2026 College Baseball Mid-Major Preview: West Coast Region

College baseball’s national spotlight often gravitates toward the power conferences.

Still, year after year, it’s the mid-major programs that quietly build winners, develop draft talent, and shake up the postseason. Just last year, we saw the Murray State Racers become America’s Team on their insane run to Omaha.

These teams don’t always get the attention they deserve. Yet, they consistently produce 40-win seasons, host regionals, send players to the big leagues, and knock off nationally ranked opponents when it matters most.

As the 2026 college baseball season approaches, we wanted to make sure those programs, and the coaches and players behind them, get highlighted.

This five-part series is designed to highlight the mid-major teams you need to be watching in 2026, broken down by region. From the West Coast to the Northeast, we’re focusing on programs with momentum, returning talent, strong player development pipelines, and real postseason upside. 

Mid-Majors to Watch Series (2026):

• Mid-Majors to Watch: West
• Mid-Majors to Watch: Southwest
• Mid-Majors to Watch: Midwest
• Mid-Majors to Watch: Northeast
• Mid-Majors to Watch: Southeast

Let’s dive into the West Coast!  

Oregon

Oregon State Beavers – Independent 

Overall 2025 Record 48-16-1 

The Beavers of Oregon State competed as an independent for the first time in 2025, and they made a run all the way to Omaha. Coach Mitch Canham had this team was loaded with talent and perhaps too much as playing time and other factors led to a big amount of change in the portal this summer. 

However, Canham and pitching coach Rich Dorman have probably the best weekend rotation in college baseball coming back for the 2026 season. Dax Whitney is certainly the Friday night ace that any D1 program would beg for.

Throwing four pitches for strikes and seemingly growing into his own through his freshman season, 3.40 ERA, 6-3 record in 76.2 IP with 120 strikeouts.

Mix in Ethan Kleinschmit, fellow team USA participant in the summer of ‘25, a truly talented lefty who commands the zone with swing and miss stuff, 3.56 ERA, 8-5 Record, 91.0 IP, and 113 strikeouts.

The weekend rotation will be rounded out by the unsung hero of the ‘25 season in Erik Segura. Segura has maybe the best stuff in terms of movement on both sides of the plate. ERA of 4.63 but an 8-2 record in 19 appearances, 58.1 IP.

While sometimes control issues have been present, 38 walks last season, the wealth of weekend rotation experience and ability to pitch out of jams gives the Beavers a brutal three-headed monster on weekends.

It doesn’t stop there for Dorman and the pitching staff. Wyatt Queen has taken huge strides this fall and will be the primary weekday starter, 3.21 ERA, 3-1 with 21 appearances in ‘25.

The bullpen is a medley of arms ranging from the sidearm specialist AJ Hutcheson, 24 appearances, to the power arm of Zach Edwards, 16 appearances, reaching 99 mph. Zach Kmatz gained valuable experience as a freshman 18 appearances and adding a wipeout slider to his repertoire.

Transfer Isaac Yeager from Washington was a prolific arm in the Big 10 last year and will bolster an amazing bullpen.

Freshman Mason Pike is a two-way guy whom the Beavs were thrilled to see make it to campus and might be used in a litany of ways. Transfers Jack Giordano (San Diego) and Albert Roblez will also factor into the pen.

On offense, Coach Ryan Gipson has some familiar faces returning from the Omaha squad. 1st Baseman Jacob Kreig returns for his Senior year.

The big man brings the pop 14 homers in ‘25 for this lineup while being a terrific fielder over at 1st. AJ Singer will play up the middle again this season, a Gold Glover who hit all through the lineup last year, hitting .312 and an OPS of .802.

Easton Talt will likely roam RF again, stealing hits and robbing homers. It’s his ability to lay down bunts, steal bags, or hit the ball out of the park that makes him an integral piece of the Oregon State offense in ‘26. Easton hit .261 OPS of .893 and 8 homers.

Seemingly, the other two outfield slots are still in the air as Michael Haight aims to take strides forward in his sophomore season, moving to the Outfield full-time.

Three transfers that are still in the mix, Eli Gries-Smith (Arkansas Pine-Bluff), Nyan Hayes (Grambling), and Jace Miller (Portland), add an old-school mix of speed, defense, and deceptive pop.

Freshman Ethan Porter, UTL, might find some innings in the outfield as his bat was electric this fall. Coach Brady Kasper will have his hands-on approach to get these guys ready for opening day.

