Notre Dame freshman pitcher Roman Kimball enters NCAA transfer portal
A second Notre Dame rising sophomore pitcher has entered the NCAA transfer portal this week, BlueandGold.com. First, it was Caden Aoki on Tuesday. Now it’s Roman Kimball on Thursday.
Kimball went 4-0 with a 5.76 ERA in 17 appearances as a true freshman. He had 32 strikeouts in 25.0 innings pitched. Former Notre Dame head coach Link Jarrett viewed the right-hander from New Hartford, N.Y., as a key cog for future Fighting Irish pitching staffs. But with Jarrett having left for Florida State, Kimball might view his college career as being best played out somewhere else.
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The losses will continue to mount for a Notre Dame team that just went to the College World Series for the first time in 20 years and just the third time in program history. The one-two starting pitching duo of John Michael Bertrand and Austin Temple were both graduate seniors. The Irish had six other graduate seniors; outfielders Spencer Myers and Ryan Cole, catcher David LaManna, second baseman Jared Miller and relief pitchers Ryan McLinskey and Matt Lazzaro.
With a roster so veteran-laden, turnover was going to occur whether Jarrett was at the helm or not. But his departure opens the door for younger players to file out while it’s still open.
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Notre Dame is still in the process of searching for a coach to replace Jarrett. BlueandGold.com learned of at least two candidates who were interviewed this week. With a class of nine freshman set to arrive in South Bend, it’s pertinent to hire a head coach as soon as possible. Some of those high schoolers could elect to go straight from prep ball to the minors if drafted, especially with the uncertainty of Notre Dame’s direction looming over their heads.
Still, Notre Dame might be able to retain a good sector of its roster. Butler transfer Derek Drees told BlueandGold.com Thursday that he still intends to play for the Fighting Irish in 2023 as long as whoever takes over at Notre Dame would like for him to. Drees had a 4-3 record and a 1.27 ERA in 35 1/3 innings in 2022. He struck out 46 batters and walked 21.
Jarrett leaving changes Notre Dame’s course a bit. There is no doubting that. But the Irish could still retain some momentum with a good hire who is capable of keeping the roster somewhat intact.
