Joe Colucci Jumps Into the Portal—UVA’s Bullpen Gets Even Thinner

Jun 16, 2024; Omaha, NE, USA; The Virginia Cavaliers meet on the field after the loss against the Florida State Seminoles at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images | Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Virginia’s summer of roster churn rolled on Monday when right-hander Joe Colucci entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to Daily Progress beat writer Greg Madia. The 6-foot-5 sophomore, who opened eyes with a lively fastball in 2024 JUCO ball and arrived in Charlottesville as a potential high-leverage arm, will explore options with two seasons of eligibility — and the July MLB Draft — still in play.

Colucci’s debut ACC season never quite clicked. In 15 outings, the sophomore had a 0-3 record and a 9.17 ERA, striking out 17 and issuing seven walks over 17.6 innings. Yet beneath some rough statistics, there was promise. He logged scoreless late-inning relief against Dartmouth, Duke, VCU, and Towson. Colucci was a late-inning weapon waiting to be refined.

Sources: #UVa RHP Joe Colucci has entered the transfer portal.

He was 0-3 this past spring, but had 17 Ks in 17.2 IP. He had scoreless outings vs Dartmouth, Duke, VCU and Towson. He's pitched well with Bourne in the Cape this summer with a 2.61 ERA. He is draft eligible, too.

— Greg Madia (@GregMadia) June 30, 2025

Pitching this month for the Bourne Braves, Colucci has posted a 2.61 ERA with no home runs allowed—a wood-bat turnaround that has mid-round draft chatter percolating among scouts stationed in Falmouth and Cotuit.

Why It Hurts Virginia

New head coach Chris Pollard, hired on June 18 after Brian O’Connor’s surprise departure, was counting on Colucci to push for seventh- or eighth-inning work in 2026. Instead, the Cavaliers have watched a string of arms walk out the door:

• LHP Evan Blanco — portal entry on June 2. 
• LHP Tomas Valincius — transferred to Mississippi State on June 6. 

With Colucci gone, Pollard’s returning staff is anchored by a handful of untested sophomores. Expect UVA to be aggressive in the second transfer-portal window as it tries to rebuild late-inning depth before fall practice.

What’s Next for Colucci

The portal gives Colucci a safety net if the draft board doesn’t break his way. Programs lacking a power righty with two years left — think SEC contenders short on bullpen swing-and-miss — will line up quickly. If a pro club wagers on his Cape momentum, Colucci could skip campus altogether.

For More Baseball News:

• Pollard Reels In Former Duke Commit: Griffin Enis Joins the Hoos

• New Arms, Familiar Face: Augustin Returns as Willius and Kapa Arrive to Reinforce UVA’s Pitching Staff

• Chris Pollard’s UVA Baseball Contract: Salary and Key Terms Revealed

• Chris Pollard Adds Another Former Blue Devil to His Roster