Roster Construction 2026

#126
#126
THEONLYTENISEE said:
I’d be surprised if he’s not starting in the middle infield.
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I’m not sure surprised is the right word for me, but I don’t expect him to start. He very much could end up starting though. But I’d expect the infield to be some combination of Marin/Newstrom in the middle and whoever doesn’t win catcher between Clark/Lawless/Wright at 1B and Grimmer or potentially Ethan Moore if he lights world on fire at 3B.

Bates/Antigua/Moore will all fight for one of those middle infield slots though, and if nobody takes a hold of 3B potentially Newstrom slides over there to make room for one of those 3 in the MIG
 
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#127
#127
NighthawkVol said:
Here’s what I have as a very early possible depth chart. I only listed players once, so while I realize guys will slot at different positions, I was trying to avoid listing them twice for the sake of counting numbers. So, for example, I know Garrett Wright will also slot in the outfield depth chart. The only place I made an exception was at DH, for obvious reasons, so don’t count them against the total #.

This is just my best guess as of now. Obviously, some of these guys will be culled to get to 34. And I’m guessing some freshmen, redshirts, and guys who haven’t been prior contributors will make a jump in the fall and spring to become factors. That almost always happens.

C: Garrett Wright/Stone Lawless/Trent Grindlinger/Cash Williams/Chandler Jones
1B: Henry Ford/Evan Hankins/Colton Denton
2B: Chris Newstrom/Tyler Myatt/Finley Bates
SS: Manny Marin/Ariel Antigua
3B: Blake Grimmer/Ethan Moore
LF: Levi Clark/Taylor Tracey/Hutson Chance
CF: Jay Abernathy/Nathan Eisfelder/Jaxon Walker/Grayson Pope
RF: Reese Chapman/Hunter High/Brannon Seigler/Alex Bedford
DH: Tyler Myatt/Ethan Moore/Trent Grindlinger

Weekend Starters

Landon Mack-RHP
Tegan Kuhns-RHP
Evan Blanco-LHP

Bullpen

Brandon Arvidson-LHP
Anson Seibert-RHP
Brayden Krenzel-RHP
Bo Rhudy-RHP
Cameron Appenzeller-LHP
Mark Hindy-LHP
Blaine Brown-LHP
Brady Frederick-RHP
Ethan Baiotto-RHP
Ryan Combs-RHP
Nic Abraham-RHP
Tyler Wood-RHP
Darrell McDowell-RHP
Jax Bishop-RHP
Sawyer Deering-RHP
Chandler Day-LHP
Art Bethea-RHP

William Haas-LHP-TJ surgery
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looks like we are completely rebuilding
 
#129
#129
WGWTFA98 said:
I’m not sure surprised is the right word for me, but I don’t expect him to start. He very much could end up starting though. But I’d expect the infield to be some combination of Marin/Newstrom in the middle and whoever doesn’t win catcher between Clark/Lawless/Wright at 1B and Grimmer or potentially Ethan Moore if he lights world on fire at 3B.

Bates/Antigua/Moore will all fight for one of those middle infield slots though, and if nobody takes a hold of 3B potentially Newstrom slides over there to make room for one of those 3 in the MIG
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Why didn’t Grimmer or Newstrom play 3rd this year?
 
#130
#130
WGWTFA98 said:
I’m not sure surprised is the right word for me, but I don’t expect him to start. He very much could end up starting though. But I’d expect the infield to be some combination of Marin/Newstrom in the middle and whoever doesn’t win catcher between Clark/Lawless/Wright at 1B and Grimmer or potentially Ethan Moore if he lights world on fire at 3B.

Bates/Antigua/Moore will all fight for one of those middle infield slots though, and if nobody takes a hold of 3B potentially Newstrom slides over there to make room for one of those 3 in the MIG
Click to expand...
Grimmer could also be the 1B if Moore is a special freshman and earns a spot at 3B.

Bates is such a light-hitting middle infielder, I just don’t see him winning a starting job. We need pop in this lineup with so many unknowns. The way Antigua is hitting right now, if that translates and results in improved hitting as a college player next year, he would also be ahead of Bates.

Then there is also Myatt, although it sounds like some think he’s an OF now.
 
#131
#131
NighthawkVol said:
Grimmer could also be the 1B if Moore is a special freshman and earns a spot at 3B.

Bates is such a light-hitting middle infielder, I just don’t see him winning a starting job. We need pop in this lineup with so many unknowns. The way Antigua is hitting right now, if that translates and results in improved hitting as a college player next year, he would also be ahead of Bates.

