Photo by: Karl Maasdam
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Oregon State baseball enters the 2026 season ranked No. 12 in the latest D1Baseball.com preseason poll, a slight drop from its No. 4 finish last year but still a strong national placement as the Beavers gear up for another independent campaign.
Oregon State also checked in at No. 7 in Perfect Game’s earlier preseason poll, underscoring the respect for a program coming off one of its best seasons in years.
The three-time national champion Beavers finished the 2025 season 48-16-1 and returned to the College World Series despite playing an independent schedule. That run validated the program’s ability to compete without conference affiliation and gave fans optimism as OSU prepares for its second and final independent season before the Pac-12 reforms prior to 2027.
Much of the roster that carried OSU to Omaha returns, especially on the mound, where continuity and quality define a top-tier rotation. Sophomore right-hander Dax Whitney and junior left-hander Ethan Kleinschmit form one of the most imposing starting duos in college baseball.
Whitney posted a 3.40 ERA with 120 strikeouts in 2025, while Kleinschmit added a 3.56 ERA and 113 strikeouts.Â
There is notable turnover in the lineup. All-American shortstop Aiva Arquette was selected in the draft, and outfielders Gavin Turley, Dallas Macias and Canon Reeder along with catcher Wilson Weber have departed.
With pitching still the strength, Oregon State will lean on younger players and transfers to fill key offensive roles. How quickly the lineup meshes could determine whether the Beavers exceed expectations again.
Oregon State is just over a month away from its first pitch. The Beavers open tournament play in Surprise, Ariz., on Feb. 13 against Michigan.