Predicting One Impact Mid-Major Transfer for Every SEC Team in 2026

When the college baseball transfer portal opens, there’s one guarantee: SEC programs will come calling, oftentimes hunting for top talent that’s ready to make the jump from the mid-major level.

While they may have missed on some diamonds in the rough the first time around, the conference is usually able to get its claws on many of the names that top the portal rankings in the summer. 

When you see an SEC power snatch up a darling from the Midwest or from down the road at a smaller in-state school, interest is immediately piqued. These are names known by the college baseball diehards — and they could soon be known by the casual fans that will check in when the regular season rolls around, too.

Below is one mid-major transfer for each SEC program that could make a major splash at his new home in the 2026 season.

Alabama: INF Justin Osterhouse (Purdue-Fort Wayne)

2025 stats: 52 G, 10 2B, 16 HR, 46 RBI, 31 BB, 41 K, .328/.453/.636

Osterhouse was likely on his way to the portal after a second impressive season for Purdue Fort-Wayne, but that decision was made for him as the Mastodons discontinued their baseball program in May. 

Across two seasons for IPFW, Osterhouse slashed .341/.438/.622 with 25 homers and 84 RBI. After dominating as a freshman, he was pitched around more last season, drawing 20 more walks while still cutting his strikeout rate down to 17 percent. He’s also swiped 24 bases in two seasons. There’s some ferocious pull-side pop in the 6-foot-1 lefty’s bat.

You might recall Osterhouse’s historic game last season, where he belted four homers — the last of which was a walk-off grand slam — as a part of a five-hit, eight-RBI outing in a 21-17 win over Wright State that also saw him pick up the win on the mound. This summer at the Cape Cod League, Osterhouse hit .258 with six extra-base hits and also racked up 16 steals for the Falmouth Commodores. 

What helps the Grand Rapids, Mich. product really stand out, however, is his ability to play all over the diamond. He’s made plays at the corners in the infield and outfield, but the organic fit is up the middle. If he slots in at second base in Tuscaloosa, Alabama could have the top middle infield pairing in the nation with him flanking superstar shortstop Justin Lebron. 

Arkansas: OF Maika Niu (Marshall)

2025 stats: 58 G, 14 2B, 5 3B, 15 HR, 52 RBI, 25 BB, 51 K, .276/.343/.560

Niu’s stock soared this summer as he took home the 2025 Pat Sorenti MVP Award at the Cape Cod League. He swatted a league-best eight home runs, drove in 23 runs and stole 15 bases while compiling an .872 OPS for Falmouth. While on the Cape, he committed to Dave Van Horn and the Razorbacks. 

After playing two seasons at New Orleans, Niu transferred to Marshall last season and raked for the Thundering Herd, racking up 34 extra-base hits. His mix of high-end power and speed is notable, and he’ll now get a chance to show that off on a national stage in his fourth season. 

The move to Fayetteville will also provide Niu with a welcome change of scenery defensively. Playing shortstop for Marshall last year, he committed 33 errors in 58 games. This spring, he’ll likely patrol center field at Baum-Walker Stadium. In 30 games and 260 innings at center for Falmouth, he made just two errors.

It’s easy to imagine Van Horn and the Hogs getting the most out of Niu as he brings glaring explosivity and athleticism to a team that should once again impress in 2026. 

Auburn: 1B Eddie Madrigal (Saint Mary’s)

2025 stats: 62 G, 13 2B, 21 HR, 78 RBI, 28 BB, 35 K, .368/.462/.698

When Madrigal hit the portal in early June, many pointed toward Oregon State as the destination, as his cousin and big-league veteran Nick Madrigal previously starred in Corvallis. Instead, it was Butch Thompson and Auburn that nabbed his commitment, bringing him from the West Coast to The Plains. 

If last season is any indication, the Tigers have a sturdy left-handed bat and a nice replacement for Cooper McMurray at first base.

Madrigal mashed for the Gaels in what was his first full season of college baseball; he played 18 games as a redshirt freshman in 2023, but was limited to just four games in 2024 due to a season-ending knee injury. He broke the single-season program record for hits (89) and runs scored (66), as well as RBI, notching NCBWA and ABCA Second Team All-American nods in the process.

Additionally, he can slot in as a corner outfielder if needed. Auburn has compiled one of the more intriguing portal hauls this summer, with Madrigal at the top alongside infielders Ryne Farber (Texas State) and Todd Clay (UAB), as well as right-hander Drew Whalen (Western Kentucky).

