LSU Baseball adds coveted SEC outfielder to transfer portal haul

Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball team are looking for players after signing former Auburn outfielder Chris Stanfield on Tuesday.

Stanfield, one of the best outfielders in the country, will continue to test the 2024 MLB Draft but has now announced his commitment to the Tigers.

“Thank you, God, for your many blessings!” said Stanfield. “I am very excited to announce that I will be transferring to Louisiana State University to further my athletic and academic career! Geaux Tigers!”

During the 2024 season, Stanfield held a .276 batting average with four home runs and 25 RBIs, but his impact was evident defensively.

Now Johnson and Co. will work to get the coveted transfer to Baton Rouge once MLB Draft festivities wrap up in the coming weeks. Stanfield has a third-round spot for next month’s draft.

We saw LSU bring in Michael Braswell a season ago after he left South Carolina, with some questioning the move given his struggles at bat. Fast forward to the end of the 2024 season, and Braswell took the next step at bat, getting several timely hits for the Tigers.

Looking at Stanfield, a player whose numbers at the plate aren’t exactly impressive, Johnson might expect the program to mold him into an impressive two-way player as well.

Stanfield is the sixth transfer to declare his commitment to LSU, with Johnson’s program dominating the recruiting phase:

Additions to the LSU transfer portal:

Luke Hayden: State of Indiana

Hayden, a right-handed pitcher who shone for the Sycamores in 2024, is headed to Baton Rouge with a chance to become a key relief pitcher for the Tigers next season.

In the 2024 season, Hayden posted 91 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched with a 3.81 ERA. The Indiana State star adds to the Tigers’ impressive transfer portal haul and is the fifth new addition in the last seven days.

Johnson and Co. have now landed Indiana State’s two best players from last season, Hayden and batter Luis Hernandez.

Hernandez announced his commitment to LSU earlier this week when the Tigers signed the electrifying power hitter.

Chandler Dorsey: South Florida

On Monday, LSU secured its first portal commitment after South Florida relief pitcher Chandler Dorsey announced he would take his talents to Baton Rouge.

The right-handed relief pitcher announced on social media:

“I am excited to announce my commitment to LSU to further my academic and baseball career,” Dorsey said via Instagram. “I want to thank God, my family and the coaches who have helped me along the way! Geaux Tigers!”

Dorsey announced his intention to leave South Florida after two years in the program.

In the 2024 season, the highly touted right-hander went 2-1 with eight saves and a 3.60 ERA (12 ER/30.0 IP) with a 1.20 WHIP. In his second year with the Bulls, he also recorded 41 strikeouts on the season.

Now he is the first LSU player to head to Baton Rouge in the offseason after nine departures in the last eight days.

Luis Hernandez: State of Indiana

Hernandez announced his commitment to Johnson and Co. on Tuesday, as LSU added a key player to its roster for the 2025 season.

After three years with the Sycamores, Hernandez entered the portal with the chance for a change of scenery.

Now he’s on his way to Baton Rouge, and Johnson is looking for a talented power hitter to replace players like Tommy White and others.

The all-around hitter finished his career at Indiana State with a .315 batting average in his three years there. In 578 career at-bats, Hernandez had 182 hits, 118 runs, 32 home runs, 120 RBIs and 48 walks.

In 2024, he had his most impressive year yet. Hernandez hit 23 home runs with a .359 batting average and 76 runs batted in.

He has a chance to play a key role in the Tigers’ development in 2025. Hernandez, a player who has played in the infield, catcher and designated hitter, is an all-around talent for LSU next season.

Zac Cowan: Wofford

The All-SoCon right-handed pitcher went 10-2 with 124 strikeouts and 29 walks in 110 innings at Wofford this spring. Cowan also boasts a 3.35 ERA after dismantling opponents with the Terriers during the 2024 season.

It’s another key addition to Johnson and Co.’s pitching rotation as he continues to work through the transfer portal evaluations.

Now he is bringing a top player into the team who has proven that he can compete at the highest level.

Cowan, one of the most sought-after transfer players in the portal, is now going to Baton Rouge and has the chance to fight for a starting spot alongside several well-known players.

Cowan is LSU’s third newcomer this season, joining right-handed pitcher Chandler Dorsey of South Florida and hitter Luis Hernandez of Indiana State.

Deven Sheerin: Pitcher from Mount St. Mary’s

Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball team remained hot in the NCAA transfer portal on Friday night after receiving a commitment from Deven Sheerin of Mount St. Mary.

The electrifying right-handed pitcher is coming off a dominant first season in college baseball after dismantling his opponents in his freshman year.

Sheerin posted a 4.76 ERA with 109 strikeouts, 32 walks, 10 HBP, and 37 earned runs in 70 innings pitched in 2024. The numbers speak for themselves, but Sheerin’s arsenal of pitches has proven to be what makes him so deadly.

As a rookie, his fastball was measured at 98 mph, when it was normally in the 95 mph range.

This addition is another impressive move for Johnson and the Tigers, but the deciding factor is that Sheerin will not be eligible for the MLB Draft until 2026, meaning he will stay in Baton Rouge for at least two seasons.

He is a dynamic player for the Tigers and with Sheerin on the team, LSU has now secured a trio of pitchers effective immediately for the 2025 season.

More LSU news:

LSU Baseball: Tigers secure commitment from Wofford ace Zac Cowan

BREAKING NEWS: LSU secures commitment from Indiana State hitter Luis Hernandez

LSU Baseball: Jay Johnson reacts to South Carolina hiring Paul Mainieri

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU-Land: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage of the LSU program.