ECU starting pitcher Zach Root enters NCAA transfer portal

The NCAA transfer portal continues to heat up, and a big name just entered. Shortly after his season ended, East Carolina starting pitcher Zach Root has entered the transfer portal, On3 has learned.

As a freshman in 2023, Root started 13 games with 20 appearances. He pitched to a 3-3 record with a 5.53 ERA, and he also had one save. He became known as a big game pitcher, and he showed tremendous potential in his 53.2 innings on the mound as a freshman.

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During his sophomore campaign at ECU in 2024, Root established himself as one of the best pitchers in college baseball. Pitching on Saturday in the weekend rotation behind Trey Yesavage, Root turned into a star.

In 63.2 innings, 11 starts and 12 appearances this season, Root was 5-2 with a 3.82 ERA. He struck out 69 batters compared to 20 walks.

One of Root’s best games of the season came in the second weekend when ECU faced North Carolina. Root got the start on February 24, and tossed seven shutout innings on the mound while striking out seven with zero walks. He allowed just three hits.

Root did miss some time this season, and missed over a month following his start on April 20. He returned during the AAC Tournament in Clearwater, tossing three innings of one-run ball in a win against Rice.

During the Greenville Regional, Root came back in a big way. He got the Friday start in the opening game against Evansville, and went five innings while allowing three hits and two runs. He struck out two but walked just one on 75 pitches. He came back just three days later in relief in Game 7, throwing three innings and striking out three. He allowed six hits and four runs, with most of the damage coming off of a three-run home run. Still, Root kept ECU in it and gave them a chance to win.

Once a Florida commit, Root eventually made his way to Greenville to play for ECU. He is viewed as one of the top left handed pitchers in the 2025 MLB Draft class.

Whoever gets Root will be getting a very highly touted starting pitcher. He has a funky delivery from the left side, and has great putaway stuff when he is at his best. It’s a massive blow for ECU, who is also likely to lose ace Trey Yesavage this offseason. Yesavage is a projected top 15 pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.