Mizzou infielder Chris Patterson to enter transfer portal

Infielder Chris Patterson announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on May 24, becoming Missouri’s first offseason departure after two seasons with the Tigers under head coach Kerrick Jackson.

Patterson missed nearly two months this spring with an injury, sidelined from March 14 through May 9. He returned for the final three SEC regular‑season games and both SEC Tournament matchups, starting each of them.

Playing primarily at third base, his absence opened the door for freshman Keegan Knutson, who handled the position for much of that stretch and made 27 starts on the year. Patterson finished the season with 24 starts in 24 appearances, hitting .237 with two doubles, a triple, two home runs and 14 RBI.

Jackson had previously said it was “unlikely” Patterson would return this season, but after Patterson re‑entered the lineup on May 9 against Vanderbilt — going 2‑for‑4 in Missouri’s 11–8 comeback win, htting two singles. The explanation from KJ on what changed in the weeks leading up was straightforward.

“He got healthy and wanted to play and get back into the lineup,” Jackson said. “It’s that simple.”

As a freshman in 2025, Patterson appeared in 35 games with 30 starts and hit .232 with eight doubles, two home runs and 18 RBI, tying for the team lead in doubles. Across two seasons at Missouri, he posted a .234 average in 59 games with 32 RBI and a .955 fielding percentage. His departure marks the first roster change as Missouri moves into the offseason.