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Finally, Naulivou Lauaki Jr. has decided where he will go from the transfer portal. The slugger left the Oregon Ducks after a breakout redshirt freshman season in Eugene, and now he will join the Georgia Bulldogs next season.
Lauaki committed to Georgia, according to On3, fulfilling the expectations that Oregon fans had when he announced he was leaving Eugene. The SEC pursued him, with Florida and Texas A&M among the other finalists, but the Bulldogs, which led the country in home runs last season, will add Lauaki to its Rolodex of power hitters in Athens.
After missing his first season with the Ducks while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Lauaki became a staple in the lineup halfway through the season. His power presence made him a threat that Mark Wasikowski couldn't remove from the lineup, mashing 14 home runs and hitting .321 with 37 RBIs. Although there is plenty of swing-and-miss in Lauaki's game, his ability to flip a game on a dime is a difference-maker.
The plan was for Lauaki to return to the mound in a bullpen role next season, becoming a two-way star for the Ducks. Oregon initially recruited him for his big fastball.
Lauaki will join a Georgia squad that fell in Omaha during the College World Series. The Bulldogs hit 179 home runs last season, 29 more than any other program in the country. He should be a perfect fit in that atmosphere, albeit against tougher pitching in the SEC.
The Ducks have lost many players to the portal this offseason, but Lauaki was one of the big three. Catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus will join Lauaki in the SEC after committing to Mississippi State. Angel Laya has not committed yet, but is also heavily linked to SEC programs.
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 transfer DH Naulivou Lauaki Jr. commits to Georgia
Continue reading...
Lauaki committed to Georgia, according to On3, fulfilling the expectations that Oregon fans had when he announced he was leaving Eugene. The SEC pursued him, with Florida and Texas A&M among the other finalists, but the Bulldogs, which led the country in home runs last season, will add Lauaki to its Rolodex of power hitters in Athens.
After missing his first season with the Ducks while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Lauaki became a staple in the lineup halfway through the season. His power presence made him a threat that Mark Wasikowski couldn't remove from the lineup, mashing 14 home runs and hitting .321 with 37 RBIs. Although there is plenty of swing-and-miss in Lauaki's game, his ability to flip a game on a dime is a difference-maker.
The plan was for Lauaki to return to the mound in a bullpen role next season, becoming a two-way star for the Ducks. Oregon initially recruited him for his big fastball.
Lauaki will join a Georgia squad that fell in Omaha during the College World Series. The Bulldogs hit 179 home runs last season, 29 more than any other program in the country. He should be a perfect fit in that atmosphere, albeit against tougher pitching in the SEC.
The Ducks have lost many players to the portal this offseason, but Lauaki was one of the big three. Catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus will join Lauaki in the SEC after committing to Mississippi State. Angel Laya has not committed yet, but is also heavily linked to SEC programs.
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 transfer DH Naulivou Lauaki Jr. commits to Georgia
Continue reading...
