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Ole Miss Baseball Lands Pair of Commitments From Talented Transfer Portal Prospects

Originally posted on Ole Miss Rebels on SI  |  By Zack Nagy  |  Last updated Jun 15, 2025 10:30 AM ET

Mike Bianco and the Ole Miss Rebels continue navigating a critical offseason in Oxford with the program remaining active in the NCAA Transfer Portal.

After falling in the Oxford Regional last month, Ole Miss has hit the recruiting trail with force in order to reconstruct the roster ahead of the 2026 season.

On Thursday, the Rebels added their first commitment of the offseason after Grand Canyon left-handed pitcher Grant Richardson pledged to the Rebels.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder came out of the bullpen for first six appearances of the season before developing into a top-of-the-rotation pitcher and starting his final eight games.

Richardson had the highest strikeout rate per nine innings in Grand Canyon's all-time history at 12.43 (min. 50 innings).

The talented southpaw ranked among the Western Athletic Conference's tops in: strikeouts per nine innings (12.43, third), strikeouts (70, eighth), ERA (3.73, 12th) and opponent batting average (.245, 13th).

During his 2024 campaign, Richardson struck out 70 batters and walked 30 in 50.2 innings as a sophomore.

Fast forward to Saturday and the Ole Miss program got back to work in the NCAA Transfer Portal with the Rebels reeling in a pair of sought-after transfers.

Who's been added to the 2026 roster?

Saturday's Transfer Portal Additions [2]:

No. 1: Tristan Bissetta - Outfielder [Clemson]

The South Carolina native entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons with Clemson where he saw significant production during the 2024 season.

Bissetta's 2025 campaign was cut short due to injury, but still managed to hit .227 with a .358 on-base percentage in 31 games played.

In 75 at-bats last season, Bissetta logged 13 runs with 17 hits, 16 RBI, 15 BB with 28 strikeouts.

The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder hit .298 with seven homers and 34 RBI during the 2024 season in his most productive year with the Tigers.

No. 2: Daniel Pacella - Outfielder [Illinois State]

Pacella, a First-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection, started in 56 games for the Red Birds last season on his way to a career year with the program.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder logged 59 RBI, which became the seventh-most in a single season in program history, while also leading Illinois State with a .355 batting average.

He had 41 extra-base hits during the 2025 season, including 20 home runs. The home run count is the second-most in a single season in program history.

Pacella wrapped up his time at Illinois State second all-time in career home runs with 45 total and RBI with 169 across three seasons.

One of the most decorated players in Illinois State baseball history, Pacellla was a back-to-back all-conference selection during his time with the program.

He'll be a player to keep tabs on in the 2025 MLB Draft with the Ole Miss Rebels looking to get him to Oxford for the 2026 season.

This article first appeared on Ole Miss Rebels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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