The Louisiana State University (LSU) baseball team has made a significant impact by leading the nation with eight freshmen featured in the Perfect Game Top 75 College Freshmen for the 2025 season. This impressive roster includes standout players such as outfielder Derek Curiel, right-handed pitcher William Schmidt, catcher Cade Arrambide, and several others. Each of these athletes brings exceptional skills and accolades from their high school careers, positioning LSU as a formidable force in collegiate baseball. Notably, Curiel, who excelled in his senior year at Orange Lutheran High School, and Schmidt, a local Baton Rouge talent, have already garnered national attention for their performances. The combination of their achievements and the potential they bring to LSU is expected to elevate the team's performance in the upcoming season.

Derek Curiel, ranked first among the freshmen, has already demonstrated remarkable prowess on the field. A two-time member of the USA National Team, he showed incredible versatility during his time at Orange Lutheran High School in West Covina, California. In his senior year, Curiel batted an impressive .314, accumulating 33 hits, including 10 doubles, along with 21 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. His consistent performance earned him recognition as the tenth-best high school player in the country and the second-best in California.

William Schmidt, hailing from Baton Rouge, has been equally impressive. As a product of Catholic High School, Schmidt boasts an impeccable record. During his senior year, he maintained a perfect 9-0 win-loss record, boasting a minuscule 0.44 ERA and striking out 102 batters over 63.2 innings. His stellar performance not only led Catholic High to the state championship but also earned him a top ranking as the sixteenth overall prospect for the 2024 MLB Draft according to MLB.com.

Cade Arrambide, another notable addition, comes from Tomball High School in Texas. Recognized as the top prep catcher in the nation by MLB.com, Arrambide was also named the 2024 Texas Gatorade Player of the Year. His batting average of .430 last season, coupled with 12 home runs and 35 RBIs, solidified his position among the top prospects for the 2024 MLB Draft. Similarly, Casan Evans, from St. Pius X High School in Houston, Texas, was ranked ninth among the best high school players in Texas by Perfect Game, further enhancing LSU's freshman lineup.

In addition to these talents, Ryan Costello, Mavrick Rizy, Cooper Williams, and Mikey Ryan round out the list. Costello, from Ranney High School in New Jersey, had an outstanding batting average of .562 with 14 home runs and 34 RBIs. Rizy, originally from Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, participated in the MLB Draft Scouting Combine and played in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League. Williams, a left-handed pitcher from Alvin High School in Texas, posted a career mark of 10-4 with a 1.34 ERA and 152 strikeouts. Lastly, Ryan, from Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana, was rated the thirtieth best shortstop in the nation and the second-best player in Louisiana by Perfect Game.

The influx of these highly-ranked freshmen positions LSU as a powerhouse in college baseball. Their individual achievements and collective potential promise an exciting future for the team. With such a robust freshman class, LSU is poised to make significant strides in the coming seasons, setting the stage for continued success and excellence in collegiate athletics.