LSU Tops the College Baseball Standings for First Time in 2025

For the first time in the 2025 season, the LSU Tigers have claimed the No. 1 spot in the college baseball standings, marking a pivotal moment in their pursuit of another national championship. After weeks of surging performances, a dynamic mix of pitching dominance and offensive firepower has finally propelled Jay Johnson’s team to the top of the rankings, signaling that the Tigers are once again the team to beat in college baseball.

A Long Climb to the Top

Coming off a 2023 national championship and a solid 2024 campaign, LSU entered the 2025 season with high expectations—but not necessarily at the top of the preseason polls. With key departures to the MLB Draft and the graduation of cornerstone veterans, questions loomed about whether Johnson could recalibrate quickly enough to maintain championship form.

The answer has come resoundingly clear. Through the first half of the season, LSU has compiled a 38–6 record, including a stellar 17–3 mark in SEC play. Their recent sweep of then-No. 2 Arkansas in a raucous weekend series in Baton Rouge solidified their credentials as the nation’s top team.

“The climb hasn’t been easy, but this group has shown grit, maturity, and a commitment to the standard we set here,” head coach Jay Johnson said following LSU’s 5-3 win on Sunday to clinch the sweep. “To be number one at this point of the season is a testament to the work these guys put in every single day.”

Pitching Staff Turns Corner

What has perhaps surprised many analysts is how dominant LSU’s pitching staff has been in 2025. After a shaky first few weekends in February, the Tigers’ rotation has evolved into one of the deepest and most feared units in the country.

Leading the way is junior right-hander Luke Holman, who has firmly established himself as a Golden Spikes candidate. Holman boasts a 1.98 ERA with 102 strikeouts in 81.2 innings pitched, regularly stifling opposing lineups with his mid-90s fastball and devastating slider.

Holman’s rise has been accompanied by the emergence of sophomore lefty Cam Johnson and transfer Carter Smith, whose reliability in weekend starts has balanced LSU’s rotation. Combined, the trio has given up just 14 earned runs in their last 10 combined starts.

Meanwhile, the bullpen—often a vulnerability in previous seasons—has turned into a strength. Freshman closer Trey Landry, a Louisiana native, has converted 11 of 12 save opportunities and brings a confident edge to high-leverage situations.

“I love being the guy with the ball when it matters most,” Landry said. “Coach Johnson tells us to attack, and that’s what we’ve done as a staff all season.”

Offense Keeps Pouring It On

As elite as the pitching has been, LSU’s offense has arguably been even more dangerous. The Tigers lead the SEC in runs scored, team batting average (.324), and home runs (77), boasting one of the most potent lineups from top to bottom.

Junior outfielder Paxton Kling has been the catalyst. After a solid 2024 season, Kling has exploded in 2025 with a .376 average, 16 home runs, and 45 RBIs through mid-May. His blend of speed and power has made him a nightmare for opposing pitchers and a surefire first-round pick in the upcoming MLB Draft.

“Kling’s a game-changer,” said SEC Network analyst Ben McDonald, himself a former LSU star. “He sets the tone, and when he’s hot, the whole team follows.”

He’s not alone. Cleanup hitter Jared Jones continues to mash, leading the team in RBIs (58) and on-base percentage (.486). True freshman catcher Brady Temple, a heralded recruit from Georgia, has also stepped up in a big way, providing clutch hitting and elite defense behind the plate.

“When the bottom of your lineup can rake as much as the top, it puts constant pressure on opponents,” Johnson said. “That’s what we’re seeing.”

Key Wins Define Season So Far

LSU’s schedule has been among the toughest in the nation, but it has only helped the Tigers rise to the occasion. Marquee non-conference victories over Texas, Stanford, and Wake Forest in February hinted at their potential.

But it was SEC play where LSU made its most profound statement.

After dropping two of three at Florida in late March, the Tigers responded by rattling off series wins over Mississippi State, South Carolina, and Kentucky—culminating in the aforementioned sweep of Arkansas, a top-five program in its own right.

“We learned a lot from that Florida series,” Kling said. “We weren’t playing LSU baseball. Since then, it’s been about execution, energy, and trusting each other.”

That Arkansas series turned out to be the launching pad to No. 1. In three tightly contested games, LSU won by scores of 4–3, 8–6, and 5–3, showcasing clutch late-inning hitting and elite bullpen performances.

