- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,257,039
- Reaction score
- 59
The Oregon Ducks were dealt a massive blow on Monday, as freshman outfielder Angel Laya opted to enter the transfer portal. The news was first reported by On3's Pete Nakos.
The freshman from San Diego was a starter from the jump for the Ducks. He slashed .296/.396/.538 with a .934 OPS and an Oregon freshman record 14 home runs. He had 25 extra-base hits and 47 RBIs as a leader atop the Ducks' lineup.
Laya earned a first-team Freshman All-American nomination from Perfect Game USA and nearly won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, but lost to Nebraska's Drew Grego. Laya demonstrated his incredible power right away, slugging two home runs in his second game with the Ducks, and he never slowed down.
The news is a stunner for Oregon, which figured to keep Laya around as part of a trio of incredible freshmen to build around, including sluggers Brayden Jaksa and Naulivou Lauaki Jr. Now, the Ducks need to pick up the pieces and figure out how to replace one of the best hitters in the lineup.
The offseason will see the departure of Drew Smith, who led the team in home runs last season, and potentially the loss of Ryan Cooney and Maddox Molony as well. Losing Laya is a big blow to Oregon's chances to take a step forward again next season in pursuit of Omaha.
Oregon could be swapping out Laya for another talented freshman in right field. Isaiah Hearn is another left-handed hitting power threat who has committed to the Ducks. As long as he does not sign in the upcoming MLB draft, he could be a candidate to fill that hole in the lineup and the field.
Laya is the fourth Duck to enter the portal this offseason, joining right-handed pitcher Collin Clarke and infielders Tyler Holley and Blake Sandvik.
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: Oregon baseball loses star freshman Angel Laya to transfer portal
Continue reading...
The freshman from San Diego was a starter from the jump for the Ducks. He slashed .296/.396/.538 with a .934 OPS and an Oregon freshman record 14 home runs. He had 25 extra-base hits and 47 RBIs as a leader atop the Ducks' lineup.
Laya earned a first-team Freshman All-American nomination from Perfect Game USA and nearly won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year, but lost to Nebraska's Drew Grego. Laya demonstrated his incredible power right away, slugging two home runs in his second game with the Ducks, and he never slowed down.
The news is a stunner for Oregon, which figured to keep Laya around as part of a trio of incredible freshmen to build around, including sluggers Brayden Jaksa and Naulivou Lauaki Jr. Now, the Ducks need to pick up the pieces and figure out how to replace one of the best hitters in the lineup.
The offseason will see the departure of Drew Smith, who led the team in home runs last season, and potentially the loss of Ryan Cooney and Maddox Molony as well. Losing Laya is a big blow to Oregon's chances to take a step forward again next season in pursuit of Omaha.
Oregon could be swapping out Laya for another talented freshman in right field. Isaiah Hearn is another left-handed hitting power threat who has committed to the Ducks. As long as he does not sign in the upcoming MLB draft, he could be a candidate to fill that hole in the lineup and the field.
Laya is the fourth Duck to enter the portal this offseason, joining right-handed pitcher Collin Clarke and infielders Tyler Holley and Blake Sandvik.
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: Oregon baseball loses star freshman Angel Laya to transfer portal
Continue reading...
