'Whatever it takes to win': K-State baseball transfer commit ready to compete

MANHATTAN (KSNT)- Two Kansas State catchers entered the transfer portal after the conclusion of the 2024 season, including Raphael Pelletier.

Pelletier combined for 110 starts for K-State between 2023 and 2024. The Wildcats, as perhaps expected, hit the recruiting trail for a man behind the plate out of the transfer portal.

Grad transfer Keegan O'Connor announced his commitment to the Wildcats via social media on Wednesday, June 26.

O'Connor comes to K-State after four years at Quinnipiac University (2021-2024) where he was selected 2023 All-MAAC First Team. The rising fifth-year catcher started in 148 with the Bobcats and ended with a batting average of .321.

K-State head baseball coach Pete Hughes kept it transparent to his fellow northeastern native -there are no handouts. O'Connor knows he'll have to earn and keep a spot in the lineup.

"The biggest thing was they recruit tough kids, and I want to play on a team with a bunch of guys that are kind of just putting in the extra work all the time." O'Connor said. "It fit. He didn't guarantee anything which is great. I want to go to a place that they're not going to just beat around the bush with what they're expecting out of recruits and everything. You got to work for everything so that's what I'm looking forward to."

The jump from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to the Big 12 presents a challenge, but it's one the new 'Cat is looking forward to.

"My biggest thing is winning, man, I just want to win," O'Connor said. "I'll do whatever it takes to win."

O'Connell, an Andover, Mass. native, quickly hit it off with the Boston-raised Hughes.