#3) UCLA

After a deep run in the 2025 College World Series, the Bruins enter 2026 with high expectations. To my surprise, they were ranked as D1Baseball’s preseason #1 team. Head Coach John Savage, entering his 22nd season, has assembled a roster that really does not have a weak spot. The Bruins return 8 of the 9 everyday starters and 10 of their top 12 leaders in innings pitched.

Offense

UCLA’s offense will be returning a ton of production from a lineup that produced well throughout last season.

• Roch Cholowsky: Projected #1 overall pick in the 2026 draft and D1 Baseball’s 2025 Player of the Year returns to headline this lineup. Cholowsky posted a .353 average, 23 home runs, and a 1.190 OPS last season. He also had a 165 wRC+, which was among the top of the power conferences.
• Roman Martin: Draft prospect that delivered throughout the 2025 postseason. Martin finished with a .316 average and 2nd on the team with a 128 wRC+

• Dean West: Leadoff man that has good plate discipline and finds his way on base. West hit .320 and led the team in BB/K % while stealing 13 bases.
• Muilivai Levu: Middle of the order bat that hit .320 and led the team in RBIs a year ago.

Transfers & Freshmen

• Will Gasparino (Texas): A Harvard-Westlake HS graduate that appeared in 117 games with the Longhorns across 2 seasons. He was a member of the 2025 SEC All-Defensive team.
• Logan Reddemann (San Diego): A huge portal addition that posted a 2.78 ERA across 11 appearances last season.
• Michael Cunningham (San Fran State): Graduate transfer with speed + power tools. He hit .336 with 18 HRs and 63 RBI a year ago and is SF State’s all-time HR leader.
• Angel Cervantes (Fr.): Ranked as the #2 overall Freshman to make it to campus by Perfect Game.

Pitching:

Similar to the lineup, the pitching staff returns a ton of production. It will be a battle for rotation spots, but UCLA will have the deepest staff in the B1G by a wide margin.

• Michael Barnett: The veteran starter that logged 86 innings with a 3.98 ERA last season. He finished with a 12-1 record, one of the best in all of college baseball.
• Landon Stump: Experienced Junior with high velocity upside. He has posted over a 5 ERA the last two season. Cutting down on walks would help.
• Wylan Moss & Easton Hawk: Two bullpen arms that could carve out starting roles. If not, look for them to have a huge impact in the pen.

I wanted to own a ticket for UCLA to win the CWS, but decided to stay away. This is the team to beat in the Big Ten and I expect Jackie Robinson ballpark to host once again.