Baylor Baseball’s 2026 Preview: Roster Turnover, Young Talent and Tough Tests

As Baylor baseball’s Opening Day matchup against New Mexico State (Feb. 13) approaches, it’s time to start breaking down the roster, plus the biggest storylines and questions heading into the 2026 season. Today, we’ll provide a comprehensive season preview.

Where This Program Is At

Following a year where the Bears took a noticeable step forward record-wise (33-22) but failed to accomplish their preseason goal of making the NCAA Tournament, head coach Mitch Thompson is back at the helm for his fourth season of the Baylor program with a roster full of new faces and young talent.

The Bears had to replace almost the entirety of their senior-heavy lineup and some of the top performers on the mound, but in their place comes Thompson’s most talented freshman class to date, a handful of key returners and a litany of transfer portal and junior college additions. 

Without further ado, let’s break down this year’s team and discuss the roster, top storylines, appropriate expectations and more!

Offensive Expectations

Following the end of last year, the Bears lost four senior starters to graduation — catcher Cortlan Castle, shortstop Tyriq Kemp, right fielder Enzo Apodaca and designated hitter Hunter Simmons — and one senior starter to the transfer portal — left fielder Wesley Jordan. Those five players roughly accounted for 55% of Baylor’s offense.

There’s no doubt that Baylor has a lot of production to replace in the lineup this year, and it starts with the two key returners and middle infield duo of Travis Sanders (RJr.) and Pearson Riebock (So.).

Sanders, a member of the All-Big 12 Preseason Team, was second on the Bears in most offensive categories last year: batting average (.335), on-base percentage (.425), slugging percentage (.549) and home runs (8). Riebock, meanwhile, earned Honorable Mention All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Freshman Team honors after starting 48 games and boasting a .306 batting average, .406 on-base percentage and .454 slugging percentage.

Following Kemp’s departure to the MLB, Sanders will slide over to shortstop to captain the defense, while Riebock will move from third base over to a more natural position at second base. The Bears are expecting big things from both of these players.

In the transfer portal, Baylor picked up two sure-fire starters, both from UTA in the form of first baseman Tyce Armstrong (RSr.) and third baseman Cade Dodson (So.). As a sidenote, Dodson’s a Baylor legacy, as his father, Jeremy, played for the Bears from 1996 to 1998 before being drafted by the Kansas City Royals. 

Armstrong, an All-WAC Second-Teamer, led the Mavericks in on-base percentage (.415), slugging percentage (.556), home runs (12), RBIs (46) and total bases (115). Dodson, on the other hand, led UTA in hits (69), at-bats (213) and doubles (16) and was second on the team in batting average (.324), on-base percentage (.387) and runs scored (45).

Sanders, Riebock, Dodson and Armstrong should all hit toward the top of the batting order and will be consistent quality at-bats. This set of infielders, paired with the three outfielders I’m about to discuss, should also make for a much more athletic team overall. There will be a lot more threats to steal bags and stretch extra-base hits on this roster than in years past.

Following those four studs, there’s one key wildcard to keep an eye on: fifth-year senior center fielder Ty Johnson. Johnson had a borderline All-Big 12 season in 2024, but took a noticeable step backward last year, finishing the spring with a .261 batting average and .330 slugging percentage. He still managed a strong .398 on-base percentage, but struck out on nearly 25% of his at-bats. If he can regain his 2024 form, that will be a huge boost for the Bears.

Now, here’s where things get interesting: the likely starters for both corner outfield spots are freshmen Brady Janusek and Hunter Snow, and the two players who could rotate at designated hitter are redshirt sophomores Brayden Buchanan and John Youens. Between those four players, they have combined for around 60 total at-bats at the collegiate level.

There are reasons for optimism as Buchanan and Youens had good offseasons and took steps forward. Plus, Janusek, standing at 6-foot-4, 204 pounds, has the highest ceiling of any freshman on the roster, in my opinion. Meanwhile, Snow has a similar high ceiling and is coming off a redshirt year of development. Overall, though, that’s four key pieces in the lineup with minimal experience, and the fifth infielder and fourth outfielder could very well turn out to be freshmen too, if Brytton Clements and Bo Caraway challenge for playing time.

