Nebraska Baseball Transfer Portal Tracker: A Deep Dive into the Huskers' Roster Reconstruction
Nebraska Baseball is in the midst of a significant transfer portal cycle, with players able to enter the portal until June 30th. This period is crucial for the Huskers as they look to rebuild their roster after consistently making the NCAA Tournament over the past three seasons. With the three-day MLB Draft looming on July 11-13, the team is also preparing for potential player departures.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the players who have entered the transfer portal and those who have announced their intentions to join Nebraska.
Outgoing Players
Nico Newhan
Newhan, an infielder, transferred to Nebraska from Grossmont College in California last season. He saw limited action, appearing in eight games with three starts. His batting average was a modest .143, with one home run and two RBI. Newhan's college career began at Arizona, and he has two seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop.
Max Buettenback
Buettenback, a Lincoln native and senior-to-be, entered the portal after a season in which he appeared in 32 games, making 16 starts. His batting average was .206, with four homers and 12 RBI. Buettenback primarily served as a pinch hitter late in games. He made a memorable impact in the Huskers' NCAA Tournament loss to Ole Miss, homering in that game. For his career, he has 78 appearances and 48 starts, hitting .255 with 12 homers and 40 RBI.
Cooper Katskee
Katskee, a pitcher, had a solid season in his one year at Nebraska, going 6-2 with a 5.71 ERA and two saves. He threw 63.0 innings across 18 appearances, striking out 65 and walking 24. Katskee allowed 16 homers and will have one season of eligibility remaining at his next stop. The Colorado native played his senior season at Omaha Burke and began his career at Indiana, earning third-team All-America and MAC pitcher of the year honors in 2025.
Incoming Transfers
Cole Moore (Pitcher, Notre Dame)
Moore, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound pitcher, 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 for the Hawkeyes.
Blake Encarnacion (Pitcher)
Encarnacion, a pitcher, underwent Tommy John surgery and did not pitch in 2026. In his freshman season, he made nine appearances and didn't allow a run in 4.0 innings. The Texas native struck out five and walked three, with opponents hitting just .077 off him.
Carter Kutz (Utility)
Kutz, a two-way player from Wisconsin, did not appear in a game last season and will have four seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop. The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Kutz was ranked as the No. 355 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class by Perfect Game.
Blake Sebastian (Pitcher)
Sebastian, a 6-foot-5, 225-pound right-handed pitcher, redshirted last season and will have four seasons of eligibility remaining at his next stop. A native of Leawood, Kansas, Sebastian was ranked No. 288 overall by Perfect Game in the 2025 recruiting class. As a senior, he earned all-state and all-conference honors after a stellar high school season.
Caleb Hoover (OF, South Carolina)
Hoover, a left-handed outfielder, played one season at South Carolina, appearing in eight games with two starts. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Hoover spent 2025 at Grayson College in Texas, hitting .340 with impressive power statistics. He began his career at Oklahoma State in the fall of 2024.
Reese Moore (Catcher, South Carolina)
Moore, a 6-foot, 212-pound catcher, transferred to South Carolina after two seasons at Iowa. He missed most of the season due to a knee injury but had a strong start before the injury, batting .318 with power at the plate. Moore will have one season of eligibility remaining at Nebraska. As a freshman at Iowa, he earned All-Big Ten first-team honors, hitting .304 with nine homers and 45 RBI in 56 games.
Zach Bates (Pitcher, Illinois)
Bates, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound pitcher, 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 team with eight saves. Bates struck out 34 hitters in 28.2 innings, allowing opponents to hit just .158 off him. He played in the Cape Cod League that summer, striking out 19 in 18.2 innings.
Personal Commentary
Nebraska Baseball's transfer portal activity is a strategic move to reshape the roster and address specific needs. The Huskers are likely targeting players with proven track records and potential to contribute immediately. The incoming transfers bring a mix of pitching and hitting prowess, with some having already demonstrated their ability to perform at a high level.
The outgoing players, while valuable, may have reached their potential within the Nebraska program. The team is likely looking to bring in players with more upside and the ability to develop into key contributors over the next few seasons.
The transfer portal cycle is an exciting time for Nebraska fans, as it offers a glimpse into the team's future and the potential for significant improvements. The Huskers are rebuilding, and these moves are a crucial part of that process, shaping the team's trajectory for years to come.
