LSU Bullpen Takes Hit After Two Tigers, One Transfer Get Selected in MLB Draft

LSU right-handed pitcher Eric Reyzelman gets selected by the Yankees while Paul Gervase changes mind on return to LSU

LSU redshirt sophomore pitcher Eric Reyzelman was selected Monday in the fifth round of the MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. Reyzelman, a right-hander from San Ramon, Calif., was the No. 160 overall pick in the MLB Draft.

Reyzelman, who transferred to LSU prior to the 2022 season from the University of San Francisco, was second on the Tigers’ pitching staff in appearances with 29, and he posted a 1-3 record and a 4.04 ERA in 42.1 innings with 18 walks, 66 strikeouts, three saves and a .200 opponent batting average.

Grateful beyond words. Let’s go @Yankees! https://t.co/hK2o8aWyV7

— Eric Reyzelman (@ReyzEric) July 18, 2022

Along with Reyzelman, Dylan Tebrake, who transferred to LSU this offseason, was also selected in the 2022 MLB Draft, hearing his name called by the New York Mets in the eighth round.

After many were hopeful Jay Johnson and the Tigers could sway Tebrake to Baton Rouge, he quickly shut that down with one Twitter post, making it fairly obvious he will be inking a deal with the Mets. 

Dreams do come true! Can’t thank everyone enough who has helped along this journey. Let’s get to work @Mets pic.twitter.com/iDwvFOGjvG

— Dylan Tebrake (@dylantebrake) July 18, 2022

At Creighton, the two-time Big East Pitcher of the Year put together a strong 2022 season, finishing with an 8-2 record while adding 115 strikeouts, 73 hits, 33 walks and a 2.81 ERA in 93 innings pitched in 17 appearances this season.

A heartbreaker for the Tigers came from right-handed pitcher Paul Gervase. After announcing Monday that he would return to Baton Rouge, it appears he has changed his mind.

Thank you Tiger nation for everything!!
Forever LSU!!!

— Paul Gervase (@PaulGervase1) July 19, 2022

The 6-foot-9 menace was selected by the New York Mets in the 12th round and has since deleted his tweet about returning to LSU, making it appear as though he will signs with the Mets organization. 

Gervase told Leah Vann of The Advocate:

"I'm always grateful for my time at LSU. Me and my family just thought this was the right decision." 

Gervase has steadily improved his game over the last few years. Going from 85mph to 92mph in one summer, he’s a high upside player for the Mets. 

The Tigers will lose out on Gervase, but received great news that 2022 signee Chase Shores will be honoring his LSU commitment and heading to Baton Rouge.

Shores is a 6-foot-8, 240-pound right-handed pitcher who will add to an LSU pitching unit that is slowly coming together.

For the Tigers, they now lose some depth to their bullpen with Gervase, Reyzelman and Tebrake departing, but the trio will now look to ink a contract at the professional ranks with the their organizations and prepare for the next chapter of their baseball journeys.