Pitching against LSU’s baseball team has never been for the faint of heart, but during the 2025 season opposing teams are discovering just how dangerous the top of the Tigers’ lineup can be.

With a combination of raw power, disciplined plate appearances and emerging young talent, Daniel Dickinson, Jared Jones, Derek Curiel, Ethan Frey and Steven Milam are forcing a noticeable shift in how pitchers and opposing team strategy is forced.

Opposing pitchers are no longer attacking the top of the lineup with the same aggression. Instead of challenging them early in the count or pumping fastballs through the zone, teams rely on breaking balls, off-speed junk and a heavy dose of nibbling around the plate, trying to dodge the inevitable.

The reason? LSU’s big bats are making teams pay for even the slightest mistake. “You’re seeing fewer first-pitch fastballs, especially to guys like Jared and Dickinson,” head coach Jay Johnson said. “Pitchers know if they get behind in the count, they’re in trouble, but if they attack the zone too early, our guys can turn a game around in one swing.”

Jared Jones, one of the most feared hitters in the SEC, is leading LSU with 13 home runs so far this season and 55 RBI, putting him as the third highest RBI count in the SEC.

Jones has been the top of the lineup since opening day, typically sitting at the two-hole. He has done nothing but prove that with the heating up of the Tigers’ order, he can start the lineup strong with a .360 batting average.

Known for his towering home runs and ability to hit to all fields, Jones is seeing more off-speed pitches than ever. His reputation alone has started to create a ripple effect, and like clockwork, there is a mound visit typically taken before Jones comes up to bat.

Daniel Dickinson, the transfer from Utah Valley CC, who often sets the tone at the top of the lineup, has benefited from the protection in front of him. With Jones looming in the on-deck circle, pitchers are hesitant to give Dickinson free passes or let him get on base, often leading to more pitches in the zone, and he’s been taking advantage.

Freshman phenom Derek Curiel adds another wrinkle with a .364 batting average and an on-base streak of 41, making that every game he has reached base at least once.

With maturity beyond his years and a smooth lefty swing, Curiel has shown he’s more than capable of coming in and putting power in the ball while speed demon Chris Stanfield is on base to help get those easy runs on the board. His unyielding contact is exactly what is needed out of a leadoff hitter, especially one that can go for extra bases.

Meanwhile, Ethan Frey has had what most consider his breakout this season. The junior who has been on the team for his entire career so far has been a consistent returner to the LSU lineup, and has had 33 hits, of which seven are home runs. His performance night after night has forced Johnson to keep him in a competitive lineup.

Steven Milam, who has eight home runs, provides versatility and consistency in the middle of the order. Although his season started a bit slow, he has shown the college baseball world why he is referred to as “Monster Milam”, lighting up the diamond with 41 games played and 39 RBI. He has developed a reputation for being a grinder in the box, one who can foul off tough pitches and draw out at-bats until the pitcher makes a mistake.

Together, this top group doesn’t just hit home runs; they change how teams approach entire games. Opposing coaches are often forced to burn through bullpens early and call for their pitchers, searching for matchups that can slow down LSU’s offensive machine.

The Tigers’ power up top also means players lower in the order are seeing better pitches.

“We feed off what those guys do,” Jared Jones said. “You know we have a lot of respect for their pitchers, but at the end of the day, we see those pitches. It just forces pitchers into bad spots.”

As the Tigers push deeper into the final stretch of conference play and eye another postseason run, the success of their top hitters will be critical.

And with the way opposing staffs adjust pitching around them, changing patterns and still getting burned, it’s clear that this is one of the most feared top-of-the-orders in the country.