The Oregon Ducks baseball program is navigating a turbulent offseason, having lost two of its most prominent infielders to the transfer portal, but the team is already looking ahead with fresh additions.
Veteran coach Mark Wasikowski has publicly acknowledged the departures of Angel Laya and Naulivou Lauaki Jr., emphasizing that the program must replenish its talent pool while maintaining competitive depth.
New Infield Talent Arrives
Among the newcomers, infielder Jake Evans from Long Beach State has committed to Oregon for his junior season, bringing a proven track record of consistency and on‑base skill.
Evans spent two seasons with the Dirtbags in his native California, starting 33 games last year and posting a .364 average. He is capable of manning both second and third base, positions that are expected to be vacated by the departing players.
His sophomore campaign featured three home runs, a .483 on‑base percentage and only 20 strikeouts, while he led the Big West with a 1.025 OPS and 12 doubles, earning a second‑team All‑Big West nod.
Coaches have drawn a parallel between Evans and former Oregon standout Ryan Cooney, noting that Evans prioritizes hitting for average and getting on base rather than clearing the fences.
In addition to Evans, the Ducks have secured another transfer, Jake Books, who arrives from the University of Tampa, further bolstering the infield depth.
The moves illustrate a strategic response to the roster churn, as Wasikowski aims to blend experienced transfers with the existing core to keep the program competitive in the Pac‑12.