Baylor University’s baseball program has announced the commitment of Kurt Ippolito, a 6‑foot‑4 corner infielder/outfielder who concluded his most recent college season at Central Christian College of Kansas. The move marks the first position‑player transfer the Bears have secured through the portal, underscoring a targeted effort to replenish offensive firepower.
A Versatile Threat
Ippolito’s bat proved relentless in the 2026 campaign, where he posted a .353 batting average, a .454 on‑base percentage and a .641 slugging percentage across 46 games. He drove in 45 runs, launched 11 home runs and drew 28 walks while striking out 29 times. The performance earned him Second‑Team All‑Sooner Conference honors and capped a sophomore year that followed a freshman season in which he was named Freshman of the Year in the Sooner Athletic Conference.
During the 2025 campaign he hit .402 with a .468 on‑base mark and a .820 slugging percentage, smashing 13 homers and adding 12 doubles in just 34 appearances. His .820 slugging percentage topped the conference, and his 13 homers placed him among the league’s most feared power hitters.
Beyond college, Ippolito currently laces his cleats for the Santa Barbara Foresters of the California League, where he was selected as an All‑Star — a testament to his continued development on the summer circuit.
Armament on the Mound
Alongside Ippolito, Baylor has bolstered its pitching staff with four newcomers: Davis Webb, Tate DeRias, Brayden Gilley and Keller Eberly. Each brings a different skill set, from Webb’s experience at the University of Texas to DeRias’s high‑strikeout repertoire at Winthrop University, Gilley’s mid‑west roots at Texas State, and Eberly’s steady presence from Bradley University.
The combination of a potent bat and a refreshed armature positions the Bears to compete aggressively in the upcoming season, as they look to translate portal acquisitions into on‑field success.