A former in-state prospect is headed back to the Hawkeye State after spending three seasons in Minnesota.
Iowa Baseball has consistently dipped into the transfer portal to add talent to the roster, especially players from Division II or JUCO. The program has found multiple successful options from the portal over the past few seasons, and that has continued through the early stages of the 2026 baseball transfer portal window.
The program has already added slugging 1B/OF transfer Sawyer Stein from Iowa Central Community College and former Kirkwood Community College pitcher Reid Burkle, and more pitching reinforcements are on the way.
Minnesota State University-Mankato transfer Sam George is headed to Iowa City
Iowa's pitching staff struggled mightily last season with a team 6.16 earned run average (ERA, including a 5.77 combined ERA from relievers. The pitching staff has been the main focus of Rick Heller and the program, and that continued with the addition of a talented transfer from Minnesota State University-Mankato.
BREAKING🚨
— Kyle Huesmann (@HuesmannKyle) June 10, 2026
Iowa Baseball has received a commitment from Minnesota State Mankato LHP Sam George.
George was an All-NSIC selection this past season, finishing the regular season with a 2.61 ERA, which ranked 25th in DII. pic.twitter.com/4N3W2KqjNR
According to On3 Sports' Kyle Huesmann, left-handed pitcher Sam George has committed to Iowa after spending the last three seasons with the Minnesota State University-Mankato Mavericks baseball program. George is a two-time First-Team All-NSIC selection and has one year of remaining eligibility.
George told the Hawkeye Report that multiple schools reached out to him, but Iowa was his top choice, and they reached out immediately. He also noted that he is excited about working directly with Iowa pitching coach Wes Obermueller one-on-one. Last season for the Mavericks, George posted a 3.80 ERA, including a 2.61 regular-season ERA.
With George onboard, Heller now has at least four viable starting options, including 2026 breakout star Kyle Alivo, Jarron Bleeker, and Maddux Freese. Adding George to the rotation also gives them a solid left-handed starter, something they were lacking. George isn't a big strikeout pitcher (63 in 64.0 innings last season), but doesn't issue many hits or walks, something Iowa struggled mightily with last season.
Whether George is in the starting rotation or in the bullpen, Heller now has a reliable, veteran option to call on, and he definitely improves the staff from last season.
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