(08-01-2023 10:36 AM)The Green Owl Wrote:  

(07-31-2023 07:16 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  Finally landed a transfer that might have an immediate impact. Fleet footed, 5'10", 190lb, OFer Kyte McDonald, originally from San Antonio, played 12 games as a redshirt Freshman for Mississippi State's 2021 CWS championship team. He then spent a season at Alvin Community College before transferring to Wichita State this past season, where he was their regular CFer and earned 2nd team all-AAC. Not a power hitter, but batted an impressive .313/.395/.463, with 12 doubles, 2 triples and 2 HRs hitting leadoff. The only negative is the high number of strikeouts (49 vs. only 22 BBs/HBPs). However, he led the AAC with 21-28 stolen bases. Looks like the replacement for Walsh....and our first truly legit leadoff man in years.

He's a grad transfer, but has two years of eligibility remaining.

Here's his bio...
https://goshockers.com/sports/baseball/stats

IMO looking at the types of players that Cruz has taken out of the portal this year, he is trying to build a faster more athletic offense. McDonald, Fiechter, and Rank all three are hit for average guys who seem to be more athletic based off of where they've played positionally. We ranked 286th out of 305 teams in batting average last year according to D1 Baseball so clearly trying to address this.

McDonald is the only proven hitter at the D1 level (among the 3 transfers you mention). And, yes, Jose has said he wants a faster team.