A Boost for the Tigers' Relief Corps
LSU baseball head coach Jay Johnson announced the signing of former Gonzaga pitcher Landon Hood, a move designed to shore up a bullpen that has been depleted by the departure of two relievers through the transfer portal.
Hood arrives after a standout freshman season in which he posted a 2.48 ERA and earned WCC Freshman of the Year honors. The right‑hander has been primarily used as a bullpen arm and will look to bring that same efficiency to the Tigers' late‑game situations.
The LSU pitching staff finished 15th in the SEC with a collective 5.72 ERA last season, a statistic that underscored the need for additional depth. By adding Hood, the program hopes to lift that ranking and provide a more reliable late‑inning option.
Hood becomes the first new addition for LSU in the current recruiting cycle, even as the roster has seen six players exit via the transfer portal. The influx of talent reflects the coaching staff's strategy to balance experienced arms with fresh arms capable of adapting to the SEC's competitive environment.