“The way we battled through every inning of that series tells you everything about this team’s character,” Johnson said. “They don’t flinch.”

Jay Johnson’s Blueprint Working to Perfection

Now in his fourth season at LSU, head coach Jay Johnson has delivered on the promise he brought from Arizona in 2022. A master recruiter and offensive architect, Johnson has built a program that is not just loaded with talent, but molded around a culture of accountability and competitive excellence.

“Jay’s system is built on development and pressure,” said ESPN’s Kyle Peterson. “He develops stars, and he challenges them. That’s why they win.”

With a roster that blends veteran leadership, talented underclassmen, and a handful of high-impact transfers, Johnson has struck the perfect balance for a deep postseason run.

It’s no accident. His recruiting classes have consistently ranked in the top five nationally, and the transfer portal has become a pipeline of experienced additions willing to buy into LSU’s winning culture.

“It’s not just about talent,” Johnson said. “It’s about fit, about players who want to wear LSU across their chest and understand what that means.”

Eyes on Omaha

The No. 1 ranking is meaningful—but it’s far from the finish line. LSU has a few series left in the regular season, including a rivalry showdown with Texas A&M and a tricky road set at Ole Miss. Then comes the SEC Tournament, where LSU will enter as one of the favorites to claim the conference crown.

But make no mistake: all eyes are on Omaha.

“It’s always about the College World Series here,” said LSU athletic director Scott Woodward. “Getting there is the expectation. Winning it is the standard.”

The 2023 national title was the program’s seventh, and the 2025 team appears well-equipped to chase number eight. With dominant pitching, explosive bats, and a proven leader in Johnson, the Tigers have every reason to believe they can repeat the glory.

“Being number one is great,” Kling said. “But we want to be number one at the end of June.”

Tigers Drawing National Attention

Unsurprisingly, LSU’s success is attracting national media buzz, especially as postseason brackets start to take shape. Baseball America, D1Baseball, and Perfect Game all moved LSU to the top spot in their latest rankings, and mock regional projections consistently have the Tigers hosting at Alex Box Stadium.

With the SEC sending multiple teams into the top 10, LSU’s position as the leader in the nation’s toughest conference only adds to its credibility.

“Right now, they’re the gold standard,” said D1Baseball’s Kendall Rogers. “If you’re picking a team to win it all today, it’s LSU.”

Beyond the rankings, LSU’s fan base has also risen to the occasion. Alex Box Stadium has averaged a nation-leading 11,500 fans per game this season, with several weekend series selling out in advance.

“The Box is electric right now,” said sophomore third baseman Tommy White. “It’s like playing in front of a Major League crowd. We feed off that energy.”

Impact of NIL and Depth

Another key factor behind LSU’s sustained excellence has been its aggressive embrace of the NIL era. Through strategic partnerships and university-backed initiatives, the Tigers have managed to retain elite players who might otherwise have gone pro.

“NIL has changed the game,” Johnson admitted. “It’s not about buying players—it’s about keeping them. And LSU has done a great job ensuring our guys are valued.”

This approach has helped build a roster that features more experience and depth than many traditional powers. The result: an LSU team that can withstand injuries, slumps, and the grind of SEC play better than almost anyone.

“Depth wins in college baseball,” Peterson noted. “And LSU might have the deepest roster in the country.”

What’s Next?

As LSU enters the final stretch of the regular season, maintaining the top spot will be no easy task. The SEC gauntlet offers no breathing room, and the pressure of postseason play is looming.

But the Tigers have shown every sign that they are built for the long haul. Their balance, chemistry, and firepower have turned them into not just a contender, but the favorite.

With Johnson at the helm, Kling leading the charge offensively, and Holman anchoring the rotation, LSU is poised for another magical run.

“We’re just getting started,” Holman said. “We’ve got big goals, and now’s the time to chase them.”

For LSU, topping the college baseball standings in 2025 is a milestone that speaks volumes. It’s a culmination of elite recruiting, veteran leadership, coaching brilliance, and a relentless desire to uphold one of the proudest traditions in collegiate sports. But more importantly, it’s a launching pad toward the Tigers’ true goal: another national championship.

As June approaches and the postseason looms, one thing is crystal clear—college baseball’s road to Omaha runs through Baton Rouge.