Breaking: Kolby Branch Enters Transfer Portal

Freshman shortstop Kolby Branch has officially entered his name into the transfer portal, according to D1Baseball’s Transfer Tracker. 

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Freshman SS Kolby Branch has officially entered the transfer portal.

Branch led the Bears in batting average, hits, runs, RBIs and OBP and was one of the few bright spots on Baylor’s 2023 team. He was recognized as a Freshman All-American and was unanimously named to the All-Big 12 Freshman Team.

The news comes as a massive blow for head coach Mitch Thompson and the Baylor program. Branch was the Bears’ best player and was viewed as a cornerstone to build around.

All signs indicated Branch was planning on playing next season in Waco until very recently. While unlikely, a return to BU could still potentially happen. However, there will be plenty of big-name suitors in-line for the talented rising sophomore.

Branch is the 10th Baylor player to enter the transfer portal. The other names include RHP Will Rigney (Jr.), RHP Hambleton Oliver (Jr.), LHP Cam Caley (Jr.), RHP Brett Garcia (Jr.), RHP Adam Muirhead (Jr.), 1B/DH Casen Neumann (So.), RHP Blake Rogers (Fr.), SS JoJo Medellin (Fr.) and C/DH Walker Polk (Fr.).