LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson is assembling an elite transfer class this offseason, signaling an aggressive push to reshape the Tigers’ roster after a disappointing season that saw the team miss the postseason.
The centerpiece of this effort is a trio of top‑10 prospects: outfielder Bino Watters, right‑handed pitcher Landon Hood, and outfielder Angel Laya, each bringing high‑profile credentials and proven collegiate performance.
Watters, a Notre Dame standout, carries a .362 batting average from the 2026 season and is ranked No. 2 overall among transfer prospects, while Hood, a Gonzaga pitcher, posted a 2.48 ERA and holds the No. 3 spot in the rankings. Laya, an Oregon product, contributed a .296 average with 14 home runs last year and is listed at No. 6.
Johnson acknowledged missteps in the previous roster construction and emphasized a focus on developing talent from within the program, a strategy that blends experienced returnees with the new influx of high‑caliber transfers.
Beyond the headline trio, the Tigers have also secured additional portal additions including Dawson Park, Cade Kurland, Jason Wachs, Diego Velazquez, and Kaden Smith, further deepening the squad’s breadth of talent.
A New Era for LSU Baseball
The moves come as LSU looks to return to the national conversation, leveraging a blend of proven performers and promising newcomers to rebuild momentum and contend for a postseason berth in the upcoming season.