LSU baseball star Ethan Frey likely leaving LSU after third round draft selection
The only LSU hitter to come off the board was Ethan Frey. Entering the draft, some thought Frey had a chance to return to LSU for his senior season, but that appears unlikely now, as Frey was picked No. 95 overall by the Houston Astros. If an MLB org drafts a player in the first three rounds, it signals confidence in that player turning pro. Teams don't want to waste a premium draft slot on a player who will return to college.
Frey was one of the SEC's best hitters in 2025 and a key piece of LSU's College World Series run. Frey finished the year with 13 home runs and a 1.061 OPS. He added 15 doubles and a triple.
Frey stands at 6-foot-6. His power has elite upside and runs well for someone his size. The Astros have plenty of tools to work with.
Frey's pick is a blow to LSU's 2026 lineup. Frey's return was always far from a given, but LSU had a chance to return a hitter with SEC player of the year potential.
Here's what MLB.com's scouting report had to say about Frey:
"One of the more imposing hitters in college baseball at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Frey is built to hit for power. He's strong and has a quick right-handed stroke to go with an affinity to driving the ball in the air, a combination that allows him to hit balls out of any part of the park. While he lacks a long track record, he's a patient hitter who has had success this year against both lefties and righties and all types of pitches."
Frey served as LSU's designated hitter, but he's athletic enough to take up a position in the field. Look for the Astros to give Frey a chance in the outfield or at first base.
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