This SEC program comes away from MLB draft as a big winner

Coming out of the 2024 MLB draft, there might not be a bigger winner from the SEC than the LSU Tigers , and no, it is not entirely due to the number of players they the program selected earlier this week.

Now yes, the Tigers did see their usual fair share of players selected, which included the likes of Tommy White, Luke Holman, and Gage Jump in round two, as well as Thatcher Hurd in the third.

However, what arguably makes the Tigers a bigger winner is from the names who were not selected, and instead will return to Baton Rouge for the 2025 season. These included star first baseman Jared Jones , as well as others such as shortstop Michael Braswell.

In addition to those two, LSU also a few commitments from top high school seniors that were expected to get drafted highly, but will instead play for the Tigers next season.

A group that started with outfielder Derek Curiel , LSU also saw both William Schmidt and Cade Arrambide announce they would be bypassing the MLB draft, and instead take their talents to Baton Rouge.

Schmidt, who was ranked as the draft’s No. 16 overall prospect according to MLB, is considered as arguably the top high school pitcher in the 2024 class. Out of Catholic High School in Louisiana, Schmidt is now expected to be a major impact player for LSU’s pitching staff as a freshman.

Arrambide however is arguably the top high school catcher in the 2024 class out of Tomball High School in Texas. He could also make a big impact as a freshman as well, as catcher is a position that the Tigers have lost some talent this offseason.

With all three being big moves in their own right, will this group help what was already a loaded Tigers roster return to the College World Series in 2025?