Tag: Jay Johnson

LSU baseball pushing for several Texas A&M transfers among others

LSU could be a major beneficiary from the fallout of Jim Schlossnagle’s departure from College Station.

We’re still dealing with the fallout from Texas A&M baseball coach Jim Schlossnagle’s decision to leave for rival Texas following the Aggies’ loss in the College World Series final, and with his entire staff joining him in Austin, we saw a wide cast of TAMU players opt to transfer.

While some of those players will inevitably join the Longhorns, LSU is making its case. According to LSU Country’s Zack Nagy, the Tigers are pushing for Gavin Grahovac, a freshman phenom for Texas A&M, as well as Jace LaViolette, a one-time LSU commit under [autotag]Paul Mainieri[/autotag].

Kaeden Kent, another Aggies transfer who plays the infield, is another name to watch, according to Nagy.

It’s not just Texas A&M players [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] is courting. The Tigers are also in the mix for East Carolina LHP Zach Root, the top arm currently in the portal. Auburn has reportedly made a push here, but LSU and Arkansas are also in the mix here, according to Nagy.

The Tigers have already landed an impressive transfer haul, but the chaos surrounding their rival at the moment could result in that group becoming even more loaded than it already is.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola begins historic triple-play

Former LSU pitcher Aaron Nola kicked off the first 1-3-5 triple play since 1929.

Former LSU starting pitcher [autotag]Aaron Nola[/autotag] is having a year with the Philadelphia Phillies. Nola’s been one of the most consistent starters in the National League with a 119 ERA+ and 3.82 FIP.

In his start on Tuesday, Nola helped the Phillies defense make history, forcing the first 1-3-5 triple play since July 11, 1929.

It came in the bottom of the third when Nola threw a sinker to the Detroit Tigers’ lead-off man Matt Vierling. Nola induced soft contact and a broken bat before catching the ball. Nola tossed to first to get the second out with the Tigers’ baserunner away from the bag. A base running blunder on the other side of the diamond allowed Philly to get the third force at third, completing the play.

Nola went on to throw seven innings of one-run baseball. He struck out six and walked none. It was Nola’s seventh quality start in his last eight games.

Nola isn’t the only former LSU pitcher having success this year. [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] continues to impress as a rookie sensation and while [autotag]Kevin Gausman[/autotag] isn’t having his typical campaign, his FIP indicates he’s due for some positive regression.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Michigan State football: Where every coach on the old staff is employed now

Tracking where MSU’s former coaching staff has landed:

Michigan State went under a major overhaul, obviously, when they hired Jonathan Smith to take over the Spartan football program. With the new changes to the Spartan football program, came a full overhaul within the MSU coaching staff.

While we know what the new staff looks like, it is time to look at the old staff, and where members of the old staff ended up in their new coaching positions.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.

Nicholls names LSU baseball assistant Brent Haring head coach

Jay Johnson lost another member of his staff on Tuesday.

LSU is losing another assistant to the coaching carousel with Nicholls hiring [autotag]Brent Haring[/autotag] as its next head coach.

D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers reported the new. Haring will replace former Nicholls head coach Mike Silva, who Arkansas State hired after leading Nicholls to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024.

Haring joined LSU in August of 2023 as the director as baseball operations after serving as the associate head coach with BYU. This is Haring’s first head coach opportunity in the college ranks, but he previously worked as the head man for the American Samoa National Team.

A Utah native, Haring has spent most of his baseball career out west, but he handled BYU’s recruiting operation and should be familiar with the state of Louisiana after working with LSU.

Haring is the second LSU assistant to leave in recent weeks after [autotag]Terry Rooney[/autotag] joined former Tigers head coach [autotag]Paul Mainieri[/autotag] at South Carolina.

Haring’s hire marks the second straight year a [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] assistant took a head coaching job after former LSU pitching coach [autotag]Wes Johnson[/autotag] took over Georgia baseball in 2023.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU’s Tommy White heads to Blue Jays in latest MLB mock draft

Tommy White is a projected top 20 pick in MLB.com’s latest mock draft.

The MLB draft is just around the corner with the first round set to begin on July 14. It’s typically a busy time for a handful of LSU baseball players along with commits as they wait to hear their name called. For some, that comes with a choice: turn pro or play for LSU in 2025.

Two names expected to turn pro and be first-round picks are LSU third baseman [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] and commit [autotag]Konnor Griffin[/autotag].

In the latest MLB.com mock draft, the Blue Jays select White with the No. 20 overall pick.

“Huge combine the first year, really hit the ball hard, and he’s continued to do so in three years in college at NC State and LSU. He wound up hitting 75 home runs in three seasons,” MLB.com’s Jim Callis wrote.

White is MLB.com’s No. 15 draft prospect. His scouting report says White is known for his power, but he also possesses and underrated ability to make consistent contact.

The same mock draft slotted Griffin No. 10 overall, joining former LSU baseball player [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] in the Nationals organization.

“In terms of his ceiling, I think he’s got the highest ceiling in the draft.” Callis wrote, “You’re talking about a potential 30-30 guy who could be a plus defender at shortstop or a Gold Glove center fielder.”

