Here is my preseason Power 10 ranking for the 2026 college baseball season. Let’s start with this: preseason rankings will be thrown out the window when these teams take the field, but lets have some fun with it.
No. 1 UCLA, No. 2 LSU
UCLA vs. LSU for the top spot was the biggest question of all. Reigning champs LSU return a lot of star power, but it is a different team without Kade Anderson, Anthony Eyanson and Jared Jones.
UCLA returns what feels like its entire lineup from the team in Omaha last season. You’ve got arguably the best player in the country in Roch Cholowsky back, a lineup that we know will hit and then serious talent coming in, including Angel Cervantes, who was the 50th overall pick in the draft out of high school.
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3. Texas
This could be the best pitching staff in the country this season. Dylan Volantis likely will shift into a bigger role after posting a 1.90 ERA last season. Then they’ve got great pieces in the lineup and a lot to prove after how last season ended.
4. Georgia Tech
DREW BURRESS!!!!!!!!!!
WALK OFF GRAND SLAM!! pic.twitter.com/w4cub94rLo
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) February 15, 2025
A new head coach but an absolutely loaded lineup of position players. Drew Burress will compete for the Golden Spikes. Alex Hernandez is back, Vahn Lackey is behind the dish and Jarren Advincula transferred in.
5. Arkansas
The Razorbacks have proven success in the SEC. They have some big returning offensive pieces led by Ryder Helfrick, who could be one of the most dangerous players in the country, and Gabe Gaeckle leading the pitching staff.
6. Mississippi State
I only have the Bulldogs lower since it’s preseason, and this team has a lot of new: new head coach, and a whole load of new players outside of Ace Reese. Brian O’Connor has proven success in his career. I’m excited to see how it comes together in Starkville.
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7. Auburn
The Tigers have some question marks with the pitching staff, but they have a promising offense led by Christopher Rembert.
8. Coastal Carolina
Cameron Flukey is one of the best pitchers in the nation with experience on the big stage. The Chanticleers lost some pieces from last year’s runner-up team, but they return their deep bullpen and have experienced older guys returning to the lineup.
9. TCU
Sawyer Strosnider returns after his stellar freshman season, Chase Brunson should be poised for a great year and Tommy LaPour will lead the rotation after finishing with just over a 3.00 ERA last year.
10. Louisville
I considered a lot of teams for this spot: UNC, Oregon State and Georgia for one. But I ended up going with Louisville. Looking at the Cardinals’ lineup, you know this team is going to be able to hit this season, and you need offense to get to Omaha. Zion Rose, Tague Davis and Lucas Moore are all back after ending the season in Omaha last year.