Penn State baseball is on the rise. After recent success under coach Mike Gambino, the blue and white will seek to remain competitive in 2026.
Last season, the Nittany Lions marked one of their more successful years in recent history, finishing 33-23. In 2024, Penn State reached the Big Ten Tournament Championship, narrowly losing to Nebraska.
If anything, all indications are pointing to a successful season ahead. And, as the backbone of the roster, Penn State’s outfield will have a shot to replicate its dominance from last year.
Luckily, Gambino and the Nittany Lions are welcoming continuity with four of their six outfielders returning. Penn State will embrace its large veteran presence.
Here is what you need to know.
Returners
Last season, Penn State was on the opposite end of the spectrum. The team welcomed a clean slate of outfielders, and it paid dividends.
College baseball has revealed several key factors to success, one of which is consistency. The Nittany Lions built their roster around the outfield, which generated an explosive offense last season. Among those talents was Paxton Kling, who led the team in batting average and left for the MLB Draft.
However, not far behind him was Jack Porter. Now, in his redshirt junior year, Porter will seek to replicate his past success.
Infield and outfield Jack Porter (47) swings at the ball during the Penn State baseball game against West Virginia at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Mountaineers 3-2.
Matt Cropp
The 6-foot-1 Clearwater, Florida, native provides a versatile ability to aid with his hot bat. While batting .310, he also tallied 57 hits with a .549 slugging percentage. Porter will undoubtedly be the focal point of the offense as he started and played in 47 games last season.
Right behind him was Jesse Jaconski, who, like Porter, presents a utility threat, being able to play multiple positions. The former North Carolina and Hartford Community College transfer played a major role in last year’s excellence from inside the batter’s box.
Jaconski, a right-handed senior, started and played in 55 games, and marked the third-highest batting average at .298. But it’s all about the power. His extreme efficiency accounted for 61 hits, 54 RBIs and 12 home runs.
Aside from two of last year’s stars, Penn State will also welcome back Cohl Mercado, who played more of a backseat role. The 5-foot-8 redshirt junior, formerly transferred from Boston College, found a unique role in Happy Valley.
Mercado started 38 games last season and played in 46 games, tallying a .230 batting average. He contributed 32 runs and 31 hits and endured spurts of struggle. While he wasn’t a regular starter, there is momentum for him to fill out the final projected starting role on Opening Day.
Jack Messina is the final returner for Penn State, who is listed as a first baseman and outfielder. The State High product played in one game last season and tallied one at bat. He will likely be a bench reserve once more for the blue and white.
First baseman Jack Messina (46) fistbumps fans before the Penn State baseball game against Michigan State on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Medlar Field in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Spartans 11-5.
Jacob DeLuca
Transfers
Last year, the Nittany Lions proved the transfer portal is vital to success. Now, in a less urgent situation, Penn State’s transfer prospects will look to add depth and balance to the lineup.
Penn State acquired two transfer prospects in this year’s cycle, both of which came from non-power conference schools.
Maddox McDonald, a Trinity transfer, had success in Division III, leading the Bantams to a SCAC regular-season title, SCAC tournament title and the Division III regional final.
The stat sheet appears even better. McDonald appeared in 81 games, making 76 starts over his two seasons with the program. He batted .329 with a .532 slugging percentage across his collegiate career. As a steady bat, he also presents loads of speed, having successfully stolen 19-of-22 bases last season.
McDonald certainly will be in the mix for a starting role with the Nittany Lions, most likely in center field.
Justin Turcovski rounds out the small incoming class as a former Pitt-Johnstown transfer. The 5-foot-10, redshirt senior, will aid Mercado and Messina as the left-handed bats in the outfield.
This gives Turcovski a good chance to be featured in the lineup. Nevertheless, he had much success in his long tenure with the program. The Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, native played in 156 games, making 149 starts in his four seasons.
Turcovski has been a very consistent player over his career, batting .282, slugging .505 and securing a .373 on-base percentage. While he likely won’t be in the starting mix, he might be featured as a player off the bench and used sporadically
Projected Starters
While Porter is the most experienced player amongst the group, he was used as a designated hitter last season. Still, he will likely aid Jaconski as the other veteran outfielder. These two will likely start in right and left field.
Behind these two, McDonald is most likely to start in center field, given his speed and reliable bat, providing highlight-level plays to patrol the grass.
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