Could be enjoyable to see Kyle Alivo in an Iowa uniform once more subsequent season

By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – My largest takeaway from the 2026 Big Ten Baseball Tournament, moreover the truth that UCLA is basically good, is that Iowa pitcher Kyle Alivo has unimaginable stuff, perhaps even star potential on the mound.

One of the advantages from having watched the Big Ten Tournament on tv is that it introduced an up-close view of the pitchers from behind the mound.

From that viewing angle, it’s a lot simpler to see the motion and site of pitches, and the way a pitcher works the plate backward and forward, and from prime to backside.

Alivo did all these issues brilliantly in a 4-3 loss to Michigan State final Wednesday in Omaha, Nebraska. The Franklin, Wisconsin native pitched 5 2/3 innings in aid, permitting only one run, placing out seven and scattering seven hits.

His fastball was clocked persistently within the mid-90s and his slider was unhittable at occasions.

Alivo was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team after posting a 3.72 ERA in 16 appearances this season, together with two begins, whereas recording 4 wins on the mound in his debut season. He additionally recorded a team-high 67 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings.

He was additionally a semifinalist for the 2026 John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award.

Alivo had eight hits in 28 plate appearances this season, together with 4 doubles and one residence run.

And although additionally a proficient hitter and succesful infielder, Alivo’s future is clearly on the mound the place he has immense potential.

The query is will his future be at Iowa?

Because you may be sure that different faculties with deep NIL pockets and few spending guard rails will come calling, and possibly have already got started their pursuit of Alivo, who will probably be a third-year sophomore subsequent season.

Iowa is the varsity that caught with Alivo after he had Tommy John surgical procedure as a highschool senior, and is the place he additionally has spent the previous two seasons growing his expertise and constructing relationships.

That has to imply one thing.

But will or not it’s sufficient?

Iowa will certainly do no matter it might from an NIL standpoint to entice Alivo into staying.

But there may be solely a lot that Iowa can do from a monetary standpoint if among the conventional powers had been to begin a bidding struggle.

The Hawkeye homer, and the traditionalist in me hopes that Alivo stays at Iowa and continues to develop underneath the watchful eye of head coach Rick Heller and pitching coast Wes Obermueller.

It’s simple, although, telling someone else what to do, when in actuality, Alivo faces a tough determination.

He likes Iowa or he wouldn’t have already got stayed for 2 seasons.

And there’s quite a bit to love, much more so now with the services being upgraded.

Heller has constructed a tradition at Iowa that’s extremely revered, and that has been efficient in serving to to maintain a degree of consistency.

But once more, the competitors for the 6-foot-1, 177-pound Alivo will probably be stiff.

Former Iowa pitcher Brody Brecht, along with his 100-mile per hour fastball, may’ve have left Iowa for greener pastures, however he stayed the course till he grew to become draft eligible and now he’s climbing up the ranks within the minor leagues.

If Alivo had been to go someplace else to play subsequent season, it might definitely be a gut-punch, but additionally an indication of the occasions.

It wouldn’t be a motive to dislike or criticize Alivo as a result of he has to do what he feels is in his finest curiosity, short-term and long-term.

He already has handled a critical damage, so he understands that there aren’t any ensures in life, or in baseball.

Alivo has labored exhausting, bodily and mentally, to achieve this level as a Hawkeye, and now his future appears to be like very promising as he will probably be eligible for the 2027 Major League Draft.

It’s only a matter of the place his future will take him subsequent season.