South Carolina Gamecocks Lose Key Bullpen Arm as Ashton Crowther Officially Enters Transfer Portal Ahead of 2025 Baseball Season
Ashton Crowther, a name Gamecock fans have grown familiar with over the last couple of seasons, has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal. The South Carolina reliever, who brought consistency and control to the Gamecocks’ bullpen, is now exploring his options after an up-and-down season with the program. His departure raises questions about the future of South Carolina’s pitching staff, a group that had already been a point of concern throughout the 2024 campaign.
Crowther’s decision to enter the portal is a significant one for both himself and the Gamecocks baseball program. Though he wasn’t always the headline star, Crowther’s value was in his reliability. He was a calming presence in middle and late-inning situations, particularly in SEC play, where every out counts and every pitch is magnified.
Crowther, a right-handed pitcher with a developing arsenal, had a modest statistical season by the numbers, but those don’t tell the full story. He logged 34.2 innings of work across 21 appearances, recording a 3.88 ERA with 39 strikeouts and just 11 walks. His ability to command the strike zone and minimize damage in high-leverage situations made him one of the more trusted arms in head coach Mark Kingston’s bullpen.
One of Crowther’s most notable outings came against Florida, where he entered with the bases loaded and nobody out in the sixth inning. He induced a ground ball double play and a strikeout to end the inning unscathed—an outing that perfectly illustrated his poise under pressure. Those types of performances didn’t always end up in highlight reels, but they often made the difference between a win and a loss in a brutal SEC schedule.
The decision to transfer, according to multiple reports and sources close to the program, stems from a combination of factors—playing time projections, coaching changes, and a desire to find a better fit for his long-term development. While South Carolina will likely pursue arms from the portal to replenish the bullpen, losing Crowther adds to a growing list of offseason concerns.
This offseason has already seen significant roster movement for South Carolina, especially on the pitching side. With several starters and relievers graduating or getting drafted, the team was expected to lean on returning players like Crowther to anchor the younger arms. Now, with his departure, those plans must be revised.
For Crowther, the portal represents an opportunity to reset. He’ll have two years of eligibility remaining, and there is little doubt that a number of Power Five programs—and even mid-majors looking for veteran bullpen help—will express strong interest. His combination of control, SEC experience, and coachability makes him an appealing target for teams hoping to bolster their pitching depth without having to develop from scratch.
In today’s college baseball landscape, the transfer portal has become an increasingly vital mechanism for roster building. For pitchers like Crowther, it allows for a chance to find the right role, system, and development plan. While some may view transfer decisions through a critical lens, the reality is that these moves often benefit both the player and the program. In Crowther’s case, it appears to be a decision rooted in long-term growth.
Reactions from the Gamecock fanbase have been mixed. Many understand that roster turnover is inevitable in modern college athletics, especially with the added complexity of the portal and NIL. Others are disappointed to see a reliable contributor leave at a time when stability is needed most. Crowther may not have been the team’s ace or closer, but those who followed the season closely understood his importance to the overall pitching staff.
Head coach Mark Kingston has not issued a formal statement on Crowther’s departure, but assistant pitching coach Matt Williams praised Crowther’s professionalism and commitment in a recent radio interview. “Ashton’s a guy you want on your team,” Williams said. “He worked hard, he bought into everything we were doing, and he always wanted the ball in big spots. We wish him nothing but the best moving forward.”
South Carolina now faces the challenge of not only replacing Crowther’s innings but also finding someone who can replicate his steadiness. The Gamecocks struggled with bullpen depth last season, often relying on a small group of arms to carry a heavy load. With Crowther’s exit, that group just got even thinner.
The timing of Crowther’s portal entry is also notable. Entering the portal in early summer gives him the benefit of exploring a wide range of options before fall workouts begin. It also gives interested programs time to evaluate their rosters, scholarships, and staff needs. For a pitcher like Crowther, who can immediately contribute, that timing could result in multiple offers in the coming weeks.
From a development standpoint, Crowther has shown steady improvement throughout his collegiate career. Originally a lesser-known recruit from Georgia, he quickly earned a spot in South Carolina’s bullpen rotation through sheer work ethic and command. While he doesn’t boast overpowering velocity, he compensates with a mature approach, intelligent sequencing, and a deceptive slider that’s particularly effective against right-handed hitters.
If there’s a silver lining for South Carolina, it’s that the program has had success recruiting and developing pitching talent in recent years. However, the reliance on the portal has become more urgent, and Crowther’s departure only increases that pressure. The Gamecocks are expected to be active in pursuing experienced arms, and internal development of younger pitchers will become even more crucial during summer and fall ball.
Crowther’s next destination will be one to watch. Teams like Georgia Tech, NC State, and East Carolina—programs that need bullpen arms and have a recent history of developing pitchers—could make strong pushes. Don’t be surprised if SEC rivals come calling as well, although inter-conference transfers can be more politically sensitive.
What cannot be ignored is the broader implication of Crowther’s decision. It represents the new normal in college baseball. Players now have the agency to seek opportunities that align with their goals, and programs must adjust accordingly. It’s a landscape that values adaptability, and Crowther is making a move that he believes is best for his career trajectory.
Looking ahead, South Carolina’s coaching staff will be under pressure to respond. Whether through high school recruiting, junior college transfers, or the portal, they’ll need to reinforce a bullpen that has already lost key contributors. Stability, particularly on the pitching side, is hard to maintain in today’s environment—but it’s essential for success in the SEC.
As for Ashton Crowther, his time in Columbia ends with appreciation and respect. He was never the most talked-about player on the roster, but his consistency, work ethic, and quiet leadership did not go unnoticed. Wherever he ends up next, he will bring experience, poise, and a mindset shaped by the trials of SEC baseball.
Ultimately, this chapter of his career may close with disappointment for some fans, but it also opens a door for both Crowther and the Gamecocks to pursue new paths. College baseball is changing rapidly, and Ashton Crowther is doing what many athletes are doing—seeking the right fit, the right role, and the right future.
In the months ahead, his name will likely pop up on a new roster, wearing a new uniform, possibly toeing the rubber against his former team. Such is the nature of modern college sports. And for South Carolina, the focus now turns to who’s next—because in the SEC, there’s never time to stand still.
