Can the 2026 LSU Tigers run it back?

If you listen closely, you can hear it. It’s the sound of every other fanbase in the SEC weeping because baseball is back at The Box. Why? Because Jay Johnson hasn’t just "built a program" in Baton Rouge—he’s created a professional-grade talent factory that happens to wear purple and gold and play in front of 12,000 lunatics who haven't slept since the 2025 National Championship parade.

The 2026 LSU Baseball team isn't just the No. 1

ranked team in the country; they are a collective middle finger to the concept of "rebuilding." Here is why the Tigers are probably going to ruin your spring.

The Rotation: The "Casan Evans" Show

Let’s get straight to the point: Casan Evans is a bad, bad man. After spending his freshman year treating hitters like they were playing with Wiffle ball bats, Evans is back as a Preseason All-American.

Last year, he put up a 2.05 ERA and struck out 12 dudes in a single Regional game against Little Rock like it was a midweek warmup. He’s got a "rubber arm," a fastball that’ll take your head off, and the kind of swagger that makes you want to buy his jersey immediately. Whether he’s closing games or starting them, if #40 is on the mound, you might as well just start the bus.

He’s joined by Zac Cowan—the grizzled veteran who’s seen it all—and William Schmidt, a sophomore who throws hard enough to melt a radar gun. Then there's Maverick Rizy, who stands 6’9" with a fastball that hits 98 mph. Rizy led the team in appearances in 2025. It’s unfair. It’s borderline illegal. It’s LSU.

The Infield: Milam & The Misfits

Steven Milam is back. "Monster" Milam—the king of the walk-off and the man who single-handedly broke the hearts of every pitcher in Omaha last year—is the heartbeat of this infield. If you’re a betting man, put your house on Milam making at least five plays this year that defy the laws of physics.

The Outfield: Speed Kills (And Then Some)

If you’re an opposing pitcher, the LSU outfield is a nightmare you can't wake up from.

First, you’ve got Derek Curiel. The kid was the 2025 National Freshman of the Year and is currently projected as a Top 10 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. He hit .345 last year and basically lived on base during the College World Series. If a ball is hit into the gap, Curiel is going to catch it. If he’s on first, he’s probably going to score.

Then there’s Jake Brown. The junior from Sulphur is pure Louisiana grit. He hit over .600 in the final two series of the regular season last year and delivered the clutch hits that kept the Tigers alive in Omaha. Between Curiel and Brown, there isn’t a blade of grass in the outfield that isn't covered.

The New Guys (NIL Money Well Spent)

Jay Johnson went into the transfer portal like a man with a blank check and no soul. He snagged Seth Dardar from Kansas State (who hit 13 HRs last year because he hates baseballs) and Zach Yorke, a guy who exists solely to hit doubles and look intimidating in the dugout.

And don't even get me started on the freshmen. I believe Marco Paz, Omar Serna Jr., and Reagan Ricken will have the biggest immediate impact, but keep an eye on the entire class—they have a chance to be special during their time in BR.

The Schedule

The Tigers open against Milwaukee on February 13th. Expect the parking lot to be full of jambalaya and bourbon by 8:00 AM.

The highlight of the home slate? Oklahoma comes to Baton Rouge in late March, Texas A&M visits in mid-April, and Florida closes out the season May 14–16.

The away slate is another brutal one. LSU plays Vandy in the opening SEC series (March 13–15). In April, they face back-to-back road weekends at Tennessee and Ole Miss, followed by Mississippi State at the end of the month. With three out of four series on the road in that stretch, it will be a gauntlet. Finally, the Tigers travel to Georgia on May 8th.

The Verdict

Is it possible for a team to be too good? Probably not. Could the Tigers be deeper, meaner, and more talented than they were when they lifted the trophy last June? We’ll just have to wait and see.

The goal isn't just Omaha. The goal is to make every other team in the country regret ever picking up a glove. Buckle up, Geaux Tigers, and somebody get me a cold one.

Predictions:

• Ninth Ring Incoming.

• SEC Regular Season Champs (23-7)

• #1 Overall Seed in the Tournament