Baseball Transfer Portal Updates

Brady Neal and Javen Coleman are out

Since we last talked, Jay Johnson has seen players both join the LSU baseball program and leave it.

Let’s start with the departures. LSU has had two more players enter the transfer portal, lefty pitcher Javen Coleman, and Brady Neal the switch hitter who has played catcher, DH and right field over the past two seasons.

Coleman’s been one of LSU’s key bullpen pieces in his four years with the program. He’s pitched in 37 games with 13 career starts, but injuries derailed part of his collegiate career. Coleman underwent Tommy John surgery in March of 2022, and his sophomore season was ended after just three appearances. Coleman was able to work his way back to the active roster during LSU’s 2023 national championship season and made eight appearances, four of them being starts.

Coleman was drafted by the Dodgers in the 16th round of the 2023 draft but elected to return to campus. Coleman went 3-1 this season with a 5.19 ERA in 12 appearances. Control was an issue for Coleman this year, as he walked 21 batters and hit two in 26 innings. He has one year of eligibility remaining.

Neal’s decision to enter the portal is disappointing but not wholly unexpected. Neal was heavily rumored as a player who had a decision to make and now it appears he’s on his way out of Baton Rouge.

Neal was one of the top catchers in the 2022 class and the No. 29 overall player among high school prospects. He was LSU’s opening night catcher at just 17-years-old to begin the 2023 season and he won’t turn 20 until October.

When healthy, Neal was one of LSU’s most powerful bats. He was third on the team in OPS and was also third among SEC catchers. The caveat, however, is the “when healthy” part. Neal missed significant time in each of his first two seasons in Baton Rouge. A back injury ended his freshman season, and a shoulder injury limited him to 44 games this year

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But as the portal taketh, it also giveth and Jay Johnson has been doing all he can to retool the LSU roster heading into 2025.

Former Dayton Flier Eddie Yamin IV could be a Neal replacement in 2025. Yamin was an All-A10 selection this season after hitting .342 with 13 home runs and 54 RBI. Yamin does have experience playing catcher, but has played 54 games at first base and has also spent time in right field. Personally I hope he does play catcher because look what he’s got on his mitt.

There could be another position player on his way to Baton Rouge, but we’ll have to keep our fingers crossed he’s not an MLB Draft casualty. Auburn’s centerfielder Chris Stanfield announced he would be transferring to LSU, but he’s eligible for the draft and has a third round grade.

A draft-eligible sophomore, Stanfield would likely be LSU’s starting centerfielder should he make it to campus. Stanfield was Auburn’s starting centerfielder in each of the past two seasons and this year he hit .276 with and stole nine bases.

Johnson and Nate Yeskie are also using the portal to restock the pitching staff. They’ve already added Chandler Dorsey from USF and Zac Cowan from Wofford, and now add in Indiana State’s Luke Hayden and Mount St. Mary’s Deven Sheerin to the staff.

Hayden threw 78 innings this season and had a 3.81 ERA with 91 Ks to just 47 walks. Like Stanfield, Hayden could also be a draft casualty. If not, the former Sycamore could be a top bullpen arm for LSU in 2025.

Sheerin could end up being a massive piece for the 2025 Tigers and beyond. Ranked as the No. 3 overall player in the portal, Sheerin struck out 109 in 70 innings this season.

Sheerin’s a bit of a project, but if Yeskie can harness everything then the Tigers could have a starter in hand for the next two seasons.