LSU Baseball Roster Update: Latest from the Transfer Portal

LSU baseball head coach Jay Johnson and his staff have added a handful of transfers, while double-digit Tigers have hit the transfer portal.

As of June 18, LSU had 11 players from the 2024 roster enter the NCAA Transfer Portal, while Johnson has added six players from other rosters.

The most recent commitment was the addition of Auburn outfielder Chris Stanfield, which came after a run of transfers into LSU that included four pitchers.

For Johnson, the departure of double-digit players and push to add top transfers is a sign of the times in the portal era rather than the preferred approach.

“The reality is we’re in a different landscape right now. I don’t think it’s about building a program anymore and that’s my wheelhouse,” Johnson said during his media availability. “My specialty is developing a program. But, I think it’s probably now about building your team one year at a time. I don’t say that in any other way than I want the guy that Skip Bertman was able to redshirt.”

With the transfer portal window for baseball players set to close on July 2, here’s a glimpse at the LSU players who have entered the transfer portal and who the Tigers have landed.

Transfer Portal Window – LSU Additions (6)

USF RHP Chandler Dorsey – In 2024, he led the Bulls’ pitching staff with 26 relief appearances as the team’s primary closer, going 2-1 with eight saves, a 3.60 ERA (12 ER/30.0 IP), a 1.20 WHIP and 40 strikeouts. Dorsey held opposing batters to a .180 average.

Indiana State IF/C Luis Hernandez – Hernandez was a major force in 2024 with a .359 average, 23 homers and 76 RBIS along with a 1.114 OPS. The Tigers get a much-needed addition in the lineup with the major power hitter plus, he’s got versatility having been Indiana State’s designated hitter, catcher and first baseman at times.

Wofford RHP Zac Cowan – Cowan ended his sophomore year with a 10-2 record, a 3.35 ERA, 124 strikeouts, and 29 walks in 110 innings and was selected to the All-SoCon First-Team. The 5-foot-11 South Carolina native was one of the top players in the entire conference and pitched on two separate occasions in the SoCon Tournament to help lift Wofford to a championship and an NCAA tournament berth.

Indiana State RPH Luke Hayden – In the 2024 season, Hayden went 7-2 and had a 3.81 ERA. He registered 78 innings pitched, gave up 73 hits, 40 runs, 33 earned runs, 47 walks and 91 strikeouts.

Mount St. Mary’s RHP Deven Sheerin – Appearing in 18 games for the Mountaineers, the Reading, Pennsylvania native set the team record for strikeouts in a season by fanning 109 opponents.

Auburn OF Chris Stanfield – Stanfield played two seasons with the Tigers and appeared in 52 games while starting 51 in 2024 with a .276 batting average, a .365 on-base percentage, and a .395 slugging percentage for the season. He had four home runs and 25 RBIs on 51 total hits. He also stole nine bases. He struck out 38 times in 185 at-bats. On the defensive side of the ball, Stanfield had a .981 fielding percentage, only making two errors while making 103 putouts and two outfield assists.

Transfer Portal Window – LSU Departures (11)

June 3: Frosh. IF Austin Rellig – The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. native redshirted this season.

June 3: Frosh. OF Derrick Mitchell – The Plano, Texas native redshirted this season.

June 4: Soph. RHP Micah Bucknam – Bucknam made eight appearances out of the bullpen with an ERA of 7.00. He notched 10 strikeouts and three walks in nine total innings. On 12 hits, he gave up seven earned runs. He thanked the program for the past two years.

June 5: Soph. RHP Aiden Moffett – In 16 appearances, Moffett threw 17.2 innings and allowed 18 hits, 11 runs, and 12 walks to 21 strikeouts.

June 8: Frosh. LHP Cam Johnson – Johnson made 13 appearances with nine innings pitched. Johnson allowed five hits, but 16 walks and 12 earned runs to go with 13 strikeouts.

June 8: RS Frosh. LHP Nic Bronzini – Bronzini threw 4.2 innings this year after redshirting his first year on campus in 2023.

June 9: RS Frosh. OF Zeb Ruddell – Took a redshirt Year 1 at LSU. He went 2-for-10 at the plate with one double and a home run in 2024.

June 10: Jr. RHP Samuel Dutton – Dutton appeared in 57 games and made 15 starts over the last three seasons.

June 11: So. OF Paxton Kling – Kling started 61 games in his two years at LSU. In 2024, he bated .222 with one home run and nine doubles to 43 strikeouts.

June 16: Sr. LHP Javen Coleman – Coleman spent four years at LSU and was a key part of the bullpen for the Tigers both in the national championship run and in the 2024 season. He started seven games, appearing in 12 total, with a 5.19 ERA in 2024.

June 17: So. C Brady Neal – As a sophomore, a shoulder injury kept him sidelined for a bit, limiting him to 44 games. He had 116 at-bats this past season and batted .276 with eight doubles and nine home runs, making for an impressive .578 slugging percentage, however, he also had 35 strikeouts.