Per Baylor Athletics, Patrick Hail, a rising junior right-handed pitcher from Lamar, has committed to Mitch Thompson and the Baylor baseball program via the transfer portal.
Hail, originally a native of Arlington, Texas, went to Blinn College out of high school before transferring to Lamar and becoming a pivotal bullpen piece for the Cardinals in 2023.
In 42.2 innings of work on the mound, the 6-foot-5 righty struck out 38 batters, held an ERA of 3.37 and featured an impressive 1.34 WHIP.
It’s the Bears' second addition from the portal this summer. It comes after assistant coach Zach Dillon said Baylor would be adding “three to five” impact players in the transfer portal in an interview with SicEm365 in late May.
However, the number will now likely reach five to seven with the subtraction of Freshman All-American Kolby Branch and freshman pitcher Blake Rogers from the roster.
Baylor has already lost a total of 10 players to the portal: RHP Will Rigney (Jr., Texas), RHP Hambleton Oliver (Jr.), LHP Cam Caley (Jr.), RHP Brett Garcia (Jr.), RHP Adam Muirhead (Jr.), 1B/DH Casen Neumann (So.), SS Branch (Fr.), RHP Rogers (Fr.), SS JoJo Medellin (Fr., UTA) and C/DH Walker Polk (Fr.).
Currently, the 2023 squad includes 25 returnees, 13 incoming freshmen, six incoming JUCO additions and two portal additions. Dillon has previously stated the coaching staff wants 47-50 players competing for 40 spots in the fall.
Hail was a much-needed addition for Thompson and pitching coach James Leverton. I noted Wednesday that Baylor needs to add at least four reliable arms before I would start to feel more comfortable with next year’s pitching staff.
