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It’s just the nature of the beast with the portal

Posted on 3/15/26 at 5:48 am
Posted by Allthatfades
Mississippi
Member since Aug 2014
9174 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 5:48 am
You never know with these kids you are bringing in. Some years you will come up golden, some you hit snake eyes,
some in between. It’s early, but most of this year’s portal class doesn’t seem to be able to play at the level we hoped they would.

Just my opinion, but I still believe the best way to is bring in blue chip kids and develop them in your program your way for two-three years. Kids, not necessarily from Louisiana, but kids that want to play college baseball at LSU. I don’t even know if that’s possible anymore this day and time
This post was edited on 3/15/26 at 5:55 am
Posted by FLBooGoTigs1
Nocatee, FL.
Member since Jan 2008
59127 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 7:30 am to
We hit homeruns with the last several seasons with the portal. This its definitely been a BUST at this point with this portal group.
Posted by Cuz413
Member since Nov 2007
10686 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 8:12 am to
I would be looking for some southern JUCO kids that are dirt dawgs and play with grit.

With that being said, I would not count out these players until the final bell has rung. They can absolutely go on a run at the right time.

The biggest concern is catcher (defensively). I did like Serna's receiving last night, although I admit I didn't see the whole game.
Posted by Casualobserver1985
Baton Rouge
Member since Nov 2021
1071 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 8:15 am to
Looks that way with both baseball and softball, it’s also a high risk with team dynamics. I still believe Jay will figure it out unless we just can’t pitch at all
Posted by The Pirate King
Pangu
Member since May 2014
67643 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 8:19 am to
What's the excuse for all the returning players and recruits?
Posted by eelsuee
2B+!2B
Member since Oct 2004
4545 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 8:32 am to
Last year our C, 2B, 3B, CF, #2SP, and several other pitchers were transfers, no shot at a title without them

2023 had C, 3B, #1SP (#1 ever), several key RPs, can't remember on LF and DH.

Regardless, the portal has been critical in both championships amd even if you miss some years, you do it again.
This post was edited on 3/15/26 at 9:13 am
Posted by tigerskin
Member since Nov 2004
46136 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 8:46 am to
Correct. The portal is a big part of the solution.

But the incoming guys have to be elite....and yes everyone else wants those guys too (including their current team) so it is expensive
This post was edited on 3/15/26 at 8:48 am
Posted by Cuz413
Member since Nov 2007
10686 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 10:27 am to
quote:


What's the excuse for all the returning players and recruits?


I did like how the announcers spoke about how Jay said his fear is guys showing up at LSU, like Saban at Bama, at them thinking this is it, I'm here and the machine will just win. Not realizing all those players before them made it a championship through their individual talents.

LSU is a program that has to have freshmen with potential to carry the culture and coaching has to instill they can lead up to Jr and Sr portal transfers. And if the portal guys don't want to be lead to follow the culture, cut them.
Posted by des4271
Member since Oct 2014
4667 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 10:39 am to
Law of averages will catch up with you sooner or later but Jay has done a great job overall assessing talent and knowing whether it will translate to the SEC level. May have missed on some this year. Still have a lot of baseball to play, they may come around.
Posted by harry coleman beast
Left Field
Member since Aug 2008
52619 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 10:41 am to
The portal class is embarrassingly bad. Braun, serna, and ruckert should be starting every game. The season is lost and we're losing our only good players to the draft. If young players arent developed things could get very dark
Posted by VOR
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2009
68555 posts
Posted on 3/15/26 at 10:46 am to
It’s like every sport. There’s ebb and flow over multiple seasons. There will be some down years no matter what, I’m afraid…
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