Some pledges are bigger than others, and Wednesday morning’s altered LSU 2027 roster.
Bino Watters is a plug and play left-handed bat in the corner outfield. That knocks out two big needs in one proverbial swing. At this point, you can pencil in Cade Arrambide, Omar Serna, Mason Braun and Watters in the top five of LSU’s lineup. Dawson Park could join them if his tools smoothly translate to the SEC. If not, especially early, he can be moved down in the lineup and be counted on to play a premium defensive position.
Between Braun and Watters’s ability to get on base and the slugging prowess of Arrambide and Serna, that’s a really potent core that split righty-lefty down the middle.
Jack Ruckert and William Patrick now very much look like role players or platoon options which is a comfortable spot for them to start. Both have the skills to blossom into really good players, but you don’t have to count on it atop the order at this point.
Same thing for John Pearson.
It’s possible, even likely, that Jay Johnson has used a large portion of his portal budget. Landon Hood was one of the most talented arms in the portal, and he’s got two years of eligibility remaining. That doesn’t come cheap. Neither will Watters when Texas and Texas A&M are involved.
Considering that this freshman signing class is absolutely loaded with fringe draft prospects (meaning not Top 20 prospects, more so guys with third-ish round grades who will heavily weigh both options), LSU will need some money for that crop, too.
That general premise might limit LSU’s ability to land splash portal names moving forward in the cycle. Maybe not, Johnson is hard to count out, wildly motivated, and LSU has a hell of a lot to sell, but this market is competitive. The other splashes may come from the high school ranks.
Jared Jones, Steven Milam, Derek Curiel, Serna, Braun and Casan Evans have shown the impact a freshman or two can have on a roster. It’s reasonable to count on one or two in 2027.
Moving forward, LSU’s focus has to shift to the mound. This staff could really use left-handed pitching and a couple of bullpen pieces. One arm can help in both capacities. Pitching, after all, was the biggest Achilles heel of the 2026 team. Development from the returners will be crucial, and an influx of talent is also necessary.
The lineup is starting to take shape as another really strong group. The arms that back that group up will likely determine what LSU’s 2027 team looks like.
Johnson is a man on a mission. He’s getting things done.
