Baseball America continues its series of fall baseball updates with a look at several programs shaping their 2026 outlooks.
From Oregonâ€s push toward a long-awaited return to Omaha to Dallas Baptistâ€s trademark consistency and Michiganâ€s steady climb, hereâ€s how three more teams have performed this fall.
Oregon Reloads For 2026
Oregon enters 2026 with the weight of expectation and the confidence of a program that has established a winning standard under coach Mark Wasikowski. The Ducks have reached the NCAA Tournament in five-straight seasons, with super regional berths in 2023 and 2024. Wasikowski is hopeful his 2026 group can break through and return the program to Omaha for the first time since 1954.
Sustained success in Eugene has been rooted in player development, exemplified most recently by the rise of outfielder Mason Neville, who arrived as a little-used Arkansas transfer in the summer of 2023 and blossomed into the nationâ€s home run leader in 2025 before becoming a fourth-round pick.
That example fuels Wasikowskiâ€s confidence in replenishing a roster that lost a core responsible for roughly half of Oregonâ€s runs, two-thirds of its home runs and half of its pitching wins. He told Baseball America that his staffâ€s recent developmental track record gives him belief the Ducks can weather that level of turnover and remain among the sportâ€s elite.
The foundation remains strong. Corner infielder Dominic Hellman (.326/.426/.567 with 13 home runs) and outfielder Drew Smith (.313/.423/.487) return after productive 2025 seasons and have performed well this fall. Shortstop Maddox Molony (15 home runs), infielder Ryan Cooney (.335 with 15 steals) and catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus round out a returning core expected to shoulder larger roles. Senior outfielder Jack Brooks has emerged as a potential spark in center field after injuries limited his early career. Wasikowski said Brooks is a plus athlete with a clean, direct swing.
An influx of talent adds further upside. Freshman catcher Brayden Jaksa, BAâ€s No. 76 prospect in the 2025 draft class, has impressed physically after arriving on campus at 6-foot-5 and roughly 180 pounds and adding about 20 pounds. Fellow freshman outfielder Angel Laya (No. 329) has stood out, too. The portal delivered impact pieces, including Northern Kentucky first baseman Gabe Miranda, plus-armed former San Diego righthander Cal Scolar—who has sat 94-96, touched 98 and features “unique pitch metrics†across a four-offering arsenal—and Gonzaga lefthander Miles Gozstola, a low-slot arm up to 94.
Oregonâ€s heightened physicality and depth have Wasikowski eager to see how it translates as the Ducks aim to turn sustained success into a College World Series breakthrough.
More Of The Same For Dallas Baptist?
Few programs in college baseball have achieved the sustained reliability of Dallas Baptist. Since coach Dan Heefner took over in 2008, the Patriots have missed the NCAA Tournament only three times and remain one of the sportâ€s most consistent postseason fixtures. That reputation should hold steady in 2026 despite the loss of several key contributors on both sides of the ball, including pitchers James Ellwanger, Micah Bucknam and Mason Peters, third baseman Michael Dattalo and catcher Grant Jay.
Roles are still taking shape, but early performances have offered clarity. On the mound, Akron transfer Jared Schaeffer is a strong candidate for the weekend rotation after posting a 4.31 ERA with 79 strikeouts to 20 walks over 85.2 innings last spring. His four-pitch mix includes a low-to-mid-90s fastball, two distinct breaking balls and a changeup he can command for strikes or use to induce chases. Heefner believes Schaefferâ€s experience and polish will translate quickly in Conference USA.
Junior college transfer Russ Smith has also impressed. He sits 92-94 mph and touches 96 with carry through the zone while backing it with a sharp curveball and firm slider. Heefner called Smith an athletic mover with impressive command and body control.
The Patriots†depth on the mound continues beyond the newcomers. Ryan Borberg (3.38 ERA, 79 strikeouts, 20 walks over 80 innings) returns as a likely rotation anchor with advanced fastball command and a plus splitter. Former top recruit Athan Kroll is finally healthy and recently touched 100 mph. Polk State transfer JT Long, a 6-foot-7 righty with a fastball up to 96 and a solid splitter, has drawn comparisons from Heefner to former DBU closer Kyle Amendt. Lefty Michael Benzor, a Houston transfer up to 97 with a two-plane slider, could emerge as a late-inning weapon if he finds consistent control.
Offensively, the Patriots again look potent. Corner infielder Chayton Krauss returns under the NCAAâ€s extra-year waiver for JUCO players after slugging 31 home runs and hitting .345/.407/.621 across two seasons. He posted a 94 mph average exit velocity and 33% barrel rate last year and will likely anchor the lineup at first base. Keaton Grady has had a standout fall and could take over at shortstop, while Ben Tryon and Ryan Martin project as corner outfielders. Brooks Sartain will contend for the center field job after redshirting in 2025.
The breakout of the fall has been freshman Reagan McCluskey, a versatile hitter with advanced barrel control who leads the team in most zone-discipline metrics and has earned early playing time.
With its trademark depth, balance and player development, Dallas Baptist again looks positioned to host a regional and extend one of the longest-running success stories in college baseball.
Michigan Continuing To Make Strides
Tracy Smithâ€s third season as Michigan coach delivered tangible progress. The Wolverines hovered on the NCAA Tournament bubble for much of 2025, ultimately falling just short of a postseason berth but generating meaningful momentum heading into 2026. For a program that has faced both resource constraints and academic restrictions limiting its ability to fully tap into the transfer portal, the strides were encouraging.
Even with those challenges, Michigan managed to add key pieces this offseason. Utah Tech transfer Cade Montgomery has impressed early after posting a 2.35 ERA with 48 strikeouts to 19 walks across 57.1 innings last year. Though undersized, he sat 93-95 mph and reached 96 this fall, flashing the kind of arm the Wolverines have sought. Returning righthander Tate Carey is back to anchor the rotation after leading Michiganâ€s qualified arms in ERA (3.63) and finishing a perfect 9-0 in 2025. His slider was a legitimate weapon, generating a 43% miss rate and 31% chase rate. Freshman lefthander Shane Brinham also drew strong reviews in his first fall on campus.
Smith told Baseball America that this yearâ€s pitching staff is deeper, more athletic and harder-throwing than any he has coached at Michigan, calling it both the teamâ€s greatest strength and the most important area of improvement.
Positionally, the Wolverines added impact, as well. St. Louis transfer Brenden Stressler brings patience and balance to the outfield after hitting .292/.411/.514 with 12 home runs and 15 stolen bases. While his average exit velocity of 86.3 mph doesnâ€t jump off the page, his consistent contact and approach make him a likely top-of-the-order fixture. Houston transfer Evan Haeger and returning outfielder Greg Pace (.313/.448/.586 with six home runs) have also had strong falls, while Matt Ossenfort (NC State) and Colby Turner each made a case for regular starts.
The wild card is former outfielder Keegan Oâ€Hearn, who transitioned full-time from the outfield to the mound this offseason. With a very low three-quarters, crossfire delivery, Oâ€Hearn has touched 98 mph and paired it with a developing slider. Smith noted that Oâ€Hearn remains raw but could evolve into a late-game bullpen option.
After years of recalibration, Michigan looks built to once again push for an NCAA Tournament spot, the programâ€s first since its 2019 national runner-up run.
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