re: 2024 Baseball Tidbits

FYI -- we just posted our Fall report on LSU today. If you guys want, I just reactivated the code CYBERD1, which will give you 3 months free at D1 with annual sub (just insert at checkout). Here's the link with a preview:

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There’s an incredible expectation level when it comes to LSU Baseball.

It’s an expectation level that would send some coaches running for the hills. But not reigning National Coach of the Year Jay Johnson. He embraces all facets of what comes with being the head man at a place like LSU.

After reaching the Regional title game in Hattiesburg, Miss., in his first season, Johnson declared that the Tigers would take a massive step forward the next season. He was not wrong. The Tigers returned an excellent crop of older players on last year’s team, they brought in some superstar transfers such as righthanded pitcher Paul Skenes and hard-hitting slugger Tommy White, among others. And most importantly, the Tigers assembled a cohesive roster that included superstars and unexpected heroes such as Cade Beloso.

The Tigers put together a memorable run on the way to their seventh national title during the 2023 season. But now the page has turned. Memories of last year’s national title will still permeate throughout Alex Box Stadium. The Intimidator billboard is custom made to highlight last year’s title, and certainly, LSU will honor the title team at some point, again, during the 2024 season.

But let’s be clear: This is a new LSU team. The expectations, though? Those haven’t changed one bit.

“I thought we handled our business pretty well throughout fall workouts,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “The guys worked extremely hard, and they were understanding of the fact that this is a completely new team. This team will set its own course.

“Now, we have to reinvest in the process that allowed us to reach our goals last year — and process that allows us to continue winning,” he added. “I thought, at least this fall, that our guys did a really good job of reinvesting in that vision. I think we got a ton accomplished during fall workouts, that’s for sure.”

LSU will usher in plenty of new faces offensively, and some from a pitching standpoint. Offensively, the Tigers will enter the 2024 campaign without outfielder Dylan Crews, first baseman Tre Morgan, shortstop Jordan Thompson, second baseman Gavin Dugas and right fielder Brayden Jobert. However, they welcome back White, backstops Alex Milazzo and Hayden Travinski, Jared Jones, Paxton Kling and others.

On the mound, the most notable departure is, of course, Skenes. No one will replace Skenes’ 209 strikeouts in 122.2 innings of work last season. But there’s a solid nucleus back in the saddle between improved righthander Thatcher Hurd and transfers Luke Holman and Gage Jump.

Let’s dive into the Tigers’ fall workouts.

Fresh faces look to make instant impact at the plate
Despite some significant losses from an offensive standpoint, I still like where LSU stands in this department as the 2024 season nears. I don’t think it will be an offense that will be elite on day one but will be as the season progresses. The good news? There’s plenty of pitching depth to give the offense some early-season flexibility.

The Tigers might be in the best position of anyone outside of TCU behind the plate with the return of defensive specialist turned solid overall hitter Alex Milazzo, Hayden Travinski and sophomore Brady Neal. Milazzo has continued to improve from an offensive standpoint, while Travinski, who hit 10 homers last season, has a chance to be one of the more dangerous hitters in the country in Jay Johnson’s eyes. There’s also Neal, who could not only play behind the plate, but who also could move to second base at times. Johnson loves the fact that Neal gives LSU a strong lefthanded hitting option.

“We’re really in as good of a position as you could possibly be back there,” Johnson said. “We’ve got three catchers with significant national championship type of experience. I thought Alex was elite behind the plate at the end of last year, and he has just continued to improve as a hitter. That aspect of his game has flown under the radar a bit, but it’s improving.

“Travinski hit for power last year, and, too, continues to make strides offensively. Then, there’s Brady Neal, who was starting for us at one point last season when we were the No. 1 team in the country. We’re in a great spot.”


Jared Jones, LSU (LSU photo)
At first base, sophomore slugger Jared Jones will likely replace Tre Morgan. Morgan was a consistent hitter and premier defender for the Tigers, so replacing his defensive skill set will be difficult. But Johnson insists that Jones continues to make serious strides in that department. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder, has massive raw power and did a better job this fall of managing the zone and working counts. That’s a good development considering he had more than 60 strikeouts last season. Ethan Frey is another option for LSU. Frey is a talented second-year player who only had 19 at bats last season, but who also has some serious upside. Frey could play first base, in the outfield, or could DH at times.

Good write up Kendall!