Nebraska Baseball was recognized with the 24th-ranked transfer class in Division I baseball by Baseball America this week.
The class features left-handed pitcher Jace Kaminska (Wichita State), designated hitter Charlie Fischer (Southern Miss), right-handed pitcher Michael Garza (Incarnate Word), outfielder Casey Burnham (Kansas), infielder/outfielder Cayden Brumbaugh (Oklahoma State) and right-handed pitcher Will Rizzo (Texas A&M).
A complete breakdown and listing of the Top 25 transfer classes can be viewed via a subscription at baseballamerica.com.
Baseball America’s write-up of the Husker newcomers is listed below.
Left-hander Jace Kaminska didn’t have a season to write home about at Wichita State in 2022, with a 5.49 ERA, but in 2021, he had a 2.39 ERA in 62 innings. His stuff also suggests he was better last season than the ERA shows. His fastball, which he threw 74% of the time, averaged just above 90 mph and touched 95.
Right-hander Michael Garza had a 5.65 ERA and 179 strikeouts in 172 innings over four seasons at Incarnate Word. His fastball last season touched 92 mph and his high-70s curveball had a 40% whiff rate.
Right-hander Will Rizzo didn’t see any mound time at Texas A&M as a freshman last season, but he struck out 46 batters in 36.2 innings in the Northwoods League over the summer, leaning on a fastball up to 93 mph and a low-80s slider that had a 42% whiff rate.
Charlie Fischer struggled last season at Southern Miss, batting .167 in just 48 at-bats, but in 2021, he batted .304/.467/.491 with seven home runs, one season after putting up a .322/.400/.542 slash line during the abbreviated 2020 season. He was listed as an infielder at USM, but he was almost exclusively a DH, with the totality of his time in the field being four games in left field last season.
Casey Burnham batted .258/.377/.353 in four seasons at Kansas, mostly as a regular in the lineup. Burnham can play all three outfield spots and played center and right field at KU.
Cayden Brumbaugh didn’t see much playing time at Oklahoma State as a freshman last season, but he swung the bat well in those limited chances, going 7-for-22. He also showed defensive versatility. He only appeared in the field five times, but played three different positions—second base, center field and right field.
© 2024 Nebraska Rural Radio Association. All rights reserved. Republishing, rebroadcasting, rewriting, redistributing prohibited. Copyright Information