Liked but not Loved

Depends on his ultimate end goal.  If he wants baseball after college and feels more innings, new coaching, and a change of scenery would help, then maybe the portal is the right move.  If his future lies in a profession other than baseball, perhaps the right move is to get his degree in one year and be the important team member he is already.   It does sound like the coaches like him; 30 IP and how he is used shows he is important to the team and coaches.  Good luck.

I agree with Gunner 100%.

Obviously your son is being used in a role where he is needed and does well. There is no guarantee he would pitch more innings or start in another program.

Is your son going to play ball this summer? You can discuss this with your coach in your yearly exit interview.

If it were my son, I would not advise.

More info needed, and @Gunner Mack Jr. nailed it above.

If baseball is a career path then consider it for step up in difficulty and exposure.  If not, finish his time at the school and enjoy.   He's earned his innings and they've rewarded him.   If he stays, he may want to ask about what he needs to do to get more innings next year.  The grass is not always greener somewhere else.  Every school has its "nuances", and your son has found a way to be a  contributor within the current program.   Excellent for him.   There is nothing wrong with asking what can I do to be a more significant contributor, and then see if they work with him to map out a plan for next year.   The coaches may not know how hungry your son is for more innings.  Make it blatantly clear.

As always, JMO.

Consider the content of the Twitter post below. Players entering the transfer portal only have about a 50% chance of landing anywhere. It’s more likely a place to go for your career to die than it is to facilitate an improvement in circumstances. Unless you have a deal already worked out before entering the portal.

I’m on board with everyone else. Is he looking to get drafted? If not enjoy the ride senior year. Getting drafted will be on metrics not innings pitched. Is he in a top college summer program getting innings? What guarantees he gets more innings at his next stop? What guarantees he doesn’t get less innings?

Did your kid ask his coaches what he needed to do to get more IPs? What were their responses?

Another question that comes to mind... is he a role P vs a rotation guy for a reason other than his team's current rotation depth?  For example, is he the type of P that is much more effective if he only sees the lineup one time through?  If that's the case, a transfer may result in either finding himself in the same boat or struggling as a stretched-out rotation guy.

Some examples would be guys with good velo but straight, decent movement but average velo, guys that tire, deceptive arm angle or delivery, limited mix, drop-off with secondary stuff, etc.  Hitters can usually adjust to these types after a look or two so they are more effective as non-starters.

@cabbagedad

That was probably the best post of the week.

@cabbagedad posted:

Another question that comes to mind... is he a role P vs a rotation guy for a reason other than his team's current rotation depth?  For example, is he the type of P that is much more effective if he only sees the lineup one time through?  If that's the case, a transfer may result in either finding himself in the same boat or struggling as a stretched-out rotation guy.

Some examples would be guys with good velo but straight, decent movement but average velo, guys that tire, deceptive arm angle or delivery, limited mix, drop-off with secondary stuff, etc.  Hitters can usually adjust to these types after a look or two so they are more effective as non-starters.

Great point.  There is a Sophomore on my son’s D3 team who has been a fantastic relief pitcher this season, but struggled a lot in the few starts he has had, for a few of the very exact reasons you describe above (good velo but less movement, also tires after 3-4 innings)

He was recruited to come in and be a Starter, but has really settled into, and is enjoying, his role as a relief pitcher.  He comes in, airs it out for 2-3 innings, and has been a big part of some big wins this year.

He throws upper 80’s, and has been particularly effective coming in after a starter who throws a lot of offspeed pitches

Its all about finding the role that fits the team