In the latest installment of BA’s College Fall Ball Intel series, we examine what LSU head coach Jay Johnson learned from a season gone wrong and how the Tigers’ rebuilt roster is taking shape.

We also turn to Kentucky, where significant questions remain in the infield despite a familiar brand of baseball having produced four consecutive regional final appearances, and Sacramento State, where coach Reggie Christiansen is assembling an intriguing roster through player development, transfers and an expanding international recruiting effort.

LSU Geared Up To Rebound With Star-Studded Newcomer Class

Jay Johnson keeps a notebook of lessons learned over the course of his coaching career. Through two national championships, countless consequential decisions and the demands of running one of college baseball’s most scrutinized programs, the LSU coach has accumulated plenty of material. 

Few seasons, however, have given him more to write about than 2026.

The Tigers entered last spring ranked second nationally and finished 30-28, missing the NCAA Tournament altogether. Their 9-21 record in SEC play was the first single-digit conference win total of Johnson’s illustrious career, and LSU’s overall performance was its worst since 1982. For a program accustomed to measuring seasons by how far it advances in June, the collapse was difficult to reconcile with the expectations that preceded it.

Johnson, now entering his sixth season at LSU, has spent much of the offseason examining how it happened. His conclusion is candid.

“We put a lot of effort into that and we didn’t get there,” Johnson told Baseball America of his attempts to reinforce accountability and guard against complacency. “When you have some adversity it can be a good teacher.”

He pointed to a quote from UCLA football coach Bob Chesney: “The greatest predictor of success is well managed adversity and the greatest predictor of failure is mismanaged success.”

“We mismanaged our success,” Johnson said. “We’re really taking that to heart right now.”

Johnson attacked the offseason with a recruiting effort that produced the nation’s No. 2 transfer portal class and brought several prominent high school prospects to campus despite their professional opportunities. The Tigers will again have one of the country’s most talented rosters. After last season, though, talent alone is a less convincing assurance than it once seemed.

The composition of the new team offers an interesting contrast: considerable turnover, but a few familiar players occupying positions where continuity matters most.

Steven Milam is firmly established at shortstop after passing on the opportunity to enter professional baseball. Johnson believes Milam could have been selected in the upper half of the 2026 draft, but the infielder wanted another season at LSU. 

“It’s a good feeling to know what you have at shortstop when there’s a lot of change going on around him,” Johnson said.

Milam’s next offensive adjustment is more about intent than mechanics. He already possesses plus bat-to-ball ability and more power than his shorter stature might suggest, but Johnson wants him to attack hittable pitches earlier and more aggressively. Milam swung frequently and made plenty of contact last season, yet his swing rates against pitches over the heart of the plate were closer to average than his bat control would suggest.

There is stability behind the plate, too, where Cade Arrambide and Omar Serna Jr. return after gaining valuable SEC experience. Arrambide has the stronger throwing arm, while Serna is the more advanced receiver. Both are working toward more complete defensive profiles while simultaneously developing relationships with an almost entirely reconfigured pitching staff.

Elsewhere, LSU has added proven college talent without abandoning opportunities for younger players to emerge.

Florida transfer Cade Kurland has essentially secured second base. Johnson has long admired his game and believes improvements in balance could help reduce the swing-and-miss tendencies that have occasionally interrupted his offensive consistency. Just as importantly, Kurland is healthy after dealing with multiple injuries during his Florida career and remains a dependable defender.

Third base is more competitive. Texas State transfer Dawson Park has an early advantage because of his defense, having transitioned effectively from shortstop. Freshman Malachi Washington, a prominent outfield prospect in the 2026 high school class, has adapted to second and third base faster than anticipated after moving to the infield to address LSU’s depth. Johnson has been impressed by his at-bats against outside competition and his progress defensively. John Pearson and potentially Jack Ruckert are also in the picture.

The first-base competition features an intriguing contrast between returning experience and freshman upside. Mason Braun started 17 games there last spring and brings reliable defense, though Johnson wants him to become a more consistent source of quality at-bats. Freshman Dominic Santarelli, meanwhile, has been one of the most impressive hitters on the roster this fall.

