LSU Baseball Secures Big East Pitcher From Transfer Portal
Jay Johnson and Co. may still be playing in the College World Series, but that hasn’t stopped LSU from remaining active in the NCAA Transfer Portal.
On Sunday, Xavier’s Justin Loer committed to the Tigers and will take his talents to Baton Rouge this fall. The left-handed pitcher is coming off of a big-time season for the Musketeers, striking out 57 batters in just 63 innings pitched on his way to All-Conference honors.
Loer boasted a 1.89 ERA during the 2023 season for Xavier. A player who can come in and make an instant impact for the Tigers, Johnson and his staff secure a much-needed lefty for next season.
With the departure of Paul Skenes and LSU battling the injury bug this season in their rotation, Johnson reiterated that the transfer portal will be their best friend this offseason and it’s already showing.
The Tigers will certainly be looking to secure a handful of pitchers via the portal, but they’ve also remained active in other areas.
Loer’s commitment is pledge No. 2 for the Tigers after South Carolina infielder Michael Braswell on Thursday.
Just days after entering the portal, Braswell revealed his transfer destination, taking his talents to Baton Rouge and joining the LSU program.
A high-profile transfer, Braswell started 54 games at shortstop as a freshman in 2022 for the Gamecocks while hitting .289 in his first season. Along with an infield role, Braswell saw a few innings on the mound in relief towards the end of his freshman campaign.
In his career with South Carolina, Braswell hit .255/.372/.353 in 153 at-bats. A guy who isn’t known for his power, his development will be crucial once arriving in Baton Rouge. With the Tigers’ player development staff, it could be a match made in heaven for Braswell as he continues reaching his full potential.
LSU will be in the mix for several transfers this offseason, but they’ve certainly hit the ground running after landing both Loer and Braswell before the season concludes.