The West Coast continues to churn out future LSU Tigers and Jay Johnson and his staff recently grabbed a big one for the 2025 class.
Landon Hodge, a 6-1, 185-pound product out of Agua Dulce, California recently announced his verbal commitment to the Tigers. Hodge chose the Tigers over another perennial powerhouse program in Clemson.
“I think I watched LSU baseball games or highlights like every day,” he joked. “I would finish class early and that was always the first thing I would look up on YouTube. What I loved from what I saw was the energy. Every player on that field was playing for each other. Everyone was connected in every single way.
“I mean look at Tommy White. The energy level that he brought every time he was out on the field in every thing he did, it was something you look up to.”
A projected catcher on the next level, Hodge plays both in the infield and behind the plate during his prep tenure.
“Catching is my main thing,” he said.
Multiple scouting reports have Hodge as a great athlete and a loose explosive swing. Behind the plate he is a high-end receiver and thrower and is projected to become even more powerful behind the plate once he matures and develops more strength.
(self scouting report) “I think people sometimes when they think about catchers they think about these big, immobile kind of guys. That’s really not me. I have a lot of mobility around the plate. I think of myself like a shortstop behind the plate.
“At the plate, I’m more of a high batting average guy with more doubles and triples as opposed to home runs. I drive people in.”
Hodge said his visit to Baton Rouge sealed the deal for him to pledge to LSU.
“The food was amazing,” he said. “Got to check out all of LSU’s baseball facilities which were impressive and I got the chance to interact with several of the current players. It was my first trip to Baton Rouge and I really enjoyed it.
“When I got the chance to sit down and talk with the coaching staff, I was impressed how well prepared (Johnson) was. He had everything laid out in terms of what is the plan for me once I get here on campus. For me, seeing that kind of structure and detail, it sold me. It was really cool to see that sort of thing.”
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