LSU pitcher Thatcher Hurd reportedly entered the transfer portal on Tuesday.
Per On3’s Pete Nakos, Hurd goes into a portal with a tag prohibiting other teams from contacting him.
Hurd began his college career by allowing just four earned runs with 48 strikeouts in 34 excellent innings as a freshman. Although the 6-foot-4 righty recorded a 5.68 ERA in his sophomore season, he played a pivotal role in LSU’s championship run.
In a College World Series matchup against Wake Forest, Hurd relieved Paul Skenes to pitch three scoreless innings in a game that went into extra innings scoreless. The Tigers advanced to the final round with a 2-0 victory.
Hurd then started the final’s winner-take-all game against Florida. After allowing a two-run home run to Wyatt Langford in the first, Hurd blanked the Gators over the following five frames in an 18-4 blowout.
However, Hurd didn’t carry over that breakthrough moment into a successful junior campaign. He got shelled to a 6.54 ERA and 1.75 WHP in 44 innings, hitting six batters and throwing seven wild pitches.
He moved to a bullpen after an ugly start to the season, but Hurd ended the season by allowing two runs over 5.2 innings in an NCAA regional win over North Carolina. Although the victory extended LSU’s season, the Tar Heels eliminated the defending champions the next day.
Entering the portal could be a contingency plan for Hurd, who will likely be picked in this month’s MLB Draft. MLB.com rates the 21-year-old as the No. 114 overall prospect
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