Lefty Andrew Wright posted a 2.40 ERA in 27 appearances, 41.1 innings. Jayden Harper is a candidate for a weekend rotation spot, as he started 5 games last year and had 15 appearances, posting a 3.68 ERA.

Transfers Joseph Jasso (College of the Canyons) and Cade O’Hara (Texas) have opportunities to pitch meaningful innings in ‘26.

Overall, so many returning players from a team that got hot down the stretch. If coach Dietrich and company can get off to a better start in 2026, I expect them to make some noise in the Big West and beyond. 

UC Santa Barbara Gauchos – Big West

2025 Overall Record: 36-18 

2025 Conference Record: 16-14 

While the 2025 season was a self-admitted slight disappointment for coach Andrew Checketts and what folks thought could be a breakout season for the Gauchos, it did open the eyes of the staff to what could be the 2026 season.

With a tremendous pitching staff from a year ago, UCSB will look to continue its ace dominance. Jackson Flora is climbing draft boards quickly, and while replacing Tyler Bremner is going to be tough, I believe Flora is due for a huge 2026 campaign.

His 3.60 ERA and 75.0 innings pitched are just going to further his chances of being the Friday night ace. Not to shy away from the very talented Calvin Proskey, who started 13 games in 2025, posting a 3.78 ERA in 66.2 innings.

Nathan Aceves is a possible candidate for the rotation as well, making four starts last season and having a 1.65 ERA in a limited 27.1 innings. 

Out of the bullpen, the Gauchos have a plethora of arms to turn to. Making 20 appearances last season, Cole Tryba returns, and his 3.48 ERA and 46 strikeouts in 31.0 innings are a good start.

Donovan Jackson was a tough lefty out of the pen last season, making 21 appearances with a 2.06 ERA in 43.2 innings. Raymond Olivia has 18 appearances, Van Froling has 12 appearances, Chase Hoover has 8 appearances, and Nic Peterson has 14 appearances.

Stunner Gonzales is a big righty who didn’t throw much last year but has the ability to be a power arm for UCSB in 2026.

It is the offense that will need to step up if Coach Checketts wants to earn an NCAA bid and compete for a Big West title this season. Jonathan Mendez has some pop and hit .314 OPS of .951 with 11 homers in ‘25.

Xavier Esquer returns to bolster an offense in need of some pop hitting .281 with 8 homers in 54 games last year. Nate Vargas started 54 games last year, hitting .306 with an OPS of .919 and 10 homers, making that trio of players returning a stable middle of the lineup.

Rowan Kelly was very active on base in limited action, starting 29 games but hitting .355. Cole Kosciusko will need to up his plate approach in ‘26 to help alleviate some of the offensive woes last season.

While pitching and defense win championships, I believe it will take more offense to get the Gauchos where they want to be in 2026; they do have tons of the aforementioned, especially on the pitching side. 

San Diego State University – Mountain West

2025 Overall Record: 20-39 

2025 Conference Record: 14-16

It’s a new era for San Diego State baseball as they hired Arizona Pitching Coach Kevin Vance as the new head man. Coach Vance had one of the best all-around staffs in the 2025 season, helping lead the Wildcats back to Omaha.

It is a full rebuild for this Aztecs squad, and Coach Vance hit the portal very quickly, going out and getting some of the best West Coast talent on the board. This class is filled with talent on both sides of the ball, including many players from big programs with winning traditions.

It’s clear that Vance wants to win in 2026, and I think it will be a three-horse race in the Mountain West this final season before entering into Pac-12 play. 

On offense, there are not a lot of returning folks for the Aztecs, but with a complete rebuild, this is not uncommon. Three returners from the Outfield are Zane Kelly, who hit .285 in 56 games played last season, Jake Johnson, who hit .249 in 58 games with 4 homers, and Drew Ritter, who hit .237 in 46 games.

The offense needs an injection of life, as the team total for home runs was 22 a year ago. Coach Vance’s additions from the transfer portal will need to give this offense life. DH/1B Tyce Peterson (Oregon State) hit .288 with 5 homers in 47 games.

UTL Levi Jones (Oregon State) has shown potential to be a breakout stud. MIF Jabin Trosky (Oregon State) has had a ton of experience. Mix in with INF Reeve Boyd (Washington), C Zach Justice (Oregon), C Anthony Marnell IV (Oregon State), and 2B Dawson Santana (Oregon State) to figure out a new lineup in ‘26 for the Aztecs. 

