What's next for LSU baseball?
When LSU had several core players return for their senior baseball seasons, the Tigers had expectations of reaching the 2017 College World Series and even winning a national championship.
LSU came close, losing to Florida in the championship series two games to none.
The situation won't be the same for the Tigers in 2018 as they are expected to lose several players off the 2017 team to professional baseball as well as some key recruits.
While the situation is different, the expectations never really change for LSU baseball.
"I feel like the future is very bright,'' LSU coach Paul Mainieri said following the season-ending defeat in Omaha. "There's some things we need to get better at, as we always do.
"We'll do a thorough analysis of our team and where we are and we'll try to keep getting better.''
Here's an early look at how LSU shapes up for 2018.
Pitching
The Tigers will lose their Friday night starter in Alex Lange (10-5, 2.97 ERA) to professional baseball. Lange was taken by the Chicago Cubs in the first round. Jared Poche, the school's all-time leader in wins and the No. 2 starter, has completed his eligibility. And freshman Eric Walker (8-2, 3.48), the team's No. 3 starter most of the season, is a massive question mark with his health.
Not all the pitching news is bad for the Tigers.
Mainieri and pitching coach Alan Dunn will need to determine if Zach Hess (7-1, 3.12) is a starter or now a closer. Caleb Gilbert (7-1, 2.16) was tremendous in defeating Oregon State in the CWS bracket final. Todd Peterson (3-1, 4.19) was in line to make an SEC Tournament start until he was suspended.
A healthy Doug Norman -- assuming he turns down pro ball -- could be a factor as well and there is help on the way from the recruiting class. Incoming freshman Nick Storz turned down the Detroit Tigers' 31st-round selection for the LSU Tigers. He figures immediately into LSU's pitching plans for 2018.
Catcher
Junior catcher Michael Papierski (.256, 11 HRs, 39 RBIs) was taken by the Houston Astros in the ninth round and figures to turn professional. Jordan Romero (229, 1 HR, 12 RBIs) has completed his eligibility.
The Tigers are bringing in freshmen catchers Mason Doolittle and preferred walk-on Braden Doughty. Reserve Rankin Woley, an infielder-catcher, (.267, 0 HRs, 5 RBIs) also returns.
Infielders
The Tigers lose shortstop Kramer Robertson (.307, 8 HRs, 43 RBIs) and second baseman Cole Freeman (.315, 2 HRs, 41 RBIs) to graduation. Replacing the double-play tandem will be key.
Incoming freshman shortstop Hal Hughes, son of former Oklahoma coach Pete Hughes, could figure in the middle infield plans. Delgado Community College shortstop Brandt Broussard committed earlier in June and could also be in the mix.
Jake Slaughter (.257, 3 HRs, 26 RBIs) and Nick Coomes (.303, 2 HRs, 22 RBIs) return at first base and Josh Smith (.281, 5 HRs, 48 RBIs) returns at third base.
The possibility of moving one of the returning infielders to a middle infield position also exists.
Outfielders
LSU took a hit when West Monroe's Jacob Pearson opted for the Los Angeles Angels over the Tigers.
Still, LSU looks to be in pretty good shape in the outfield. Highly touted incoming freshman Daniel Cabrera could be ticketed for right field. Zach Watson, the team's leading hitter (.317, 9 HRs, 37 RBIs) returns to center field. Antoine Duplantis, the team's second-leading hitter (.316, 2 HRs, 61 RBIs) is back in left field.
Designate hitter Beau Jordan (.269, 4 HRs, 29 RBIs) is also likely to return for his senior season.
Overall
It will be a different looking LSU team in 2018, but Mainieri expects some of his younger players who played key roles this season (Watson, Duplantis, Smith, Slaughter, etc.) to take on more leadership in 2018.
"Everybody loves their athletic teams at LSU,'' Mainieri said. "And the LSU athletic teams want to do to make everybody proud. And this team was very close-knit. We had great not just senior leadership just great leadership within the team and we had some young players that performed at a really high level and are great kids and learned from these older players, and they're going to be the ones that carry the torch forward for us.''