2025 Georgia Baseball Preview: Will the Dawgs’ top portal class and returning vets lead them to Omaha?

Baseball season is right around the corner Dawg fans, as the Diamond Dawgs are now in full swing in terms of preparation for their 2025 season, which will begin on February 14th. The Diamond Dawgs are coming off of a historic 2024 season. In his first season, Dawgs’ Head Coach Wes Johnson led Georgia to just one win away from Omaha, falling short to N.C. State in the Athens Super Regional. The Diamond Dawgs finished their 2024 season with a record of 43-17 while going 17-13 in SEC play.

The Diamond Dawgs lost a fair share of leadership and production following the 2024 season with veterans Fernando Gonzalez, Corey Collins, and record-breaking UGA legend Charlie Condon all beginning their careers in pro ball. The Diamond Dawgs also lost a fair amount of players to the transfer portal, but they have added more impactful players through the portal as well. Garnering a top-five portal class heading into the season according to Baseball America.

Headlining the Dawgs’ portal class is Outfielder Robbie Burnett who transferred in from UNC Asheville. Burnett is listed at 187 pounds, stands at 5’10, and provides a lot of pop within his smaller frame while getting on base frequently. In his three seasons at UNC Asheville, Burnett accumulated a .339 batting average, .450 on-base percentage, 1.073 on-base plus slugging percentage, while also roping 31 home runs and stealing 31 bags. Burnett will provide some veteran leadership and a solid outfield glove to go along with his impressive offense.

Another standout offensive transfer for the Dawgs is Middle Infielder Ryan Black who transferred in from UT-Arlington, Black is listed at 6’1, weighing 201 pounds. In his two seasons at UT-Arlington, Black accumulated a .308 batting average to go along with an on-base percentage of .413 and 12 home runs. While his numbers won’t jump off the page, Black is a very polished hitter with Major League potential and he will provide even more pop within the Dawgs’ infield, especially from the left side of the plate.

Other notable transfers

Ryland Zaboronski- Utility, 6’5, 236 pounds (Miami of Ohio transfer)

Daniel Jackson- Catcher, 6’0, 200 pounds (Wofford transfer)

Nolan McCarthy- Outfielder, 6’0, 205 pounds (Kentucky transfer)

JT Quinn- RHP, 6’6, 215 pounds (Ole Miss transfer)

Devin Obee- Outfielder, 6’2, 215 pounds (Duke transfer)

Alton Davis II- LHP, 6’5, 180 pounds (Alabama transfer)

Brian Curley- RHP, 5’10, 208 pounds (Virginia Commonwealth transfer)

While the Dawgs definitely bolstered their roster with transfers, there was still quite a bit of talent around from the 2024 team. Most notably, Redshirt Sophomore infielder Tre Phelps. Phelps was electric in his Redshirt Freshman season for the Dawgs, garnering a .353 batting average and crushing 12 homers while only striking out 15 times in 161 plate appearances. Due to his excellent season in 2024, Phelps is now one of the top collegiate prospects for the 2025 MLB draft. According to MLB.com Phelps is the 19th overall prospect in the class of ‘25 as the Dawgs will have another first-round talent on their roster for the second straight season. Phelps’ ability to make consistent contact with the baseball is what makes his bat special. His ability to not just make contact but make hard contact is what separates him from others as he will look to be the lightning rod within Georgia’s stacked lineup.

The Dawgs’ proved last season they have the right guy at the helm in Wes Johnson to lead this program to Omaha. With the new portal additions along with returning talent, this could be the year the Diamond Dawgs make their first trip to Omaha since 2008 while also making a push for the heavily coveted SEC Championship. With all of that being said, it should be a heck of a year at the newly renovated Foley Field. As always, Go Dawgs!!!