College football may be the first thing that comes to mind when sports fans think of the transfer portal, but it's not the only college sport being transformed by the new system.
The Georgia baseball team is particularly active on the portal. This season's lineup has many transfers.
“It's great playing the game with friends you've known for four years and everything is great, but sometimes you just need a little change in your life,” said Colby Branch, a transfer from Baylor.
Wes Johnson and the Georgia baseball team have added 28 new players to his roster, making changes this season and looking to prove they are a competitive SEC program.
“When you go into the portal and start recruiting people there…yes, you have to look at their talents and abilities, but [you also have to ask] Does it fit what you are trying to do with your program? ” said Johnson.
Along with many new faces, the program has welcomed offensive leaders like Slate Alford, Colby Branch, Dylan Goldstein and Clayton Chadwick. This group is just a fraction of the approximately 20 players the Bulldogs brought in through the transfer portal from last season, not to mention the group of additional freshmen coming in at nearly 30. Despite being new, the group got along well. Quickly.
“Everyone has become really good friends. [from] It’s my first day here,” Goldstein said. “Our bond [keeps] We're building every day so we bounce off each other on that front. ”
Branch, a former Baylor Bear, headed to Athens after his freshman season as one of Baylor's top batters. That year, he was named a Freshman All-American by the college baseball newspaper.
The sophomore has had some big moments with the team this season, including multiple Grand Slams. When he first joined the team, Branch said he was grateful that players like Charlie Condon, Corey Collins and Fernando Gonzalez welcomed him into the team and took care of them. . However, he was also pleased to see a number of other transfers within the team.
“I think it’s a comforting feeling,” Branch said. “It’s like a new team and we just get together and play the game we like. It feels like the guys in The Sandlot and we just get together and go play ball and that’s exactly what I like.” It’s how you do it.”
Alford has also had success as a Bulldog player, currently leading the SEC in total plate appearances and plate appearances. Between Alford, Goldstein and Branch, the team's offense reached an explosive level, breaking Georgia's single-season grand slam record with nine. Along with Condon, Collins and Gonzalez, this offensive line has led Georgia to the top of the Division I leaderboards in several offensive categories and continues to provide excitement for the Bulldogs as the SEC Tournament looms.
“This is an experienced group, and I think that's what's really exciting about the whole thing,” Condon said before the season. “We have a lot of guys that have a lot of college baseball experience. A lot of guys that have played in competitive conferences and competitive leagues…I think that's going to lead to great success.”
But the Bulldogs didn't go all out in the portal. Pitchers Christian Murachna and Brian Zeldin were important additions to the pitching staff.
Milacuna, a multiple transfer from George Mason, played for several different programs before deciding to join the Bulldogs in January. He has been a consistent weekend starter throughout the year, posting a 3-2 record with a 4.24 ERA and leading the team with 58 strikeouts.
Zeldin, a transfer from Penn, was recently named Stopper of the Year on the midseason watch list and went 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA, 30 strikeouts and five saves. Zeldin quickly found a role as a key reliever and closer.
Johnson has done a good job taking a team that disappointed last season and overhauling the program in one offseason. Although the team is not necessarily at the World Series level yet, its success is largely due to the new head coach and the new roster he has built.
“Sometimes you don't really know what you're going to get…and that's just as well [Johnson], thankfully it was the same energy,” Branch said. “It's highly regarded and he's done great things.”
