LSU Baseball 2023 Season Preview: 1B Cade Beloso

One of LSU Baseball’s most experienced players, Cade Beloso is set to return for the 2023 season this spring in what will be his fifth in Baton Rouge. Coming off a year however that missed due to injury, what will 2023 season now have in store for the LSU first baseman/designated hitter?

LSU Baseball 2023 Season Preview: 1B Cade Beloso

A graduate student, Beloso originally began his collegiate career in Baton Rouge back in 2019 as a freshman where he started in 58-of-62 games, which primarily came as the Tigers first baseman, along with time at designated hitter. During that first season, Beloso would certainly impress at the plate for the Tigers, slashing a combined .279/.339/.429 with 10 HR and 52 RBI, while also posting a few other notable numbers such as a .344 AVG with RISP, as well as a 41:19 K:BB ratio.

Named to the 2019 NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team that season as well, Beloso would then go on to continue that success during the shortened 2020 campaign for the Tigers, starting in all 17 of LSU’s games at first base. Beloso would slash .313/.353/.453 with 12 RBI during that span, and would enter his 2021 junior campaign as one of the top first basemen in the SEC.

Beloso would however see a majority of his time in 2021 as the Tigers primary designated hitter, starting in 45-of-51 games. Beloso would also struggle at times compared to years prior by slashing a combined .226/.347/.354 with three HR and 29 RBI, while also owning a 24:23 K:BB ratio.

As mentioned previously as well, the 2022 season would be a lost one for Beloso as the senior made only two plate appearances due to an injury. Now back to full health off that injury, the 2023 campaign has the potential to be a special one for Beloso, one in which the senior even potentially rivals his impressive 2019 numbers.

As for what that 2023 season might look like, Beloso could potentially see time at both first base and designated hitter once again for the Tigers this spring, with a majority likely coming at DH. One of the most experienced bats in LSU Baseball’s lineup, Beloso could also potentially rank among the Tigers top power hitters in statistical categories such as HR, RBI, and SLG%.

Simply put, getting Beloso’s bat back in the lineup will be a big plus for this LSU team in 2023, one that is likely to be among the best in the SEC. Expect Beloso to remind SEC and LSU fans just how good he is at the plate, and for the senior to have a strong 2023 season.

2023 Season Prediction: .265 AVG, .325 OBP, .420 SLG, .745 OPS, 25 R, 8 2B, 8 HR, 45 RBI