The LSU baseball team is creating the wrong kind of history one season removed from winning the program’s eighth national championship. With three regular season games to go, the Tigers have suffered 18 losses in SEC play, which matches the most conference losses in program history. Tiger Rag Editor Glenn Guilbeau says a lot has gone wrong, but the lack of development from pitchers returning from last year’s team really sticks out.
“What’s surprising is that William Schmidt has not developed, and he’s been a mediocre pitcher for two years. And Casan Evans, even before he got hurt, was nowhere near what he was last year,” Guilbeau noted.
Guilbeau says injuries have also been an issue.
“Jake Brown was having a great season. He got hurt, so there’s a lot of bad luck. And then Chris Stanfield, who was very good last year, he’s been hurt all season with multiple injuries,” Guilbeau explained.
Starting pitcher Cooper Moore also got hurt in March and never returned. Friday night starter Casan Evans missed a couple of weekends due to arm soreness. Guilbeau says for LSU to get back to being a national contender again, the pitching has to improve dramatically.
“He’s (LSU baseball head coach Jay Johnson) got to do some real soul-searching and find some pitchers, my goodness. And he’s got to replace a bunch of offensive players too,” Guilbeau said.
Center fielder Derek Curiel, shortstop Steven Milam and right fielder Jake Brown are expected to turn pro after they are selected in the Major League Baseball draft in July.