Despite his commitment to LSU, Griffin’s projected draft slot likely takes college out of the picture. It’s rare for a player of his caliber to arrive on campus, but LSU fans will hold out hope until it’s official.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Georgia assistant Josh Simpson returning to LSU baseball staff

Josh Simpson is returning to LSU after one season under Wes Johnson at Georgia.

[autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] is adding a familiar face to the baseball staff as [autotag]Josh Simpson[/autotag] is returning to LSU to serve as an assistant coach in 2025, the team announced on Monday.

Simpson spent the 2024 season as an assistant coach at Georgia under [autotag]Wes Johnson[/autotag], who took that job after spending 2023 as the Tigers’ pitching coach. Simpson served as LSU’s director of operations in 2023 after spending 2016-22 as a scout for the Texas Rangers.

He was also previously the head coach at New Mexico Junior College from 2008-15. Before that, he was a hitting coach at Central Arizona College, a volunteer assistant at New Mexico and a head coach at Lamar Community College in Colorado.

After a disappointing conclusion to the 2024 season, Johnson has added quite a transfer portal haul, and he also seems to be reworking the staff.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Tyler to continue the conversation on Twitter: @TylerNettuno

LSU baseball commit named National High School Player of the Year

Konnor Griffin may not make it to campus as he’s a possible top-10 pick.

One of the most prolific players in high school baseball this season has added a new honor to his name. [autotag]Konnor Griffin[/autotag] has been named the [autotag]National High School Player of the Year[/autotag] by [autotag]Perfect Game[/autotag].

Griffin is committed to playing for [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] and the LSU Tigers next season but the fact is that he may never make it to the Bayou. Griffin is the No. 9 overall player in the draft according to MLB.com’s prospect rankings for the [autotag]2024 MLB draft[/autotag]. He is the No. 1 prospect in the Prep Rankings.

Griffin had a mind-blowing Senior season at Jackson Prep. The Patriots went 39-4 and won the state championship in their class. Griffin finished the season with a .559 batting average, a .690 on-base percentage, nine homers, 76 runs scored and 87 stolen bases.

As much as I want to see this guy in purple and gold next season, I believe he will be one of the top 10 picks in the 2024 MLB Draft.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Top high school prospect Konnor Griffin discusses potential of playing for LSU baseball

Konnor Griffin likely isn’t making it to campus as the top high school prospect, but he discussed his commitment at the MLB draft combine.

With the MLB draft next month, LSU holds a pledge from the top high school prospect in the country, [autotag]Konnor Griffin[/autotag].

It’s doubtful Griffin makes him to campus. Prospects of his caliber rarely do. Griffin sat down with MLB Network at the combine and discussed the possibility of playing at LSU.

“LSU is a special place,” Griffin said, “Jay Johnson, what a great coach he is. He’s a winner. It would be super cool to go play in Baton Rouge for LSU and I have two great opportunities ahead of me.

“It’d be cool to go play in Baton Rouge. The fans are unreal. I know they would like me to make an appearance in Baton Rouge. We’ll see what happens. Two great opportunities, but I’m gonna be ready for either one of those.”

Griffin, a Mississippi native. is MLB.com’s No. 9 overall draft prospect. He was Gatorade’s National High School Player of the Year and stole 87 bags as a senior.

The five-tool potential is there and Griffin projects to be a plus defender whether he plays shortstop or centerfield.

Again, the likelihood of Griffin ever wearing the LSU uniform is slim, but fans can hope.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

Former LSU pitcher Micah Bucknam reveals transfer destination

Micah Bucknam has announced that he is taking his talents to Texas as he is transferring to Dallas Baptist.

[autotag]Micah Bucknam[/autotag] has announced that he is taking his talents to Texas as he is transferring to Dallas Baptist University.

The Dallas Baptist Patriots finished last season with a 45-15 record. They were the champions of Conference USA and then played in the Tuscon Regional where they went 1-2 and were eliminated by Grand Canyon University.

Bucknam is a sophomore from Abbotsford, Canada, and has spent the last two seasons playing for LSU. He played in 16 games over two seasons. He finished with a 0-0 record and a 9.00 career ERA as he pitched a total of 16 innings.

Bucknam was drafted in the 16th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays but he elected to go to college. He goes from a great team at LSU to a great team at Dallas Baptist. I hope he has a great season next year and ends up being an early-round draft pick.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.

LSU baseball adds another power hitter in the transfer portal

Eddie Yamin IV has played catcher before but he spent all of the 2024 season as a first baseman. 

Recently, I mentioned how [autotag]Jared Jones[/autotag] was turning heads with his power during the MLB draft combine. As every day passes, it looks more likely that he will be drafted and won’t be coming back to LSU.

[autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] may have just found a guy who can fill that role at first base. [autotag]Eddie Yamin IV[/autotag] is a 6-foot-5 infielder/catcher from Dayton. He had a phenomenal year for the Dayton Flyers this season as he finished with a .342 batting average in 53 games played. He had 14 doubles, 13 homers, and 54 RBI and he had a .608 slugging percentage. He has played catcher before but he spent all of the 2024 season as a first baseman.

LSU has gone from a team that lost all of their catchers and their first baseman to a team that has two or three different options at each position. Johnson has been on fire in the portal and I don’t think he is stopping anytime soon.

Contact/Follow us @LSUTigersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Louisiana State news, notes, and opinions.