Georgia Tech Baseball Reloads Through Transfer Portal Surge

When Georgia Tech named James Ramsey its new head baseball coach, few expected the former ACC Player of the Year to hit the transfer portal running. But less than a month into the offseason, Ramsey has made it clear: the rebuild isn’t coming, it’s already underway.

Despite initially signaling that major changes weren’t necessary, Ramsey dove headfirst into the portal and emerged with impact players who could reshape Tech’s 2025 campaign. For a program looking to bounce back to national relevance, these calculated moves offer hope and intrigue, and fans should take notice.

The first splash came with power-hitting infielder Ryan Zuckerman, a standout at Pittsburgh. Zuckerman led the Panthers with 13 home runs and 48 RBIs last season, bringing a much-needed slugging presence to the middle of the lineup. His bat is expected to slot into a power-hitting role vacated by departing veterans and could be a day-one starter at third base.

On the mound, Ramsey added Justin Shadek, a battle-tested starter from Rutgers. While his 7.78 ERA might not raise eyebrows, context matters. Shadek made 15 starts and pitched at least five innings in six of his final seven appearances, a sign of reliability for a Georgia Tech staff that struggled with depth and consistency in 2024. If Ramsey can help him refine his control, Shadek could be a valuable innings-eater in ACC play.

Adding an extra layer of drama is the arrival of Cade Brown, a former top recruit and Georgia Bulldog. Brown saw limited action in Athens but still carries upside. The 2024 high school standout batted just .171, but his elite pedigree and raw tools give Tech a developmental project worth investing in, especially sweet considering he’s coming from across enemy lines.