Iowa RHP Zach Voelker enters the transfer portal
Iowa right-handed pitcher Zach Voelker will enter the transfer portal and use his final year of college eligibility elsewhere. The 6-foot-1, 215-pound California native made the announcement on social media on Monday afternoon.
Voelker is the second Hawkeye to enter the portal since the end of the season. Freshman INF Joe Connolly entered the transfer portal back on June 4th.
Voelker spent the last two seasons at Iowa, appearing in 30 games with two starts. During the 2022-23 season, Zach pitched in 15 games, posting a 6.18 ERA over 43.2 innings pitched, including 32 strikeouts to 22 walks. He notably allowed just two runs over 14.2 innings to begin the season.
This past season, Voelker moved into a short stint option in the bullpen, appearing in 15 games. He posted a 13.15 ERA over 13.0 innings, including 12 strikeouts to ten walks.
Zach started his collegiate career at San Joaquin Delta College, but opted to transfer to Long Beach State after his first two seasons were canceled due to Covid. In one year at LBSU, Voelker appeared in 14 games, with seven starts, posting a 6.05 ERA over 38.2 innings, including 32 strikeouts to 18 walks.
As is currently stands, the Hawkeyes are set to return 13 of the 16 pitchers that appeared in at least ten games last season. A big decision still remains for left-hander Cade Obermueller, as he is a draft eligible sophomore and can be selected in the upcoming MLB Draft. Rick Heller has also brought in an arm, with the addition of right-hander Jacob Kisting from Bradley.