Santarelli’s raw power was already a prominent part of his profile, but Johnson is equally encouraged by the quality of his at-bats between the loud contact. His swing, approach and defensive aptitude at first base have all made early impressions.

“He’ll be a pillar player in the program and will be a factor immediately,” Johnson said.

The outfield is trending towards being composed entirely of newcomers. 

Jason Wachs, a Tulane transfer whose fall began late because of injury, has impressed enough to draw early consideration as a potential top-five-round draft prospect. Oregon transfer Angel Laya has become more aggressive at the plate, resulting in greater impact. Notre Dame transfer Bino Watters has been held out of game action as LSU takes a cautious approach to an upper-body injury, though his batting practice and skill work have been encouraging.

Washington, freshman two-way player Lucas Nawrocki and Santarelli provide additional outfield flexibility. 

LSU’s remaining offensive depth includes young players such as Parker Loew, whose internal clock at shortstop has impressed, and first baseman Dylan Minnatee. Nawrocki, Santarelli and the catchers also give Johnson several ways to distribute designated hitter opportunities.

On the mound, the Tigers have imported premium talent, retained pitchers with substantial developmental upside and spent the fall addressing the physical and technical shortcomings that contributed to last season’s struggles.

Among the notable developments:

Landon Hood, RHP: Baseball America’s No. 1 overall transfer has been LSU’s best pitcher this fall, according to Johnson. The former Gonzaga reliever has approached his development deliberately, showing fastball growth without chasing maximum velocity. After relying primarily on two pitches as a freshman, Hood is working toward a four-pitch repertoire built around his fastball, changeup, curveball and slider. His changeup is already a plus offering. Johnson likened the quality of Hood’s developmental work to some of the best falls he has seen from his pitchers in recent seasons.

Casan Evans, RHP: Evans’ sophomore season brought substantial regression from his 2025 debut. His ERA climbed from 2.05 to 5.93, and his walk total rose from 19 in 52.2 innings to 31 in 60.2. Johnson believes inadequate physical strength compromised Evans’ ability to maintain his delivery and strike-throwing deep into outings and as the year went on. Evans has added strength, moves more freely and struck out five batters in two innings during his fall debut. His delayed throwing program will continue into the season.

William Schmidt, RHP: Schmidt has also made significant physical gains after a season that reinforced the importance of durability. Building toward a four-pitch mix has been a priority, and Johnson believes the strength improvements made by Schmidt and Evans should help both sustain their stuff more effectively. Schmidt is scheduled for one more fall outing before shutting down.

Cooper Sides, RHP: The most advanced freshman pitcher on the staff thus far. Johnson said Sides would be pushing for a rotation spot if the season began tomorrow. He already has five pitches, possibly a sixth, and possesses a sophisticated understanding of how to use his arsenal. Johnson compared his readiness and self-awareness to former LSU ace Kade Anderson.

Logan Schmidt, LHP: The highest-ranked high school prospect to reach a college campus this offseason has shown the stuff that made him such a significant recruiting victory. His fastball touched 96 mph Monday, and he already has four formidable pitches. LSU is managing his workload cautiously rather than extending the throwing schedule he was prepared to undertake after signing. He is expected to make his game debut this weekend and throw one inning per week over the next three weeks.

Danny Lachenmayer, LHP: One of LSU’s biggest developmental successes of the fall, Lachenmayer has pushed Hood for the distinction of the staff’s most impressive pitcher. Johnson acknowledged that LSU underestimated the adjustment period he would need last season after transferring from North Dakota State. His progress has been substantial.

Diego Velazquez, RHP: The USC transfer threw two scoreless innings Sunday and continues to refine a repertoire that includes a slider, redesigned curveball and developing changeup. He is now able to land his curveball more consistently, and his delivery operates with notable ease.

