Arizona State baseball star enters transfer portal

TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona State baseball had many ups and downs in the 2023 spring season. At one point in the season, the Sun Devils were predicted to possibly host a Super Regional. They ended up missing the NCAA tournament altogether. However, one consistent bright spot for Willie Bloomquist’s squad was freshman shortstop Luke Hill. Now, months into the offseason, Hill has announced he’s entering the transfer portal.

Arizona State baseball freshman star is entering the transfer portal

Luke Hill had a near-perfect season last year. The freshman slashed .314/.389/.456. He also batted in 42 RBIs as well as hitting six home runs. Not bad at all for his first season at the collegiate level.

One of the most impressive parts of Hill’s freshman year? Arizona State baseball head coach Willie Bloomquist trusted him. Bloomquist played for 14 years in the MLB and one of his positions was shortstop. He knows the ins and outs of what it takes to play that position and do it at the highest level in the sport.

For Bloomquist to entrust the starting shortstop position to a kid from Louisiana without a ton of national recognition says a lot. Hill was ranked as the 100th-best shortstop in the country coming out of high school. Guys ranked in the triple digits at their position usually don’t have seasons like Hill did as a freshman.

Where will Luke Hill go?

Now after his breakout season, Hill will have his choice of schools. But, initial reports are all pointing to one school.

The main thing he outlined to me is something fans can’t really publicly take issue with. He said that his parents have expressed a desire to have him playing closer to home. As Louisiana natives, it’s tough to see your kid play in the Pac12.

— Jack Loder (@JackLoder_) July 13, 2023

The early favorite in his recruitment are the defending national champions, the LSU Tigers. And it’s hard not to see why. As a Louisiana native, Hill would be able to play for his hometown team.

Playing for LSU also almost guarantees he’ll get a chance to have meaningful at-bats in the playoffs. It’s also safe to say that the pockets are deeper NIL-wise in the south. Especially in the world of college baseball.

Losing Hill is certainly a big blow to ASU for next season, we’ll have to see how Bloomquist and the Sun Devils respond.

Thank you for reading Sun Devil Daily! Follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with Arizona State news! For feedback, questions, concerns, or to apply for a writing position, please email our Managing Editor at brendonpricco@gmail.com. Forks up!