Transfer portal adding new pressure during College World Series

Transfer portal adds new pressure to teams during the CWS

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Transfer portal adding new pressure to college baseball during College World Series

Expert says overlap between transfer portal, MLB Draft, and postseason creates “chaotic” environment for coaches and players

OMAHA, Neb. —

As teams compete for a chance to reach the College World Series in Omaha, college baseball coaches are also balancing another challenge, building next season’s roster through the transfer portal.

Daniel Real, a sports law professor at Creighton University, says the transfer portal has created a uniquely difficult situation for baseball programs because the NCAA Tournament, transfer portal window, and MLB Draft all take place within a short stretch during June and July.

“College sports in general is kind of chaotic right now, but I think the transfer portal for baseball is arguably even a little more chaotic than it is for basketball and football,” Real said.

The transfer portal window for college baseball opens in June and overlaps almost entirely with the College World Series. Real says that forces coaches to focus on both postseason competition and future roster construction at the same time.

“You have coaches who are participating in the NCAA Tournament now who are simultaneously having to prepare their teams for elimination games,” Real said.

According to Real, programs that wait until their season ends to begin recruiting transfer players risk falling behind other schools already making contact.

NIL opportunities have also changed how athletes evaluate their futures, although Real says most baseball players are not receiving the massive deals often associated with football or basketball.

For players deciding between transferring, returning to school, or entering the MLB Draft, the timeline can move quickly.

“Any time you’re speeding up the process, you increase the risk,” Real said.

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