The Freshman All-America team was announced, and a couple of Tigers made the team. LSU’s leadoff hitter, Derek Curiel, and pitcher Casan Evans were honored as some of the best in the country.
The news comes from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).
Curiel was a standout at the plate. In 63 games, the West Covina, California native batted a .347 average with 83 hits in 239 at-bats. The 2025 SEC Freshman of the Year scored 64 times, with seven of those being home runs. With that success at the plate, Curiel drew 50 walks, helping contribute to his on-base percentage of .473, and has also accumulated a .531 slugging percentage.
Curiel’s consistency and production at the plate for LSU earned him multiple weekly honors, including being named the SEC Freshman of the Week twice. Not only did the Tiger outfielder earn regular-season recognition, but Curiel also headlined being a part of the 2025 All-SEC team. Curiel was one of seven LSU players to make it on either the first or second team.
For Evans, he gained head coach Jay Johnson’s trust early on, helping him to a successful first season on the mound. Evans appeared in 17 of LSU’s 63 games to this point and earned three starts down the stretch of the season.
The Houston, Texas native to this point has recorded a 4-1 record and has six saves. As a left-handed pitcher, Evans has struck out 65 batters, walked 19 batters, allowed 39 hits, and 11 runs in 47.1 innings pitched, leading to a 1.90 ERA.
The contributions by the two first-year players have led to a 48-15 record to this point in the season and a punched ticket to Omaha, Nebraska, for the 2025 College World Series.