LSU coach Paul Mainieri announced Wednesday that freshman pitcher T.J. Forrest is leaving LSU to play baseball for Bossier City Community College.
“T.J. came to my office [Wednesday] and told me it was his desire to transfer to Bossier City Community College,” Mainieri said in a news release. “He felt like it would accelerate his opportunity to play professional baseball, and he would be more comfortable in an environment closer to home.”
Forrest’s transfer to BCCC will allow him to be eligible for the 2008 Major League Baseball draft, whereas he would not be eligible for the draft until 2009 if he remained at LSU.
“We’re disappointed by this decision, because T.J. was very much in our plans for the future,” Mainieri said. “[LSU pitching coach] Terry Rooney and I feel like he would have prospered at LSU and that his best days were ahead of him. At the same time, we respect his wishes, and we hope he accomplishes his goals.”
Forrest said in the release that he was happy at LSU, and his decision to leave the team best suits his future plans.
“The reason I decided to leave LSU was simply because this gives me a shorter route to realize my dream, which is to play professional baseball,” he said. “There was nothing unhappy about my experience at LSU. I had a fantastic relationship with Coach Mainieri and Coach Rooney, and I’m grateful for everything they’ve done for me.”
Forrest pitched 31 1/3 innings for LSU this season in 11 appearances — six of which were starts. He made his LSU debut March 6 against Centenary, less than a year after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow as a high school senior.
“Due to the nature of the injury from which [Forrest] has recovered, he believes the sooner he gets a chance to pitch at the pro level, the better his chances of being successful,” Mainieri said. “I feel like we certainly enhanced his career by assisting in his rehabilitation and providing him with opportunities on the mound.
Forrest posted a 2-2 record and one save at LSU while recording 25 strikeouts and 15 walks.