Jay Johnson compares Kade Anderson’s season to Paul Skenes, Joe Burrow: ‘Very similar’

LSU coach Jay Johnson put pitcher Kade Anderson in some elite company after Saturday’s performance in the College World Series. Anderson started and pitched a full game in a 1-0 shutout victory against Coastal Carolina for the Tigers to put them one more victory away from a national championship.

Anderson threw for 130 pitches and allowed only three hits with 10 strikeouts across the nine innings. Speaking postgame, Johnson compared Anderson’s run this season that that of Paul Skenes’ two years ago and former Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow in 2019. Of course, both of those players went on to lead LSU to national championships and the hope is that Anderson will do the same.

“He’s the best pitcher in college baseball,” Johnson said of Anderson. “We had the best pitcher in the planet two years ago (Skenes) in a similar situation. I’ve felt like Kade’s had a very similar season to that. That’s how you get here. I’m really proud of him. The commonality between the two is the person, the character, the toughness, the team-first attitude.

“And you’re probably right (about this being the last game Anderson pitches for LSU). His next pitch should be for some place in the Washington Nationals orginization. It’s not close. They usually draft really well. And he’s the best player in the country. There’s nobody closer to the major leagues than that right now. But I don’t think you can quantify (Anderson’s performance). Paul Skenes, Joe Burrow. That type of deal.”

Skenes would go on to become the No. 1 pick in the 2023 MLB Draft after leading LSU to the title. Anderson could have a similar story as he is currently projected to be either the No. 1 or No. 2 pick in this year’s MLB Draft according to most experts.

Likewise, Burrow was the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after guiding the Tigers to a championship. Anderson now has the opportunity to join them as legendary figures for the university.

Overall this season for LSU, Kade Anderson has made 18 starts and has an 11-1 record. He has a 3.44 ERA with 170 strikeouts and 88 hits allowed across 110 innings pitched.

LSU will again face Coastal Carolina at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at Charles Schwab Field and can claim a national championship with a victory. If it loses, the teams will play one more game at 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday for all the marbles.