LSU may have won its eighth national championship just a few days ago, but head coach Jay Johnson and his staff are already hard at work putting together next year’s roster to defend their title. Glen West of 247Sports says the Tigers are still loaded with enough talent to make another run. The centerpiece will be freshman pitcher Casan Evans.
“I would probably bet good money that you could write Casan Evans’ name in Sharpie on Friday night next year for the opener. I don’t think there’s any way that he doesn’t start for LSU next year,” West said.
The biggest question mark will be what the infield looks like around shortstop Stephen Milam. Incoming transfers Brayden Simpson out of High Point and Kansas State’s Seth Darder will compete with LSU’s always-talented freshman class. West says some returning bench pieces could be in the mix as well.
“John Pearson’s another guy that I think makes a lot of sense as a second-year player. A guy who got some opportunities as a freshman to really swing the bat, but we haven’t really seen in the field yet. I would imagine he competes for playing time at first and third,” West said.
Priority one will be keeping names out of next month’s MLB Draft. Center fielder Chris Stanfield and right-handed pitcher Zac Cowan would be key contributors next season if they choose to stay in Baton Rouge. West identified D-H Ethan Frey as another target.
“If he doesn’t decide to go to the draft, he’s somebody that I think could return and give LSU some really good veteran leadership and bat ability and then you get to see him in the field a little bit more next year too, which could increase his value a little bit,” West said.
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