LSU’s baseball program is turning to the transfer portal as a primary tool to reshape its squad ahead of the 2027 season, a move that reflects both ambition and necessity after a uneven 2026 campaign.
A Calculated Gamble
Among the newest additions is Jason Wachs, a Tulane product who burst onto the scene with a sophomore campaign that doubled his freshman RBI total, finishing with 54. His outfield skill set is expected to bolster the Tigers’ depth.
Cade Kurland, once a middle‑infielder for the University of Florida, also joins the roster after navigating injury setbacks that limited his recent playing time. He brings a track record that includes a College World Series run with the Gators in 2023.
Pitching depth sees a shake‑up as Hayden Morris, a junior‑college right‑hander, has withdrawn his commitment to LSU after posting a 6.59 ERA at Blinn College, re‑entering the portal for new opportunities.
To offset that loss, the Tigers secured Diego Velazquez, a USC freshman who earned Freshman All‑Big Ten honors and is viewed as a high‑upside arm for the staff.
Coaching staff say the mix of proven collegiate experience and fresh talent is designed to address the injury luck that plagued the 2026 season and to create a more resilient outfield and rotation.