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The hits keep coming for the Oregon Ducks on the baseball field. After losing standout freshmen Angel Laya and Naulivou Lauaki Jr., the Ducks are now losing one of their best defenders behind the plate.
Oregon catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus is entering the transfer portal, according to D1Baseball's Kendall Rogers. The sophomore backstop was a steady force in the middle of the lineup, but a dominant defender behind the plate. He managed the Ducks' pitching staff brilliantly and controlled the opposing running game, catching 13 baserunners attempting to steal.
Mabeus was a semifinalist for the Buster Posey Award this season, which is annually presented to the nation's top catcher. He hit for a .286 average with 13 doubles, eight home runs and 31 RBIs this year, while being a workhorse behind the plate. Mabeus was also known to lay down a bunt when he needed to, most notably doing so for a walk-off victory over USC to end the regular season.
It's another crushing blow for the Ducks, who don't seem to have the resources to retain their biggest stars. Mabeus was a massive leader for the Ducks in the dugout, so the conversation for the Nevada native with coach Mark Wasikowski about leaving the program couldn't have been easy.
It seems as though nobody on Oregon's roster is a sure thing to return for next season. However, the Ducks will need to do everything they can to bring back Brayden Jaksa, who starred in his freshman season with the Ducks and was Oregon's backup catcher.
Mabeus is the latest casualty for the Ducks in the portal because of the lack of NIL opportunities compared to bigger baseball programs, notably in the SEC. The Ducks have now lost seven players to the portal. Oregon will also be watching the upcoming MLB draft with a close eye, hoping to keep a few players from signing professionally.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Burke-Lee Mabeus leaving Oregon, enters transfer portal
Continue reading...
Oregon catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus is entering the transfer portal, according to D1Baseball's Kendall Rogers. The sophomore backstop was a steady force in the middle of the lineup, but a dominant defender behind the plate. He managed the Ducks' pitching staff brilliantly and controlled the opposing running game, catching 13 baserunners attempting to steal.
Mabeus was a semifinalist for the Buster Posey Award this season, which is annually presented to the nation's top catcher. He hit for a .286 average with 13 doubles, eight home runs and 31 RBIs this year, while being a workhorse behind the plate. Mabeus was also known to lay down a bunt when he needed to, most notably doing so for a walk-off victory over USC to end the regular season.
It's another crushing blow for the Ducks, who don't seem to have the resources to retain their biggest stars. Mabeus was a massive leader for the Ducks in the dugout, so the conversation for the Nevada native with coach Mark Wasikowski about leaving the program couldn't have been easy.
It seems as though nobody on Oregon's roster is a sure thing to return for next season. However, the Ducks will need to do everything they can to bring back Brayden Jaksa, who starred in his freshman season with the Ducks and was Oregon's backup catcher.
Mabeus is the latest casualty for the Ducks in the portal because of the lack of NIL opportunities compared to bigger baseball programs, notably in the SEC. The Ducks have now lost seven players to the portal. Oregon will also be watching the upcoming MLB draft with a close eye, hoping to keep a few players from signing professionally.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Burke-Lee Mabeus leaving Oregon, enters transfer portal
Continue reading...
