LSU Baseball Outfielder Chris Stanfield Earns Finalist Spot for Prestigious National Award Honoring College Baseball’s Top Players

LSU outfielder Chris Stanfield has added another major milestone to his breakout 2025 season, being named a finalist for one of college baseball’s most prestigious accolades. The recognition affirms the sophomore’s emergence not only as a dynamic playmaker for the Tigers, but as one of the nation’s elite all-around players.

Stanfield, who transferred to LSU from Auburn ahead of the 2025 campaign, has quickly become a cornerstone of Jay Johnson’s roster. The athletic outfielder has turned heads with his electric speed, acrobatic defensive play, and growing offensive consistency. His selection as a finalist for the award—typically reserved for the game’s top-tier athletes—reflects how dramatically his stock has risen since arriving in Baton Rouge.

The national award in question recognizes excellence in performance, leadership, sportsmanship, and impact on team success. While many finalists in past years have been offensive juggernauts or pitchers with overpowering numbers, Stanfield’s versatility across all facets of the game made him stand out. He joins a short list of players nationwide who have demonstrated not only statistical excellence but the intangible qualities that elevate a team’s chances every time they take the field.

For LSU, Stanfield’s emergence as a national-caliber player comes at a critical time. The Tigers have endured ups and downs in SEC play this season, but the consistency and energy of Stanfield in center field have provided a steadying presence. On a team with plenty of star power, it’s often been Stanfield’s workmanlike approach and highlight-reel plays that have swung momentum.

He’s been a force both at the plate and in the field. Through the regular season, Stanfield has maintained a batting average hovering near .330 while showcasing gap-to-gap power and a keen eye for clutch situations. His on-base percentage has remained high, a testament to his plate discipline and ability to stretch at-bats. Add to that his team-leading stolen base total—over 25 swipes entering postseason play—and it becomes clear why coaches across the league have taken notice.

Defensively, Stanfield has been a revelation. LSU’s outfield defense has dramatically improved thanks in large part to his range, speed, and fearless pursuit of balls in the gap or over his head. He’s already recorded multiple diving catches and has thrown out several runners trying to take an extra base. Opponents have learned not to test him, and when they do, they often pay for it.

But beyond the stats, Stanfield’s intangibles have endeared him to teammates and fans alike. A high-energy competitor with a relentless motor, he’s brought leadership to a team that lost several veterans from the previous season. Even as a first-year player at LSU, he’s become one of the loudest voices in the dugout and one of the most focused on the field. Head coach Jay Johnson has routinely praised Stanfield’s work ethic, attention to detail, and fearless mindset.

“He plays with an edge, and that’s what you need to win in this league,” Johnson said earlier this season. “Chris is the kind of guy who makes everyone around him better, and he never takes a play off. That’s a rare thing.”

The recognition as a finalist comes with national attention and could set Stanfield up for even greater opportunities. Should he continue to produce and help guide LSU deep into the postseason, he’ll almost certainly rise on the boards of Major League Baseball scouts. While draft eligibility isn’t on the immediate horizon for the sophomore, his performance this season has firmly placed him on the radar for the future.

Interestingly, Stanfield’s path to this moment hasn’t been linear. He was a promising young player at Auburn and showed flashes of potential, but he never quite broke through as a star. His decision to transfer to LSU was seen as a bold move at the time—a talented but unproven player entering one of the most pressure-packed environments in college baseball. Many wondered whether he would earn a starting role, much less become a national standout.

Stanfield, for his part, never seemed fazed by the scrutiny or expectations. From the fall practice sessions to the start of the spring season, he made it clear he was not content to simply earn a spot—he wanted to be a difference-maker. And he has been just that.

Opposing coaches have consistently acknowledged the problems Stanfield presents. His speed changes the way defenses align, and his ability to bunt for a hit or stretch a single into a double keeps infielders on their toes. On the bases, he’s always in motion, often forcing hurried throws or defensive miscues. And at the plate, his ability to execute in key situations has made him one of LSU’s most reliable hitters late in games.

“Chris Stanfield is a game-changer,” said one SEC coach following a weekend series. “He can beat you in so many different ways. He’s the kind of player you have to account for every pitch, every inning.”

The finalist honor is also a testament to LSU’s ability to identify and develop talent. Johnson and his staff have built a reputation for maximizing transfer players’ potential, and Stanfield may now be the most shining example. The synergy between his natural ability and the Tigers’ developmental system has helped elevate both player and program.

Fans in Baton Rouge have embraced Stanfield as a new fan favorite. He plays with a passion that resonates with LSU’s hard-nosed baseball culture. Whether it’s a diving catch that gets the crowd on its feet or a key stolen base that ignites a rally, Stanfield has a knack for delivering in moments that matter most. His jersey is already a popular sight in the stands, and his name is frequently chanted when he steps into the batter’s box.

The award itself will be announced later in the season, typically after conference tournaments conclude and before NCAA regional play begins. Stanfield’s candidacy will only strengthen if he continues to produce at his current pace. While there are other high-profile names in contention, few bring the all-around package that Stanfield offers.

Of course, individual honors are never the ultimate goal in Baton Rouge. Stanfield has consistently deflected praise back to his teammates and coaches. When asked about his finalist selection, he immediately credited the LSU staff and his fellow players for putting him in a position to succeed.

“I just try to show up every day and do my job,” Stanfield said. “Whether it’s stealing a base, making a play in the outfield, or getting on base, I just want to help this team win. We’ve got a great group, and we believe in each other.”

That mindset—team-first, always grinding—embodies the spirit of the award. While stats and highlights matter, the committee that selects the winner often places high value on how a player elevates his team. In that regard, Stanfield has been everything LSU could have hoped for and more.

As postseason play approaches, Stanfield’s presence could prove even more vital. The grind of regional and super regional games requires depth, grit, and leaders who can steady the ship when adversity strikes. Stanfield has already shown he can be that calming force and sparkplug all at once.

His journey is far from over, and whether or not he ultimately takes home the award, his status as one of college baseball’s most impactful players in 2025 is secure. LSU fans will hope that his rise continues all the way to Omaha, and perhaps to a national championship.

For now, the honor of being a finalist stands as a well-earned recognition of everything Chris Stanfield has brought to LSU baseball—a blend of skill, toughness, and heart that continues to inspire his teammates and captivate the college baseball world.