What was once considered a foregone conclusion has evolved into a swarm of speculation regarding the future of LSU sophomore ace Kevin Gausman.
Sources close to the LSU baseball program and the Baltimore Orioles told The Daily Reveille they still fully expect a deal to be done Friday before the 5 p.m. eastern time deadline.
The No. 4 overall pick by the Baltimore Orioles in last month’s MLB Draft, Gausman was considered a virtual lock to sign a contract and forego his final two seasons at LSU.
However, the Times-Picayune reported Monday night that Gausman was seriously considering returning to LSU.
“This is turning out to be a tough decision, but as of now my heart is still with LSU,” Gausman told the Times-Picayune on Monday. “There are still things for me to accomplish as a Tiger.”
Gausman went on to say he wants to pitch in a College World Series and wants to become a “more complete pitcher” under LSU pitching coach Alan Dunn.
Jordan Tuwiner, founder and executive editor of Orioles Nation, said that while Gausman and the Orioles are slightly apart on terms, the team is confident it can sign its top pick. Tuwiner pointed to past Orioles picks Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy, who also dragged contract negotiations into the final day.
Machado, the No. 3 overall pick in 2010, signed with the Orioles just three minutes before the signing deadline, and Bundy, taken fourth overall in 2011, signed with five minutes remaining.
Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com draft expert, said it wouldn’t make sense for Gausman to return to LSU, seeing as his draft stock can not be improved anymore.
Mayo added that Gausman may be using a possible return for leverage in his contract negotiations.
“For someone who wants to go out and play, this is too much money for him to turn down,” Mayo said.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri issued a statement late Monday night stating, in part, that any reports of Gausman returning are “premature.”
“This is a monumental decision in Kevin’s life, and as much as we want him back with us, we also want him to do what is in his best interest,” Mainieri said.
Gausman paced the Tiger pitching staff with a 12-2 record last season, boasting a 2.77 earned run average with 135 strikeouts, and became the highest drafted LSU player since Ben McDonald was drafted with the top overall pick in 1989, also by the Orioles.
Other recent Tigers drafted in the first round, Anthony Ranaudo and Mikie Mahtook, also strongly considered returning to Baton Rouge before eventually signing pro contracts.
Contact Chandler Rome at [email protected].