Virginia head coach Chris Pollard continues reshaping the Cavaliers’ pitching staff by securing a high-impact transfer. On July 4, Western Kentucky graduate transfer Lucas Hartman announced via social media his commitment to UVA, instantly bolstering the Cavalier bullpen.
Hartman, a right‑handed pitcher, earned First‑Team All‑Conference USA honors last year after a stellar 2024 campaign . Over 53.1 innings for the Hilltoppers, he posted a 5–1 record with a 2.87 ERA, struck out 62 batters, walked 22, and held hitters to a microscopic .180 average . His performance landed him on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List, showcasing his dominance in relief and closing roles .
In a tweet announcing the move, Preston Willett perfectly encapsulated Hartman’s résumé:
> “UVA lands a commitment from Western Kentucky transfer RHP Lucas Hartman.
Hartman earned First Team All‑Conference USA honors last season and was on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Midseason Watch List.
Grad transfer had a 2.70 ERA, striking out 62 in 53.1 innings.”
Hartman’s statistical profile adds vital depth to a Virginia roster where late-inning pitching has been a sore point. With a sub‑.200 opponent average and strong strikeout-to-walk ratio, he projects as a high-leverage bullpen option or multi-inning reliever—an asset for Pollard’s 2026 rotation plans.
His arrival comes at an opportune moment: UVA lost key arms recently to the transfer portal. Evan Blanco, a lefty, officially moved to Tennessee, and Joe Colucci also entered the portal after flashes of late-inning promise under UVA’s previous staff . Hartman helps fill that gap, giving Pollard a seasoned and reliable reliever to plug into Charlottesville’s pitching puzzle.
Pollard, who took over on June 18 following Brian O’Connor’s departure, has aggressively recruited to stabilize his squad in the wake of roster turnover and a postseason-eligible draft pool . Hartman represents a clear step in that direction—a veteran arm with proven results