A Draft to Remember for LSU Baseball
The 2026 MLB Draft concluded with a flourish for LSU’s baseball program, as eight of its recent standouts heard their names called on the final day. The selections reflected not only raw talent but also the diverse pathways each player has taken to reach this moment, from transfers across the country to overcoming injury setbacks.
Among the draftees, Grant Fontenot, who transferred from Texas to LSU, found a home with the Kansas City Royals. Santiago Garcia, a recent Oregon transplant, earned a spot with the Toronto Blue Jays. Connor Benge, after a stint at LSU Eunice and then Dallas Baptist, was picked by the Miami Marlins. Gavin Guidry, a lifelong Tiger, received the call from the New York Mets, while Zac Cowan, who moved from Wofford to Baton Rouge, was selected by the Cleveland Guardians.
Head coach Jay Johnson expressed pride in the group’s development, emphasizing the program’s role in shaping these athletes into professional prospects. "Their journeys are as varied as their skills, but each one demonstrates the potential we see in our roster," Johnson said.
Beyond the Draft: The Undrafted Signing
The excitement didn’t stop with the eight picks. Senior pitcher Dax Dathe, who went undrafted, inked a free‑agent deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, bringing the total number of Tigers turning professional to nine. This addition underscores the depth of talent that the program continues to cultivate.
Looking ahead, LSU plans to carry 42 players into the 2027 season, a figure that exceeds the NCAA’s 34‑player roster limit. The surplus will require careful management, but it also signals a promising influx of fresh talent poised to bolster the team’s competitiveness in the coming years.