Three LSU Tigers baseball standouts have been honored on the 2026 Perfect Game Preseason All-America Teams, reflecting the strength and depth of LSU’s roster as the Tigers prepare to begin their season with national expectations high. Sophomore outfielder Derek Curiel, sophomore pitcher Casan Evans and senior pitcher Zac Cowan were each recognized by Perfect Game for their exceptional talent and projected impact in the upcoming season.
Derek Curiel headlines the trio with a First-Team Preseason All-America selection, a prestigious distinction that highlights him as one of the very best players in college baseball entering 2026. Curiel, who hails from West Covina, California, enjoyed a phenomenal freshman campaign and quickly became one of the nation’s most productive hitters. In 2025, he led LSU with a .345 batting average, complemented by 20 doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 55 RBIs and 67 runs scored. His performance was instrumental as LSU captured the NCAA National Championship, and his contributions in postseason play earned him a spot on the College World Series All-Tournament Team. In the Super Regional round, Curiel hit an astonishing .571, underlining his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations.
Curiel’s All-America honors build on an already decorated resume. Beyond this preseason recognition, he was named National Freshman of the Year by D1Baseball.com, as well as a Second-Team All-America and Second-Team All-SEC selection in 2025. These accomplishments reflect both his present excellence and his future potential, positioning Curiel as one of the faces of the LSU program and a key player to watch throughout the 2026 season.
On the mound, Casan Evans earned Second-Team Preseason All-America honors as a sophomore right-hander from Houston, Texas. Evans’ 2025 season showed flashes of dominance, as he earned Third-Team All-America and First-Team Freshman All-America recognition for his strong work out of the bullpen and occasional starts. He finished the year with a 5-1 record, a 2.05 ERA, and seven saves across 19 appearances, striking out 71 batters in 52.2 innings while holding opponents to a .228 batting average. His ability to miss bats and provide critical innings in multiple roles makes him a valuable piece of LSU’s pitching staff heading into the new season.
Zac Cowan, a senior pitcher, rounded out LSU’s preseason accolades with a Third-Team All-America selection. While not as heralded as Curiel or Evans, Cowan’s inclusion underscores his steady contributions and veteran presence on the mound. As an upperclassman, he brings experience and leadership to a talented pitching corps, and his recognition on the All-America list reflects respect from national evaluators for his performance and potential impact in 2026.
LSU’s trio of All-America selections comes as the program enters the season ranked at or near the top of national preseason polls, reinforcing the Tigers’ reputation as a perennial powerhouse in college baseball. With Curiel anchoring the offense and Evans and Cowan leading a deep pitching staff, LSU is positioned for another run at postseason success and perhaps another trip to the College World Series.
Overall, the preseason All-America honors for Curiel, Evans and Cowan not only recognize their individual excellence but also signal LSU’s promise as a contender in the competitive landscape of NCAA Division I baseball in 2026.