LSU baseball has long been known for producing elite talent, and the 2025 season is proving no different. As the Tigers continue their push through SEC play, several of Jay Johnson’s squad standouts are gaining national attention.

Five LSU players have earned recognition on midseason award watch lists, and one freshman was named a midseason All-American by Perfect Game.

Sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson leads the charge, earning the Golden Spikes Award and National Pitcher of the Year Award midseason watch lists.

The Golden Spikes Award, presented by USA Baseball, is the most prestigious individual honor in amateur baseball, while the Pitcher of the Year award, presented by the College Baseball Foundation, recognizes the top pitcher in the country.

Anderson’s numbers speak for themselves. Through 57.1 innings pitched, he’s racked up 91 strikeouts, second-most in the SEC, while issuing only 13 walks. He owns a 6-1 record with a 3.92 ERA and has consistently delivered as LSU’s Friday night starter.

His durability and strikeout efficiency have made him a pillar of LSU’s rotation and one of the nation’s most reliable arms.

Joining him on the National Pitcher of the Year watch list is freshman right-hander Casan Evans, whose poise on the mound has turned heads early in his college career.

Evans has shown maturity beyond his years, routinely delivering high-leverage innings in big moments. His inclusion on the midseason list speaks not only to his talent but also to his impact on LSU’s pitching staff from day one.

Evans was also named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason watch list, alongside Wofford Transfer Zac Cowan. The duo has provided LSU with stellar innings of relief pitching and combined to hold Tennessee to just two runs in Sunday’s victory.

Another name landing on the Golden Spikes Award watch list is junior slugger Jared Jones, a 6-foot-4 first baseman known for his power and presence in the heart of the LSU lineup.

Jones has helped fuel the Tigers’ offense all season, including a three-run walk-off home run on Friday to beat Tennessee.

His selection underscores his standing as one of the most feared hitters in the SEC and a significant component of LSU’s offensive identity.

In the field, sophomore shortstop Steven Milam has earned a place on the Brooks Wallace Award watch list, recognizing the top shortstop in college baseball.
Milam anchors the LSU infield because he is known for his smooth glove, elite range and ability to make tough plays look routine.

His defensive performance has been paired with consistent offensive production, giving LSU a legitimate two-way threat at a premium position.

Adding to LSU’s list of midseason honors, Derek Curiel was named a Perfect Game Midseason All-American, one of just five freshmen in the nation to earn the distinction.

Curiel has been a spark plug for LSU since arriving on campus, quickly becoming a staple in the outfield and the top half of the lineup.

His bat-to-ball skills, speed on the bases and mature approach at the plate have made him a standout among his fellow freshmen and in NCAA baseball as a whole.
Curiel was also named to Perfect Game’s Midseason Freshman All-American Team, further highlighting his impact.

Following his dominant performance against Tennessee this weekend, which included a four hit, two double game on Sunday’s 12-2 run rule victory, he earned SEC Freshman of the Week.

His presence has helped fill the void left by departing outfield talent, and his ability to contribute in all phases of the game has made him one of the top freshman performers in the country.

With postseason play approaching and Omaha aspirations very much intact, LSU’s top performers are leading their team to victories and proving why this roster was built to contend.

The next few weeks will determine how LSU finishes in the SEC standings, but one thing is clear: The Tigers’ has many players that rank among the best in the country.

The Golden Spikes Award semifinalists will be announced in May, with the other major award finalists following shortly thereafter.

For a program used to setting the bar, 2025 midseason honors offer another reminder that LSU baseball isn’t just in the conversation – it’s leading it.