The LSU Baseball program is set to open the 2026 season on Friday afternoon with a matchup against Milwaukee at Alex Box Stadium. After winning two National Championships over the last three years, the Tigers enter the season with plenty of hype. Heading into Opening Day LSU is ranked No. 1 in the country in the USA Today Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll, and was picked to win the SEC by the league's head coaches earlier this month.
Jay Johnson reveals LSU's pitching rotation for opening weekend
Jay Johnson's squad returns 19 players from last year's title team including several key pieces such as Steven Milam, Casan Evans, Derek Curiel, and Jake Brown. The roster features plenty of star power from top to bottom, but there are several names who could be flying under the radar with breakout potential in 2026.
Zach Yorke, 1B
LSU has plenty of production to replace at first base, as Jared Jones was one of the best power hitters in college baseball over the last few seasons. Jones hit .323, blasted 22 home runs, and collected 76 RBIs last season. Jones is now playing in the Pirates organization, and Johnson may have found the ideal next man up.
Zach Yorke spent three seasons with Grand Canyon and his eye-popping power caught the attention of LSU's coaching staff. The power-hitting lefty holds GCU's Division I career records for home runs (32) and RBIs (157). He figures to be LSU's No. 1 first baseman and provide plenty of pop in the middle of the order. Johnson has praised Yorke's defense, and Tiger fans are excited to see what he can do in his senior season in Baton Rouge.
William Schmidt, RHP
William Schmidt could very well be LSU's next breakout star on the mound. Schmidt went 7-0 with a 4.73 ERA, 1.546 WHIP and 41 strikeouts through 32.1 innings and 17 appearances as a true freshman in 2025, and is now poised for an even bigger role in 2026. The right-handed sophomore is set to start Game 3 of the season on Sunday, which shows the faith Johnson has in him.
Schmidt put on a show during intrasquad scrimmages earlier this month, with his most notable performance coming in the form of five no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts on February 6. At one point he struck out nine consecutive batters. Schmidt was ranked as the No. 16 overall draft prospect by MLB.com coming out of high school, and after a strong freshman campaign, is ready to be a leader on the mound for the Tigers this season.
Gavin Guidry, RHP
Gavin Guidry is a name LSU Baseball fans know well. Guidry has been with the program since 2022 and recorded the final out of the 2023 College World Series to officially give the Tigers their seventh National Championship. However, Guidry's Tiger career has been plagued by injuries. He has thrown just 53.0 innings in his career, and missed all of last season due to a back injury. He received a medical redshirt and enters the 2026 season with two years of eligibility remaining.
Now healthy, Guidry could be poised for the breakout LSU fans have been waiting for. When healthy, Guidry has been an effective relief pitcher who owns some of the best off-speed pitches in the SEC. In 2024, he posted a 2.59 ERA and racked up 36 strikeouts in 24.1 innings of work. His innings should increase this season, and Tiger fans are eager to see the season he can put together on the mound.