Braun quickly adjusting to ‘dream school’ for LSU

By Hunt Palmer

As Mason Braun‘s twisting fly ball snuck beyond the left field foul pole Monday night, he seemed to float around the bases.

It was the LSU freshman’s first college homer, a three-run shot against Kent State.

Monday Night Magic 🪄 @MasonBraun1 | #ThePowerhouse pic.twitter.com/CFF2xdlXjv

— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) February 17, 2026

Braun had long dreamt of the last five days, donning the purple and gold for college baseball’s premier modern program. He just wasn’t sure he’d live the dream.

“I was actually committed to Virginia Tech after my freshman year,” Braun said. “Just, going out through the process, wanted to give a look at other places. Kept growing as a player. LSU has always been a dream school of mine, but it’s always been an unrealistic type of dream school. Look around here. You have eight national championships. Have a more realistic goal, people say.”

Prior to his junior season, that dream began to come into focus because of a trip to California to square off with the best young players in America. Jay Johnson never misses it.

“I saw him at the Area Code games, so it was out in California, in San Deigo,” Johnson said. “That’s the like the best 250 to-be juniors in the entire country. Everybody’s there. Every high school guy that goes in the first round is there. He really just stood out with his game at bats there. The shortness of the swing, the ability of bat to ball against the best pitchers in the country. If you can produce consistent line drives over the course of those four or five games you get to play, you’re a hitter.”

Braun is just that.

He’s done nothing but hit since arriving in Baton Rouge, but after that outing in Southern California, it was Johnson’s job to get him to LSU.

Once the Virginia Tech commitment fizzled, SEC heavyweights like Tennessee and Florida jumped into the mix for Braun. Johnson sensed how important luring the left-handed slugger was becoming.

“I started peel back more,” Johnson said. “He’s not an overly big guy. He doesn’t play a premium position. This is the guy who ends up in college. We recruited him really hard. It was a really good win for us.”

The night before the 2025 MLB Draft, a two-day stretch that really dinged the LSU signing class, Braun and his camp were fielding interest from professional teams. Johnson set up a zoom call to state his case one more time.

Two months later Braun was working out with his new teammates in Baton Rouge.

After a torrid fall at the plate and a stellar two weeks leading up to Opening Day, Braun got another message from Johnson on the eve of Opening Day. He would be in the starting lineup in his first game.

“It was definitely surreal,” Braun said of the news. “When you work for something so long and so hard, it’s definitely a nice little moment to have a little smile.”

His family came down from South Bend, Ind., to be there for his first game. There was little optimism Braun would be a starter in the first game because Milwaukee was throwing a left-handed pitcher. That didn’t matter. Braun’s preseason earned him a spot.

Instead of telling his family, he kept it to himself and gave them a moment and a memory they didn’t see coming.

“I actually let them find out,” Braun said. “I didn’t want to let them know. I knew they were coming out to the game and everything. I guess my stepmom cried in the stands when she heard the name announced and everything.”

It’s a crowded LSU lineup loaded with veterans. The three outfield spots are spoken for. Zach Yorke is crushing the ball at first base. Designated hitter is the quickest way to the field.

Braun is open to it all.

“I played outfield really my whole high school career,” Braun said. “First base is just what’s listed online and everything, but I’ve basically played outfield my whole life. To be honest, wherever the team needs, I’ll play. If it was catcher, I’d find a way to get behind the dish. Whatever’s needed.”

Spoken like a player who is living his dream. He’s not the only one thrilled with the outcome. The head coach glued into his at bats three years ago in San Diego saw it coming, too.

“He’s got some real hitter qualities,” Johnson said. “He loves baseball. He’s a perfect player for me. Perfect player for our program.”