A season that had its fair share of ups and downs ended in large part because of a lack of experience. The Tigers had to replace eight starters from last year’s College World Series team and ran into a Coastal Carolina team with the perfect blend of youth and experience.
But LSU still ended up with its fifth straight national seed and advanced to the Super Regionals for the third-straight season.
Not too many national pundits pegged LSU as a host site after opening Southeastern Conference play by losing a home series to Alabama for the first time since 1996 and getting swept by Tulane for the first time since 2007.
Despite those bumps, LSU pulled things together at the right time. The come-from-behind win against Arkansas brought about a new attitude for the Tigers and marked a turning point for a team that started SEC play 2-5.
The Tigers went on to finish the season, winning 17 of their last 22 games and were 7-2 in one-run games. During that span LSU also beat the No. 1 ranked team (Florida, Mississippi State) four times.
When LSU returns next season, the Tigers could be loaded.
If things go LSU’s way, junior center fielder Jake Fraley will be the only starter LSU will have to replace. Fraley was drafted 77th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays and has said he will sign with the Rays and play in the major league.
All-American freshman right fielder Antoine Duplantis, who posted a 19-game hit streak to start his freshman campaign, returns.
LSU could return its entire infield, with sophomore first baseman Greg Deichmann, the team leader in home runs and RBI’s and All-American junior shortstop Kramer Robertson, coming back next year. All-SEC defensive team junior second baseman Cole Freeman is likely to return.
Twin sophomores left fielder Beau Jordan and designated hitter Bryce Jordan will be back after combining to hit nine home runs and 72 RBI’s.
While the pitching rotation may have to be figured out, the anchor of the team, sophomore pitcher Alex Lange, will be back in possibly his last season dressed in purple and gold. The pitching staff could lose junior Jared Poche’, who still hasn’t decided if he will sign with the San Diego Padres.
In spurts, freshman pitcher Jake Latz flashed his full potential, but LSU coach Paul Mainieri still limited his outings in fear of injury. Mainieri and his staff are expecting big things from the southpaw for next season, if he can return healthy.
Along with Poche’, junior pitchers Jesse Stallings and Parker Bugg were drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins respectively and still haven’t announced if they will return.
The bullpen will lose pitcher Riley Smith who decided to sign with the Diamondbacks. Overall, the Tigers will return five relief pitchers, including Alden Cartwright, who had Tommy John surgery, and closer Hunter Newman, who had eight saves last season.
After a year when the SEC received seven host sites in the NCAA Tournament, next season could be a weaker field. Top-ranked Florida might have to replace seven players, all whom were drafted in the top-ten rounds of the MLB Draft.
Conference champion Mississippi State could also lose ace pitcher Dakota Hudson, who was selected 34th overall in the MLB Draft.
Next year’s team will could not only be one of the more experienced teams in the SEC, it could be one of the best in the country.