LSU is facing a significant shortage of infielders after many players from last season’s team moved on. Ryan Kucherak, the No. 2 ranked shortstop from Arizona in the 2023 recruiting class, has decided to enter his name into the transfer portal after just one season at LSU. During his time with the Tigers, Kucherak appeared in 16 games and had 12 at-bats, finishing the season with a .250 average and two RBI.
With many players departing from the infield, LSU’s need for new talent has become an absolute necessity. Jared Jones and Tommy White are likely to go pro, Ben Nippolt is no longer eligible, and Austen Roellig is transferring to Utah. Additionally, all three catchers have graduated or are heading elsewhere. This leaves Stephen Milam, Michael Braswell III, and possibly Josh Pearson as the only remaining options, with their future statuses uncertain.
Both Braswell III and Pearson are likely to be selected in the 2024 MLB Draft, but they still have one year of eligibility remaining. With these gaps in the infield, the transfer portal will be a crucial resource for LSU as they work to fill those spots.
LSU freshman Ryan Kucherak’s decision to enter the transfer portal has increased the urgency of adding infielders to the team. LSU’s need for infielders has gone from important to absolutely essential. Stay tuned for more updates on LSU’s roster changes as they navigate this transition period. Follow us on Twitter @LSUTigersWire and like our page on Facebook for the latest news and updates on Louisiana State University.