The Oregon Ducks baseball program lost multiple young star hitters in the lineup this offseason, watching the core power sluggers leave for the SEC. However, the Ducks didn't lie down, and they found some intriguing pieces to add through the portal as well.
The biggest portal addition to the lineup is undoubtedly Adrian Lopez, who will move up the coast from USC to Oregon. Lopez is versatile and can play all over the infield, primarily at first base. His defense is great, but his bat is what could become a difference-maker for the Ducks next season.
D1Baseball ranked the top 50 hitters in the transfer portal this offseason, and Lopez checked in at No. 21. Lopez ranked ahead of Oregon transfers Naulivou Lauaki Jr. (No. 33) and Burke-Lee Mabeus (No. 22), while falling just behind Angel Laya (No. 14). All three of those formers Ducks wound up in the SEC, but Lopez stayed in the Big Ten and could help the Ducks return to the NCAA Tournament again next season.
No. 21 on D1Baseball's Top 50 Transfer Hitters Countdown…@OregonBaseball 1B Adrian Lopez 🦆
— D1Baseball (@d1baseball) August 15, 2026
A marquee defender at first base with buggywhip in his righthanded swing, the former Trojan is primed for a huge role in Eugene.
Nos. 30-21 👉 https://t.co/MdLBacrNS3pic.twitter.com/QF1bpEcz6w
Lopez slashed .304/.382/.534 with a .915 OPS and 13 home runs last season with the Trojans. After beginning his college career at Long Beach State, Lopez spent the past two seasons at USC. He jumped into the transfer portal at the last minute and quickly found a home in Eugene. As a power right-handed bat, Lopez fills a void left by Lauaki in the lineup and helps fill some of the infield questions after the departures of Ryan Cooney, Drew Smith and Maddox Molony.
The 6-foot-4, 210-pound Southern California native only has one season of eligibility remaining. Oregon is building a lineup of transfers and freshmen, which is far from the norm, but necessary given the circumstances. The Ducks have snagged a pair of USC transfers this offseason, with right-handed pitcher Michael Ebner also joining Oregon's pitching staff.
As a healthy mix of power and contact, Lopez is the biggest pickup for the Ducks this offseason in the lineup, and he should regularly be featured in the middle of the lineup in 2027.
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This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Oregon's Adrian Lopez ranked among best transfer hitters