LSU HC Jay Johnson shares approval after New York Yankees select Tigers stars Thatcher Hurd and Griffin Herring
The New York Yankees doubled down on LSU Tigers pitchers on Day 2 of the 2024 MLB draft. They initially selected Thatcher Hurd, who split his time between the starting rotation and the bullpen, with the No. 89 overall pick in the third round.
The Bronx Bombers followed that up later in the day by selecting Griffin Herring, who spent most of his time as a reliever but could be a starter professionally, with the No. 181 overall pick in the sixth round.
Tigers head coach Jay Johnson took to social media to praise both selections. He responded to a tweet from LSU's official baseball page on X/Twitter, saying:
"Thatch Is Bronx Bound @ThatcherHurd | #RepBX"
Johnson added:
"Proud of you Thatcher! Best is yet to come for you! @yankees"
Just over an hour later, LSU's account tweeted:
"With the 181st pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, the New York Yankees select Griffin Herring! @GriffinHerring1 | #RepBX"
The head coach once again praised the selection:
"Congratulations Griffin! A great two years here."
Check out Jay Johnson's tweets on Thatcher Hurd and Griffin Herring being selected below:
Hurd spent two seasons with the Tigers after spending his freshman season with the UCLA Bruins. He went 13-6 with a 4.84 ERA, three saves and 188 strikeouts in 141.1 innings pitched. Meanwhile, Herring spent his entire two-year career with LSU. He went 11-3 with a 2.66 ERA, eight saves and 108 strikeouts in 84.2 innings pitched.
New York Yankees receive praise for drafting LSU pitchers
The New York Yankees' decision to select two LSU Tigers pitchers received praise from fans and analysts online. Baseball America's Peter Flaherty III was impressed by Hurd, tweeting:
"The Yankees earlier selected RHP Thatcher Hurd. Up-and-down 2 years at LSU, but it's big league stuff. FB up to 97 with carry, high-spin (> 3,000 RPM) CB is plus, but best pitch might be his high-80s cutter. Chance for at least 3 60s. Great pick."
@VirginiaYankee1 praised Griffin Herring's selection, tweeting:
"NYY 6th Rounder Griffin Herring is a DES LHP who was a relief stud for LSU this year but who almost certainly starts as a pro. 67:13 K:BB over 50.1 IP with a 1.79 ERA this year and then a strong Cape cameo. Low to mid-90s FB and a sweeper, needs to develop his CH to start."
The Yankees spent plenty of early draft capital bolstering their pitching depth. Their first two days of drafting have drawn positive reviews from critics so far. Can they find some more talent later in the draft to further bolster their chances of returning to the World Series?