Florida: OF Jaden Bastian (Jacksonville)

2025 stats: 55 G, 10 2B, 5 3B, 11 HR, 33 RBI, 39 BB, 49 K, .302/.433/.552

A quick glance at Bastian’s skill set should have everyone in Gainesville excited about the ASUN transfer and former state champion out of The First Academy in Orlando.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder was an on-base machine for Jacksonville last season. His average jolted up 42 points from his first campaign with the Dolphins. He drew plenty of walks and lowered his strikeout rate by six percent while playing 13 more games than he did as a freshman. His speed really reared its head on the base paths, too, as he swiped 36 bags in 40 attempts.

A welcomed uptick in power makes Bastian more than an old-school leadoff type. He’s got 17 homers to his name, and the ball jumps off his bat. Clips of Bastian at the plate usually show him pumping breaking balls to the gaps or over the fence.

He converted 143 of 147 chances in center field for Jacksonville last spring and looks like a terrific fit for the Gators, who will enter the season with one of the more impressive outfields in the nation, on paper.

Georgia: 1B/RHP Bryce Calloway (New Orleans)

2025 stats (1B): 54 G, 10 2B, 18 HR, 63 RBI, 31 BB, 60 K, .390/.484/.722
2025 stats (RHP): 20 G (0 S), 25.1 IP, 4.26 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 11 BB, 23 K

Calloway is one of the more intriguing two-way prospects in the country, and he could very well make an impact at the plate and on the mound for Georgia this season.

It’s easy to see the intrigue with his bat. Demolishing Southland pitching, nearly 25 percent of Calloway’s hits last season were homers.

At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, he’s an imposing figure in the box and will be feeding the trees plenty at Foley Field. He’s susceptible to the strikeout, but when he finds the barrel, it’s often a rocket. The former Louisiana and Central Alabama CC bopper hit 27 homers and 16 doubles in two seasons at New Orleans.

UGA has brought in the nation’s top portal class — per 64Analytics — and pitching headlines the haul. Calloway may not be Joey Volchko or Caden Aoki, but given his frame and occasional flash on the bump for the Privateers, it’s far from crazy to envision Wes Johnson and the Bulldogs pulling something extra out of the right-hander. It’ll be fascinating to see what kind of pitching role he’s able to carve out in Athens behind a low-90s fastball and solid changeup.

Kentucky: OF Scott Campbell (USC Upstate)

2025 stats: 55 G, 11 2B, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 20 BB, 25 K, .388/.498/.622

Not many have a better hit rate when it comes to finding plug-and-play talent than Nick Mingione and Kentucky. When looking at the Bat Cats’ summer haul, there are a few names to peg as potential instant-impact guys, but Campbell is especially one who fits the mold in Lexington.

The Macon, Ga. native began his college career at Chattanooga State CC, where he spent two seasons, hitting .380 and driving in 94 runs. He transferred to Charleston Southern for the 2024 season, but ended up redshirting after suffering an injury ahead of the season. Campbell then got back in the portal and landed at USC Upstate last year.

The righty tore up the Big South and was tabbed to the Atlantic All-Region Second Team by the ABCA as the Spartans made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Coincidentally, Campbell and Co. were eliminated by Kentucky. His .388 average ranked second in the program’s Division I era, which began in 2007.

Campbell drew his fair share of walks and was also hit by 23 pitches last season. He stole 21 bags and brings some versatility to the UK outfield. This is all music to Mingione’s ears if his 2026 team intends on playing like the last few groups that have helped take the program to new heights.

LSU: 1B Zach Yorke (Grand Canyon)

2025 stats: 48 G, 10 2B, 13 HR, 46 RBI, 35 BB, 28 K, .339/.447/.632

Many would take a look at Yorke and incorrectly assume that LSU is getting a beefy three-outcome bat that’ll do nothing but crush baseballs into the right-field bleachers at Alex Box. In reality, the 6-foot-2, 295-pounder has a consequential approach at the plate that leads to laser beams all over the field and lots of walks.

He leaves Grand Canyon as one of the more productive players in program history. Across three seasons and 164 games, he slashed .330/.436/.553, tallied 199 hits, clubbed 32 homers and drove in 157 runs for the Antelopes.

Yorke burst onto the WAC scene as a freshman in 2023, compiling a 1.020 OPS and 61 RBI, which tied Tim Salmon’s freshman program record. His career K/BB rate impressively sits at 0.75.

The senior feels like a prime candidate to take a massive leap in Baton Rouge amongst a truly stacked portal class. It won’t be surprising to see him quickly emerge as a fan-favorite amongst the LSU fanbase, either. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the Campbell, CA native.

Mississippi State: SS Drew Wyers (Bryant)

2025 stats: 45 G, 11 2B, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 26 BB, 17 K, .407/.521/.710

The Brian O’Connor era is getting underway in Starkville, and many are excited about the Virginia transplants that have made their way down south. Don’t let Wyers fly under the radar, though, as he’s finally made a move to the national stage.

