LSU Baseball Fills Bullpen with Strong Left-Handed Pitchers in the Portal
The LSU Tigers did exactly what they set out to do at the beginning of the 2025 NCAA baseball season: they took back their title as Men’s College World Series Champions. Their road to Omaha brought them their eighth MCWS title. As national champions again, the Tigers headed into the off-season with a lot to prove. To appear strong in the preseason rankings, they’d have to dive headfirst into the transfer portal to make A-grade moves that would strengthen a team of young men, many of whom are now two-time national champions.
The biggest hit the Tigers took in the offseason was not from the transfer portal. It came in the 2025 MLB Draft. Selected third overall, former LSU pitcher Kade Anderson was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in this year’s draft. Anderson was a crucial member of the Tigers’ pitching staff in the 2025 season, and while it was expected the lefty would be picked up in the first round of the draft, it is a massive loss for this team. Anderson left big shoes to fill, selected as the 2025 Baseball America National Pitcher of the Year and the 2025 College World Series Most Outstanding Player.
In the portal, the Tigers have selected three new left-handed pitchers, including Danny Lachenmayer from North Dakota State and Santiago Garcia of Oregon. Lachenmayer was one of the top relievers to enter the portal this offseason. In 38 innings of play, the lefty dished out a total of 56 Ks and allowed only 10 earned runs. A weapon like Lachenmayer will add both security and depth to the LSU bullpen in the 2026 season, especially after losing not only Anderson but also Chase Shores to the MLB Draft. For a team looking to defend its national title and stay ranked, a pitcher who can provide the kind of security at the end of a game that Lachenmayer was able to at NDSU last season is important.
Santiago Garcia of Oregon will also satisfy the Tigers’ need for more left-handed pitchers in their bullpen. In his 30 innings pitched last season, he posted an ERA of 4.20 and held batters to an impressive .171 batting average. While he struggled a bit with walking batters, issuing around five walks per nine innings, his strikeout percentage of 32% and ERA are promising, especially considering he still has two years of eligibility left. If he can become more consistent in finding the strike zone, he can be a vital member of the Tigers’ bullpen in the coming season.
