A few thoughts on the transfer portal which now has almost 1,700 college players that desire a transfer. There are numerous reasons for that volume - Ivy League Seniors, schools dropping college baseball, the wiping away of the 2020 season in terms of eligibility, roster crunch, and a myriad of other reasons.
Oregon State has had 5 players enter the portal, Kai Murphy, J.D. McLaughlin, Andrew Walling, Jake Harvey and Ben Steck. I don't know the motivation for Joe McLaughlin's departure but it may have been his close friendship with Murphy - they came together from Arizona and they left together. I suspect the other four transfers were all playing time related.
Maybe the most difficult job a coach has is the "Trail's end" meeting with a player. The one on one player-coach session where reality is the issue.
Oregon State recruits high character kids with good grades. Behavior and academic failure would be rare reasons for a transfer. It's almost always about that dammed depth chart and where the player fits, that determines his probability of seeing the field in competition.
Coaches are invested in a player from the moment they begin recruiting him. Relationships are built, friendships are formed and the coach has the players best interest at heart. If it comes to a point for some reason that player isn't going to play much if at all, the coach owes it to him to truthfully tell him that and explain why in a face to face meeting. Baseball players need to play to develop their skills. Riding the pine isn't fun and the player isn't getting better sitting game after game.
I suspect at least 4 of those 5 players had that meeting with Mitch Canham. The OSU fall roster will be bulging at 45-50 players.
College baseball, especially in an elite program, is very competitive. Production and contribution get you on the field and will keep you on the field. Not everyone can play (every kid doesn't get a trophy) The best player plays.
The creed for an OSU baseball player should be "3 outs". 1) Out work your competition. 2) Out think your competition. 3) Out perform your competition
Reality? - At Oregon State, there are a lot of really, really good ballplayers and you will have transfers.