After entering Barbe High as a hard-throwing pitcher and part-time infielder, Landon Victorian has transformed into a full-time pitcher and one of the state’s top college prospects.

Now a junior, Victorian had an undefeated regular season last year and helped the Bucs win the District 3-5A championship this year, going 7-0 with a 1.02 ERA. Victorian has struck out 73, walked one. He’s 4-0 in district games, allowing 14 hits in 26 innings.

As a freshman, Victorian made spot starts and played periodically in the field for a team that won state and national championships.

“We had a really good team so I was grateful to get some playing time,” he said. “We had some great pitchers, it was really competitive. I played in the field some at first base. It was different; I had played third base and shortstop before that so it was new to me.”

Victorian was glad to take on an increased role as a sophomore, becoming a member of the starting pitching rotation.

“I’m a competitor, I like to take control of the game as a pitcher so I like that responsibility,” he said. “I try to go out there and dominate.”

Reaching new heights meant learning the art of pitching rather than simply relying on velocity.

“As a freshman I was kind of immature,” he said. “I didn’t really have any complimentary pitches. I was mostly just throwing hard. Since I have been here I have been working to develop offspeed pitches.”

As a freshman, Victorian studied the upperclassmen on Barbe’s pitching staff.

“Gavin Guidry, Jack Walker, all of the good pitchers — I watched how they pitched, how they sequenced their pitches, how competitive they were and how they always stayed calm,” he said.

Settling for a good career has never been an option for Victorian.

“I don’t want to play this game like a regular person,” he said. “I want to be the best so I’m going to keep working to be the best. I’m working on a changeup, trying to have a more consistent curveball, getting my slider sharper and improving my mobility.”

Lofty expectations for himself and the Bucs don’t bother Victorian.

“That’s what makes it the most fun,” he said. “Everyone knows you’re good and everyone wants to beat you so you have to go out there and be on top of your game, be competitive. The biggest games are the best games, the ones you want to play in. That’s where you make your mark, in a big-time game on the big-time stage.”

This year’s Bucs team is 33-1 and ranked third in the country by MaxPreps.

“Everybody is grinding and buying into what the team wants to accomplish,” Victorian said. “No one is selfish, everyone supports each other and loves each other, that is a big part of it. We just go out there and have fun.”

Before the season Victorian committed to play at LSU, where former Barbe teammate Gavin Guidry plays.

“I was grateful for being recruited,” Victorian said. “Everyone wants to play college baseball. I had fun with it and enjoyed it all. Gavin was my host on the visit and we are still in touch. He said it’s fun and I’m looking forward to it.”