We are officially less than 24 hours away from the start of the Tiger baseball season, and even for the most dedicated fans, there will plenty of new faces to welcome in this year. One such face is that of Michael Braswell III, an LSU baseball transfer portal infielder addition who’s impressing in all aspects ahead of the 2024 season.
LSU baseball transfer portal addition impressing in just about every aspect ahead of 2024 season
When LSU baseball transfer portal addition Michael Braswell III made his decision to transfer to LSU from in-conference South Carolina, it was almost a given that he’d end up in the starting lineup.
With a batting average of 0.271 and a slugging percentage of 0.367, he’s undoubtedly solid on the offensive side of the ball. Still, it’s his work on the defensive end as an infielder that’s particularly impressive.
In just two seasons with the Gamecocks, Braswell III recorded a fielding percentage of 0.963 to go along with 100 putouts. Now, with less than 24 hours until his Tiger debut, it’s time for him to do some work as a part of the purple and gold.
When asked about his first impressions thus far in the offseason during media days, coach Jay Johnson had nothing but good things to say about the junior infielder.
“Everything,” the Tiger head coach said emphatically about the LSU baseball transfer portal addition. “I think it was very clear when he went into the portal last year that we were gonna need to replace Jordan (Thompson). And defense at that position (shortstop) is very important. He’s been everything I hoped for and more, and what I mean by that is he’s a first-year player, he uses his voice on the field really well and he’s playing like an experienced player.
“He makes everybody else around him better, and he’s been very solid defensively. Then offensively, he just deserves a lot of credit. He’s put in a lot of work, and we’ve changed a lot, and he’s adapted to it and is having a lot of success.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s matchup against VMI in Alex Box Stadium, Braswell III figures to take over at shortstop, where recent 15th round MLB draft pick Jordan Thompson took charge of one season ago.
While there are some undoubtedly big shoes to fill for the LSU baseball transfer portal addition, he has the potential to be exactly the man for the job in 2024. It will just be a matter of playing his game the way he does best.
Journey to Baton Rouge
As a part of the recruiting class of 2021, there were some pretty high expectations for soon-to-be freshman Michael Braswell III, who was set to make his collegiate debut with the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Ranking as the No. 63 player nationally, according to Perfect Game, the Mableton, GA, product had the potential to make an immediate impact for a solid Gamecock program that most recently finished in the top-20 nationally this past season.
In turn, he did exactly that. During his time in Columbia, SC, Michael Braswell III was nothing, if not impressive on both offense and defense. As a freshman in 2022, he earned 54 starts, leading him to a Freshman All-SEC type season.
As a sophomore, Braswell III continued his hot streak, making 37 starts, including three against LSU.
As a part of the purple and gold, the junior infielder will don the No. 10 in what figures to be a big season for all parties involved. While he wasn’t necessarily a part of the 2023 national championship run, expect him to play a major role in what could be a second-straight elite season for coach Jay Johnson and the Tigers in 2024.
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