Best True Fr Season as a Pitcher?

Aaron Nola was awesome too. Didn't he only have like 7 walks the whole year?

Yeah seemed like from May - Postseason he really found his best groove.

Matty Ott is for sure up there especially for how he performed in the post season

quote:

---

FRESHMAN SEASON (2009)

Established LSU single-season saves record with 16, surpassing the previous mark of 14 established by Rick Greene in 1991 … recorded a 4-2 mark and a 2.68 ERA in 37 appearances, collecting six walks and 69 strikeouts in 50.1 innings … 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in seven appearances (nine innings) in LSU’s postseason games with four saves, two walks and 10 strikeouts … earned win over Texas in Game 1 of CWS Finals (June 22), firing three shutout innings while allowing no hits with one walk and three strikeouts as LSU recorded a 7-6, 11-inning victory … earned school record-tying 14th save in SEC Tournament versus South Carolina (May 22), preserving a 4-1 win by retiring three straight Gamecocks with the bases loaded … posted his school-record 15th save vs. Baylor in NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, preserving 3-2 win with a scoreless 10th inning, including one strikeout … earned 16th save in Game 2 of NCAA Super Regional vs. Rice, firing one scoreless inning and fanning the final Owl hitter with the tying run at the plate to clinch a CWS berth for LSU … earned two saves in the SEC Tournament and nine saves in SEC regular-season games … named SEC Pitcher the Week on April 27 after enjoying a remarkable week, recording a win and three saves in four appearances — fired 5.2 scoreless innings, allowing just three hits (all singles) with one walk and four strikeouts; he earned a save on April 21 versus Southeastern Louisiana, allowing two hits over 1.2 scoreless innings with one strikeout, and then recorded his second save of the week April 24 versus Auburn, striking out the final two batters with two runners on to preserve a 7-3 victory … Ott was the winning pitcher in the 7-6 victory over Auburn on April 25, as he fired two shutout innings without surrendering a hit; he completed the week with another save in another 7-6 win over Auburn on April 26, blanking the Plainsmen over the final 1.1 innings with one strikeout … also named SEC Pitcher of the Week on March 23 as he made four appearances during the week, recording 6.1 shutout innings while allowing just one hit – he posted no walks and 10 strikeouts, and opponents batted .050 against him; Ott earned a win in LSU’s 2-1 victory over Northwestern State on March 17, working 1.1 shutout innings with two strikeouts; he then picked up the save in LSU’s 6-3 victory over McNeese State on March 18, working a scoreless inning with one strikeout … Ott was dominant in collecting a save at South Carolina on March 22, as he pitched three perfect innings, striking out six of the nine Gamecock batters he faced.

---

Lane Mestepey

I miss that CWS strike zone

What makes that really impressive was that was the first season we went to flat-seam baseballs as well (2015) which carried a bit further than the balls before them.

quote:

---

to mention a deadly slider and a 90-mph fastball.

---

Dude was dominant in the NC game with a 90 mph fastball. This is how much the game has changed.

Brett Laxton
Lange
Lane Mestepey
Ott

Those 4 stand above everyone else.

• Alex Lange (2015): 12-0, 1.97 ERA, 114 IP, 131 K, 46 BB, 1.17 WHIP, .216 opp. AVG. Named National Freshman Pitcher of the Year by Collegiate Baseball, First-Team All-SEC, and Freshman All-American. Key moment: 9-inning shutout (10 K) in the NCAA Regional vs. UNC Wilmington, helping LSU reach the College World Series.

• Brett Laxton (1993): 12-1, 2.96 ERA, 100.1 IP, 108 K, 41 BB, 1.24 WHIP, .223 opp. AVG. Earned National Freshman of the Year from Collegiate Baseball, First-Team All-American, and CWS All-Tournament honors. Clutch performance: complete-game win (11 K) in the CWS vs. Wichita State, securing LSU’s national title.

• Lane Mestepey (2001): 11-3, 3.75 ERA, 139.1 IP, 79 K, 37 BB, 1.40 WHIP, .284 opp. AVG. Named National Co-Freshman of the Year (Collegiate Baseball), SEC Freshman of the Year, and First-Team All-SEC. Standout game: 10-inning, 3-run win in the NCAA Super Regional vs. Tulane.

By the numbers:
• Wins: Lange/Laxton (12), Mestepey (11).
• ERA: Lange (1.97), Laxton (2.96), Mestepey (3.75).
• Strikeouts: Lange (131), Laxton (108), Mestepey (79).
• Innings: Mestepey (139.1), Lange (114), Laxton (100.1).
• WHIP: Lange (1.17), Laxton (1.24), Mestepey (1.40).

Breaking it down:
• Lange dominates with an untouchable 1.97 ERA, a perfect 12-0 record, and 131 strikeouts—highest among the trio. His WHIP (1.17) and opponent average (.216) reflect his ability to stifle hitters. While he didn’t win a title, his CWS run and national award cement his case.

• Laxton matches Lange’s 12 wins (with one loss) and adds a CWS championship, a rare feat for a freshman starter. His 2.96 ERA and 108 Ks are strong, though less elite than Lange’s, and his 100.1 innings show he was a workhorse for his time.

• Mestepey leads in durability with 139.1 innings—25+ more than Lange—and a solid 11-3 record. His 3.75 ERA and 79 Ks are less dazzling, but his postseason grit (10 IP in a Super Regional) and SEC-leading stats highlight his impact.

Verdict: It’s tight, but Alex Lange likely edges out as LSU’s best freshman pitcher all-time. His sub-2.00 ERA, undefeated record, and strikeout prowess, paired with the National Freshman Pitcher of the Year nod, give him a slight advantage. Laxton’s CWS title is a massive point in his favor, but his higher ERA and fewer innings tip the scales. Mestepey’s innings total is impressive, yet his stats don’t match the dominance of the other two. If you prioritize championships over raw numbers, Laxton could take it.