Other arms: Freshman righty Kolby Stringer is adjusting to the college strength program but has demonstrated an ability to elevate his performance in games. USF transfer righty Kaden Smith recently handled a leverage relief situation cleanly, showing fastball progress and impressive spin. Freshman lefthander Braxton Beaty has reached 95 mph while throwing strikes and already looks capable of contributing. Nawrocki has also met expectations on the mound, with Johnson placing him among the most tooled-up two-way players he has coached.

Kentucky’s Formula Faces Unfamiliar Question

There is little mystery to how Kentucky intends to win baseball games. The Wildcats have reached a regional final in four consecutive seasons by playing a brand of baseball that can seem almost anachronistic in an era increasingly consumed by velocity and home run totals. They control the strike zone, put the ball in play, collect free bases and turn their speed into an offensive weapon. Their pitchers, meanwhile, rely less on overpowering stuff than on command, deception and the variety of angles from which they attack hitters.

Wildcats coach Nick Mingione has little appetite for abandoning that identity. His 2027 team has the personnel to sustain it, though the departure of first-round shortstop Tyler Bell has exposed a problem that remains unresolved: Kentucky has several capable infielders, but no clear successor at the position most responsible for organizing its defense.

The competition extends across second, third and shortstop, with defensive suitability proving harder to establish than offensive ability.

Ohio State transfer Lee Ellis might be the most physically gifted candidate. Mingione considers him among college baseball’s best athletes, though his tools remain considerably ahead of his polish. Ethan Hindle offers strength, improving swing decisions and growing power production, but his above-average defense at second base doesn’t translate as comfortably to shortstop. JP Peltier, a Wright State transfer with strength and a disciplined approach, has a similar positional dilemma, as he’s an above-average third baseman but fringier at short.

Owen Lee, a Tennessee Tech transfer with strong baseball instincts and a pull-oriented swing, has impressed at third. Caden Cloud, meanwhile, is working through a slower fall after shoulder trouble disrupted the end of his freshman season. All remain involved in a competition likely to extend into the preseason.

Elsewhere, the lineup has fewer uncertainties.

Hudson Brown has been driving the ball with authority at first base after declining an opportunity to sign professionally. His exit velocities were already a strength, but additional lift could make that impact more productive. His defense has improved, too.

The catching responsibilities will be divided among three newcomers with distinctly different strengths. Indiana transfer Brayden Ricketts was leading the team in quality at-bats before a broken right hand required surgery and cost him most of the fall. Houston transfer Riley Jackson remains aggressive with considerable swing-and-miss tendencies, but his receiving has improved under former Kentucky catcher and current coach Devin Burkes. A swing adjustment has also improved his ability to make contact when his timing isn’t perfect and added carry to his batted balls. Freshman Carson May has already registered multiple exit velocities above 110 mph, power that makes him difficult to keep out of the lineup. Mingione expects all three catchers to contribute.

Kentucky’s outfield better reflects the athleticism that has become synonymous with the program. Senior Jayce Tharnish has added strength, leads the team in fall home runs and brings plus speed and at least plus defense in center. Alex Kelsey has played outstanding defense in left and fits Kentucky’s offensive model with his on-base ability and baserunning. Sophomore Braxton Van Cleave is the early favorite in right after a late-season freshman breakout, while Akron transfer Brody Chrisman remains in contention despite an uneven fall. Massive freshman Kaden Powell is an intriguing sleeper at designated hitter.

On the mound, Kentucky maintains its familiar emphasis on precision:

Ben Cleaver, LHP: Kentucky needs a return to his 2025 form, when he pitched to a 3.25 ERA in 83 innings after a difficult 2026 that saw him make 14 starts but throw just 45 frames. Cleaver has worked at 87-91 mph, touching 92, with double-plus extension, good angles and sharper secondary stuff.

Nate Harris, RHP: His six-pitch arsenal includes a mid-90s fastball that occasionally generates 18-21 inches of induced vertical break at 94-95 mph. Better physical maturity and progress this fall are encouraging, though consistency remains elusive.

PJ Craig, RHP: The Rider transfer is presently in the rotation picture. His competitiveness helps compensate for fringier raw stuff.

