By Mmesoma 
Alabama baseball has suffered another exit from its pitching staff, with senior relief pitcher Packy Bradley‑Cooney entering the NCAA transfer portal on the final day of the summer window.
Bradley‑Cooney, a former Campbell standout, joined the Crimson Tide after his strong 2024 season, in which he shined as the team’s closer. At Campbell, the right-hander notched 53 strikeouts over 39 innings, including a team-leading six saves in 25 appearances . However, his 2025 campaign in Tuscaloosa did not live up to expectations.
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🔹 Struggles in 2025
Despite the promise from his Campbell tenure, Bradley‑Cooney made just six appearances this season and was plagued by control issues—issuing seven walks in 3.1 innings, while recording only five strikeouts, resulting in a 10.80 ERA, one of the worst among regular relievers on the roster . These struggles contributed to reduced late-season opportunities in key SEC matchups.
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🔹 Program’s Portal Strategy
Bradley‑Cooney becomes the latest in a string of relief pitchers exiting the program via the transfer portal, a strategy Alabama has used to address previous bullpen weaknesses . The Tide have actively tapped into portal talent to reload, suggesting that they’ll continue that trend by targeting pitchers to stabilize late-game situations.
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🔹 Looking Ahead
With Bradley‑Cooney’s departure confirmed by College Baseball Central, Alabama must now evaluate internal options and likely seek external reinforcements. The transfer portal is expected to be a key source for additional bullpen pieces ahead of the 2026 season.
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Bottom Line:
The exit of Bradley‑Cooney closes a chapter marked by early-season potential but unmet performance. Yet, it also creates an opportunity for Alabama’s pitching staff to reshape and reinforce its relief depth—just as the program has done successfully in recent years.