Portal Pressure, Power Swings & Program Moves
College Sports Just Flipped
. . . here’s What Parents Need to Know!
The recruiting game has changed—drastically. With over 7,000 athletes currently in the transfer portal and many still waiting for a call, high school players are facing a tougher road to college baseball than ever before. But here’s the truth that parents need to hear: it’s not that coaches don’t want high school players—it’s that the game is now geared toward those who are physically, mentally, and emotionally ready to contribute on day one. That means your athlete needs more than talent. They need a plan.
In this new landscape, development matters more than ever. Gone are the days when coaches were willing to “dream and develop” based on potential alone. Instead, they’re looking for athletes who have put in the work—physically, mentally, and academically. That starts at home. Strength training, building baseball IQ, and understanding the game from a strategic perspective all separate the serious from the hopeful. If your athlete doesn’t know why they’re backing up a base or when to take the extra bag, they’re behind. If they don’t have a secondary pitch or can’t make consistent contact, they’re just another name in a crowded system.
Here’s where parents can take action. Begin by identifying your athlete’s true strengths and gaps—athletically, academically, and personally. Build a routine that emphasizes physical development (through strength and speed training), skill set enhancement (like pitchability or situational hitting), and mental maturity. Don’t chase the hype of endless tournaments. Instead, invest in impactful reps, local development, and smarter recruiting exposure. Consider post-grad years, team camps on college campuses, and travel programs that prioritize fit over flash.
Finally, understand this isn’t just about baseball. This is about guiding your son or daughter toward becoming a disciplined, resilient, self-aware young adult who thrives on a college campus and beyond. Whether they land at a JUCO, NAIA, D3, or D1, the goal is to get on the field, grow, and earn the next opportunity. So take a breath, step back from the noise, and start building a plan that matches your athlete’s path—not someone else’s. Because in today’s college sports revolution, only the prepared will find their place.
👉 Don’t miss it: NCAA's New Rules Threaten Your High School Athlete's Future!
Want to Get Recruited? Get Strong First!
In today’s ultra-competitive recruiting landscape, strength training isn’t optional—it’s essential. According to LSU Baseball Strength Coach Chris Martin, if you're serious about playing at the next level, you need to be building your physical foundation
Parents, Players, Coaches, Trainers . . .👇
. . . take your game to the next level with the Baseball Bluebook app! 🔥 Discover programs, connect with the right people, and get seen by the decision-makers. Your journey starts here—are you in the book?
🎯Bluebook Coach Spotlight: Justin Haire, The Ohio State University
If there's one coach who brings passion, purpose, and power to the Big Ten baseball scene, it's Justin Haire. After a wildly successful run at Campbell, Coach Haire is now leading the charge at Ohio State—infusing the Buckeyes with a pro-style mentality, gritty evaluation approach, and no-nonsense focus on development. Under his leadership, Ohio State isn’t just aiming to compete—they’re building a powerhouse. From high-velocity arms to disciplined offensive execution, Haire is crafting a roster that’s tough, resilient, and built for long-term success in the new world of college baseball.
Coach Justin Haire emphasizes clarity and confidence in the evaluation process: “You’ve got to know what you’re looking for and what you feel comfortable developing.” At Ohio State, it’s not about chasing the flashiest metrics or falling for highlight reels—it’s about identifying players who fit the system and can grow within it. With roster limits tightening and the portal constantly shifting, there's little room for guesswork. Haire is building a roster with purpose—focusing on athletes who bring the right tools and the right mentality. Whether it's a high school standout or a transfer looking for a new start, his approach is rooted in honest evaluation and long-term development.
👇 Click below to watch the full conversation with Coach Justin Haire
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Check out the Bluebook App College Directory: DeSales University
🔁⚾ The Coaching Carousel
DeSales University (Division III, MAC)
Outgoing: Tim Neiman
After a legendary 36-year career, Neiman announced in January 2025 that he would retire following the 2025 season.
His résumé at DeSales is impressive: 847–510–5 record, nine NCAA Tournament berths, four conference titles, and a trip to the 2003 Division III College World Series.
Incoming: Bryan Torresani
On May 19, 2025, DeSales AD Scott Coval officially announced Bryan Torresani as the fifth head coach in program history.