The infield has a couple of positions still up for grabs. Someone is going to play next to Singer up the middle, but the position is by no means locked up. Australian Josh Nati has been announced to be joining the Beavers as of January and is an intriguing prospect.

His brother Jimmy is a starter at Stanford, and Josh has 1st round potential. Paul Vazquez looked great in the fall at 3rd base and will push for playing time. Freshman Josh Proctor is also in the mix for DH/INF innings as his 6’5” frame and exit velocity shone in the fall.

Transfers Tyler Inge (Michigan), Cooper Vance (Eastern Michigan), and Bryson Glassco (Clackamas CC) are all vying for a role in the lineup as well. Catcher is an interesting role, as Senior Bryce Hubbard had a great summer in the WCL.

The left-handed-hitting catcher has had his ups and downs, but the physical tools are there to be the next great offensive catcher in a line of outstanding Beaver catchers.

Sophomore Ryan VandenBrink also should see some time behind the dish or in the DH role, as he has put on a bunch of muscle this offseason and added pop to his hit tool. 

Overall, I think we might see an Oregon State team on offense that resembles some of the early 2000-2012 clubs. Speed and putting the ball in play will be key for the Beavers in ‘26.

Pitching and playing a great defense coached by Joey Wong, has always been a staple for OSU, and I don’t see any reason why that shouldn’t continue this season. New faces, most likely similar results. 

Portland Pilots – West Coast Conference

2025 Overall Record: 22-30 

2025 Conference Record: 13-11

The 2025 team was going through some growing pains, with a ton of freshman arms and other young players pushing for playing time. Coach Geoff Loomis led an inexperienced team getting better throughout the season.

I expect the 2026 team to be much more consistent and produce at a higher level after many of the key players have been in the Pilots program for the entire ‘25 season.

Portland always seems to find itself competing for a WCC title and knocking off other talented opponents during the season. Jonas Salk will be an important piece for the 2026 team, as will 2-way star Trey Swygart, coming off a tremendous freshman season.

I look for this sophomore class to add quite a bit of size and skill, making 2026 a season in which the Pilots will push Gonzaga for the WCC title. 

On offense, there is a trio of athletes that will drive the action for the Pilots in the 2026 season. UTL Brady Bean is a special bat that can do a little bit of everything, hitting .310 with an OPS of .903, 9 homers, and 11 stolen bases.

OF Jonas Salk hit .282 with an OPS of .971 with 13 homers, and two-way stud Trey Swygart, who in limited action just 32 games last season, hit .342 with an OPS of 1.144 with 6 homers.

Go ahead and add in guys like two-way player Cole Kayayama-Stall, who hit .255 and had 9 homers, and OF Cody Nitowitz, who hit .300 in 50 games.

There is a lot to like about this Pilot’s offense headed into the ‘26 season, especially with all the experience coach Loomis has at his disposal. I feel like Leo Cote (Oregon State) will get some playing time and thrive up in Portland.

Three freshman catchers, and I don’t know who will get first crack or most opportunities. Carter Stewart is a big-bodied kid who is more of a utility player than a pure catcher.

Dakota Chun is more the prototypical catcher in build and style. Isaac Pfeifer is the third freshman, and all three are from Portland suburbs. Time will tell who gets the job. 

Inning-wise, they lose a bit, but do have weekend rotation man, Carter Gaston, returning to most likely continue his weekend starts.

Nolan Umlandt had 24 appearances last season as a freshman, and I expect him to take the next step forward, possibly challenging for a weekend rotation piece.

Both two-way guys, Cole Katayama-Stall and Trey Swygart, will be used, but more likely in spot starts or relief as needed because of how important their bats are.

JT Landwehr made 15 appearances last season, all out of the bullpen, and amassed 39.0 innings. Morgan Codron made 8 appearances, but 5 of those were starts, and I could see him maybe working to Sunday or the midweek guy.

Kaden Starr is another arm that will need to take a step forward, making 15 appearances and 3 starts a season ago, totaling 29.0 innings. Trey Newman (TCU) and Ky Hoskinson may be used to eat up some innings as well in 2026. 

It will be interesting to see if the unproven arms and freshman catchers can do enough to keep the embattled and talented offense in ball games.

I will never say that Coach Loomis doesn’t have a chance of winning the West Coast Conference title, but I think this team may. Unfortunately, it’s a year early. Lots to see out of the Pilots in ‘26, and I can’t wait to keep an eye on them.

California

UC Irvine Anteaters – Big West

2025 Overall Record 43-17 

2025 Conference Record: 24-6

The Anteaters were electric once again in the 2025 season, having back-to-back 40-win seasons and taking the regular season title in the Big West. However, they did lose in the Big West tournament to a skilled Cal Poly squad that was on fire down the stretch.

