By R.L. Bynum
North Carolina added another experienced relief pitcher out of the transfer portal when former Coastal Carolina right-hander Scott Doran committed to the Tar Heels.
Doran announced his decision in a Friday night Instagram post, saying that he was “excited for this opportunity!” He’s one of several Coastal players to enter the portal after Coach Kevin Schnall left to take the South Carolina job.
Doran, who spent the past two seasons with the Chanticleers, gives the Tar Heels another bullpen option, one who has already handled high-leverage situations at the Division I level.
Last season as a sophomore, he was 4–2 with two saves and a 4.76 ERA in 28⅓ innings, striking out 39 while holding opponents to a .196 batting average. During his freshman season, when he was 1–0 with two saves and 25 strikeouts in 17⅓ innings, he struck out one in ⅓ of an inning against UNC on March 4, 2025.
Known for a sharp slider, he struck out five in six innings in a win over Ole Miss on March 1. He suffered an injury, though, didn’t pitch after April 24 and won’t pitch in the Cape Cod League this summer.
The 6-3, 210-pound Doran was a center in basketball at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia for four seasons.
At Coastal Carolina, Doran carved out a steady role as a reliever, relying on a mix of command and competitiveness to navigate late-inning appearances. While his exact usage fluctuated throughout the season, he showed the ability to enter games in high-leverage spots and limit damage.
Doran is the fifth pitcher to commit to UNC out of the portal after Virginia Tech right-hander Preston Crowl, Penn right-hander Jake Moss, Queens left-hander Joey Ruller and Cal State Northridge right-hander James Voorhies.
The composition of the pitching staff next season will be very different than this past season, when every pitcher except Princeton transfer reliever Tom Chmielewski was recruited out of high school.
Position players who have committed are Maryland catcher Devin Russell, William & Mary shortstop James Laskofski, UNC Asheville left fielder Blaize Johnson and Holy Cross outfielder CJ Egrie.
The addition of Doran fits a trend of UNC targeting college-tested arms through the transfer portal. The Tar Heels have emphasized adding pitchers who bring a combination of experience and versatility, particularly those capable of filling multiple roles out of the bullpen.
Although UNC’s bullpen featured several reliable options last season with Walker McDuffie, Jackson Rose and Caden Glauber, the latter will likely start next season.
As the offseason progresses, additions like Doran’s commitment will shape the identity of North Carolina’s pitching staff. With fall workouts still ahead, his arrival offers the Tar Heels another experienced voice in the bullpen and a reliever who has already proven he can handle the demands of Division I competition.
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Photos via goccusports.com
