Baton Rouge, LA — May 20, 2025 — The LSU Tigers baseball program has once again flexed its muscles on the national stage, leaping to the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Rankings following a dominant stretch of play that has the rest of the nation on notice. A juggernaut in the making, LSU’s 2025 season has been marked by explosive offense, precision pitching, and a fanbase as fervent as ever. This recent ascent atop the rankings serves as a testament to the program’s enduring excellence and head coach Jay Johnson’s strategic brilliance.
For a program steeped in tradition, championships, and diamond dominance, LSU’s rise to the top is both a return to glory and a signal that the Tigers are primed to reclaim their place among the sport’s elite — not just in name, but in performance.
A Historic Program Rekindles Its Fire
LSU baseball is synonymous with success. With seven national championships, including the most recent in 2023, the Tigers are no strangers to the top of the rankings. Yet, every season in the highly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC) is a battle for survival. The 2025 season has been no different, but what has set LSU apart this year is its remarkable blend of veteran leadership, sensational young talent, and an unwavering commitment to the team’s aggressive, all-gas-no-brakes identity.
At 42–10 overall and 20–7 in SEC play, LSU has put together one of the most complete résumés in college baseball. The Tigers have swept series against ranked opponents, outlasted top-tier competition, and shown a flair for the dramatic in several walk-off wins. Their balance between power hitting and surgical pitching has turned them into a nightmare for opposing dugouts.
Jay Johnson’s Blueprint for Success
Now in his fourth season at the helm, head coach Jay Johnson continues to evolve the program into a perennial powerhouse. The former Arizona coach arrived in Baton Rouge in 2022 and immediately went to work recruiting and developing elite-level talent.
Johnson’s 2023 team captured a national title behind No. 1 overall MLB Draft pick Paul Skenes and superstar slugger Dylan Crews. Though both players have moved on, Johnson’s retooled 2025 squad might be even more cohesive and fundamentally sound.
“We don’t chase rankings, but we chase greatness,” Johnson said in a press conference after LSU’s recent sweep of then-No. 7 Vanderbilt. “This team has bought into our culture, and they come to work every day with a purpose. It’s a privilege to coach them.”
That purpose-driven mentality has been evident in every phase of the Tigers’ game. From baserunning aggressiveness to situational hitting and late-inning execution, LSU is excelling in the little things that separate championship contenders from the pack.
Explosive Offense Powered by Star Sluggers
The Tigers’ offensive stats read like a video game. LSU currently leads the SEC in runs scored (453), home runs (92), and team batting average (.315). Their ability to wear down pitchers and put up crooked numbers in almost any inning has made them the most feared lineup in college baseball.
Leading the charge is junior outfielder Blake Burke, a Tennessee transfer who has blossomed into a national player of the year candidate. Burke is slashing .376/.462/.720 with 19 home runs and 65 RBIs. His ability to hit for both power and average has stabilized the heart of LSU’s lineup.
“He’s the toughest out in college baseball right now,” said assistant hitting coach Wes Moreland. “He doesn’t chase pitches, and when you make a mistake, it’s gone.”
Complementing Burke is sophomore sensation Micah Hill, whose speed and contact ability have made him a menace in the leadoff spot. Hill has 32 stolen bases and is batting .344. Freshman phenom Trey Baptiste, a Louisiana native and former top-10 national recruit, has also lived up to the hype, mashing 13 homers and flashing elite defense at third base.
As dangerous as the top of the lineup is, LSU’s depth is perhaps its biggest offensive advantage. Role players like Luke Romero, Cam Johnson, and Cade Langston have all delivered in key moments, giving Johnson the luxury of rotating matchups without sacrificing production.
Dominant Pitching Staff Anchored by Elite Arms
While the bats have garnered much of the spotlight, LSU’s pitching staff has quietly developed into one of the most dominant units in the country.
At the center of the rotation is Aidan Benoit, a junior right-hander with electric stuff and a bulldog mentality. Benoit has posted an 8–1 record with a 2.21 ERA and 112 strikeouts in 81.2 innings pitched. His fastball regularly touches 97 mph, and his improved secondary pitches have made him a projected top-20 MLB Draft pick.
Behind Benoit, sophomore Cole Freeman has emerged as a reliable No. 2 starter, while freshman lefty Kenny Rayburn has baffled hitters with a wipeout slider and advanced command for his age.
The bullpen, meanwhile, has been lights-out. Senior closer Chaz Brewster has recorded 13 saves with a 1.98 ERA, and middle relievers Xavier Todd and Eli Compton have proven adept at stranding inherited runners and navigating high-leverage situations.
“We take pride in being the bridge to Chaz,” Compton said after earning a series-clinching hold. “It doesn’t matter if it’s the fifth or the eighth. Our job is to pass the baton.”
LSU currently ranks second in the nation in team ERA (3.12) and first in WHIP (1.08), showcasing their ability to not just dominate with stuff, but control the strike zone and limit base traffic.
Sweeps, Statements, and Signature Wins
The Tigers’ journey to No. 1 has been defined by more than just gaudy numbers. Their schedule has featured some of the toughest opponents in the nation — and they’ve answered the bell time and again.
In mid-March, LSU swept then-No. 5 Arkansas at Alex Box Stadium, outscoring the Razorbacks 24–9 in the series. A month later, the Tigers took two of three on the road against Florida before returning home to notch back-to-back sweeps over Mississippi State and Vanderbilt.
Perhaps the defining moment came in early May, when LSU traveled to Oxford and delivered a dramatic extra-innings victory to clinch the series against Ole Miss, punctuated by a three-run bomb from Burke in the 11th.
“These kids don’t flinch,” Johnson said. “They’ve earned everything.”
With an RPI of No. 2 and 16 Quadrant 1 wins, LSU’s résumé is unmatched. The Tigers are not only a favorite to secure a top national seed for the NCAA Tournament but also have the inside track to host both regionals and super regionals at Alex Box — a place where they are 27–2 this season.
Fan Frenzy in Baton Rouge
The energy in Baton Rouge is palpable. Tiger fans, known for their unmatched loyalty and passion, have packed Alex Box Stadium throughout the season. Attendance records have been shattered, with the average crowd exceeding 10,500 per game.
“It’s different down here,” said LSU alum and former World Series hero Warren Morris. “LSU baseball is life for a lot of people, and you feel that energy when these guys take the field.”
Students have turned games into events, with pregame tailgates, postgame celebrations, and a social media presence that’s made LSU one of the most followed programs in the country. The players, too, feed off the crowd, often engaging with fans before and after games.
With postseason baseball looming, the Box is expected to be even more raucous — a true fortress for any visiting team.
Looking Ahead: Omaha in Sight
With the regular season wrapping up and the SEC Tournament approaching, LSU now faces the challenge of finishing strong while staying healthy. The path to Omaha is never easy, especially in the gauntlet of postseason play, but the Tigers have all the tools to make a deep run — and potentially capture their eighth national championship.
Jay Johnson knows it’s not about peaking early — it’s about peaking at the right time.
“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished so far,” he said. “But our goals go beyond rankings. We’re chasing the ultimate prize.”
For now, though, LSU fans can savor the view from the top. Their Tigers are No. 1 in the nation — and looking every bit the part of a team destined for greatness.
