Portland Will Be Home For Kauffman After Gap Year

Landon Kauffman OF / LHP / Okotoks Dawgs Academy, AB / 2024

OKOTOKS, AB - The future is bright for Landon Kauffman.

The 2024 graduate of Okotoks Dawgs Academy will be taking a gap year before heading off to college after a commitment to the University of Portland.

“It’s kind of relieving,” the third-rated 2024 outfielder in Alberta admitted. “The recruiting process was stressful, so it’s nice to know I have a place to play and that I’ve accomplished my dream to play Division I college baseball. I’m comfortable with the program I’m walking into.”

Portland saw Kauffman play in a tournament in Pullman, Wash. and became enamored immediately. 

“The coach called mid-tournament and said he’d like to offer,” Kauffman reflected.

While no commitment was made at that point, it eventually happened once the logistics were worked out.

“I feel I have a good chance to earn a starting role freshman year,” Kauffman said about what made Portland right for him. “The academics are also super good.”

The 5-10 175-pounder certainly made an impression on Portland.

“They like how I play the game, how hard I play,” Kauffman noted. “My style fits their program well. They compete super hard and know how to play the game the right way. I have a well-rounded game and can contribute with all five tools. There’s not a tool that sticks out, so I really need to work on that.

“Effort is something I always take pride in,” the 22nd-ranked 2024 in Alberta added. “My dad says all you can control is working hard.”

A commitment brings an end to a long recruiting process.

“Before I decided to come to the Dawgs I was talking to Utah,” Kauffman related. “As soon as I got here I got more interest. The Niagara coach said he saw me online on PBR and that got me interest. The West Coast Games is where Portland saw me.

“Throughout the year I was talking with a lot of schools,” Kauffman continued. “After the Future Games, when the Aug. 1 rule came into effect, things picked up. I didn’t do great at the Future Games so there wasn’t a ton of interest like others, but Portland heard my measurables and became interested in me.”

The desire to play after high school has been a long-time aspiration.

“Growing up, college baseball has been a dream,” the recently-turned 18-year-old said. “In grade seven I was thinking I had a shot at playing Division I baseball, but then Covid happened. That’s when I took my biggest strides. I put on 40 pounds and got a lot stronger. My coaches said I could pursue this. When I moved to the Academy I thought it could become a reality.”
Kauffman, who credited the Academy staff - Jeff Duda, Tyler Hollick and Val Helldobler - along with Prep Baseball Canada’s George Halim and Cam Black-Araujo with playing important roles in his recruitment, believes a gap year will prove beneficial.