The Oregon State Beavers are set to lose another key player to the NCAA baseball transfer portal.
Junior infielder Tyce Peterson, who made 79 starts over three seasons, plans to transfer, head coach Mitch Canham confirmed to The Oregonian/OregonLive. Peterson becomes the 15th Oregon State player to enter the portal this offseason.
After an injury-shortened sophomore campaign, Peterson bounced back in 2024 as an important contributor, batting .288 with five home runs, 10 doubles, 20 RBIs, 39 runs, and 24 walks across 47 games (43 starts).
The reason for his departure is unclear. Playing time likely isn’t the issue, but most of Peterson’s at-bats came as a designated hitter. He may be seeking a program that offers more defensive opportunities at his natural spots — first or second base.
Peterson’s decision reportedly came as a surprise to the coaching staff. Canham acknowledged earlier this week that uncertainty defines the transfer window, which remains open until July 1.
“It’s nonstop uncertainty, a lot of question marks,” Canham said Monday. “Everyone wants answers — coaches, players, fans — but we’re taking it day by day. What I thought yesterday changed today, and it’ll shift again tomorrow.”
Peterson’s exit is one of the more impactful losses this offseason, as many of the other OSU portal entries weren’t projected to have major roles next season. He joins a small group of key departures, including pitchers James DeCremer and Laif Palmer, and outfielders Dallas Macias and Carson McEntire.
Players are leaving for a range of reasons, from increased playing time and NIL opportunities to the impending NCAA roster cap, which will reduce teams to 34 players by 2026.
Peterson had a streaky year at the plate — his batting average peaked at .333 in March, dropped to .237 in May, and then rebounded to .288 by season’s end. But he shined brightest in the postseason, hitting .395 with three home runs, nine RBIs, and nine runs across 10 games. He went 4-for-11 in the Men’s College World Series, including a standout 4-for-4 performance with a double and two RBIs in a key regional win over USC.
As a freshman, he also delivered a walk-off two-run single in a pivotal April win over Arizona — a moment that hinted at his clutch potential early on.
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