Report: D2 Transfer Catcher Luke Napleton Commits to Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Not long after the conclusion of the Louisville baseball program's 2023 campaign, one where they missed the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, head coach Dan McDonnell said that he would break his stance on the transfer portal and start to utilize it when it comes to roster construction.

With that in mind, the Cardinals have dipped back into the portal to land a massive piece for their 2024 roster.

Luke Napleton, a catcher who spent the first three years of his collegiate career in the Division II ranks with Quincy University, has committed to the Cardinals, according to D1Baseball's Kendall Rogers.

He is the second portal acquisition by Louisville this offseason. Napleton joins former Marist infielder Dylan Hoy, who committed to the Cardinals this past Tuesday.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-hander put up video game-like numbers during his junior year with the Hawks this past season. Napleton slashed .352/.421/.824 in 2023, driving in 29 home runs, 87 runs batted in, 18 doubles while also drawing 27 walks. His home run, RBI, total base (187) marks led all of Division II, with his slugging percentage coming in at eighth. Unsurprisingly, he was named a Division II All-American for his efforts.

In three years with Quincy, the LaGrange, Ill. native put up a .343/.440/.750 slash line, while amassing 159 hits, 50 home runs, 163 RBIs, 33 doubles, 76 walks.

It goes without saying that Napleton is a huge addition for Louisville, especially at catcher. Jack Payton will likely be a high draft pick in July's MLB Draft, while Will Vierling and Matt Klein saw a combined 53 at-bats in 2023.

Louisville began their 2023 campaign at 18-2 and ranked as high as the No. 2 team in the nation, only to lose 22 of their final 35 games of the season and play their way out of an NCAA Tournament at-large bid. Not only did the Cardinals miss the Big Dance for the second time in three years, but they failed to clinch a spot in their conference tournament for the first time since 1970.

(Photo of Luke Napleton: Denny Sinnock - Quincy University Athletics)

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