PALMER: Bold predictions for LSU baseball in 2025

By Hunt Palmer

Baseball season is less than a week away, and the 2025 Tigers are beginning to take shape. We’ve seen three weeks’ worth of scrimmages and heard Jay Johnson speak about his plans for the team. As we know, those plans have a way of changing over the course of 56 games.

Some of my favorite trivia questions come from opening weekend baseball lineups. Chad Jones was the designated hitter on Opening Night for the 2009 team. Blake Money started the first game of the Johnson era. Riley Cooper was in the rotation for the 2023 national champs early on.

Things change.

With that in mind, here are some predictions for the 2025 season. They’re sure to go wrong.

LSU will not be swept this season

The Tigers were swept twice last season, once in Knoxville and once in Fayetteville. In 2023, LSU was the only team in the SEC that wasn’t swept. Bad weekends happen to just about everyone. I think LSU’s depth is going to prevent the team from prolonged swoons. There is a lot of balance in the lineup and plenty of arms to turn to if someone doesn’t have it. The toughest two road trips of the season are to Texas A&M and Texas. The Aggies will be really tough, but the goal will be getting one that weekend. And I don’t see these Tigers getting swept at The Box.

Steven Milam will hit 10 home runs

This doesn’t seem that crazy considering Milam hit eight last year. The point I’m making is that Milam has more pop than you’d think for such a small frame. And ‘I think he will hit for power as his LSU career progresses. He showed that power in the SEC Tournament and regional after hitting just three homers in SEC play.

Jared Jones will be the most feared power hitter in the lineup. Luis Hernandez and Daniel Dickinson profile as power bats. Don’t be surprised if Milam hits the second most on the team.

Anthony Eyanson will lead LSU in strikeouts

The right hander from UC San Diego has been excellent in the preseason. He’s got a fastball in the mid-90s and a really good breaking ball. He struck out 85 last season, and I expect that number to rise this year. I think Kade Anderson would probably be the betting favorite to lead LSU in strikeouts, but I like Eyanson’s track record as a proven college starter. I believe he’ll be a real innings eater for the Tigers.

Gavin Guidry and Conner Ware will both finish with at least five saves

Griffin Herring had to do it all out of the bullpen last year. I think Ware and Guidry will share closer duties based on availability and matchups. Guidry has already proven he’s got the chops to do it, and I think Ware might be the best pitcher on the roster.

Plus, I think LSU is going to win a lot of games. That creates a lot of chances for saves.