USC’s 2026 baseball run gave the program real momentum, but the offseason has already started to chip away at it. After a 48-18 season, a nationally ranked bullpen, a College Station Regional win that ended a two-decade drought and a Super Regional appearance, the Trojans are now dealing with the fallout from the MLB Draft and the transfer portal.
One of the biggest names to leave was infielder Adrian Lopez, who announced his departure from USC on June 29. By July 12, he had landed with a familiar foe: Oregon.
The move sends Lopez to a Big Ten rival that already had USC’s number in 2026. The Ducks finished 43-18, hosted and won the Eugene Regional, reached the Super Regionals and went 2-1 against the Trojans during the regular season.
Lopez was a steady force in the middle of USC’s lineup all season. The California native gave the Trojans needed production while Augie Lopez and Mason Edwards drew much of the attention during the postseason. His bat stayed consistent, and that mattered for an offense that needed a lift.
In the playoffs, Lopez put together nine runs, eight hits, five RBI, a double, a triple and two home runs.
Over 65 games, he finished with 68 runs, 77 hits, 15 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs, 47 RBI, a .304 batting average and an OPS of .915.
USC’s roster losses have been piling up quickly. The transfer portal opened on June 1 and closed on June 30, and by June 29 the Trojans already had 14 players in it - seven position players and seven pitchers. By July 11, that number had climbed to 15 players, according to 247Sports.
The departures include several notable pieces. Mason Edwards, the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, was taken in the second round at No. 47 by the Athletics after finishing with 95.2 innings pitched, a 2.07 ERA, 169 strikeouts and an 8-0 record. Catcher Augie Lopez, who had originally entered the portal, went at No. 305 in Round 10 to the San Diego Padres after posting 50 runs, 63 hits, 14 doubles, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, a .278 batting average and an OPS of .954.
USC also lost two more bullpen arms: Grant Govel, the No. 2 pitcher, went to the Pittsburgh Pirates at No. 568 in Round 16, and right-handed pitcher Adam Troy was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in Round 17 at No. 519.
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