Mississippi State marks stop four across four seasons for the Columbus, N.J. native. After one season each at Stetson and Manhattan, Wyers transferred to Bryant and burgeoned in a big way. He took home America East Player of the Year honors and became primarily a shortstop after spending the beginning of his career manning third.

Wyers struck out just seven times in conference play, a tremendous sign as he went down on strikes 39 times in 52 games for Manhattan in 2024.

The 6-foot-2 senior hasn’t garnered serious hype with his glove, but he’s more than capable of making a web gem or two and made just seven errors in each of his last two seasons.

While changes of scenery have been common for Wyers, he’s managed to find an impressive level of consistency on the diamond. A Brooks Wallace Award semifinalist in 2025, look for him to make an impression on a hungry MSU fanbase.

Missouri: SS Kam Durnin (Wichita State)

2025 stats: 56 G, 17 2B, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 23 BB, 54 K, .251/.352/.372

Mizzou so badly needs some star power and production at premium positions, and it’s hoping that Durnin can provide that at shortstop this spring.

He returns to his home state after two seasons at Wichita State, where he was a glove-first player with highs and lows at the dish. His strikeout rate was over 20 percent in both years for the Shockers. His numbers last year suffered as he had to recover from Tommy John surgery ahead of the season and never quite hit a consistent peak.

However, Durnin just put together one of the most promising summers for any incoming SEC transfer, bolstering his stock ahead of his debut in Columbia. He went to the Appalachian League and was named the Player of the Year after slashing .407/.519/.662 in 40 games for the Kingsport Axmen. Excelling in situational hitting, he swatted 15 doubles, six homers, drew 29 walks and drove in 56 runs — a single-season record.

If this summer translates over to the spring for Durnin and he’s able to add a legitimate SEC bat to go with some slick defense, then Mizzou may have a dynamo on its hands. Kerrick Jackson and his staff will make another attempt to claw out of the doldrums in 2026, and they’ll need Durnin to contribute in a big way.

Oklahoma: RHP LJ Mercurius (UNLV)

2025 stats: 12 G (11 S), 53 IP, 3.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 25 BB, 58 K

Skip Johnson and Oklahoma have some big holes to fill in their weekend rotation this season, and Mercurius is a top contender to land one of those three spots.

Hailing from Las Vegas, the 6-foot-3 righty stayed home and played two seasons for UNLV. He began to emerge toward the end of his freshman season, then really blossomed as a sophomore in 2025.

In 12 appearances, all but one of which were starts, Mercurius held opponents to a .230 average and claimed All-Mountain West Second Team honors. He kept the ball in the park, allowing just three home runs, and showed solid control with swing-and-miss stuff.

He brings a mid-90s fastball to the table and pairs it nicely with an effective slider and changeup, both of which sit in the low 80s. His college masterpiece thus far came on April 5 against Nevada, as he fired an 111-pitch complete-game shutout, striking out 12 while allowing just three singles and no walks.

Tabbing a pitcher to be an impact arm when they’re making a jump from the Mountain West to the SEC is far from a safe bet, but it’s easy to imagine Johnson getting the most out of the junior as he looks to prove he can hang with the uptick in competition.

Ole Miss: RHP Owen Kelly (Saint Louis)

2025 stats: 15 G (15 S), 80 IP, 4.61 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 29 BB, 78 K

There are high hopes around the Ole Miss rotation this spring, and the addition of Kelly is a big reason why.

After working out of the bullpen and making 14 appearances as a freshman, the 6-foot-3 right-hander took the ball on Friday nights for the Billikens, and while he wasn’t always untouchable, he ate innings and showed solid control.

Kelly finished five innings in 12 of his 15 starts. He had seven starts with six or more strikeouts and really excelled toward the end of the year for Saint Louis, allowing just 10 runs across his last six outings. He was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Second Team.

It’s a three-pitch mix, with the fastball capable of reaching the mid-90s. He also brings a slider and changeup to the table, both of which he can consistently pump in the zone. The Rebels were 10th in the SEC in walks (253) last season, so Kelly’s command will be welcomed in Oxford. It remains to be seen how he’ll toe the line of keeping that command while also maneuvering through SEC lineups on a weekly basis.

South Carolina: RHP Amp Phillips (USC Upstate)

2025 stats: 20 G (12 S), 84 IP, 3.64 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 29 BB, 81 K

In Phillips, South Carolina has landed a ferocious competitor who will likely make his way into its weekend rotation.

After two seasons at NAIA Spartanburg Methodist, the righty made the quick move over to USC Upstate last season and delivered the goods for the Spartans. He began the 2025 season in the bullpen, but ended as a dynamic starter who struck out nine across six innings on the road in the program’s first-ever regional game against Clemson.

