The LSU baseball team is a member of the Southeastern Conference and represents Louisiana State University. The team plays in the NCAA Division I college baseball division and competes in the West Division. It is led by Head Coach Thatcher Hurd and features many of the best players from across the country. Tommy White, Carter Young, Jack Pineda and Jack McCutchen all have an impact on the team.
Tommy White
Despite the success of the LSU baseball team, the program has struggled to find consistency in its offense. Last season, the Tigers struggled to find a rhythm at the plate and in postseason play. The addition of White will help LSU in both of these areas. White is primarily a designated hitter, but he has some fielding skills as well.
White led all freshmen in home runs and RBIs. His slugging percentage was.730 and he threw 95 pitches in 81.1 innings. White’s bat was a major reason for his success in the spring, but he also has a lot to prove as a pitcher. Little’s fastball can reach the upper nineties, but he needs more time to develop as a starter. He’ll be better suited as a bullpen option next season.
Carter Young
Carter Young, LSU baseball: The shortstop from Vanderbilt is headed to the Baltimore Orioles, according to reports. After transferring to LSU, Young decided to pursue a professional career. The Baltimore Orioles selected Young in the 17th round of the MLB Draft. In his two years at Vanderbilt, Young led the team with 16 home runs and drove in 52 runs.
Young’s signing comes at a time when LSU is missing at least three starting shortstops. Former Baylor transfer Jack Pineda and current LSU starter Jordan Thompson are also draft eligible. Both of those players have experience playing other positions in the Cape Cod League. Young, who will join Christian Little as a summer transfer, is likely to be one of the best options at shortstop.
Jack Pineda
The addition of Jack Pineda to the LSU baseball roster is a big deal. The junior from Baylor led the Bears in hitting as a junior, including a team-high seven home runs. He also smacked 35 RBIs. Pineda has the potential to play right away for the Tigers. While the Tigers’ infield has some holes to fill, Pineda is a sure-handed fielder who will compete to be a starting shortstop for the Tigers.
Jack Pineda, a transfer from Baylor, was one of the top additions to the LSU baseball transfer portal in 2018. Pineda was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 12th round of the MLB draft this week and intends to sign with the team. Before deciding to join the Royals, he committed to LSU. He played two seasons at Baylor and led the Bears in hitting with 68 doubles and 15 triples. He also added 10 stolen bases. He started 105 games and had a total of 135 hits.
Thatcher Hurd
LSU baseball has struggled down the stretch of the season, especially on the field. Nonetheless, head coach Jay Johnson has been aggressive with recruiting. He landed a right-handed pitcher from UCLA, Thatcher Hurd, who is a 6-foot-4, 200-pound freshman. Hurd pitched in nine games last season and had a 2-0 record and a 1.06 ERA. In 34 innings pitched, he struck out 48 and allowed just 10 walks. In addition, he allowed only 16 hits and four earned runs.
Hurd has an outstanding fastball that can reach 95 mph, and he mixes it with his curveball, changeup, and slider to make the most of his arsenal. In college, Hurd was a starter for the Bruins, but his season was cut short due to an injury. Despite the injury, his most productive stretch came against Omaha, where he combined to throw 10 innings with 23 strikeouts and only one run.
Christian Little
Christian Little, the 2020 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year, entered the NCAA transfer portal on Thursday. Before coming to LSU, Little played for Vanderbilt for two years, starting 14 games. He committed to Vanderbilt as a freshman and joined the team at age 17. In high school, Little was ranked as the fifth-best pitcher in the nation.
As a right-hander, Little went 4-4 with a 4.65 ERA in two seasons at the Commodores. He is still a young man but has already struck out 95 batters in 81.1 college innings. Little joins Dylan Tebrake, who is a two-time Big East Pitcher of the Year, and Jack Pineda, a former Baylor starting shortstop.
Ma’Khail Hilliard
After having an inconsistent season, LSU baseball coach Bill Johnson has been piecing together the pieces with his starting pitching and bullpen. He has been relying on Ma’Khail Hilliard in the opener. Hilliard is LSU’s best starting pitcher and is one of their best pitchers overall. He has 68 strikeouts in 711/3 innings and has been effective at throwing strikes. His consistency has allowed LSU to stay in games.
The senior was a member of the LSU baseball team for five seasons, joining the program under head coach Jay Johnson. After watching his father, Hilliard was able to see his father’s impact on the program. During this time, he returned to the starting rotation and made a number of big performances, including in critical games.
