Canadian catcher Hugh Pinkney is heading into his junior season in college baseball. After two seasons playing for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, he made the transfer move head to Tulane ahead of the 2025 season to help fill the Green Wave’s catcher room that needed replenishing.
Pinkney is a former 2022 MLB draft pick, having been selected by the San Diego Padres in the 17th round that season. This was due to the praise he received in high school playing for Silverthorn Collegiate Institute. He was ranked the number five high schooler out of Ontario and the number one catcher. However, Pinkney was set on his decision to go to Rutgers instead.
“I chose Rutgers because of the academic reputation, strong coaching staff and excellent competition in the Big Ten.”
In his two seasons playing for the Scarlet Knights, he finished with a .257 batting average out of 237 at-bats. His on-base percentage of .371 was solid as he drew 32 career walks.
Pinkney is sound defensively. He has a .985 career fielding percentage and committed just six errors during his first two seasons of college baseball.
So, why transfer to Tulane after some solidity playing at Rutgers? The Green Wave’s catcher group needed some work after head coach Jay Uhlman lost his three backstops from last season. Pinkney’s move helped to fill that void along with a fellow transfer from Florida Atlantic Andrew McKenna.
Heading into Tulane’s fall ball season, there may be a position battle for who can win the everyday position of playing catcher. Their fall ball season will begin in the middle of October with their alumni game and two exhibitions between Pearl River Community College and Nicholls.
Pinkney’s defense and future development with hitting makes him a good candidate for the catcher position on a team that is looking to return to the NCAA tournament for the third straight season.
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WBN NCAA: https://worldbaseball.com/league/ncaa/
Photo Credit: Hugh Pinkney bats. (Image Courtesy of Rutgers Athletics)
