LSU baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more

The LSU Tigers baseball team enjoyed a spectacular 2023 season, winning the coveted College World Series for the seventh time in program history. The 2024 campaign was a different story though as they failed to defend their title, with the Tennessee Volunteers claiming their maiden College World Series title.

They finished with a disappointing 13-17 record in the SEC conference along with four other teams. But Jay Johnson's side looked sharp in the SEC Tournament, reaching the final which they eventually lost to the Volunteers. They needed an at-large bid to make the postseason.

The LSU Tigers looked strong in the 2024 SEC Tournament. (image credit: IMAGN)

They were the second seed in the Chapel Hill Regional and came extremely close to advancing to the Super Regionals. However, the North Carolina Tar Heels had the edge in Chapel Hill, eliminating the reigning NCAA Tournament winners with a narrow 4-3 victory in the decider. They finished the season 43-23 overall.

The 2024 MLB Draft saw key players from the Tigers selected like Tommy White, Gage Jump, and high school commit Konnor Griffin. LSU's recruitment drive is considered one of the best in NCAA Baseball and they have retooled for next season. Here, we preview LSU Baseball ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Three key games for LSU Baseball in the 2025 season

3. Mississippi State Bulldogs

As per the new SEC schedule for next season, the Bulldogs are one of two permanent opponents for the Tigers. In recent years, both teams have produced excellent performances against each other, making this one of the emerging rivalries in NCAA Baseball.

This looks set to be one of the key fixtures for the Tigers in the 2025 season given their ambitions to return to the top step in Omaha.

2. Texas A&M Aggies

The Aggies are the other permanent opponent for the Tigers next season. Following their maiden appearance in the College World Series Finals this year, the Aggies will be keen to go one step further in 2025.

Their current additions suggest they are matching those ambitions, making them a legitimate threat to the Tigers' plans of returning to the top in 2025.

1. Tennessee Volunteers

Although the Volunteers lost some of their biggest stars in this year's MLB Draft, they are likely to remain the team to beat in 2025. Both teams are working hard to bolster their rosters in the offseason, making this series one that NCAA baseball fans cannot afford to miss.

Key players for the LSU Tigers in 2025

3. Jared Jones, C

Jones was one of the Tigers' standouts at the plate in his sophomore season this year. He recorded 28 home runs and 59 RBIs while being the only player apart from Tommy White to play all 66 of the Tigers' games. His .301 average was the fourth-highest among the team's hitters.

With White earning a call-up to the MLB, Jones will be expected to lead the Tigers' hitting lineup in 2025. Ranked 41st in the top prospects for next year's draft, Jones will be keen on producing another spectacular season to improve his chances of getting selected in the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft.

2. Chase Shores, RHP

Shores redshirted this year to recover from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in April 2023. However, he is still touted as a first-round pick for next year's MLB Draft and will be keen on having a solid season in 2025.

Perfect Game ranked Shores the top RHP in Texas from the Class of 2022. Before his elbow injury in 2023, he was the Tigers' weekend starter and primary reliever, highlighting his incredible talent. With several pitchers going in the 2024 MLB Draft, Johnson is likely to make Shores lead the bullpen next year.

1. William Schmidt, RHP

Schmidt was ranked 16th in the top prospects for this year's MLB Draft. Projected as a first-round pick, he shocked baseball fans across the country by foregoing the major leagues to honor his commitment to the Tigers.

He was the 2023 Gatorade Player of the Year following exceptional performances for Catholic High. Armed with a curveball that generated spin above 3,000 RPM and a fastball maxing out at 99 mph, Schmidt could be the biggest threat to Tigers' opponents in 2025.

Predicting the LSU Tigers' 2025 NCAA Baseball Season

Despite the Tigers' key players earning MLB call-ups, their strong recruitment drive looks set to cover any gaps in their roster. Seven of their current players rank in the top 100 prospects for next year's draft as per D1Baseball, while their 2025 recruiting class ranks first among all programs in the country.

With Jay Johnson at the helm, the Tigers look set to assemble one of the strongest rosters in program history. They are likely to return to Omaha in 2025 and are arguably the favorites to win the College World Series.