LSU, reigning back-to-back College World Series champions (2024 & 2025), now faces the inevitable: departures. Key weekend arms like Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson are potential early MLB draftees, while others—like Gavin Guidry—have uncertain roles amid injuries . Consequently, LSU head coach Jay Johnson and his staff are preparing to replenish and reinforce a pitching staff built for sustained excellence.
The SEC is a proving ground. One weakness—like a thin bullpen—can unravel a season. In 2024, LSU’s bullpen was inconsistent, but has since retooled heavily via the portal Johnson has embraced a “Moneyball”‑style roster overhaul, drafting depth across multiple roles rather than relying on one or two stars
The NCAA transfer portal has shifted the recruiting paradigm. High-impact pitchers—“the next Skenes or Waldrep”—are treated like free agents, and LSU is in hot pursuit (baseballamerica.com). Their pitch: a proven development pipeline, from Nate Yeskie (considered the best pitching coach in college) to recent draft deliverables (on3.com).
2.1 The Jay Johnson Blueprint
Since arriving in 2022, Johnson’s strategy has centered on one thing: supplementing homegrown talent with portal picks from Power 5 programs . His record speaks for itself: 22 pitchers drafted in the last two seasons—an SEC record (on3.com).
2.2 2025 Portal Haul: Arms Galore
LSU added 11 NCAA transfers and four junior college pitchers, significantly bolstering all facets of the staff (lsureveille.com). Among pitchers, the program secured:
- Anthony Eyanson (UC–San Diego): BA’s No. 4 transfer, Saturday starter, dominant early SEC performances (31 K in 18.2 innings) (on3.com, louisianasports.net).
- Zac Cowan (Wofford): BA No. 23, relief ace, .116 opponent batting average, strong K
- Deven Sheerin (Mount St. Mary’s): BA No. 8, high-velocity arm (98 mph), but recovering from ACL surgery (crescentcitysports.com).
- Jacob Mayers (Nicholls): BA No. 17, strikeout artist (211 Ks over two years), rotation/relief flexibility (crescentcitysports.com).
- Chandler Dorsey (USF): BA No. 22, saves specialist and late-inning reliever (crescentcitysports.com).
- Connor Benge (DBU via JUCO): multi-inning relief option with mid-90s heat (si.com).
- Additional arms (Grant Fontenot, Kade Woods) and talented freshmen like William Schmidt round out the staff (andthevalleyshook.com).
This depth—21 pitchers, 15 righties, six lefties—gives LSU options across weekend, midweek, and postseason roles (lsureveille.com).
2.3 Portals as Core Strategy
LSU has redefined recruiting: while high school drafts remain vital, elite portal pickups—such as Paul Skenes, Anthony Eyanson, or Deven Sheerin—provide immediate high-impact arms (lsureveille.com). It’s part of Johnson’s pitch to prospects: come to LSU and target immediate MLB advancement (on3.com).
3.1 Meet DeCremer
Oregon State’s James DeCremer, a redshirt freshman RHP, threw 28.2 innings with 30 strikeouts in 2025, earning three starts—including postseason appearances . Back surgery in 2024 caused a redshirt season, leaving him with three years of NCAA eligibility.
Although less heralded than the BA Top-100 transfer arms, DeCremer brings:
- Starting arm experience, postseason poise.
- Ceiling upside with strong velocity and deeper repertoire.
- Immediate availability to contribute in bullpen or rotation roles.
3.2 LSU’s Pitch for DeCremer
DeCremer aligns with LSU’s profile: a polished right-hander who can pitch multiple innings, with the potential for weekend roles. Johnson, Yeskie, and staff see him as a developmental asset—someone who can step into midweek or high-leverage roles right away, with future rotation upside.
3.3 Campus Visit Signals Priority
Reports confirm DeCremer recently visited LSU during the frenzied portal period—signaling high interest on both sides. For LSU, bringing him to Baton Rouge communicates intent; for DeCremer, it offers a tangible vision for opportunity, coaching, and growth.
4.1 Portal Frenzy in the SEC
Elite arms in the portal are power commodities. SEC programs duke it out over high-impact pitchers. DeCremer is now a contested recruit—with BOOSTS from Johnson’s national reputation, coaching, facilities, and pitch success .
- Track record: LSU has transformed portal arms into top MLB talent—Paul Skenes being the ultimate benchmark .
