Van Larson is the lefty grinder giving Long Beach State a real shot in big moments
In the 2025 season, Larson showed he can battle through high-leverage innings, including a career-high 6.2 innings in a win over No. 17 UCLA and five shutout relief innings with three strikeouts against CSUN, which points to a calm, competitive left-hander who can handle pressure.[1][8][10] He’s a 6-foot, 185-pound lefty from Mill Valley who has worked both in relief and as a starter, and that versatility plus his ability to attack good lineups makes him a useful fit for teams needing a strike-throwing, competitive arm rather than a pure power guy.[1][4] His 2026 numbers were rough early, so the big question is whether he can sharpen command and miss more bats—but the pedigree and flashes against quality opponents are real.[2][13]
