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The college baseball transfer portal is open. Because LSU baseball missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011, Jay Johnson and Co. can focus their attention on building the 2027 roster. Last year, LSU had to balance the transfer portal while making a College World Series run.
Obviously, LSU would trade the inconvenience of the College World Series for what the Tigers are doing this year, but we try to find silver linings here.
Over the next few days, we'll be spotlighting potential transfer portal matches for LSU. These aren't necessarily guys with confirmed ties, but their names are worth keeping an eye on.
Today, we'll talk about a name some LSU fans may already be familiar with: Bethune-Cookman outfielder Michael Rodriguez.
LSU played Bethune-Cookman in 2026. The Wildcats walked into Alex Box Stadium and handed LSU a crushing midweek loss. Rodriguez played a part in that, notching a double and an RBI.
At 5-foot-11, Rodriguez isn't the biggest guy, but Johnson has said LSU's approach moving forward is to develop power in-house, while using the portal to find polished, professional hitters. Well, Rodriguez fits that description.
The Florida native hit .422 in 2026 and posted an on-base percentage of .579. That's elite. Reaching base nearly 60% of the time is a pretty good way to provide value in the lineup. Rodriguez drew 40 walks and only struck out 24 times.
And while he's not a home run hitter, Rodriguez notched 16 extra-base hits in 2026, including two homers and three triples. Rodriguez was a factor on the basepaths will 18 steals and 53 runs.
LSU's outfield will look different in 2026. The Tigers are likely losing Jake Brown, Derek Curiel, and Chris Stanfield. All three players have been bedrocks in the outfield for LSU, and replacing all three in one offseason will be tough. LSU has talent, but the Tigers lack proven outfielders in the program. LSU will be in the market for veteran outfielders, which is why Rodriguez makes a ton of sense.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Elite on-base outfielder should be on LSU baseball's transfer radar
Continue reading...
Obviously, LSU would trade the inconvenience of the College World Series for what the Tigers are doing this year, but we try to find silver linings here.
Over the next few days, we'll be spotlighting potential transfer portal matches for LSU. These aren't necessarily guys with confirmed ties, but their names are worth keeping an eye on.
Today, we'll talk about a name some LSU fans may already be familiar with: Bethune-Cookman outfielder Michael Rodriguez.
LSU played Bethune-Cookman in 2026. The Wildcats walked into Alex Box Stadium and handed LSU a crushing midweek loss. Rodriguez played a part in that, notching a double and an RBI.
At 5-foot-11, Rodriguez isn't the biggest guy, but Johnson has said LSU's approach moving forward is to develop power in-house, while using the portal to find polished, professional hitters. Well, Rodriguez fits that description.
The Florida native hit .422 in 2026 and posted an on-base percentage of .579. That's elite. Reaching base nearly 60% of the time is a pretty good way to provide value in the lineup. Rodriguez drew 40 walks and only struck out 24 times.
And while he's not a home run hitter, Rodriguez notched 16 extra-base hits in 2026, including two homers and three triples. Rodriguez was a factor on the basepaths will 18 steals and 53 runs.
LSU's outfield will look different in 2026. The Tigers are likely losing Jake Brown, Derek Curiel, and Chris Stanfield. All three players have been bedrocks in the outfield for LSU, and replacing all three in one offseason will be tough. LSU has talent, but the Tigers lack proven outfielders in the program. LSU will be in the market for veteran outfielders, which is why Rodriguez makes a ton of sense.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Elite on-base outfielder should be on LSU baseball's transfer radar
Continue reading...
