Trent Caraway, a junior infielder who arrived at LSU as a high‑profile transfer from Oregon State, has once again placed his name in the transfer portal following a season that failed to meet expectations.
The move comes after a rocky stint in Baton Rouge where the player, once projected as a top‑200 draft prospect as a sophomore, managed only a .243 batting average and two home runs in 30 games for the Tigers.
A Short‑Lived Experiment in the Infield
His playing time dwindled sharply after April 24, with the team turning to John Pearson at third base; Pearson, along with Brayden Simpson, Seth Dardar and Tanner Reaves, shared the hot corner for the remainder of the schedule.
Caraway’s departure adds to a wave of portal activity within the program, making him the third LSU player to enter the transfer pool this cycle, joining Daniel Harden and Mavrick Rizy.
The timing aligns with the portal’s official opening on June 1, a date that has become a focal point for college baseball programs as they reassess rosters heading into the next season.
Coaching staff had counted on Caraway’s power potential, a trait that made him an attractive recruit from Oregon State where he hit 12 home runs in his final season. The promise, however, never materialized in Louisiana, leading to a bench role and ultimately the decision to seek a fresh start.
The ripple effect extends beyond the field, influencing how the program approaches recruitment and player development, and underscoring the increasingly fluid nature of college baseball rosters.