Iowa Baseball: Transfer Portal Report Card

The transfer portal has become a major part of the college baseball offseason over the past few years and it gives teams a way of filling positions of need. The Hawkeyes have always done a good job bringing in players from the JUCO ranks, but have done well with DI players the last couple of years. Adam Mazur (South Dakota State), Will Christophersen (Michigan State) and Brennen Dorighi (Wofford) have been incredibly valuable pieces for Iowa over the last couple of years.

This offseason has been interesting from a transfer portal standpoint. For the first time in a long time, the Hawkeyes had a starter transfer out, instead of in, while the coaching staff went and added five pitchers, as well as a position player from the Pac 12. We take a look at who is transferring in and out and give the Hawkeyes a grade for how they have done in the transfer portal.

Additions Grade: A-

Biggest Addition: Utah transfer 1B/C Davis Cop

The Iowa coaching staff had a clear plan in the transfer portal and that showed, as their five of their six portal additions came in the form of pitching depth. That plan was in action early last fall, with the commitments of two junior college transfers, including Indian Hills CC transfer RHP Sam Hart.

Hart posted a 1.19 ERA and 0.93 WHIP for the Warriors over 22.2 innings this past season. He finished with 37 strikeouts to 12 walks and 13 saves the teams closer. Numbers like that don’t always translate to DI baseball, but he is a guy to watch this fall because he has experience pitching on the back end of a bullpen.

LHP Brant Hogue (Oklahoma State) and RHP Reece Beuter (Dallas Baptist) both had standout seasons at junior colleges, but injuries have derailed things at the DI level. Hogue posted a 2.61 ERA and 121 strikeouts in 79.1 innings over two seasons at Iowa Western CC, but got surgery to repair a partially torn UCL after three appearances at OSU. He may be a little behind because of that, but says he expects to be back to game speed by January or February. If that’s the case, he could be a contributor for the entirety of the year.

Reece Beuter posted a 4.26 ERA and 79 strikeouts to 28 walks over 61.1 innings as a freshman at Kirkwood CC, but got Tommy John surgery, which forced him to miss his sophomore year. This past year for DBU, Beuter appeared in 15 games with a 4.86 ERA over 16.2 innings. He has already talked with pitching coach Sean McGrath about adding a pitch to compliment his FB (92-95), Sinker (91-93) and SL (81-84).

The final addition on the mound was Waukee native Anthony Watts out of Creighton. Watts had a dominate senior year at Waukee that included a 1.20 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 121 strikeouts in 62.0 innings. As a true freshman at Creighton, he appeared in 11 games with six starts and a 4.75 ERA over 30.1 innings. He is a three-pitch pitcher, with a FB/Sinker up to 95, a slider in the mid 80’s and a low 80’s changeup. After spending a year adjusting to the college game and having a large role, Watts could be in for a decent jump after working with Coach McGrath for an offseason. He also has the confidence that you like to see in a pitcher.

“I want to come in and help the team out any way I can,” said Watts. “They see a weekend spot wide open and I think I have a shot to earn that role.”

Arguably the biggest addition from the portal was Utah 1B/C transfer Davis Cop. He comes over from the Pac 12 after putting together back-to-back .300+ hitting seasons, including 11 doubles and ten home runs this past season. His versatility is what makes him a big addition, as he caught 79 games for the Utes, but also spent time at first base. Cop can give Cade Moss a rest behind the plate, while likely spending most of his time at 1B/DH. With a near .350 batting average in Pac 12 player over two seasons, Davis Cop should make an immediate impact in the Iowa lineup.

The Iowa coaching staff has done a solid job with their transfer portal efforts this offseason. An infielder addition could have helped sure up the depth, but with Andy Nelson returning, it is no longer a necessity. Had the Hawkeyes been able to land Northwestern RHP David Utagawa, it would have been an A+ portal season, but he opted to transfer to UC Irvine. Still, it appears Rick Heller and Co. got several players that can contribute right away.

Subtractions Grade: B+

Biggest Loss: 2B Sam Hojnar

The Hawkeyes finished behind only Minnesota (1) for least entries into the transfer portal in the Big Ten, with just four players opting to leave. Three pitchers, including two true freshman and Jr lefty Nick Gotilla (13 appearances) entered the portal. The big loss was starting second baseman Sam Hojnar, who opted to transfer to Maryland. Last season, Hojnar started 57 of 60 games and batted .255 with 13 doubles, ten home runs and 59 RBI’s. The Hawkeyes have Gable Mitchell to step in and fill the loss, but it will be hard to matchup 24 extra base hits and nearly 60 RBI’s. Although Iowa is second in the conference in least transfers out, losing an everyday starter drops them to a B+. However, Coach Heller fared pretty well in the departure department compared to the rest of the Big Ten.