On the pitching side of things, Vance not only brought in a ton of arms, but he also brought back Stephan Strasberg to help get these guys prepared for the 2026 season.

Garvey Rumary Southpaw started 12 games for the Aztec in 2025. Connor Shaw had 19 appearances, Evan Miranda had 25 appearances, Alito McBean had 12 appearances, and Chris Canavan had 19 appearances.

So, as far as returning arms, I think the competition is wide open for any role. Carson Johnson (Arizona) , Drew Talavs (Oregon State), Rohan Lettow (Arizona State), Alec Belardes (Arizona State), and Bryce McKnight (Arizona) will all likely have a chance at some big-time roles this season.

Overall, I think you have to be happy if you are an SDSU fan. I believe Vance is a great hire and that this team will not take too long to become competitive at the highest level once again.

University of San Diego Toreros – West Coast Conference

2025 Overall Record: 28-30 

2025 Conference Record: 19-5

The Toreros were a sexy pick to start the 2025 season, but then came out of the gates losing eight straight and eventually posting a 3-17 record before WCC play began.

But San Diego would turn it around, going 19-5 in the WCC and winning the conference regular season title, but falling in the championship, thus missing the NCAA auto bid.

Losing quite a bit of arm talent in the transfer portal and offensive weapons to the draft, Coach Brock Ungricht has hit the portal, adding a ton of experience on both sides of the ball.

It could be a rebuilding year for San Diego, but I won’t count out the Toreros until all the dust settles in May. The race for the 2026 WCC title will be a fun one!

Here are some of the key returning offensive pieces the Toreros will need to step up in 2026. INF Isaiah Lane hit .328 and had an OPS of .985 in 52 games last season. OF Aden Howard hit .272 and stole 9 bases on 13 attempts.

INF Adrian Beltran Jr. had his ups and downs but finished at .257 with 4 homers in 44 games while also contributing as a pitcher. C Jayden Lobliner hit .286 in 52 games with an OPS of .815, and INF Connor Meidroth played 39 games, hitting .269.

Quite a few pieces are returning for a team that won 19 games in conference but got off to an awful start.

In the portal, the team added Andrew Gauna, a DH from Cal State Northridge. Freshman INF Diego Gonzalez, OF Jack Boucher, and 1B Phoenix Brandt could earn some time this season. 

Needing to replace ace Cal Scolari, who transferred to the University of Oregon, and Logan Reddemann, who transferred to UCLA, is not going to be an easy task.

LHP Porter Rovin got 5 starts in 2025 with an ERA of 5.59 in 48.1 innings. He will need to step it up to find himself pitching in the weekend rotation in 2025. Cody Hayden had 25 appearances out of the bullpen in 2025 with mixed results 7.05 ERA in 37 innings.

Fernando Palencia threw in 21 games and got 1 start, posting a 5.84 ERA in 24.2 innings.

Transferring in Nathan Deshryver (NJIT), Jagger Edwards (Columbia), Reese Bueno (Cal Poly), Kade Bade (Oklahoma State), and Logan Piper (California) to help fill out the rotation and bullpen.

I think there could be a bunch of roles up in the air all the way into the season. Freshman Caleb Sebek, Lucas Shannon, John Lisec, and Christian Garcia could all see opportunities. 

Nevada

Nevada Wolfpack – Mountain West

2025 Overall Record: 34-23 

2025 Conference Record: 19-11

Another new head coach, but a familiar face for the program, as the Wolfpack named Jordan Getzelman the head man this offseason. Very exciting time for Nevada coming off a regular season title in the conference, but fell short in the conference tourney, missing an NCAA bid.

But a foundation has been built, and the path to winning is certainly there for Nevada. They return Sean Yamaguchi, who was one of the most prolific freshmen in the country last season. 

The offense will be key for the Wolfpack in 2026 if they want to continue the Mountain West success they have had the past couple of seasons. INF Sean Yamaguchi is a draft-eligible sophomore who hit .324, OPS .944 with 13 homers and 50 RBI as a freshman.

Billy Ham 1B/DH slashed .340/.453/.557 with a 1.010 OPS in 54 games. Jayce Dobie hit .339 and had an OPS of .939 in 55 games last year. Catcher Jake Harvey also hit over .300, posting an OPS of .828 in 49 games.

