ARLINGTON, Texas — LSU baseball saw four members of its 2024 team selected on the second day of the 2024 MLB Draft on Monday.
LSU signee Kale Fountain, a third baseman from high school, and pitcher Luke Hayden, who recently joined from Indiana State via the transfer portal, were among those chosen on Monday.
Right-hander Thatcher Hurd was the first LSU player selected. The 2023 national champion, who entered the transfer portal earlier this month, was picked by the New York Yankees in the third round with the No. 87 overall pick.
Hurd posted a 6.55 ERA in 44 innings last season, starting nine games after 11 starts the previous season.
Another LSU player, left-hander Griffin Herring, was selected by the Yankees in the sixth round with the No. 181 overall pick. Sources confirmed Herring’s intention to sign with the Yankees, opening up a spot in LSU’s 2025 starting rotation.
Right-handed reliever Fidel Ulloa was chosen next by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round with the No. 198 overall pick. Ulloa, who could have returned to LSU in 2025 after a 5.01 ERA last season, is now likely headed to the pros.
Left-hander Nate Ackenhausen was the final LSU player drafted on Monday, picked by the Kansas City Royals in the 10th round with the No. 287 overall selection.
Incoming freshman Kale Fountain was the lone recruit drafted on Monday, selected by the San Diego Padres in the fifth round with the No. 151 overall pick. Sources indicated that Fountain plans to sign with the Padres.
Fountain, slated as LSU’s incoming third baseman, may fill a crucial role following Tommy White’s selection by the Oakland Athletics in the second round, potentially leaving a gap at third base for LSU in 2025.
Additionally, Luke Hayden, who transferred from Indiana State to LSU last month, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth round with the No. 239 overall pick. Despite this, LSU’s pitching prospects remain strong with several promising transfers potentially filling key roles in the upcoming season.