Before that, he delivered a complete-game shutout in the Big South Tournament, holding Winthrop to four hits. Phillips completed six innings in seven of his last nine starts and allowed multiple walks in just three of those outings. He now makes another in-state transfer, this time to Columbia.

South Carolina needs firepower in its rotation this spring, and Phillips feels like a contender to do just that. His moneymaker has been the fastball-slider combo. The heater touches 95 while the slider hovers around 80. The Gamecocks will look to accentuate his arsenal as he moves up a few rungs on the competition ladder.

Tennessee: C Garrett Wright (Bowling Green)

2025 stats: 54 G, 20 2B, 3 3B, 8 HR, 48 RBI, 24 BB, 23 K, .396/.506/.644

Tony Vitello and Tennessee are bringing in the nation’s No. 2 portal class, per 64Analytics. Wright may not be one of the marquee names at the top of the haul, but he has a chance to bring some consistency to a position that at times plagued the Vols a year ago.

After being named the MAC Freshman of the Year, Wright turned things up a notch as a sophomore for Bowling Green last season. Nearly 40 percent of his knocks went for extra bases — his 20 doubles set a single-season program record. In addition to having a sub-10-percent strikeout rate, Wright has also been a hit-by-pitch magnet, racking up 49 free passes via HBP in two years for the Falcons.

The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder took home MAC Defensive Player of the Year honors last season, too. In addition to catching, he also played third base and all three outfield positions, providing some impressive versatility with the glove. He started in all but one game for BGSU last season and committed just three errors. Wright will likely find a way to contribute in some capacity on offense and defense on Rocky Top.

Texas: OF Aiden Robbins (Seton Hall)

2025 stats: 53 G, 19 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR, 38 RBI, 44 BB, 32 K, .422/.537/.652

The winner of the Cape Cod League batting title this summer has made the move to The Forty Acres for his junior season. Robbins was already one of the top bats to hit the portal, but his stock is now through the roof.

The Yardley, Pa. product raked for the Harwich Mariners, hitting .307 with a .936 OPS, smacking six doubles and six homers. Those numbers should dismiss some of the naysayers who’d scoff at his résumé across two seasons at Seton Hall, which also reads well.

Off the back of a promising freshman year, Robbins totally exploded last season. The 6-foot-2 righty led the Big East in batting average and OBP, tattooing balls all over the yard while also stealing 20 bases and playing clean defense in the outfield. He saw a major uptick in walks and struck out just once more than he did his freshman season in 42 more at-bats.

Adding a stellar summer on the Cape on top of his time with the Pirates, there’s every reason to think that Jim Schlossnagle and the Longhorns have an SEC-ready bat on their hands in Robbins. He’ll be one to watch early in Austin.

Texas A&M: OF Jake Duer (FAU)

2025 stats: 34 G, 11 2B, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 21 BB, 10 K, .428/.497/.551

In a scant sample size, Duer has looked like an SEC-caliber bat. He’ll get the chance to prove that in College Station for Michael Earley and Texas A&M.

An impressive junior season for Florida Atlantic was cut short due to injury. He put together five four-hit games and went hitless just four times for the Owls, spraying the baseball with a tidy six-percent strikeout rate. He had multiple streaks of six-plus games without going down on strikes and just knows how to make the most out of an at-bat.

The Flower Mound, Texas native began his career at TCU, but it wasn’t meant to be in Fort Worth. He played just seven games as a freshman and only once as a sophomore.

A clean bill of health and a plethora of ABs is the prescription needed for the left-handed corner outfielder as the Aggies attempt to turn the page on their baffling 2025 campaign. Duer could be primed for a breakout year in 2026 alongside a roster that’s still loaded with talent.

Vanderbilt: OF Logan Johnstone (Washington State)

2025 stats: 54 G, 17 2B, 9 HR, 40 RBI, 30 BB, 30 K, .337/.439/.571

Slapping the mid-major label on Washington State still feels harsh, but the jump up in competition that Johnstone will be making this season is certainly similar to some of the other names on this list. He’ll also be joined by his brother Carter, who transferred to Vandy from Cal State Fullerton and will also be a name to know in Nashville.

Logan began his career at Gonzaga, where he spent two years but missed nearly the entire 2023 season due to injury. He made 15 starts for Wazzou in 2024 and hit .250 across 79 plate appearances.

Johnstone finally got a full season under his belt in 2025 and promptly earned All-Mountain West First Team honors, ripping 27 extra-base hits while playing some solid defense for the Cougars in the outfield. The lefty struck out just five times in his last 17 games.

Both of the Johnstones could become consistent contributors for the Commodores in 2026, but Logan brings a wealth of experience at the college level, even if he’s logged just 110 games across four seasons. Vandy and the portal are still learning to love one another, but Tim Corbin and his staff look to have an intriguing veteran on their hands in the redshirt senior out of Los Gatos, Calif.