2023 Third-Team All-Big Ten Player Transfers to Alabama Baseball

New Alabama baseball coach Rob Vaughn has picked up an impact transfer from his former conference.

Will Miller | Jun 24, 2023

It's a new era for Alabama baseball, and former Rutgers outfielder Evan Sleight has decided that he wants to be a part of it.

The 2023 Third-Team All-Big Ten selection announced Saturday morning that he would be continuing his career at the Capstone, on the heels of three successful campaigns with the Scarlet Knights.

Sleight previously played in the same conference where new Alabama head man Rob Vaughn coached at Maryland.

I'm thrilled to share that I'll be transferring to the University of Alabama. This decision marks the beginning of a new chapter in my athletic journey, and I'm eagerly anticipating the exciting opportunities that lie ahead. Roll Tide! pic.twitter.com/JnHYIAFXCU
— Evan Sleight (@evan_sleight) June 24, 2023

It's a big addition for Vaughn and the Crimson Tide. Alabama has already lost big names to the portal, but now gets an experienced player and a reliable bat. Sleight is a career .301 hitter in three seasons and has knocked in 119 runs.

In 2023, Sleight had a .315 average and a superb OPS of 1.007. In a lineup desperately needing some experience, he brings that and the numbers to back it up. He also hit a dozen home runs, doubling his career total.

He improved on his 2022 statistics, wherein he hit .310 with eight home runs and an OPS of .878. Overall, 92 of his career RBIs came in the last two seasons.

The power will be a major positive now that Colby Shelton is officially gone. The outfield remains a solid group entering the Vaughn era, despite departures of its own, and a player of Sleight's caliber could factor in defensively or as a designated hitter.

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