Portal Power Plays
LSU Baseball entered the offseason after a rare disappointment: the program failed to qualify for the postseason in 2026, ending a streak that began in 2012. The missed opportunity prompted a swift response from the coaching staff.
Head coach Jay Johnson has turned to the transfer portal as a primary tool, seeking immediate impact players who can shift the team’s trajectory.
The first addition, Bino Watters, arrives from Notre Dame, where he earned All‑ACC honors with a .362 batting average, on‑base percentage of 1.057 and slugging percentage of .610 in the 2026 season.
Joining him is left‑hander Landon Hood, a Gonzaga alum who posted a 2.48 ERA and was recognized as the 2026 West Coast Freshman of the Year.
Completing the trio is shortstop Dawson Park, a Texas State recruit who batted .301 as a freshman and brings a blend of speed and defensive reliability.
Johnson believes the new roster pieces will restore the program’s competitive edge and put LSU back in the conversation for national championships.
Watters comes from Notre Dame, a university with a storied baseball tradition, while Hood’s roots at Gonzaga and Park’s experience at Texas State highlight the geographic diversity of the new talent. The coaching staff expects the additions to create a more dynamic lineup and a pitching staff that looks to improve on last year’s inconsistencies.