LSU baseball coach Jay Johnson has unveiled a projected 2027 roster that leans heavily on experience while leaving one key spot unsettled. The core of the lineup returns intact, featuring veterans such as Steven Milam, Omar Serna, Cade Arrambide and Mason Braun, each of whom contributed significantly last season.
Adding depth are four newcomers — Bino Watters, Dawson Park, Cade Kurland and Jason Wachs — who bring a mix of power, speed and defensive versatility. The only vacancy that remains is in center field, where William Patrick and a handful of high‑school signees are being considered, though the possibility that those prospects could be drafted adds a layer of uncertainty.
Center Field Competition
Other candidates, including Jake Brown and Derek Curiel, are also in the mix. Both players are expected to command seven‑figure signing bonuses if they decide to turn professional, a factor that could sway their college plans. Brown is returning from an injury that limited his SEC performance this year, while Curiel’s power numbers have drawn mixed reviews from talent evaluators, though his ceiling remains high.
Scouting reports highlight Watters as the market’s top hitter, posting a .362 average with a 1.057 OPS, while Park combines power with a strong glove but needs to reduce strikeouts. Kurland, a four‑year SEC starter, batted .273 with an .809 OPS in conference play, and Wachs improved his OPS and home‑run rate while cutting his strikeout rate.
Draft Outlook and Financial Outlook
If Brown and Curiel elect to sign, the expected seven‑figure bonuses could reshape LSU’s budgeting and influence the program’s recruitment strategy, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming draft.