Transfer portal claims talented South Carolina baseball pitcher

The transfer portal opened about a month ago for college baseball players (though some players started announcing their transfer intentions even earlier than that), and the South Carolina baseball program has had some players enter the portal in search of new opportunities.

Most of those players were not major contributors on the 2024 Gamecocks as infielder Tristan Salinas, infielder Tyler Zedalis, DH/utility Carson Hornung, right-handed relief pitcher Austin Williamson, left-handed relief pitcher Jackson Phipps, right-handed relief pitcher Drake Quinn, and left-handed starting pitcher Jevarra Martin all entered the portal. Some of those players already have found new homes, while others are still searching.

One additional Gamecock put his name in the transfer portal at the last minute. According to a report from 64Analytics, right-handed relief pitcher Connor McCreery also plans to transfer from the University of South Carolina. McCreery should be the final USC player to hit the portal as it closed on Tuesday; however, there is the chance that another player has already entered but has slipped through the reporting cracks.

McCreery, a New York native who played his senior year of high school ball in the Palmetto State, saw action on the mound in 19 games during the 2024 season (the 4th most relief outings on the team) and posted a 4.37 ERA. He had good swing-and-miss stuff, striking out 25 batters in 22 2/3 innings pitched on the year and holding opposing hitters to a batting average below .200. He was lightly used in his freshman season of 2023.

McCreery has two more years of eligibility remaining and will spend them away from the South Carolina baseball program. He is one of three right-handed relievers who have left the team in the transfer portal this offseason. Only McCreery and Drake Quinn have announced their transfer intentions since Paul Mainieri was hired as USC's head coach three weeks ago.

The Gamecocks have brought in their fair share of transfer portal talent, as well, and All-Big 10 shortstop Henry Kaczmar (Ohio State Buckeyes) announced his commitment to the South Carolina baseball team on the same day as McCreery's exit.