LSU Baseball Cards Poised for Success in 2023
Coming off a runner-up finish in the 2022 College World Series, the LSU Tigers baseball program looks primed to build on last season’s success with a loaded roster returning in 2023. While graduation and the MLB Draft claimed some key contributors, head coach Jay Johnson reloaded the lineup with another top-rated recruiting class and has a loaded bullpen ready to lead the Tigers back to Omaha. Here is an in-depth look at some of the top LSU baseball players to watch for in 2023 and their fantasy potential represented as baseball cards.
Pitcher – Eric Reyzelman
Senior – RHP
After flashing dominant stuff out of the bullpen last season, Reyzelman moves into the closer role in 2023 and has the potential to put up video game numbers. The Australia native struck out 61 batters in 43.1 innings in 2022 with a miniscule 0.84 ERA. With a mid-90s fastball and a wipeout slider, Reyzelman has the stuff to rack up saves in bunches as he takes over the ninth inning. He’s the odds on favorite to lead the nation in saves.
Pitcher – Samuel Dutton
Sophomore – RHP
As a highly touted freshman, Dutton showed flashes of being a future ace while making 12 starts last season. With a full offseason to develop, big things are expected from the 6’5 righty in 2023. Dutton sits around 92-95 with his fastball but also features a hard slider and developing changeup. He flashed incredible strikeout stuff late last season and could emerge as the Tigers Friday night starter. Expect his fantasy potential to take a big leap forward with bumps in both wins and strikeouts.
Pitcher – Blake Money
Junior – RHP
After battling injuries last season, Money is primed for a breakout junior campaign as LSU’s Saturday starter. When healthy in 2022, the righty showed the ability to miss bats with a deceptive delivery and mid-90s fastball. Now fully healthy, Money could emerge as the Tigers ace with improved command of his whole arsenal which also features a curveball and changeup. If he stays on the mound, Money has the stuff to approach double digit wins and 100+ strikeouts.
Catcher – Hayden Travinski
Sophomore
While he still has room to grow defensively, Travinski established himself as the Tigers top power threat behind the plate as a freshman. He flexed over 15 home runs of power Potential in the Cape and that raw pop started to translate in games last season when he hit .269 with 5 HRs in 98 ABs. Now entrenched as the starter, Travinski could be in line for a breakout campaign with 20+ homers well within reach thanks to his easy plus power from the left side.
Shortstop – Jordan Thompson
Senior
The heart and soul of the Tigers infield, Thompson is primed for a monster senior swan song after tantalizing scouts last season with elite defensive skills and surprising pop at the plate. He hit .279 with 9 HRs and 72 RBIs in 2022 while flashing Gold Glove caliber defense. Now a favorite for All-American honors, Thompson could put himself on the shortstop prospect radar by boosting those power and average numbers even higher now that he’s completely comfortable in his role.
Third Baseman – Jacob Berry
Sophomore
After demolishing SEC pitching as a freshman, Berry should take another step forward offensively in 2023 and cement his status as one of the top college bats. The smooth lefty swinger blasted 17 homers last season to go along with a robust .370/.464/.630 slash line and he showed last summer at USA Baseball that there’s more raw pop still to unlock. Expect Berry to threaten the 30 HR plateau thanks to his advanced two strike approach and easy plus raw power that he’s starting to learn how to tap into more consistently.
Outfielder – Dylan Crews
Junior
While inconsistent at times, Crews tantalized with his prodigious tools as a first team All-SEC selection in 2022. And now entering his junior season, scouts expect him to put it all together and become one of the most dominant offensive players in the nation. With plus speed, a line drive swing and developing home run power to all fields thanks to tremendous strength and bat speed, a .350 average with 20+ homers is well within Crews’ range of outcomes. Now more physically mature and experienced, the sky is the limit for Crews in 2023.
Outfielder – Josh Pearson
Sophomore
Pearson looks poised for stardom after hitting .362 with 11 homers in a spectacular freshmen campaign. At 6-foot-6 and possessing plus raw power from the right side, Pearson has the physical tools and refined swing to be a consistent difference maker at the plate. While he may take a step back statistically due to increased attention from opposing staffs, Pearson has the offensive floor and toolbox to still threaten .300-15-60 production. With developing defensive skills and baserunning skills, Pearson has the makings of a future first rounder.
That covers some of the top LSU baseball players with fantasy baseball implications in 2023. Headlined by returning stars like Berry, Thompson and Crews and emerging talents like Dutton, Money and Pearson, the Tigers have a loaded roster capable of making another deep postseason run. While graduation and the draft robbed them of some production, J Jay Johnson has this program well positioned to repeat last season’s cinderella story and bring another national title back to Baton Rouge. With their talent and experience, these Tigers playmakers could help lead LSU baseball to the promised land once more in 2023.
