Jay Johnson strikes again, landing top 25 player in 2026 class

2026 Corona, California outfielder and right handed pitcher Anthony Murphy has committed to LSU and Jay Johnson, he announced Wednesday afternoon.

“After a long and thoughtful process, I will be furthering my sports and academic career at Louisiana State University! I would like to thank the LSU coaches for having the faith and belief in me to be a part of their program. I give all glory to God for blessing me with the ability to play this sport. Thank you to my family, friends, and coaches who have supported me throughout this process. Can’t wait to start my new journey!”

pic.twitter.com/J25IJYUsLE

— YaBoyMurph (@YaBoyMurph_) November 13, 2024

A 6-foot, right handed batter and pitcher, Murphy is a 6.7 runner with an arm that reached 93 miles per hour, per Perfect Game. Back in 2022, PrepBaseball wrote this about the rising 2026 star.

“Our second viewing of Murphy in a showcase setting did not disappoint as future Corona Panther is a name all recruiters will want to follow as he matriculates through high school. Big, strong arm in the outfield at 88 mph with accurate throws that flash carry en route to the bag. Moves very well with quick, light feet that create momentum towards his target. Quick, clean transfers through to release. Has the makings of an advanced defender on the grass. At the plate he shows consistent hard contact with a preference to the pull side. With present strength in the hands, Murphy keeps them close to the body and whips the barrel through the zone on a flatter path that results in more line drives than fly balls and ground balls through to a high two hand finish. Incorporates the lower half well with a slight leg lift trigger. Also pitches where he shows a long arm swing with low effort and fluid actions.”

This is LSU’s second commitment this week for the 2026 class.

LSU ranks No. 1 in 2025 Newcomer class by Baseball America

Baseball America magazine has rated LSU’s newcomer class of D1 transfers, freshmen signees and JUCO transfers No. 1 in the nation for the 2025 season.

The LSU class features nine players that were listed among Baseball America’s Top 100 College Transfers and 11 players that appeared in the magazine’s ranking of the Top 500 Prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft that was held in July.

The Top 100 College Transfers list included LSU junior infielder Daniel Dickinson (No. 2), junior right-handed pitcher Anthony Eyanson (No. 4), sophomore right-handed pitcher Deven Sheerin (No. 8), junior right-handed pitcher Jacob Mayers (No. 17), junior right-handed pitcher Chandler Dorsey (No. 22), junior right-hander pitcher Zac Cowan (No. 23), senior utility player Luis Hernandez (No. 32), senior outfielder/left-hander pitcher Dalton Beck (No. 34) and junior outfielder Chris Stanfield (No. 79).

The Top 500 Prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft included LSU freshman right-handed pitcher William Schmidt (No. 22), freshman right-handed pitcher Casan Evans (No. 100), freshman catcher Cade Arrambide (No. 125), freshman infielder Michael Ryan (No. 139), junior outfielder Chris Stanfield (No. 154), freshman left-handed pitcher Cooper Williams (No. 257), freshman right-handed pitcher Mavrick Rizy (No. 263), freshman first baseman Ryan Costello (No. 346), freshman outfielder John Pearson (No. 356), freshman infielder David Hogg II (No. 358), and junior left-handed pitcher Conner Ware (No. 482).

LSU freshman outfielder Derek Curiel was also a very highly-rated recruit who pulled his name from the draft in mid-June. He did not appear in the Baseball America Top 500 Prospects list only because he had declared his intention to enroll at LSU prior to the draft.

Of LSU’s newcomer class for the 2025 season, Baseball America writes:

As they have done every season, the Tigers again dominated the transfer portal to bring in the deepest class of any school in the country. The pitching LSU brought in—headlined by righthander Anthony Eyanson (6-2, 3.07 ERA at UC San Diego)—is their biggest strength, though second baseman Daniel Dickinson (.367/.469/.661 at Utah Valley) is also a potential day one draft pick and will hit in the top-third of the lineup.

LSU head coach Jay Johnson and his staff also brought in nine freshmen ranked inside the BA 500 for the 2024 draft. Baton Rouge prep righthander William Schmidt (No. 22 overall) is the crown jewel of the class, followed by Houston prep righty Casan Evans (No. 100). LSU’s fresh faces have the program in prime position to compete for a national championship not only in 2025, but for years to come.

LSU opens the 2025 season on Friday, February 14, when the Tigers play host to Purdue Fort Wayne in Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.