Houston Transfer Ariel Redmond Gives Carolina Another Athletic Option in the Outfield
Article by: Chris Smith
Follow here: X (Twitter)
Filling an Important Need
North Carolina has added another piece to its 2027 roster with the commitment of Houston transfer Ariel Redmond, who officially signed with Carolina on June 29. The sophomore outfielder will arrive in Chapel Hill with two years of collegiate experience and will have two seasons of eligibility remaining. Redmond joins a Tar Heel team looking to replace a pair of veteran outfielders after the graduations of left fielder Lexie Roberts and right fielder Michele Tarpey. Those departures leave opportunities in the corner outfield, and Redmond should have every chance to compete for one of those starting roles when Carolina opens fall practice.
Video Courtesy of ESPN+
A Proven Contributor at Houston
Redmond appeared in 97 games over two seasons at Houston, making 91 starts while seeing time at all three outfield positions. She took another step forward as a sophomore, starting every game and batting .282 with 46 hits, 36 runs scored, nine home runs, 20 RBIs, and a .479 slugging percentage. She also drew 25 walks and finished among Houston's team leaders in several offensive categories, including runs, home runs, total bases, and stolen bases. Defensively, Redmond showed she can make an impact with her arm, recording nine outfield assists during the 2026 season. Across her first two collegiate seasons, she hit .271 with 71 hits, 12 home runs, 33 RBIs, and 58 runs scored while establishing herself as an everyday player.
Visit Photos Courtesy of UNC Athletics
What Redmond Brings to Carolina
Video Courtesy of ESPN+
While Redmond has already shown she can be a productive hitter at the college level, it will be interesting to see whether she can unlock another level offensively under North Carolina hitting coach Corey Lyon, who also serves as the Tar Heels' third base coach. Lyon has built a reputation for helping hitters maximize their approach at the plate, and Redmond possesses the combination of athleticism and power that gives her plenty of room to grow. If she continues that upward trajectory, Carolina could be adding much more than an experienced outfielder. Redmond has the tools to become an impact bat while providing versatility and stability in an outfield that will feature new faces next season.
Need a one-stop hub for the Carolina Baseball transfer portal news?
Carolina Baseball Transfer Portal Hub - Who's In & Who's Out