Western Kentucky transfer pitcher Patrick Morris commits to Arizona

Even after clinching a spot in the College World Series, preparation for next season has already begun for the Arizona Wildcats. And with quite a bang too, landing a pitcher out of the NCAA transfer portal. Western Kentucky‘s Patrick Morris will be heading to Tucson for the 2026 season, he announced Monday via Instagram.

“Prove yourself right,” Morris said. “Coming home!!!!

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As Morris mentions, playing for Arizona will be coming back to where he is originally from. The left-hander is from Chandler, AZ, and began his playing days with Chandler-Gilbert Community College. Western Kentucky presented the opportunity to jump to the Division I level and Morris took advantage.

This past season saw Morris appear in 17 games for the Hilltoppers, starting in two of them. His numbers are quite eye-popping, finishing with a 1.11 ERA in 32.1 innings pitched. Morris gave up just four earned runs all year while striking out 33 and walking 13. Opposing batters accumulated only four extra-base hits against him — four doubles and one home run.

Stats like those are going to get a pitcher an opportunity for a power conference program at some point. Arizona has to feel thankful Morris wanted to head back home, potentially being a massive addition to the pitching staff moving forward.

More on Arizona baseball, 2025 season

A new conference brought new challenges for Arizona. Playing in the Big 12 is no easy task, even after competing in a competitive Pac-12. If the Wildcats were going to have success, they would need to elevate their game.

Mission completed as Arizona was one of the Big 12’s better teams during the 2025 season. They finished with an overall record of 44-19 and 18-12 in Big 12 play. Three wins in Arlington, TX, meant the Wildcats won their first-ever Big 12 Tournament as well.

However, they were not given a national seed by the Selection Committee. Instead, a flight to a familiar place, Eugene, was where Arizona was able to win the regional. A trip across the entire country then took place to face North Carolina in the Chapel Hill Super Regional, a three-game series they won as an underdog.

Arizona is now competing in Omaha for a chance at a national championship. The Wildcats have four titles throughout program history but are currently on a 13-year drought, looking to end the streak.