Hudson Homers: Coach Finwood Talks Recruiting, the Transfer Portal, and ODU Baseball's Exciting Future

The offseason may be underway, but there's no such thing as a quiet summer for Old Dominion Baseball.

The latest Hudson Homers episode covers ODU Baseball recruiting, transfer portal additions, College World Series storylines, MLB Draft updates, and the latest progress on the Monarchs' new stadium.

In the latest episode of Hudson Homers, Coach Chris Finwood sits down with Gary and CB for a wide-ranging offseason conversation covering transfer portal strategy, recruiting, the College World Series, and the exciting progress being made on ODU Baseball's new home. For Monarch fans looking for a glimpse into the future of the program, this episode delivers exactly that.

ODU Baseball's Summer Recruiting Push

As college baseball continues to evolve, roster building has become a year-round challenge. Finwood offers an inside look at how the Monarchs are navigating the transfer portal, evaluating talent, and identifying the pieces they believe can help ODU compete near the top of one of the nation's strongest baseball conferences. Rather than simply chasing numbers, ODU's staff is focused on finding the right fit with its portal strategy.

"We're not going after a large volume of guys in the portal, so we can be picky. If you're not getting enough no's, you're not aiming high enough."

It's one of several moments in the episode where Finwood pulls back the curtain on the realities of modern college baseball recruiting. Fans hear how the coaching staff evaluates players, which positions remain a priority, and why certain types of players have become some of the most coveted commodities in the sport.

What Troy's College World Series Run Means for the Sun Belt

The discussion comes at a fascinating time for the Sun Belt Conference as Troy continues its remarkable run in the College World Series. Finwood, Gary, and CB discuss what Troy's success says about the strength of the league and how close many programs, including ODU, may be to making a similar breakthrough.

The conversation also touches on coaching changes around the conference, player movement throughout college baseball, and the ever-changing landscape that programs must navigate to remain competitive.

New ODU Baseball Stadium Taking Shape

Of course, no offseason discussion would be complete without talking about the future home of Monarch Baseball. For fans eagerly tracking every construction update, this may be the most detailed stadium conversation yet on Hudson Homers. Finwood shares updates on locker room construction, seating installation, premium viewing areas, and the overall progress of the facility. While there is still work to be done, the vision is becoming easier to see with each passing week. 

"It's starting to look like something. It's exciting. It's starting to come together. It's going to be a beautiful ballpark."

That excitement is evident throughout the conversation. From chairback seating and fan amenities to recruiting advantages and the atmosphere future crowds will create, the new stadium represents much more than a construction project. It's a transformational moment for the program.

Former Monarchs Making Noise in Professional Baseball

The episode also includes updates on former Monarchs playing professional baseball, including several players making noise in the minor leagues and others pursuing opportunities through summer leagues and the MLB Draft process. Finwood shares his thoughts on the unpredictability of the draft and what he tells players as they navigate one of the biggest decisions of their careers.

You'll also hear about ODU's returning players, incoming freshmen, summer development plans, and why the coaching staff feels optimistic about the foundation being built for next season.

Why Coach Finwood Is Optimistic About 2027

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the episode is the sense of momentum surrounding the program. Between a growing national reputation for the Sun Belt, continued recruiting success, roster additions, returning talent, and a new stadium rising in Norfolk, there's plenty for Monarch fans to be excited about heading into 2027.

But that's only scratching the surface.

Which positions is ODU still targeting? Which newcomers have the coaching staff most excited? What does Finwood really think about the current transfer portal environment? How close is the stadium to looking like a finished ballpark? And why does he believe the Monarchs are positioned to take another step forward?

🎧 In This Episode

✔ Coach Finwood's latest recruiting and portal updates
✔ The positions ODU is still targeting
✔ Progress on the new baseball stadium
✔ Sun Belt baseball and Troy's College World Series run
✔ Former Monarchs in professional baseball
✔ Why the coaching staff is excited about the 2027 roster

Watch the full episode below and hear it directly from Coach Finwood himself.

▶ Watch the full Hudson Homers episode embedded below.

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