mexico, No. 113 Overall

Kade Anderson (LHP/OF) - No. 2 Player in Louisiana, No. 130 Overall

Trenton Lape (3B) - No. 3 Player in Louisiana, No. 132 Overall

MJ Seo (SS/RHP) - No. 16 Player in Texas, No. 160 Overall

Derrick Mitchell (OF) - No. 18 Player in Texas, No. 187 Overall

Austen Roellig (SS/2B) - No. 37 Player in California

Dallas Dale II (OF/1B) - No. 54 Player in Florida

Griffin Cooley (OF) - No. 45 Player in Louisiana

Ryan Kucherak (SS/3B) - No. 15 Player in Arizona

Dylan Thompson (SS) - No. 11 Player in Louisiana