Dylan McIntyre, RHP: Perhaps the staff’s loudest stuff, including a fastball up to 97 mph and an 89-91 mph cutter. The question is whether he can translate those weapons into consistent execution.

Chase Alderman, RHP: A move on the rubber has improved his fastball angles, while his mental approach has sharpened. He has reached 97 mph and recently generated seven whiffs on just 18 pitches.

Other returning options: Logan Hastings works at 89-91 mph with a slider and changeup. Mason Snyder offsets an ordinary fastball with quality breaking balls. Lefthander Leighton Harris has reached 93, while fellow lefty Will Coleman has rebounded from a poor summer with a productive fall. Jack Sams is shut down with an arm issue.

Mingione is particularly encouraged by his freshman pitchers. Grayson Willoughby has shifted exclusively to pitching after arriving as a two-way player. Logan Sorrel brings an impressive fastball-slider combination and competitiveness that could eventually put him in the rotation conversation. Lefthander Cole McLean throws strikes at 90-91 mph, touching 93, while Joey Ansell impressed before an oblique injury interrupted his fall. Sammy Swank is a longer-term developmental project.

One other intriguing name to monitor is Matt Ponatoski, the former prominent high school draft prospect who also serves as a reserve quarterback for Kentucky’s football team. Ponatoski has been hitting with the baseball team this fall but has not been throwing while prioritizing football. He is expected to join the baseball program in the spring, though his role remains unsettled. There is considerable work ahead in refining his swing, while his present stuff on the mound gives Kentucky another potential avenue to utilize his talent.

Sacramento State’s International Recruiting Push

Sacramento State coach Reggie Christiansen is particularly enthusiastic about his position-player group this fall, which combines proven returners, productive transfers and a growing international presence.

Christiansen spent two weeks recruiting in Japan this summer, an effort reflected in the additions of Waseda University graduate transfer Taisei Shibuya and freshman second baseman Rukai Ehman, an Okinawa native. Shibuya struck out just once all fall without swinging through a pitch in the strike zone, while Ehman has impressed with his bat-to-ball ability and plus speed, per Christiansen.

The lineup’s centerpiece is sophomore center fielder Sam Harry, whom Christiansen considers one of the country’s premier defenders at the position. Harry hit .439 during the first half of the Northwoods League season this summer, earned all-star honors and is a potential top-100 pick in the 2028 draft. His decision to remain at Sacramento State is particularly meaningful to Christiansen amid the transfer portal’s increasingly aggressive recruitment of top-end players from his roster.

Other notable developments:

Savion Flowers, OF: The Kansas transfer won the Northwoods League batting title with a .376 average and is expected to play left field.

Kaden Hodson, 3B & Jaxon Fox, INF: Junior college additions from Salt Lake CC and Monterey Peninsula CC, respectively, who bring strong defense and advanced contact ability.

Daniel Dykema, OF: The British Columbia freshman has substantial raw power and is viewed by Christiansen as a potential top-five-round talent in the 2028 draft.

Ryan Ellis, DH: Returns for a sixth season after a productive 2026 that included 12 extra-base hits in the WAC Tournament. Fellow veterans Brett Ott, a high-on-base first baseman with 20-steal potential, and Ryan Christiansen, a strong defensive right fielder returning from injury, also provide experience.

On the mound, former closer Trevor Wilson is moving toward a starting role after working at 92-94 mph with a plus changeup and improved breaking ball. Cal Poly transfer Luke Kalfsbeek is another rotation candidate with a 90-92 mph fastball, changeup and slider, while Carson Timothy returns after earning wins against LSU and UCLA in 2026 with a five-pitch mix.

The bullpen’s most notable development is Conner Entz, whose fastball has reached 95-97 mph alongside a quality slider. Christiansen considers him the staff’s most improved pitcher this fall and a leading late-inning option. Nevada transfer lefthander Payton Dixon has also impressed, while Kurt Marton, Elijah Rogalsk and Devin James add further depth.