- Coaching excellence: With Yeskie’s national reputation and tutelage from pitching development staff, LSU offers an unmatched development path .
- Role clarity: LSU’s arm depth provides clear opportunity for rotation or bullpen pitching—far from guaranteed at other schools.
4.3 Navigating Pressure
Portal picks face adaptation: translating success at mid-majors to SEC-level performance isn’t guaranteed. But LSU’s multi-tiered coaching, performance analytics, and depth minimize risk.
5.1 Weekend Rotation
Projected weekend starters for 2026—Casen Evans, William Schmidt, possibly freshman upgrades—still leave gaps. DeCremer steps in as:
- A polished midweek starter relieving pressure on freshmen.
- A swingman who can spot-start or cover innings in SEC series.
5.2 Bullpen Buff
LSU’s bullpen will retain aces like Guidry and Cowan, but DeCremer adds:
- Veteran innings to maintain workload balance.
- High-leverage depth as a multi-inning reliever.
5.3 Postseason Playbook
Winning in Omaha requires depth and versatility. With DeCremer available, LSU gains matchup flexibility—enabling pitch-count strategies or tiered bullpen usage to keep starters fresh.
6.1 SEC Transition
The jump from Pac-12 (Oregon State) to SEC hitting is steep. Confidence, command, and velocity must translate at an elite level.
6.2 Health Monitoring
DeCremer’s back surgery history demands continuity in workload monitoring—perhaps starting in lighter bullpen roles before scaling.
6.3 Role Alignment
LSU must align expectations: pitch for a specific role (starter, reliever, swingman) with clarity—vital for player buy-in and long-term effectiveness.
7.1 Synergy of Signings
DeCremer complements existing assets like Sheerin, Cowan, Dorsey—solidifying a rotation-bullpen frontier that Johnson’s remodel began (andthevalleyshook.com, crescentcitysports.com).
A roster with 15+ new pitchers requires leadership and mindset. LSU’s veteran core (e.g., Guidry, Anderson) and winning culture provide orientation for portal newcomers .
7.3 NIL & Recruitment
No small matter: LSU’s NIL appeal helps attract athletes seeking exposure and funding. DeCremer’s decision likely weighed the combination of coaching, playing time, and financial support .
8.1 Short-Term: Postseason Readiness
If DeCremer joins, LSU enters 2026 with a deep, flexible staff ready to defend its championship perch and manage injuries, fatigue, or MLB departures.
8.2 Mid-Term: MLB Pathway
With Johnson and Yeskie’s pipeline success, DeCremer’s long-term value increases—especially if he thrives in SEC settings and develops under elite coaching.
8.3 Long-Term: Portal as Culture
LSU continues to set the template: proactive portal strategy + developmental infrastructure = sustained excellence. DeCremer may just be one of many to repeat this path.
- LSU’s pitching challenge: compensate for departures and injuries while staying title-competitive in the SEC.
- Portal dominance: LSU has redefined recruiting—turning portal pickups into draft-ready, high-impact contributors.
- DeCremer’s fit: offers polished arm work, midseason flexibility, and developmental upside.
- Camp visit matters: personal engagement signals priority and builds momentum in the chase.
- Holistic edge: combining coaching reputation, draft success, NIL appeal, and culture gives LSU distinct competitive advantage.
LSU’s pursuit of James DeCremer typifies the modern evolution of college baseball: portal arms are not replacements—they’re cornerstones of roster construction. His visit, set amid LSU’s aggressive pitch to rebuild depth, highlights a university in total “Always Be Crootin’” mode (si.com, andthevalleyshook.com).
For DeCremer, Baton Rouge offers a rich ecosystem: high-level coaching, clear playing roles, postseason exposure, and financial backing—all key in making the leap to the next level.
If sealed, the deal will illustrate LSU’s synthesis of strategy, execution, and culture-transfer: a microcosm of how college baseball teams build sustainable pitching dominance today.
- SI’s “Pitching Haul” feature: LSU added six new pitchers via portal, prioritizing depth (si.com).
- Crescent City Sports: Five BA Top-100 transfers including Eyanson, Cowan, Sheerin, Mayers, Dorsey (On3: Jay Johnson emphasizing LSU’s elite development for portal pitchers, backed by SEC draft dominance (on3.com).
- LSU Reveille & general coverage: roster composition, strategy, and portal philosophy .
- AndTheValleyShook (HValentine): outlook on 2026 rotation and ongoing portal efforts
