Ole Miss Baseball Transfer Portal Update: Rebels Add Pledges From Multiple Newcomers

Mike Bianco and the Ole Miss Rebels continue navigating a busy offseason in Oxford with the program utilizing the NCAA Transfer Portal to their advantage.

The Rebels have seen multiple pieces depart the Magnolia State in June with the portal officially open for business, but have also added a handful of newcomers.

Who's in for Ole Miss to this point? Who's out?

The Transfer Portal Tracker: Ole Miss Edition

Departing Rebels [6]:

No. 1: Campbell Smithwick - Catcher

Smithwick, who saw frequent playing time for the Rebels during the 2025 season, is the first significant loss for the program this offseason.

He saw action in 40 games this past season for Ole Miss where he earned 27 starts in a mix of catcher and designated hitter.

In 110 at-bats during the 2025 season, Smithwick had a .282 batting average with 31 hits for 23 runs batted in and five home runs.

Smithwick also showcased his power with five doubles while scoring 20 runs. He drew 17 walks and struck out 33 times this past season.

Ole Miss will likely return Kentucky transfer, and weekend starter, Austin Fawley at catcher for the 2026 season with Smithwick now exploring other options.

No. 2: Cole Ketchum - Pitcher

Ole Miss right-handed pitcher Cole Ketchum entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after three seasons in Oxford, he revealed via social media last week.

The talented Mississippi native made an impression as a true freshman in 2023 after making 15 appearances.

Ketchum worked 19 total innings while striking out 13 batters.

He made his collegiate debut against Arkansas State where he worked one a hitless inning, and from there, did not allow a run through his first four appearances.

After a solid 2023 campaign, Ketchum did not see any action during both his sophomore and redshirt-sophomore seasons in 2024 and 2025.

Now, the Magnolia State native will hit the free agent market in search of a new home.

No. 3: Jackson Miller - Infielder

Infielder Jackson Miller entered the NCAA Transfer Portal after one season in Oxford, he revealed via social media last week.

The former Top-200 prospect in the 2024 Recruiting Cycle signed with the Rebels out of high school after selecting Ole Miss over a myriad of programs.

Now, after just one year in the Magnolia State, Miller will depart and enter the free agent market.

“After much thought and consideration I’ve decided to enter the transfer portal,” Miller wrote on social media. “I’m thankful for my time at Ole Miss and excited for the next opportunity in my college baseball journey.”

During his high school campaign, Miller led Benjamin (Fla.) High School to a state title during his senior season while hitting .475.

He was named Sun Sentinel Player of the Year for the second time after handling business during his time in the Sunshine State.

Other Departures:
- Tyler Acevedo: Infielder
- Hudson Mattox: Pitcher
- Connor Chisolm: Outfielder

The Additions [4]:

No. 1: Grant Richardson - Pitcher [Grand Canyon]

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.

No. 2 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. 3: 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.

No. 4: Wil Libbert - Pitcher [Missouri]

The talented Southeastern Conference southpaw is spending his summer in the Cape Cod League where he is fresh off of a start on Sunday.

Libbert went 4.0 innings with six strikeouts; allowing zero earned runs on the day prior to his commitment to the Ole Miss Rebels.

The left-hander is coming off of his redshirt-freshman campaign with the Missouri Tigers where he threw more innings than any pitcher for the program in 2025 with 53.2.

Libbert started in 11 of his 14 total appearances last season while ending the year with a 6.04 ERA. He rounded out the season with a 3-4 record.

Now, he heads to Oxford with three seasons of eligibility remaining after missing his true freshman campaign in 2024 following Tommy John surgery he had during his senior campaign in high school.