Torresani comes with a solid coaching pedigree:
Spent the 2025 season at DeSales as an assistant under Neiman after one year at University of Delaware.
Prior head coach at Immaculata (2013–16) and then Arcadia (seven seasons), where he amassed a 187–91 record, won four MAC titles, and twice led the Knights to NCAA regionals.
Earned ABCA Region IV Coach of the Year honors, among other accolades.
Other notable Coaching Hires
Bradley ➝ Justin Dedman (retirement), Bradley app’d June 4
Creighton ➝ Mark Kingston (retirement of Ed Servais)
Dayton ➝ Jayson King (resignation of Scott Loiseau)
Duke ➝ Corey Muscara (Chris Pollard moved to Virginia)
Eastern Kentucky ➝ Jan Weisberg (fired Walt Jones)
Georgia Tech ➝ James Ramsey (Danny Hall stepping down)
Incarnate Word ➝ Nick Zaleski (fired Ryan Shotzberger)
Louisiana‑Monroe ➝ Ford Pemberton (GUIDED by Federico stepping down)
Norfolk State ➝ Merrill Morgan (stepped down Keith Shumate)
Ohio ➝ Andrew See (contract not renewed for Craig Moore)
San Diego State ➝ Kevin Vance (fired Shaun Cole)
Stonehill ➝ Sean Callahan (Pat Boen retired)
Stony Brook ➝ Jim Martin (Matt Senk retired)
UNC Asheville ➝ Alex Raburn (Scott Friedholm resigned)
Virginia ➝ Chris Pollard (Brian O’Connor left for MSU)
🔁🥎 The Coaching Carousel
Long Beach State
Kendall Fearn was named head coach on June 16, 2025, succeeding Kim Sowder (retired after 19 seasons). Fearn joins from San Diego State, where she helped the Aztecs reach three straight NCAA tournamentsBoston College
Beth Krysiak was hired on June 13, 2025, becoming the program’s 6th head coach. She previously led Saint Francis to successful campaignsFurman University
Mary Beth Dennison, former pitching coach at Georgia Southern, was appointed head coach on June 13, 2025. She replaces Stacey Johnson-Whitfield after a 15‑38 season.University of Houston
The school declined to renew head coach Kristin Vesely’s contract on May 13, 2025, following a 22–25 season; a national search is underway.University of Texas Permian Basin (DII)
David Martinez was hired on May 29, 2025, replacing AubreeAna Avila‑Oropeza after an 8–42 season. Martinez brings experience from Henderson State and Southern Miss,
MLB Hot Takes
The Fourth of July fireworks weren’t just in the sky this week—they were blasting off bats across the league. Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are putting on a nightly power show in the Bronx, and it’s starting to feel like the Yankees are either going to win the AL East or go down in a blaze of moonshots and bullpen meltdowns. The MVP race? Judge and Shohei are in a dead heat, but don’t blink—Soto might just crash the party.
The Braves? Don’t count them out yet. After a midseason lull, they swept the Giants with late-inning heroics and a reminder that playoff DNA doesn’t just vanish. Meanwhile, Elly De La Cruz is out here bending physics—launching 460-foot rockets and stealing bags like it's a track meet. He’s must-see TV every night.
Biggest shake-up? The trade market is heating up fast. The White Sox are holding a clearance sale—pitchers priced to move. Dylan Cease, Garrett Crochet, maybe even Luis Robert? If you’re a contender, Chicago’s your buffet. And speaking of trade chips, Cody Bellinger is quietly reminding teams he’s still got MVP juice—just don’t look at the Cubs’ record.
The Mets are back to being the Mets. Blowups, blown leads, and blank stares. And the Padres? All talent, no heartbeat. Again.
Stock Up: Orioles’ bullpen arms (lights out), Mariners’ playoff chances (yes, really), and the Pirates’ young core (watch for a sneaky second-half run).
Stock Down: Yankees’ starting rotation health (brace yourselves), Mets’ clutch gene (nonexistent), and anyone daring to pitch to Shohei in July.
Thousands of players and Coaches are already in the book. The real question is . . . are you?
