Notre Dame’s baseball program is in the middle of a big shake-up. Six players have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, as first reported by ISD’s Matt Freeman.
This marks a pivotal moment for the Fighting Irish. They’re now facing the challenge of keeping their roster competitive.
Some of the team’s key contributors are leaving. Their absence is definitely going to sting next season.
Key Departures from Notre Dame Baseball
The six players heading out are:
- OF Bino Watters
- RHP Oisin Lee
- RHP Chase Van Ameyde
- INF Dylan Passo
- RHP Garrett Snyder
- INF Jonathan Holt
Bino Watters: The Most Impactful Loss
Outfielder Bino Watters is, without a doubt, the biggest loss for Notre Dame. Watters turned in a stellar sophomore season, hitting .362 with 10 homers, 18 doubles, and 51 RBIs.
He earned first-team All-ACC honors as a designated hitter/utility player. Baseball America has him ranked as the No. 32 college prospect for the 2027 draft, and he’s seen as a possible first-round pick.
Other Notable Transfers
Dylan Passo and Oisin Lee also made their mark for the Irish. Passo, a freshman first baseman, started 34 of his 40 games and hit .294 with three home runs and eight doubles.
Lee, a right-handed pitcher, came out of the bullpen for 21 games, tossing 20.1 innings with a 5.31 ERA. He struck out 19 but walked 15.
Chase Van Ameyde struggled on the mound, posting a 14.00 ERA over 9 innings in 11 appearances. At the plate, he hit just .154 in 13 plate appearances.
Garrett Snyder had a rough year with an 18.00 ERA in 7 innings. Jonathan Holt barely saw the field, appearing in two games and going 1-for-2 at the plate.
Impact on Notre Dame’s Roster and Future
Head coach Shawn Stiffer just wrapped up his third season with the Irish. The team finished 31-22 overall, with a 13-17 record in the ACC.
Losing these six players is a real challenge as the team tries to build on last season and stay competitive.
Recruitment and Player Development
Notre Dame really needs to recruit and develop new talent to fill these gaps. They’ve had a good track record with recruitment, but now it’s more important than ever.
The development of current players matters too. They’ll need to step up if the Irish want to keep their standards high.
Notre Dame’s Tight End Tradition
Switching gears a bit—Notre Dame’s football program is famous for producing great tight ends. Jack Larsen is one of those guys who’s left a mark.
Jack Larsen’s Journey
Larsen became a top passing target as a freshman in high school. He broke his humerus as a sophomore, but bounced back strong.
In his last two years, he caught 117 passes for 2,085 yards and 27 touchdowns. That’s no small feat.
At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Larsen looks like a hybrid between a wide receiver and a tight end. He’s fast, has great ball skills, and keeps working on his blocking.
The Future of Notre Dame’s Tight End Position
There’s a crowded tight end room with CJ Carr, Eli Raridon, Cooper Flanagan, Ty Washington, and James Flanigan. Larsen’s got his work cut out for him if he wants more playing time.
Still, he’s putting in the effort to become a better blocker and all-around player. That kind of dedication could pay off down the line.
As the season approaches, people will be watching Larsen’s progress. If he can balance his pass-catching with solid blocking, he could really help the tight end group shine.
Conclusion
Six key players have left Notre Dame’s baseball team, and that’s a big shift for the program. The coaching staff now faces the challenge of finding and developing new talent to step up.
Notre Dame’s football tradition—especially at tight end—still feels strong. Players like Jack Larsen are grinding to leave their own mark, and honestly, it’s always interesting to see who rises next.
Curious about the players in the transfer portal? Check out the original article on 247Sports for more info.
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