Thus, effectively returning the top 4 hitters statistically for the Pack in 2026. Throw in INF Junhyuk Kwon, who hit .346 and posted an OPS of 1.012 in 41 games, and you could say top 5 offensive weapons return for Nevada.

Adding that C/UTL man Nate Snakenborg will have an expanded role this season, I think Getzelman has to feel pretty good about the offense.

Pitching-wise, they lose a combined 29 starts from the weekend rotation, but the good news is Lefty Alessandro Castro returns with his 15 starts and an ERA of 5.33 over 72.2 innings.

Two-Way man Jayce Dobie brings his experience of 11 starts with an ERA of 6.07 over 43 innings. Dominic Desch had 18 appearances in 2025 with a 4.15 ERA, and Logan Saloman added 17 appearances and a 4.46 ERA.

Eddie Tierney had a limited 14.1 innings but 16 appearances in tough spots. Ryan Oakes had 12 appearances and 24.2 innings with mixed results.

In the portal, the Wolfpack added a pair of JC arms from Santa Rosa, Jordan Giacomini and Luke Schat, to shore up the bullpen, as well as two-way player Aidan Pollock from Dallas Baptist. Freshman Kellen Payne and Greyson Osbun may get some opportunities as well in 2026.

I’d be surprised if Nevada is not the favorite to win the conference again in 2026, but I am intrigued by the strides that Washington State made this offseason and the portal frenzy that San Diego State went through.

Wondering if the playing field may have been slightly leveled. But time will tell, and that is why we play the games. 

Washington

Washington State Cougars – Mountain West

2025 Overall Record: 18-36 

2025 Conference Record: 11-19

It was an up-and-down season for the Cougars in 2025, as they had many new additions to a pitching staff that needed to be strong. Lots of JC transfers in the arm department from a year ago, but it was the freshman who stepped up and played some key roles.

Thus giving Coach Choate a huge boost in the arm department coming into the 2026 season. Max Hartman returning on the offensive side will bolster a class of returning players to compete.

I expect Griffin Smith to take another leap forward on the bump and be an ace for this program. No better time than the present to win an MWC title before returning to PAC12 play in the 2027 season. 

If you want to start on the offensive side of the ball, then there is no reason to start with anyone but OF Max Hartman. Thought to be a potential draft pick in 2025, he got banged up and will return to the Cougars after hitting .363 with an OPS of .956 in 42 games.

Add in returners INF Luke Thiele, who hit .310 in 48 games, INF Gavin Roy, who hit .288 in 54 games, INF Ollie Obenour, who hit .271 in 48 games, and 1B Ryan Skjonsby, who hit .243 in 51 games, and you’ve got something cooking.

In an offensive year where Nevada was the lone bright spot for the Mountain West Conference, I suspect Washington State will improve upon these numbers.

Transferring in OF Matthew Priest (USC), OF Dustin Robinson (Cypress CC), and C Cam Macleod (Cloud County CC). Some freshmen making it to campus might have some opportunities in C Alexandre Giguere, Outfielders Mason Pirello and Trevor Smith. 

While the Cougs have had their struggles on the bump with finding the zone, I believe last year’s struggles will pay dividends, as by the end of the 2025 campaign, many freshman and JC arms were getting better.

Returning the entire weekend rotation for ‘26 RHP Griffin Smith, RHP Luke Meyers, and LHP Nick Lewis will try to hold onto their roles. Key reliever innings from Ingmar Hutzezon, Jake Robinson, Gavin Derr, Rylan Haider, Bryce Chambers, and Trevor Stowe have got to give coach Choate a little more peace of mind.

Being a pitching coach in his own right, I believe that the Cougars are going to be much improved in the 2026 campaign. Throw in transfer arms like August Richie (Virginia) and Scott Rienguette (Kansas State), and I think you are cooking with confidence heading into February. 

Gonzaga Bulldogs – West Coast Conference

2025 Overall Record: 26-27 

2025 Conference Record: 16-8 

Coach Mark Machtolf’s Bulldogs got off to a brutally slow start in 2025. A super hot finish put them in a position to compete for a WCC tournament title. However, going 0-2 in the WCC tourney dashed any hopes of an NCAA tournament bid.

While many others and I believe this team was much more capable than their record produced last season, the real eyes are set on this 2026 team. After talking with coach Machtolf and watching the Bulldogs play OSU in the fall, I fully believe this is a team that will compete for the WCC title.

