Former USC Upstate, West Virginia relief pitcher Trent Hodgdon commits to Alabama

Former West Virginia and USC Upstate pitcher Trent Hodgdon has committed to Alabama out of the NCAA Transfer Portal, he announced on social media. Hodgdon will have at least one year of eligibility remaining.

Hodgdon spent his past two seasons pitching for USC Upstate, appearing in 42 games the past two years. Appearing solely out of the bullpen, Hodgdon tossed 48 complete innings, striking out 75 and posting a 6.75 ERA in two seasons at USC Upstate.

As a true freshman for West Virginia in 2022, Hodgdon made 10 appearances out of the bullpen.

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Alabama added a few commitments already via the portal

LSU transfer catcher Brady Neal will be staying in the SEC. Neal has committed to Alabama, he announced Monday on Twitter.

The Florida native has committed to Alabama after spending two seasons at LSU. He appeared in 44 games in 2024, before entering the transfer portal.

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In 44 games last year at LSU, Neal hit .276 with eight doubles, nine home runs and 31 RBIs. He entered the transfer portal in June. Across two seasons at LSU, the 5-foot-10 catcher .251

Neal emerged as LSU’s starting catcher in his true freshman season in 2023. He appeared in 26 games before a back injury sidelined him for the remainder of the Tigers’ national championship-winning season. He boasted a perfect fielding percentage behind home plate with zero errors, along with a .209 batting average, 14 hits, three home runs and nine RBIs on the year.

This past season Neal played in 44 games, splitting catcher duties with Alex Milazzo and Hayden Travinski. He also spent some time as the designated hitter in LSU’s lineup. Neal could work his way into being one of the top catcher prospects in the 2025 MLB Draft. He was selected in the 17th Round of the 2022 MLB Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Neal isn’t the only talented transfer to join the Alabama baseball program recently.

Bryce Fowler announced his commitment to Alabama baseball, according to a statement on Twitter, after playing a year at Pearl River Community College.

He began his college career at Southern Miss, redshirting his freshman year. He had just three at-bats the following season.

But Fowler set the table last year, being the leadoff man for PRCC, batting .419 in 2024. He also had a .500 on-base percentage and a .681 slugging percentage.

Fowler raked this spring, tallying 88 hits which was the second most in program history. He also had 14 doubles, 11 home runs, four triples, 52 RBI, 24 walks, 24 stolen bases and 64 runs scored.

Alabama is coming off of a 33-24 season in 2024.

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this report.