They would battle to a regional final but fall to a UCLA team that reached Omaha. Coach Ben Orloff is going to have his work cut out for him in the 2026 season. 

Irvine will need to replace a ton of key offensive components this year; however, Frankie Carney returns to bolster the rebuilt lineup, hitting .331 with an .833 OPS last year. James Castagnola will also be in the heart of the returning lineup, hitting .269 with an .834 OPS.

Zach Fjelstad hit .240 and had a bit of the swing and miss, but all eyes are set on him to take a step forward in the ‘26 season.

First Baseman Alonzo Reyes played great in his limited role, filling in for All-American Anthony Martinez. Reyes hit .317 with an OPS of .980 in 26 starts, and I expect those numbers to continue and grow for the Anteaters this season.

A couple of transfers who may find the field in ‘26: OF Tommy Farmer (Texas), C Efren Ortega (Long Beach State), and 3B Noah Alvarez (Cal State Bakersfield).

Kai Smith might get a chance to start in the outfield after hitting .478 in 26 games for Los Medanos CC in ‘25. Freshman infielder Cole Clark and Lucas Schermer could find limited roles. 

On the pitching side, though, Coach Orloff has one of the most prolific left-handers in the county in Ricky Ojeda!

He worked out of the bullpen for most of the 2025 season but amassed a 13-1 record in 29 appearances with a 3.55 ERA in 66.0 IP. The swing and miss rate on his fastball is insane, and he was one of the best long relievers in college last season.

Look for Ricky to make his way into the weekend rotation for 202,6 as the pitching staff will be the strong point of UC Irvine. Trevor Hansen returns also for Irvine. He started 16 games last season, 3.20 ERA, 9-3 record in 95.1 innings, giving UCI a real 1-2 punch here for the ‘26 season.

Ryder Brooks started 12 games last year and might just slot his way into the weekend rotation after throwing 69.0 innings in 20 appearances with a 7-3 record. 

The bullpen is likely wide open for guys to fill in roles as the season progresses. David Butler threw 40.0 innings last season on 30 appearances. Danny Suarez is another candidate for innings.

While his ERA from the ‘25 season didn’t necessarily jump off the page in a good way, he did have 30.0 innings and 16 appearances, and I think the stuff is there. Finnegan Wall also returns 30.1 innings in 14 appearances and looks poised to take on more.

Tyler Foster was good in his limited work in the ‘25 season and will likely find a role in this Anteater bullpen. Transfers Julian Custer (UC San Diego) and Alex Umland (Oregon) will add depth. A couple of freshmen who may see innings are Hunter Manning and Caden Castles. 

Cal State Fullerton Titans – Big West

2025 Overall Record:29-27 

2025 Conference Record: 19-11 

In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Titans surprised many folks from outside the school. However, coach Jason Dietrich and those within the program believed in what they were building, a winner, and that began coming to fruition in the second half of the 2025 season.

This team got hot during league play and found itself in the Big West Tournament after a very tough start to the year. Going 0-2 in the postseason tourney has left a tough taste that Fullerton will likely want to clear early this season. College baseball is just better when teams like Cal State Fullerton on back in the mix.

Returning OF Andrew Kirchner, who had some amazing performances in 2025, started 56 games, hitting .301 with an OPS of .891, with 12 homers and 70 RBI.

Eli Lopez will also return for the Titans, hitting .314 with an OPS of .839 started 52 games last season. Catcher Max Ortega hit .268 with 5 homers and will have an expanded role in ‘26. Cam Burdick hit .259 and played in 44 games last year, and has made improvements over the fall.

C Niko Lombardo will have a bigger role, whether behind the dish, designated hitter, or elsewhere. I expect a possible breakout year from Paul Contreras, as he had 6 homers in just 38 games a season ago. A transfer bat to keep an eye on is OF Britton Beeson (Hawaii) and INF Armando Briseno (Long Beach State). 

Coach Dietrich has got to like what he sees heading into the 2026 season, full of hope on the offensive side. 

On the bump, they return their most prolific arm in Mikiah Negrete. The southpaw got a full 15 starts under his belt last season, throwing 80.2 innings.

While the ERA of 5.58 may not wow folks, I believe he will surprise folks this season and might be a candidate for Big West Pitcher of the Year. Ryan Seo, in his 15 appearances last season, posted a 2.12 ERA and was effective out of the pen.

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.