Jones, Hernandez pen goodbyes to LSU baseball

LSU Athletics

By Hunt Palmer

Jared Jones has played his final game as an LSU Tiger.

The hulking first baseman wrote a goodbye to the program on his social media pages Friday, indicating he will sign, as expected, with the Pittsburgh Pirates after they selected him in the fifth round of the MLB draft earlier this month.

Geaux Tigers! pic.twitter.com/eEp5vkuIfS

— Jared Jones (@bearjones_3) July 25, 2025

Jones leaves the program third all-time on the home run list with 64. He won a pair of national titles and developed into a solid defensive first baseman after arriving at LSU as a catcher.

Head coach Jay Johnson responded to Jones’s tweet with a message of support.

“One of the most successful players in LSU Baseball History. 64 Home Runs, 150 Wins, 2 National Titles, Elite Defensive 1st Baseman. Leader, Winner! Thank you Jared!

@pirates you’re very fortunate to have this guy!”

Also saying goodbye to LSU was graduating catcher Luid Hernandez. The Indiana State transfer and Puerto Rico native played one season as a Tiger and emerged as LSU’s everyday catcher.

Forever a Tiger! 🐅 pic.twitter.com/0idZ1qgkNQ

— Luis Hernandez (@_lh_13) July 25, 2025

He hit .351 in the NCAA Tournament with two doubles, two homers and eight driven in. His two-out, two-run double to left field off the body of Arkansas’ Charles Davalan tied the bracket final that Jones walked off moments later.

Hernandez signed a free agent deal with the Minnesota Twins that allows him to continue his baseball career.