The start of the 2026 college baseball season is just over a week away. That means now is prime time for preseason polls, all-conference teams, and national rankings to be circulating online. Not surprisingly, the LSU Tigers are near the top of those polls and rankings.
SEC Preseason Coaches Poll sends familiar message about LSU
On Thursday, the SEC Preseason Coaches Poll and Preseason All-SEC teams were released. Jay Johnson's squad claimed the No. 1 spot in the Coaches Poll with 231 total points and nine first place votes. Furthermore, five Tigers were named Preseason All-SEC.
Five Tigers Named Preseason All-SEC@SEC | #ThePowerhouse pic.twitter.com/tZiM5GDCH3
— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball) February 5, 2026
Five Tigers earn Preseason All-SEC honors
The 2026 season has yet to get underway, but several Tigers are already making plenty of noise by receiving Preseason All-SEC honors from the league's 16 head coaches. On Thursday, outfielder Derek Curiel, starting pitcher Casan Evans and relief pitcher Zac Cowan were named to the Preseason All-SEC First Team. Furthermore, shortstop Steven Milam and outfielder Jake Brown were named to the Second-Team.
Together, those five Tigers give LSU the most players featured on the Preseason All-SEC teams among all teams in the conference. Those honors continue a common theme for LSU, as the program continues to rack up the preseason accolades.
In addition to being named No. 1 in the Coaches Poll, LSU has been ranked No. 1 in the country in the USA Today Baseball Coaches Preseason Poll, No. 1 by Perfect Game, No. 2 by D1 Baseball and No. 2 by Baseball America in their respective preseason polls.
After winning National Championships in two of the last three years, head coach Jay Johnson has his sights set on bringing national title No. 9 back to Baton Rouge in 2026. The Tigers bring back 19 players from last year's title team, and brought in plenty of talent with 20 newcomers joining the roster through the transfer portal and the high school ranks.
The Tigers open the new season next Friday, February 13 at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field against Milwaukee. First pitch is slated for 2:00 p.m. CT.