Milam Back to LSU
Star Shortstop Steven Milam Returns to LSU, Withdraws from MLB Draft for 2027 Season
Key Points
Milam’s strongest production came in SEC play, where he hit .308 with a .949 OPS (per The Advocate’s reporting).
Defensively, Milam has been exceptionally reliable at shortstop—making just nine errors in 448 chances across the last two seasons (126 games), according to LouisianaSports.net.
Milam’s full LSU career line (as compiled by Yahoo Sports) includes a .305/.924/.410 slash with 41 doubles, 30 homers, 146 RBIs, and a .979 fielding percentage.
Milam has earned major postseason honors, including All-Regional team selections in 2025 and 2026 and the College World Series All-Tournament Team in 2025 (LouisianaSports.net).
His return is being viewed as the first major offseason commitment and LSU still awaits decisions from other top prospects, including Derek Curiel and Jake Brown (Yahoo Sports).
LSU shortstop Steven "Monster" Milam has officially withdrawn from the 2026 MLB Draft and will return to Baton Rouge for his senior season in 2027, The Reveille confirmed on June 12. The news ends months of speculation and hands coach Jay Johnson a massive boost after a rough year.
Milam's mother confirmed the decision to local station WAFB-TV, and draft analyst Joe Doyle posted that "the paperwork is filed — done deal." Milam was projected as a third-to-fifth round pick, worth somewhere between $400,000 and $1 million in signing bonus money. He chose Baton Rouge instead.
A Champion Returns After a Difficult Junior Year
Milam was a key piece of LSU's 2025 national championship run. He was named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team that June. But 2026 was a different story. The Tigers went just 30-28 and finished 9-21 in SEC play, missing the NCAA Tournament entirely — the first time under Johnson.
Milam's personal numbers still held up. He hit .296 overall with 11 home runs and 49 RBIs in 2026. In SEC play specifically, he hit .308 with a .949 OPS, according to The Advertiser. His strikeout total also dropped for the third straight year — from 36 in 2024 down to just 23 in 2026.
Johnson Doubted Milam Would Stay — Then Came the Smirk
As recently as early June, Johnson said he doubted Milam would return, telling media that one of the 30 MLB teams would pay him, according to Audacy. But on June 10, Johnson gave what reporters described as a "sly smile" when asked about Milam's future. Milam then changed his Instagram photo to a screenshot of that smirk — and the internet ran with it.
Johnson has made no secret of how he feels about Milam's defense. "He can't play better shortstop. I've never seen this before in my entire career," Johnson said, per The Reveille. Milam has made just nine errors in 448 chances over the last two seasons — a .979 fielding percentage across 126 games.
Career Numbers Make the Case for One More Year
Over three seasons in Baton Rouge, Milam has put up a .305 batting average with 30 home runs, 146 RBIs, and 41 doubles, according to Yahoo Sports. His career slash line sits at .305/.410/.924. Those are strong numbers — but analysts believe a dominant senior season could push him from a mid-round pick into the late first or early second round in 2027.
Milam himself framed the return as a chance to chase another title. "You got to go hunt instead of being hunted," he said, per 247 Sports. "We have a blueprint for it. We're trying to recreate that." He earned All-Regional honors in both 2025 and 2026, per Louisiana Radio Network.
LSU's Infield Could Be Elite — If More Stars Stay
Milam's return is just the start. On June 11, LSU landed Florida transfer Cade Kurland, who also withdrew from the draft. That gives the Tigers a veteran middle-infield duo heading into 2027. Audacy called the potential infield "scary good."
The bigger questions now involve outfielder Derek Curiel — a potential first-round talent returning from injury — and pitcher Jake Brown, according to Yahoo Sports. If either or both return, LSU's 2027 roster could look like one of the strongest in the country. Milam's decision was the first domino. The Tigers are waiting to see how many more fall their way.
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