18-07-2025
Florida baseball lands dominant DII pitcher in major transfer portal steal
Florida baseball has landed one of the top arms available in the transfer portal in left-hander Ernesto Lugo-Canchola, according to Baseball America's Jacob Rudner.
Lugo-Canchola, a 6-foot-5-inch, 230-pound pitcher from Division II Northwest Nazarene University, is widely regarded as one of the most effective pitchers in college baseball.
The California native earned Division II National Pitcher of the Year honors after posting a dominant 2.00 ERA across 94.2 innings, allowing just 23 runs on 53 hits.
Lugo-Canchola struck out 103 batters and issued 44 walks, capping off an All-American campaign that caught the attention of several major programs.
Now, he'll suit up for the Florida Gators, joining a rotation that's been reshaped following multiple MLB draft departures.
A portal win for Florida's rotation
Lugo-Canchola becomes the fourth pitcher Florida has landed via the transfer portal this offseason, joining Ricky Reeth (Notre Dame Fighting Irish), Russell Sandefer (UCF Knights) and Cooper Walls (Hawaii Rainbow Warriors).
It's a clear response to the loss of high-end arms, including Jake Clemente and Pierce Coppola, who were both selected in this past MLB draft.
What Lugo-Canchola brings to the Gators
With size, power and a track record of improvement, Lugo-Canchola enters the Florida baseball program with a chance to contribute immediately. His ability to miss bats, limit hard contact and eat innings gives the Gators a potential difference-maker on the mound.
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