Ranking LSU baseball's best five players in the 2025 NCAA Tournament
The starting pitching was stellar, particularly against Coastal Carolina in the College World Series finals. The one-two punch of Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson worked well into every game they could, which kept the Tigers' bullpen fresh.
LSU showcased a few different lineups throughout the run, with Johnson not afraid to mix things up. The Tigers got contributions from top to bottom, helping the Tigers go 5-0 in Omaha, the first team to do so since 2013.
Timely hitting was the key for the Tigers' bats, with LSU coming through time and time again in two-out situations and runners on base.
Here are the top five players for LSU baseball in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and College World Series.
5. Outfielder Chris Stanfield
Stanfield showed his experience level on the biggest stage when LSU needed him most. In regionals, he batted in three runs against Dallas Baptist and scored two runs in the opener against Little Rock. Stanfield's success continued in Omaha as he totaled two RBI in the College World Series opener against Arkansas. In the championship clinching game versus Coastal Carolina, he batted in two RBI and crossed the plate himself.
The everyday center fielder, Stanfield flashed the leather multiple times even while dealing with odd winds inside Charles Schwab Stadium. He finished the NCAA Tournament with 12 total bases, nine hits, and eight RBI.
4. First basemen Jared Jones
The team's go-to slugger, Jones racked up 24 total bases in the NCAA Tournament and finished with four multi-hit games. Even when he seemed to be in a slump, Jones found a way to come through when his team needed it most.
Against UCLA, Jones hit a three-run home run to put the Tigers ahead for good before the postponement. In the back-and-forth contest between Arkansas, Jones hit a solo shot to tie the game and knocked in the game-winning run with a walk-off RBI single to send LSU to the College World Series finals.
3. Shortstop Steven Milam
In a lineup that experienced plenty of changes during the postseason, Milam remained a fixture in the top half. He racked up 15 hits and 13 RBI during the NCAA Tournament. His biggest moment was a grand slam against West Virginia in the Baton Rouge Super Regional.
Even when Milam didn't reach base, he gave quality at bats that forced opposing pitchers into extra work. He remained reliable at shortstop, helping the Tigers keep the base paths clear with solid defensive play.
2. Outfielder Derek Curiel
In his first collegiate postseason, Curiel finished his true freshman year as strong as he started it. He finished 2025 on a seven-game hitting streak with 35 total bases plus walks combined. he hit a three-run homer against West Virginia in the super regional and batted in two runs against Coastal Carolina in game two of the finals.
Curiel's status as a true freshman means little compared to his contributions to winning the national championship. He played like a veteran all year with discipline in his plate approaches and communication as the every day left fielder.
1. Pitcher Kade Anderson
LSU's success in the NCAA Tournament started with its ace. Anderson made four starts and only got better as play wore on. Aside from allowing seven runs to West Virginia in a heavy offensive night for both teams during super regionals, Anderson surrendered just one across 23 innings. He picked up 35 strikeouts in during the tournament.
Anderson capped his LSU career with a complete game shutout in game one of the College World Series finals against Coastal Carolina. His durability preserved the Tigers' bullpen for what could've been two more contests. The left-hander persevered with runners on base and propelled his team to the
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