Baylor Baseball: McKinney Enters Transfer Portal

Right-handed pitcher Collin McKinney (RFr.) has entered his name into the transfer portal, according to his X/Twitter page.

After missing the 2023 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, McKinney burst onto the scene this spring as the Bears’ Saturday starter and was second on the team in strikeouts (60) and third in innings pitched (49.2).

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RHP Collin McKinney (RFr.) joins C/DH Zach Mazoch (So.) and LHP Jackson Wilkerson (Fr.) as players to enter the transfer portal so far.

At his best, McKinney showed flashes of brilliance and gave glimpses of what he could become as he matured on the mound. Against Cincinnati, the 6-foot-5 righty fanned a career-high 10 batters and didn’t surrender an earned run across six frames.

For much of the season, however, McKinney’s youth was on display as he struggled with command and issued the second-most walks (35) on the team, as well as allowing a team-high 11 long balls. Across his final six starts, the Nassau Bay native didn’t make it past the fourth inning once and surrendered at least four earned runs three times.

Regardless, this is a huge loss for head coach Mitch Thompson’s roster. If McKinney develops into the pitcher he is capable of being, he could become an all-conference arm as an upperclassman.