Logan Schmidt spurns MLB and JUCO for LSU

It was exactly three weeks ago today that the Cleveland Guardians drafted Logan Schmidt at overall in the MLB Draft. We learned last weekend that we had chosen not to sign his professional contract, so the waiting game began to see where he would play his college ball.

The highly-ranked left-handed pitcher announced his commitment to LSU in August of 2025, but would he stick to that? Junior college had emerged as a legitimate possibility if he wanted to reenter the draft as quickly as possible. He could try his luck with MLB teams again in 2027 after just one year or he could stick to his original commitment and head to Baton Rouge for three years.

Well, on Saturday afternoon, he took to social media to announce his intentions.

Words that seemed impossible just weeks ago…Logan Schmidt is an LSU Tiger.

We have broken down his options at length for the past week as we patiently waited this highly anticipated decision.

It seemed like an easy choice for many. Go to LSU, get developed, compete for a title, earn NIL, grow up, become a quasi-celebrity, and prove why you should be drafted in the 1st round in 3 years.

While that seems obvious enough, what made this such a tough decision for Schmidt is that just a few weeks ago, he had likely never imagined himself touching a college baseball field. He was thought a top-20 pick before the combine and even after he dropped following whatever happened while he was there, he was still a healthy 17 year old LHP that throws 97-98. Those players get drafted in the first 3 rounds and barely have to consider the possibility of stepping foot on a campus.

So, when things fell through with the Guardians and his dream of being a professional baseball player were not still right in front of him, three years at LSU could’ve seemed like an eternity. If the goal was to get back in to the draft and try again as soon as possible, one year in JUCO could have been enticing.

In the end, though, patience prevailed and the now 18 year old (as of July 23) has chosen to take the longer, but MUCH more proven route as a Tiger.

What is LSU getting?

So, the decision is made and Logan Schmidt will be in purple and gold. The first question many fans will ask, as they have all week when discussing the possibility, is: “Will he be fully committed mentally after the disappointment of not signing professionally?”

In my opinion, he answered that question with his decision. If he was not going to be mentally committed to 3 years in Baton Rouge, he would have just gone the JUCO route. Choosing LSU says, to me, that he is bought in.

As far as his tools, there’s no question that he has the potential to become the best pitcher on the roster before he leaves. As previously stated, a lefty with 97-98 mph and a slider doesn’t typically go to school because MLB teams believe he could become the best pitcher in their entire organization.

Schmidt is 6’4, 210 pounds with a repeatable delivery and profiles as a starter in professional baseball. There’s a reason that Perfect Game had him ranked as the prep prospect.

As for his role in 2027, that will largely depend on his consistency and command. While there has not been mention of concerns over his strike-throwing capabilities, he will still be a young freshman. Some scouts believe that he could find his way in to the weekend rotation next year, but he will still have to earn that. One thing is for sure, Jay Johnson will give the kid plenty of opportunities.

The importance of this decision can not be overstated for the Tigers. These occurrences don’t happen often and reports indicate that LSU has invested heavily in Schmidt to get him to school. Having 3 years to take their time and develop a player of his caliber is a luxury for Johnson, Nate Yeski, and Jamie Tutko.

A highly anticipated fall ball season is just two months away and things got even more interesting with this news today.