Jay Johnson provides in-depth look at LSU pitching rotation

LSU baseball had an influx of starting pitching talent join the program ahead of this year, something that head coach Jay Johnson was clearly excited about when discussing the possibilities for his squad. From a likely Friday night starter transferring into young talent with oodles of potential, LSU has a significant improved starting pitching rotation.

Johnson was supremely excited about Air Force transfer Paul Skenes. The 6-foot-6 right hander has all the makings of a No. 1 starter for LSU and future MLB pitcher, Johnson said.

“Man, it’s an elite fastball. We had a very intentional plan when we recruited him of ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ We wanted him to get to work right away on some other things with Wes [Johnson]. And for seven weeks at the beginning of school it was really laid out to elevate the things he needed to do to be that type of pitcher,” Johnson said. “To be one of the best pitchers in the country and a future major league starter, that’s where his life going, in my opinion.”

Beyond the physical abilities and his pitching, Johnson was really impressed with the immediacy of Skenes’ leadership.

There was almost no break-in period where Skenes and his new teammates were feeling each other out, from the sound of things.

“The person is elite. He’s an outlier from a competitor, from a teammate — he’s a leader on this team right now. There’s no feeling that out,” Johnson said. “Commands the respect of his teammates and it’s a guy that’s going to be in those situations because you know how everybody is going to play behind him. Because of the respect that they have for him. So, he’s the real deal. Player, person, the whole thing.”

 Johnson highlighted some other newcomers that could play big roles for LSU.

Thatcher Hurd (UCLA transfer), Christian Little (Vanderbilt transfer), Nate Ackenhausen (Eastern Oklahoma State Community College transfer), Aiden Moffett (freshman), Griffin Herring (freshman) and Chase Shores (freshman) are all new starting pitcher-types that Johnson said add plenty of depth for LSU.

With a strong bullpen and lineup returning, getting the starting pitching in order could have LSU returning to the usual spot as one of the best teams in the country.

“Now I think — the bullpen was strong last year. I think we’re going to have that, maybe even a little better. And then upgrade on the starting pitcher side,” Johnson said.