With only 12 returning players from the 2024 season, Miami looked to the transfer portal for immediate-impact players to pair with a top 10 recruiting class. Fourteen players made the jump to the 305, giving the Canes the 7th-ranked transfer portal class according to 64analytics.
With the majority of transfers being in their latter years of eligibility, the squad shapes up to be a unique blend of youth and experience.
A quick breakdown of each transfer below:
Todd Hudson- LHB/OF, Liberty University, Junior
A South Carolina native, Hudson’s 6-foot-6 220-pound frame is imposing from the left side. A composed, mature left-handed hitter with an OPS over .950 and double-digit homers last year, Hudson gets into a rhythm with his hands and uses his long levers to launch the ball to all fields. He is also a coordinated athlete with speed. Expect Coach Arteaga to find a spot for this guy at all costs.
Griffin Hugus- RHP, Cincinnati, Junior
What stands out first about Hugus is his presence on the mound. Operating mainly in a relief role, Hugus’ stock skyrocketed after a great All-League summer in Cape Cod. Hugus put up a 2.31 ERA with over a strikeout per inning, holding opposing hitters to a .186 AVG. An athletic arm that mixes a rising fastball with a sharp slider and curveball, Hugus works up and down to put hitters away and dominate. Look for a potential move to the rotation in 2025.
Derek Williams- RHB/OF, Wichita State, Senior
Williams mashed last year in the AAC, hitting .318 with a 1.040 OPS alongside 14 home runs. He is a true gamer with a clutch gene that shines even against ACC pitching. A middle of the order bat to add some pop alongside Cuvet in the order, Williams projects to be a mainstay in the Miami lineup.
Rob Evans- LHP, Georgia State, Junior
A much-needed lefty arm with huge upside, Evans comes to Miami as a possible cornerstone of the rotation with multiple years of eligibility remaining. A true starter-type pitch mix: a consistent low 90’s fastball, a tight slider, an exceptional circle change that wipes out hitters, and even an occasional vulcan change. High energy with elite strikeout stuff, Evans could find himself being a main reason the Canes make a deep run in tournament play this year.
Max Galvin – LHB/OF, Oklahoma State, Redshirt Junior
Arguably the steal of the entire portal, Galvin hit .344 with a 1.001 OPS in Northwoods League this summer. He is a confident, smooth lefty bat who launches the ball well to the pull side with 31 XBH and 13 HR. Solid defense and speed ensures Galvin will be an everyday player with his plus bat. He is a possible leadoff-type guy with sparkplug energy to start rallies.
Jackson Cleveland- RHP, Lamar, Senior
The most intriguing arm in the class, Cleveland is an old-school pitcher who dominates the strike-zone with a 1.9 BB/9. He put up a 3.80 ERA as part of a strong Lamar pitching staff last year. Cleveland has an ****nal of pitch-types to keep hitters off balance and uncomfortable. A change-of-pace arm that can either be a midweek starter or a key relief piece, make sure to keep an eye on Cleveland in the upcoming season.
Tanner Smith- RHB/C, Oregon State, Senior
A huge get at a premium position, the Oregon State transfer projects to be the everyday starter with two freshmen behind him. Defensive-minded with a strong arm, plus framing ability, and blocking skills, Smith will bring confidence to the pitching staff to rip their best pitches, especially with two strikes.
Carson Fischer-RHP, Davenport, Grad Student
Dicing hitters side-to-side, that’s what you can expect from the Davenport transfer as he settles into the Miami rotation. Very projectable as a starter, Fischer utilizes a sinker-cutter combo to attack the corners of the plate. He pitched to a 3.08 ERA this summer in the Northwoods as a starter who induced weak contact, not giving up a single home run across 35.2 innings. If he can continue to limit hard contact, Fischer will be a crucial part of the Canes weekly rotation.
Jake Ogden-RHB/ INF, UNC Greensboro, Junior
Grit. The only primary infielder in Miami’s transfer class, Ogden provides a safe pair of hands to slot at either of the corner infield positions. Starting all 54 games for the Spartans last year, Ogden hit .318 while consistently avoiding strikeouts. A big-game player who proved it against Wake Forest earlier this year, expect Ogden to do whatever is asked from him to win ballgames.
Will Smith- RHP, Coastal Carolina, Grad Student
One of the more experienced players in the class, Smith comes to Miami as a reliever who held batters to a .185 AVG last year. Underlying numbers signal a jump in his statistics with a great strikeout-to-walk ratio. A big swing-and-miss guy, look out for his slider as a go-to pitch in key moments. High energy on the mound and in the clubhouse, Smith will be a fan-favorite and key part of the Canes bullpen.
Bobby Marsh-LHB/OF, Penn State, Grad Student
A consistent lefty bat who isn’t phased by same-side pitching, Marsh comes to the U as a player who can slot into the corner outfield positions. Hitting over .300 both years at Penn State, he is adjustable and sprays the ball across the field. He previously played under UM assistant coach Rob Cooper. A leader in the clubhouse, Marsh will be a steady force in the lineup no matter where he slots in.
Alex Giroux- RHP, Hawai’i, Grad Student
All the way from across the nation, Giroux joins the squad after a stellar year in the Big West. Giroux dominated at the end of the season with a 0.50 ERA across the last month without any walks. In the mix to be a starter, Giroux could possibly be the bullpen guy to turn to in a tight jam. An animal on the mound who attacks hitters, look out for Giroux to be a consistent piece of the pitching staff.
Jake Dorn- LHP, Lake Sumter State, Redshirt Sophomore
Another lefty arm acquisition in the portal, Dorn differs from Evans due to his larger 6-foot-5 frame and lesser experience. He’s over a year removed from Tommy John surgery (which caused him to miss last season), but looks to have recovered well and ready to bounce back. An intriguing addition with an over-the-top delivery, Dorn hides the ball well and explodes the ball through the zone. It will be interesting to watch his development as the season draws closer.
Reese Lumpkin- RHP, Winthrop, Grad Student
Like Hudson, Lumpkin’s 6-foot-6 frame stands out immediately. Pair the plus extension with a solid 90’s fastball and low 80’s slider, the intrigue is obvious. Nothing is worse as a hitter than feeling the pitcher is right on top of you. If he can dial into the strike zone and further develop his pitches, there’s no reason why he couldn’t take on bulk innings as part of the bullpen force.
