LSU lands another big fish with addition of Angel Laya

Apr 28, 2026; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers head coach Jay Johnson looks at the stands before a game against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions at Alex Box Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images | Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images Just when you think things are winding down for the Tigers in the transfer portal, Jay Johnson pulls out another ace in the hole. This time, it’s Angel Laya out of Oregon, who took to Instagram to announce his commitment this evening.

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style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 14px; width: 144px;">Coming off of a phenomenal freshman year at Oregon, Laya was considered one of big fish in the portal. He was ranked as the #9 player by 64 Analytics and #15 by ESPN.

class="wp-block-paragraph">How does a player become so highly ranked after a single season in Power 4 baseball? Well, you put up the numbers that Laya did. He started 59 games for the Ducks and hit .296 scored 49 runs, and drove in 47 RBIs with the help of 14 homeruns. Striking out only 34 times in 223 at-bats as a true freshman is phenomenal, especially paired with 27 walks and 10 HBPs. His slugging percentage was .538 and he reached base in nearly 40% of his at-bats with a .396 on-base percentage.

class="wp-block-paragraph">After heading to Oregon as Perfect Game’s #12 ranked freshman, Laya became a 1st team All-Big 10 Freshman selection. He was the Opening Day starter in right-field for the Ducks and held down that spot for most of the year.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Already boasting the build typically seen from eventual stars, he measures in at 6’3 206 pounds from the left side of the plate.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Laya is the third outfielder of LSU’s portal class, seemingly completing the rebuild that Jay Johnson was faced with after an expected exodus from his entire starting outfield. He will join Bino Watters and Jason Wachs, but it remains to be seen exactly what position each will play. All three of them are coming to Baton Rouge as primary corner outfielders, so one of them will have to transition in to center-field. Early speculation would be Wachs, but do not rule out Laya. Time will tell.

class="wp-block-paragraph">There had been some hope of an unexpected return of Jake Brown to field that spot in center, but recent news seems to point towards the junior getting drafted next weekend and beginning his professional career.

class="wp-block-paragraph">Laya becomes the 9th player that the Tigers have brought in from the transfer portal. With just 8 days until the MLB Draft takes place on July 11-12, more news of incoming freshman stating their intentions to head to school could be on the way and we will have it all for you here at ATVS.