LSU first baseman and New Orleans-native Tre’ Morgan taken 88th overall in MLB Draft

LSU first baseman and outfielder Tre’ Morgan was selected 88th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the third round of the MLB Draft. 

“I had no clue until I woke up and got a call from my advisor saying they were thinking about it,” Morgan said. “Then about six picks before it happened, he told me it was locked in. I was just sitting there waiting on them to announce it.” 

The slot money for the selection is valued at $783,800, but it’s not yet known what he signed for. The signing deadline is Aug. 1. 

“Life is definitely moving fast for sure,” Morgan said. “Right now, everything that me and my family had written down at the beginning of this year is coming true: national championship, get drafted and then a couple other individual goals.” 

Morgan was the No. 137 prospect going into the draft, according to MLB Pipeline. His defensive prowess was on full display with a scoop-and-toss on a safety squeeze by Wake Forest to preserve a 0-0 game that LSU eventually won 2-0 in 11 innings to advance to the College World Series finals. That led to him earning a spot on the CWS All-Tournament Team. He was a 2022 U.S. Collegiate National team member. 

Morgan showed his versatility this year by making 40 starts in left field and 29 at first base. But that was what LSU needed at the time with a variety of injuries to its starting lineup.

“I just did that to help us win — that was what it came down to when I stepped in Coach Jay Johnson’s office,” Morgan said. “I was all for it.” 

While that was partially because of an injury to his wrist in February, it helped his status since he doesn’t profile as a typical first baseman at the next level. Morgan, a consistent left-handed contact hitter, slashed .316/.418/.502 this season, including 15 doubles, four triples and nine home runs. He drew 35 walks this year. 

“As soon as I heard, ‘You’re a Tampa Bay Ray,’ I got chills. It didn’t even feel real,” Morgan said.