Ohio State transfer pitcher has officially committed to the USC Trojans, becoming the latest addition to a rapidly reshaping USC baseball roster. The right-hander announced his decision Saturday, reuniting with Trojans pitching coach Sean Allen, who previously mentored him during his freshman season at Ohio State.
During his two seasons with the Buckeyes, he made 24 appearances, including 10 starts. His most productive stint came under Allen’s guidance in 2024, when he went 3-1 with a 4.50 ERA over 40 innings. That season, he made 19 appearances—12 of which lasted two or more innings—highlighting his value as both a middle reliever and a potential starter.
Now at USC, Herrell joins a pitching staff in flux. The Trojans are working to address depth concerns after a 2024 campaign that ended in disappointment, despite snapping a decade-long NCAA Tournament drought. The loss of standout reliever Brodie Purcell to the transfer portal and the expected departure of closer Ethan Hedges to the MLB Draft have left notable holes in the bullpen.
In response, head coach Andy Stankiewicz and Allen have been aggressive in the portal, adding experienced arms like Herrell and Texas transfer Ace Whitehead. Like Herrell, Whitehead has previous experience with Allen and is being eyed as a potential weekend starter. While neither relies on overpowering velocity, both bring leadership and a competitive mentality to the mound.
Herrell throws a five-pitch mix, headlined by a fastball that typically sits at 88–91 mph and tops out at 93. In 2024, he leaned more on his cutter (85–88 mph) and also mixes in a curveball, changeup, and slider. When healthy, he’s shown an ability to miss bats and disrupt timing through effective pitch sequencing.
Durability remains a question mark. Herrell began 2024 strong, including a six-inning, nine-strikeout performance against eventual national runner-up Coastal Carolina and five scoreless frames against Valparaiso. He held a 3.27 ERA early in the season, but an injury curtailed his year, limiting him to just one additional start.
Despite the setback, USC is optimistic about Herrell’s upside and the value of his prior connection with Allen. His addition is part of a larger effort to reshape the Trojans’ 2025 pitching rotation, which also includes Pepperdine transfer Adam Troy and former Oregon State arm Matthew Morrell.
If Herrell can return to form and stay healthy, his presence could prove to be a quietly significant piece of USC’s 2025 resurgence plan.
Leave a Reply