Sophomore right-handed pitcher Alec Belardes announced he is entering the transfer portal on Tuesday. Belardes is the second player to announce his departure from Arizona State as he joins senior catcher Manny Garza in the portal.
Belardes has three years of eligibility remaining. He did not see much action in his Sun Devil career.
He redshirted his freshman year. His sophomore year consisted of two appearances, totaling a third of an inning with a 27 ERA. Command was an issue, as on the season, he threw 27 pitches, nine of which were strikes.
His first outing of the year was on the first Saturday of the season against Ohio State. Belardes had a poor showing, getting one out on three batters. He walked a batter, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch, while allowing no runs.
The California native’s would have to wait until April for his next appearance. He did not fare any better in a midweek game against Cal State Fullerton. In the April First game, he walked the pair of batters he faced with two runs charged to him, but only one was earned.
In fall ball leading up to the 2025 season, he had mixed outings. In an exhibition against California Baptist on October 26th, he allowed two base runners, but did not allow a run. In the November 19th Maroon and Gold World Series (M&GWS) inter-squad game, he pitched two innings with three strikeouts and a walk. Six days later, on Nov. 25th, he went only a third of an inning, allowing three walks and three earned runs in another M&GWS inter-squad game.
The bullpen was one of the Sun Devils' weakest points on the season. The non-regular starting pitchers (everyone not junior lefty Ben Jacobs and senior righty Jack Martinez) lost 16 of the 24 games. Jacobs and Martinez are both expected to declare for the MLB draft, so ASU will need to find some quality arms in the offseason.