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South Carolina adds two-year starting catcher from Big Ten out of transfer portal

imageby: Jack Veltri06/14/25jacktveltri
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Iowa catcher Reese Moore (32) tags Bradley center fielder Ashton Horchem out at home plate April 16, 2025 at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City, Iowa. (© Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

South Carolina has its catcher for next season. The Gamecocks picked up a commitment from transfer backstop Reese Moore on Saturday.

Moore’s commitment fills a major positional need for South Carolina, which had its share of struggles behind the plate this year. It will be getting back Talmadge LeCroy and Gavin Braland as far as returnees go. Noah Franklin, an incoming freshman from TNXL Academy (FL), could decide to turn pro with the MLB Draft coming up in July.

Moore spent the last three seasons at Iowa, though he didn’t play at all for the Hawkeyes in 2023, allowing him to redshirt. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Over the last two years, the left-handed hitter slashed .296/.430/.512 with 14 homers and 77 RBI in 365 at-bats.

Moore received All-Freshman and Third Team Big Ten honors in 2024. He was named to the All-Big Ten First Team in 2025.

After a solid first full season, Moore was even better in 2025, hitting .304 with nine homers and 45 RBI. He drew more walks than any Hawkeye this year, finishing with 35 while being hit by 11 pitches. He was tied for the team lead in walks in 2024 and also got plunked by the same number of pitches.

Behind the plate, Moore has only made two errors in 107 career games while fielding at a .992 clip. He only allowed four passed balls and had one catcher’s interference. He’s thrown out six base runners and allowed 32 stolen bases, 25 of which came in 2024.

South Carolina baseball transfer portal resources:

Moore becomes the 12th player to transfer to South Carolina this offseason. The Gamecocks have also added Louisiana-Monroe reliever Josh Gregoire, Purdue first baseman Logan Sutter, Samford two-way player Cullen Horowicz, USC Upstate right-hander Amp Phillips, Sacred Heart right-hander Elijah Foster, Georgia shortstop Erik Parker, Wake Forest right-hander Josh Gunther, Virginia left-hander Bradley Hodges, Wofford outfielder Tyler Bak, Western Kentucky outfielder Ethan Lizama and Florida right-hander Alex Philpott.

The transfer portal opened on Monday, June 2, and will remain open until July 1 for all players.

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