LSU baseball lands elite in-conference pitcher through transfer portal

LSU baseball just won their seventh national championship in program history, and they’re already looking to the future. In fact, before their championship victory, they’d already begun poking into the transfer portal. On June 23, coach Jay Johnson received fantastic news as Alabama pitcher Kade Woods announced he would transfer to the Tigers.

LSU baseball lands transfer portal commitment from pitcher Kade Woods

Throughout the 2023 baseball season, Tigers fans enjoyed watching one of the best pitchers in college baseball history. Paul Skenes was elite all year, and when you saw him on the mound, you could just about guarantee a win.

Now, Skenes is headed off to the MLB and will likely be one of the top picks. While that’s excellent news for him, LSU baseball is left with the challenge of trying to replace him.

The issue with that is Skenes is a once-in-a-generation kind of talent. You won’t be able to find someone nearly as talented as him. Still, they might be able to find production through a committee.

That’s precisely where the Tigers’ most recent transfer portal addition comes into play. Alabama pitcher Kade Woods decided to transfer to Baton Rouge on Friday, June 23.

Thankful for my time @AlabamaBSB

Blessed for the opportunity with @LSUbaseball!!@LSUCoachJ
Geaux Tigers! #BacktoTheBoot#Homecoming pic.twitter.com/B4hcOMr42i

— Andrew Kade Woods (@AndrewKadeWoods) June 24, 2023

Woods brings talent and youth to the Tigers’ program

Kade Woods, a native of Monroe, LA, is officially coming home! After spending two seasons with the Alabama baseball program, he’s officially decided to come back to Louisiana.

As a true freshman in 2022, he redshirted as he worked through an injury, but was elite in 2023. As a redshirt freshman this past season, he spent significant time as a closer for the Crimson Tide.

He threw 38 strikeouts in 17 appearances, leading to a 4-1 overall record on the year. He wasn’t just a young talent for Alabama but one of the best pitchers they had.

With him transferring to LSU for this next season, the Tigers are gaining an elite arm. While he alone won’t be able to make up for the loss of Skenes, he’ll greatly assist in bringing the Tigers back to the College Baseball World Series in 2024.

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