Then there is also Myatt, although it sounds like some think he’s an OF now.
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If Chapman comes back (which sounds likely right now), that probably moves Ford over to LF, Jay in CF, and Chap in RF.

That leaves Levi/Grimmer/any freshman battling over the 1B spot.

Does sound like 3B is pretty wide open right now
 
#132
#132
NighthawkVol said:
Then there is also Myatt, although it sounds like some think he’s an OF now.
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Myatt's path is DH. He for sure isn't playing infield in the SEC.

Henry Ford is going to play LF and Jay is in CF.

RF will be some combination of Garrett Wright/Blaine Brown or Reese Chapman if he returns. Looks like Bargo is not an option.
 
#133
#133
I think Bates is a sneaky good player. Not much power but looking at the numbers, they are almost identical to Marin’s from last year. I know different competition and all that but he’s coming here to compete for a job and not just be a role player. Especially if he can play at a high level defensively. I think the staff values that a little differently now after this past year.
 
#134
#134
rockytop25 said:
If Chapman comes back (which sounds likely right now), that probably moves Ford over to LF, Jay in CF, and Chap in RF.

That leaves Levi/Grimmer/any freshman battling over the 1B spot.

Does sound like 3B is pretty wide open right now
Click to expand...
What you said above and then Clark at 1B and Grimmer at 3B
 
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#137
#137
rockytop25 said:
If Chapman comes back (which sounds likely right now), that probably moves Ford over to LF, Jay in CF, and Chap in RF.

That leaves Levi/Grimmer/any freshman battling over the 1B spot.

Does sound like 3B is pretty wide open right now
Click to expand...
Yes I think your OF is going to be Ford in LF and Abernathy in CF. RF will be a competition between Blaine Brown and Chapman (maybe Garrrett Wright too if they want stone behind the plate)

Catcher will be one of Wright Stone and Clark - likely one of Wright and Stone.

I believe Clark will lock down 1B but we will see.

MIF is gonna start with Manny/Newstrom but Moore Bates and Antigua will all have a say

3B is the biggest question mark - I’d say Grimmer is the leader in the clubhouse

Myatt an OF but likely more of a LH DH option
 
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#145
#145
taylorvol said:
BaseVols Roster 2025 / 2026 (Updated 7/23/25)

PlayerYearPositionBats26 Status
2 Ariel AntiguaSophSS, 2B, 3BRRoster
8 Hunter HighSophUTLLeftRoster
10 Jay AbernathyFrCF, 2BLeftRoster
14 Blake GrimmerR Fr3B, 1BLeftRoster
15 Manny MarinFr3B, SS, 2BRRoster
21 Tegun KuhnsFrRHP/Weekend StarterRoster
27 Stone LawlessR FrC,1B,DHRRoster
30 Levi ClarkFrDH,1B, CRRoster
40 Jaxon WalkerFrOFLeftRoster
41 Chris NewstromFrUTLRRoster
42 Brennon SeiglerFrOFRRoster
44 Nic AbrahamFrRHPRoster
Anton Seibert**FrRHPRoster
Brayden KrenzelFrRHPRoster
Brandon ArvidsonR SophLHPRoster
Dalton BargoJrUTLNC State
Reese ChapmanJrRFRoster
Clay EdmondsonJrRHPTransfer In$. MLB Draft
Mason EstradaSophRHPTransfer In$. MLB Draft
Bo RhudySophRHPTransfer In
Tyler MyattINFTransfer In$ (JUCO)
Matt BarrSophRHPTransfer In$ (JUCO). MLB Draft
Brady FrederickSophRHPTransfer In
Garrett WrightSophC/OFTransfer In
DJ NewmanJuniorOF/RHPTransfer In. MLB Draft
Henry FordSoph1B/OFTransfer In$
Blaine BrownFreshmanDH/OF/LHPTransfer In
Landon MackFreshmanRHPTransfer In
Evan BlancoJuniorLHPTransfer In$
Mark HindyJuniorLHPTransfer In
Finley BatesSoph2B/SSTransfer In
NOTES:
$ = MLB draft risk for 2026 Portal commits
16 Returnees
10 Portal Transfers IN (incl 2 JUCOs). 4 Drafted by MLB
25 Portal OUT (counting Osuna)
26 on 2026 projected Roster (Before incoming freshmen signees)
17 Incoming Freshmen Signees = 44 on roster. Expect 37 on 2026 Roster (34 + 3 DSAs)

Updated 7/14/25. removing MLB and portal entrants. Updated with Arvidson and 4 MLB portal draftees. Updated Bargo and Chapman as Returnees pending FA contract decisions.

Updated 7/23/25. Removed Bargo from roster (will be playing at NC State).
 
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