Lots of offense returns with Mikey Bell, a college baseball star in the making after winning the WCC player of the year in ‘25. He hit .360 with an OPS of 1.056 and 11 homers, starting all 53 games for the Bulldogs.

Add in the rest of this talented lineup, and I think you are really cooking. INF Hudson Shupe hit .329, starting all 53 games, 1B Tommy Eisenstat hit .246 in 53 games with 6 homes, but looks bigger this season.

Add in a healthy INF Landon White, speedster OF Bo Shinkle, OF Ryder Young, and OF Noah Meffert, and now you’ve really got an offense capable of shocking teams.

A two-headed monster behind the dish in Jacob Wrubleski and Luca Dipaolo really rounds out the lineup. Keep an eye out for the Zag Dogs to surprise some teams this spring.

On the pitching side, you finally have healthy arms heading into the start of the ‘26 campaign. Erik Hoffberg was electric out of the pen, throwing 54 innings in relief. Finbar O’Brein was 6-1 in 11 starts and looks to have improved on his zone control.

Justin Feld returns to his 11 starts from a season ago, looking to improve upon his 54.1 innings. Karsten Sweum, a southpaw, looked nasty in the fall, some real swing and miss stuff.

Freshman arms in Carson Boyer, Tre Morse, Bryson Leach, Dawson Mooney, and Kainoa Santiago might get into the mix as well. 

It will be interesting to see if the Gonzaga Bulldogs can get off to a hotter start than the 2025 season. They open with a tough test at Hawaii on opening day, and I honestly can’t wait to see these two teams play each other.

Party at the Les week one and it will be a pair of terrific Mid-Major squads with postseason aspirations. I believe that the Bulldogs are the frontrunners to win the WCC in their last year before joining the PAC-12. 

Hawaii

Hawaii Warriors – Big West

2025 Overall Record: 35-21 

2025 Conference Record: 16-14

Listen, we are all excited to see Hawaii baseball back and heading in the right direction! Coach Rich Hill was given an extension to 2030 this offseason in part because of the impressive turnaround for this program.

It seems as if it is only a matter of time before the Warriors are back in the NCAA postseason talks. This team for 2026 will look to build on the momentum of the 2025 team and aim to win the Big West Conference tournament.

I promise that there is no better visiting field than Les Murakami Stadium in Hawaii, so I’m hopeful for a big season and a possible regional host. I will certainly be on a plane there immediately. 

Anyhow, more on this 2026 team, as I feel they have added parts to a team that already has a bunch of stars.

The ERA for the Hawaii team over the past two seasons has been at or near the top of the country, as Coach Keith Zuniga has really set up his staff to succeed and grow this program’s ability to pitch in big moments.

Isaiah Magdaleno was a huge part of this bullpen last season and got a ton of high-stress outs for the Warriors’ ERA of 2.70, a whip of .95 in 24 appearances, 60.0 innings. He struck out 77 and allowed only 11 walks.

Sebastian Gonzalez also returns, which is huge since he started 10 games and had 18 appearances, 57.0 innings.

Liam O’Brein posted an ERA of 2.60 in 17 appearances with 9 starts and 52 innings. All accounts say Dylan Waite and Koen Barton are taking steps forward. A big piece added in the transfer portal was Jack Berg (Arizona), who could step into a weekend rotation role for Zuniga and staff. 

I think the offense will take big steps forward as hometown favorite Ben Ziegler-Namoa returns to spark the Hawaii Warriors back to the dance. His .333 average in 56 games with an OPS of .918 just jumps off the page.

Kamana Nahaku is the hammer in this lineup with his 10 homers a season ago. I think his offensive output could surge in ‘26. Draven Nushida did a little bit of everything for Hawaii last year, hitting .291 and playing in 44 games, a good table setter for the upcoming season.

Elijah Ickes hit .303 in 31 games last season and brings a ton of speed and pressure on the base paths. He might be the candidate for a breakout season if he can stay healthy and play all 56 games. There will be a ton of new faces fighting for lineup spots.

A few to highlight, C Jake Redding, a big-bodied sophomore that might get time behind the dish, brings some pop. It will be interesting to see if a pair of freshmen in INF Mana Lau Kong, 6’6” 245lbs, a big-bodied kid that was a three-time all-state player in Hawaii, and OF/C Carter Turley from Utah could get some playing time.

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