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Texas baseball lost a potential impact player this week when freshman standout Dee Kennedy announced a transfer decision. The infielder will head to Manhattan where he’ll continue his career with (former) Big 12 rival Kansas State.
The news comes as a bit of a shock in what’s been a bit of a roller coaster recruitment.
Kennedy played in 52 games last season in Austin, making 40 starts. A star defender, the rookie made an immediate impact in the middle of the Longhorns‘ infield.
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He also showed pop at the plate as 10 of his 28 hits went for extra bases, though his next squad will hope to see a bump in his .209 batting average.
All-in-all, many believe the Longhorns are losing a young player with high upside that will continue to grow with experience. But it didn’t always appear that he’d leave the program.
Dee Kennedy hoodwinked the Longhorns!
The infielder initially entered the transfer portal when head coach David Pierce was fired and replaced by Texas A&M’s Jim Schlossnagle. That came on June 28th.
On June 2nd, reports swirled that he’d withdrawn from the portal, signaling a win for Schlossnagle and his new staff.
Less than a day later – he was gone!
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That story might sound familiar to the new Texas head coach, who claimed to be committed to the Aggies before bailing for Austin less than 24 hours after season’s end.
A taste of his own medicine!
Dee Kennedy will now head to Kansas State where he figures to land an immediate role. Schlossnagle will look to find a replacement before kicking of Year 1 with the Longhorns.