Nebraska Baseball Transfer Portal Tracker: A Look at the Movement
Nebraska Baseball is in the midst of a transfer portal cycle, with players able to enter the portal until June 30. The Huskers are rebuilding their roster after making the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons. With the three-day MLB Draft starting July 11-13, several Huskers are expected to be selected.
Here's a breakdown of the players who have entered the transfer portal and those who have announced their plans to transfer to Nebraska:
Outgoing Players
Nico Newhan
Newhan, an infielder, transferred to Nebraska from Grossmont (Calif.) College last season. He appeared in eight games, making three starts, and hit .143 with one homer and two RBI. Newhan began his career at Arizona and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
Max Buettenback
Buettenback, a senior-to-be outfielder, entered the transfer portal and will play his final season elsewhere. He appeared in 32 games this season, making 16 starts, and hit .206 with four homers and 12 RBI. Buettenback primarily appeared as a pinch hitter late in games. He homered in the Huskers' NCAA Tournament loss to Ole Miss.
Cooper Katskee
Katskee, a pitcher, spent time in the weekend rotation and as a reliever during his one season in Lincoln. He went 6-2 with a 5.71 ERA and two saves, throwing 63.0 innings across 18 appearances. Katskee will have one season of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
Incoming Players
Cole Moore
Moore, a pitcher from Iowa, made 20 appearances and started seven games as a freshman in the 2026 season. He went 3-0 with a 4.68 ERA, striking out 23 and walking 17 across 25.0 innings. Moore primarily served as a midweek starter and weekend relief option.
Blake Encarnacion
Encarnacion, a pitcher, didn't pitch in 2026 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. As a freshman in 2025, he made nine appearances and didn't allow a run in 4.0 innings, striking out five and walking three.
Carter Kutz
Kutz, a two-way player from Wisconsin, didn't appear in a game last season and will have four seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop. He was the No. 355 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class.
Blake Sebastian
Sebastian, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-handed pitcher, redshirted this past season and will have four seasons of eligibility remaining. He was the No. 288 overall player in the country in the 2025 recruiting class.
Caleb Hoover
Hoover, a left-handed outfielder from South Carolina, played in eight games and made two starts this season. He spent 2025 at Grayson College, hitting .340 with seven doubles, two triples, 16 home runs, and 49 RBI. Hoover began his career at Oklahoma State.
Reese Moore
Moore, a catcher from South Carolina, spent two seasons at Iowa before transferring to South Carolina last season. He missed most of the season with a knee injury but appeared in eight games, making six starts. Prior to the injury, Moore batted .318 with two doubles, a home run, and three RBI.
Zach Bates
Bates, a pitcher from Illinois, earned third-team All-Big Ten honors as a reliever in 2025. He made 23 relief appearances, going 2-2 with a 2.83 ERA and leading the Fighting Illini with eight saves. Bates missed the 2026 season after Tommy John surgery.
This transfer portal cycle highlights Nebraska Baseball's efforts to rebuild and improve its roster. With a mix of incoming and outgoing players, the Huskers are shaping their future and preparing for the upcoming MLB Draft.
