Keyler Gonzalez is nan latest sanction to deed nan transportation portal for Mizzou shot arsenic nan right-handed pitcher announced his intentions to participate connected his Twitter/X and Instagram platforms Sunday afternoon.
This is arguably nan biggest deed to nan Tigers’ pitching unit regarding departures frankincense far, arsenic Gonzalez proved to beryllium a reliable limb for nan Tigers unit passim nan season.
The 2 biggest standout outings for nan Cuban-born pitcher some came successful large location victories for Missouri against a brace of teams who secured spots successful nan 2026 NCAA Baseball tournament. Gonzalez, up till his six-inning, nine-strikeout capacity successful an 5-2 triumph against Missouri State connected Apr. 7, had sounded up to 2.1 innings successful relief. Both his inning and strikeout tallies were collegiate profession highs for Gonzalez.
Missouri State was nan No. 11 squad successful nan federation successful RPI astatine nan time, and earlier nan Lawrence Regional, classed 14th successful nan federation successful full homers according to D1 Baseball. Gonzalez came successful to switch Jackson Sobel and led nan Tigers to victory.
Missouri collapsed its winless drought against Arkansas connected Apr. 25 pinch nan thief of a five-inning shutout capacity by Gonzalez successful which he struck retired 5 batters and walked none. In his 2 mixed alleviation outings against nan Bears and Razorbacks, Gonzalez walked 1 batter.
“You’re talking astir personification who’s been done a lot,” Mizzou coach Kerrick Jackson said post-game aft Mizzou’s 6-1 triumph complete Arkansas. “Regardless of his situation, he’s ever sewage a grin connected his face. He loves to beryllium present mundane and we want that to beryllium infectious to nan remainder of our team.”
The aforesaid week arsenic his victorious commencement against nan Razorbacks, Gonzalez earned U.S citizenship, capping disconnected his eventful and successful sucsesful week connected and disconnected nan diamond.
“It was a agelong process,” Gonzalez said. “But being capable to go a U.S. citizen, it’s great. This state has fixed maine everything, truthful I’m ace happy and proud to beryllium an American now.”
Gonzalez vanished nan play pinch a 3-1 win-loss record, 36 strikeouts and a 5.02 ERA connected nan play pinch 13 walks. Gonzalez is now nan 4th Mizzou pitcher to participate nan transportation portal aft nan conclusion of nan Tigers’ 2026 season. He made his past quality May 16 against Texas, pitching 1.2 innings and allowing 2 earned runs while striking retired 2 batters.