LSU Baseball Linked to Highly-Touted Big Ten Transfer Pitcher, Oregon Ducks Southpaw

Jay Johnson and the LSU Tigers are set to enter a critical stretch on the recruiting trail this offseason with the program looking to reconstruct the roster following a National Championship win in 2025.

After taking down the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers in the College World Series Finals, the program has officially entered reload mode with the NCAA Transfer Portal open for business.

LSU has added a pair of sluggers to the 2026 roster as it currently stands via the free agent market, but with roster spots set to be available, Johnson and Co. will be active.

"If you're a pitcher out there, high school or portal, you should want to come here largely because of Nate [Yeskie]. And Jamie Tutko is our director of pitching development and analytics and has helped take this thing to a new level as well," Johnson said after winning the title.

"We've got it all. We've got it all. I'm just really proud of that side of the ball. We had to elevate the talent in the LSU baseball program on the mound when I took over here. And we have and we've executed it at developing them as good as I ever would have dreamed of or imagined."

Now, LSU has been linked to Oregon Ducks left-handed pitcher Santiago Garcia after he officially entered the NCAA Transfer Portal this month.

The talented southpaw appeared in 22 games in 2025 for the Ducks where he finished with a 3-0 record and an ERA of 4.18.

Garcia also recorded four saves where he served as one of the team’s relief pitchers; getting 28.0 innings of work to throw 38 strikeouts to only 18 walks.

Prior to making his way to join the Oregon Ducks, Garcia spent one season at Central Arizona Community College where he pitched 23.2 innings with a 3.04 ERA, striking out 38 batters.

Now, the talented left-hander will look for a new home this offseason with the LSU Tigers a potential destination after the program was linked this week.

Johnson and the LSU Tigers have been linked to multiple available transfers this week with all eyes on the program's portal approach this offseason.

The Reported Portal Targets [3]:

RHP Landon Mack: Rutgers

Rutgers freshman right-handed pitcher Landon Mack entered the NCAA Transfer Portal this month after one season with the Scarlet Knights.

Mack, one of the top arms available in the free agent market, has multiple programs pursuing his services as it stands. That includes the LSU Tigers with Johnson and Co. in pursuit.

The talented right-hander rounded out his true freshman campaign with Rutgers after tossing 80.1 innings pitched where he logged 70 strikeouts to 17 walks with a 4.03 ERA.

Mack will be a player to keep tabs on as his recruitment process ramping up this week.

INF/RHP Bryce Calloway: University of New Orleans

After capturing the 2025 National Championship on Sunday, Johnson and Co. have already been linked to multiple available players in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

That includes University of New Orleans star, Bryce Calloway.

Calloway, a Top-10 available prospect in the NCAA Transfer Portal, has quickly become one of the top names to monitor this offseason with a myriad of schools in the mix.

Johnson and Co. are reportedly in contact with the elite-level prospect that can do it all on the diamond.

Calloway can play first base, third base, outfield and has taken the mound as a right-handed pitcher during his time in college.

The slugger hit .390 with 18 homers and 63 RBIs along with a 1.206 OPS this past season. Calloway also made 20 appearances on mound with a fastball up to 93 mph.

2B Jarren Advincula: Cal

Cal second baseman Jarren Advincula is viewed as one of the top players available in the NCAA Transfer Portal with the LSU Tigers in he mix, according to On3 Sports.

In 2024, Advincula led Cal with a .325 batting average and was second on the team in both runs scored with 44 and hits with 69.

Fast forward to his second season with the Golden Bears and he was second on the team in batting with a .342 average.

He led the team in steals with 13 (in 15 attempts) and hits with 81. Advincula tied for the team lead in runs scored with 48, and had six home runs and 33 RBIs.

Now, he's in the Transfer Portal with a slew of SEC and ACC programs intensifying their pursuit.

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