Transfers exit Michigan baseball team

This text will probably be up to date to incorporate growing data relating to the Michigan baseball group’s switch information. Updates will probably be added above the prevailing article alongside the time they’re made.

With the Michigan baseball group’s season over and Michigan coach Erik Bakich headed to Clemson, a number of gamers have left this system to play at different colleges.

As of June 21, 5 gamers — junior catcher Jimmy Obertop, senior shortstop and captain Riley Bertram, senior right-hander Willie Weiss, sophomore infielder Brandon Lawrence and freshman left-hander Jaylen Jones — have already entered the switch portal. 

The primary participant to enter the switch portal and go away the Michigan baseball group was Obertop, first reported by Brandon Justice on June 20.

Obertop was considered one of solely 4 gamers to start out all 62 video games for the Wolverines and performed a significant function of their postseason run. He slashed .278/.387/.504 over the course of the season, hitting the second-most house runs and drawing the second-most walks of any Michigan participant. Obertop blasted six house runs in 9 video games over the course of the Huge Ten Match and Louisville Regional. His efforts led to All-Huge-Ten Match group and All-NCAA Louisville Regional honors on the catcher place.

The departure of Obertop leaves a gaping gap at catcher subsequent 12 months. Except senior catcher Casey Buckley stays another 12 months and sees great enchancment or a brand new face rises to the problem, the Wolverines could have a big downgrade in 2023.

On Tuesday, one other 4 gamers introduced their entrance into the switch portal.

Probably the most vital piece from the 2022 roster leaving is Bertram. He additionally began all 62 video games, ending with a slash line of .298/.421/.791 and main the group in doubles. Bertram introduced that he would comply with former Michigan coach Erik Bakich to Clemson for his fifth 12 months on the identical day that he entered the portal. Whereas he’s the primary Wolverine to determine to take his skills to South Carolina, it’s unsure if he would be the final.

Weiss, Lawrence and Jones additionally introduced transfers on Tuesday.

Lawrence was one of many few gamers to each hit and pitch for Michigan, together with scoreless seventh and eighth innings within the Huge Ten Championship sport towards Rutgers. Of their worst pitching season in many years, the very last thing the Wolverines wanted was to lose hurlers. 

That downside solely deepened with the switch of Weiss. He confirmed numerous promise within the remaining weeks of the season till he was ejected and suspended for utilizing a overseas substance. Jones additionally had numerous room to develop from his fast-pitching freshman type. Who will step as much as change these bullpen belongings stays to be seen.