They also brought in Wil Libbert from Missouri and Marko Sipila from San Diego State. Libbert started 11 games for the Tigers, and Sipila started 12 games for the Aztecs while posting a 3.91 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 71.1 innings.

In terms of bats, the big prize from the transfer portal was outfielder Daniel Pacella from Illinois State. He slashed .355/.429/.714 with 19 2B, 20 HR, 59 RBI in 56 games. He was the 64Analytics #43 overall portal prospect.

They also brought in Dom Decker from Murray State, who brings a solid profile and postseason experience. Decker had a near .500 OBP for the Racers. While he didn’t supply a ton of power, he hit 18 doubles and three triples and had a batting average over .350.

The combo of returners and portal gets, Coach Bianco and the Rebels seem poised to be a competitive team in the SEC. They did lose some key pieces offensively and on the mound, but if the new guys can step up, expect to see them in the top 25 at some point this season. (Jared Perkins)

Troy Trojans

Outside of Coastal Carolina, Troy likely brings back the most returning on offense, alongside Head Coach Skylar Meade, who is looking to make his way back into the 2026 postseason after only losing one conference series in all of 2025 (Southern Miss).

The Trojans bring back six starters on offense who made 37 or more starts in 2025, but lose a big piece of the puzzle in catcher Brooks Bryan, who led the team in both home runs (12) and RBI (61). 

Just Baseball Preseason Sun-Belt Player of the Year Steven Meier will be the centerpiece of the Trojans on both sides of the ball, coming off a junior campaign where he slashed .300/.447/.507 with 16 doubles, eight home runs, 42 RBI while going 24-29 on stolen bases and finished sixth in the country in hit-by-pitches with 29.

Locking down first base will be Australian-Native Blake Cavill, who led the Trojans in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging, and OPS with a 1.078. Cavill rounded out his season with 12 doubles, 11 home runs, and 50 RBI, as well as finishing second in the country in walks with 64.