Last year’s team had big expectations on offense, but they floundered in conference play and finished toward the bottom of the Big 12 in several key hitting statistics. The Bears struggled due to regression from expected team leaders, poor situational hitting and a ton of strikeouts, among other things. One could argue that the inability to put the ball in play when it mattered was the reason Baylor failed to make the NCAA Tournament last year.

With that said, while the 2026 Bears may have more question marks on paper and aren’t as experienced, that doesn’t automatically mean they are going to be worse. They could very well end up being better if Thompson gets quality and timely at-bats up and down the order, but until Janusek, Snow, Buchanan, Youens and others consistently have success against Division I competition, it’s hard to forecast what to make of this lineup.

Levi’s Projected Starting Lineup

• 3B: Cade Dodson (So., UTA): (.324 BAVG, .387 OB%, 213 AB, 53 GP)
• SS: Travis Sanders (RJr.): (.335 BAVG, .425 OB%, 164 AB, 47 GP)
• 2B: Pearson Riebock (So.): (.306 BAVG, .406 OB%, 183 AB, 50 GP)
• 1B: Tyce Armstrong (RSr., UTA): (.319 BAVG, .415 OB%, 207 AB, 54 GP)
• RF: Brady Janusek (Fr.): (N/A)
• LF: Hunter Snow (RFr.): (Redshirted in 2025)
• DH: Brayden Buchanan (RSo.): (Redshirted in 2025)
• C: JJ Kennett (Jr.): (.243 BAVG, .380 OB%, 74 AB, 28 GP)
• CF: Ty Johnson (5Sr.): (.261 BAVG, .398 OB%, 176 AB, 53 GP)

Projected Bench

• C: Cash McDade (Fr.): (N/A)
• INF: Robert De La Garza (Jr., Odessa College): (.415 BAVG, .494 OB%, 212 AB, 56 GP)
• INF: John Youens (RSo.): (.158 BAVG, .304 OB%, 19 AB, 11 GP)
• INF: Brytton Clements (RFr.): (Redshirted in 2025)
• INF: TJ Woodson (Fr.): (N/A)
• INF: Cole Lanclos (Fr.): (N/A)
• INF: Caldwell McFaddin (Fr.): (N/A)
• OF: Caleb Bergman (Sr.): (.222 BAVG, .300 OB%, 9 AB, 25 GP)
• OF: Bo Caraway (Fr.): (N/A)
• OF: Dylan Perez (Fr.): (N/A)

*2025 Stats: (BAVG = Batting Average, OB% = On-Base Percentage, AB = At-Bats, GP = Games Played)*

Pitching Expectations

Pitching coach Sean Snedeker was a miracle worker in his first season in Waco after coming over from Lamar. He took the Bears from the basement of the Big 12 in nearly every pitching statistic to inside the top-30 nationally in BB/9 (3.23), WHIP (1.33), K:BB Ratio (2.57) and ERA (4.52). 

Snedeker helped the Bears trim nearly two runs off the team ERA from a 6.51 in 2024 to 4.52 last season. The pitching staff also fanned 444 batters last spring while allowing just 173 walks — the fewest total of free passes issued in a season since 1976.

Starting with the weekend rotation, the Bears will likely field some sort of combination between LHP Mason Green (Jr.), RHP Lucas Davenport (RJr.), RHP Cade Hansen (Sr.) and LHP Ethan Calder (Sr.).

There doesn’t appear to be a clear Friday-night workhorse on this roster, which is concerning considering Baylor has fielded a 7-21 record in Big 12 series openers under Thompson, but the closest thing to that would probably be Green.

After missing half of last year with an injury, upon return, Green was a bit inconsistent, finishing with a 4.91 ERA across 18.1 innings. When he’s on and feeling it on the mound, however, the junior southpaw is really hard to hit and likely has the highest ceiling of any pitcher on this roster, in my opinion. A career year from Green, where he puts it all together, would be a massive boost for Snedeker and the rest of the pitching staff.

Davenport was one of the Bears’ best arms out of the bullpen last spring; he finished with a 4.25 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and a 34-to-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 42.1 innings pitched, the most for a Baylor reliever. Davenport worked on his mechanics this offseason, and his fastball velocity has ticked up a bit, flashing up to 95, a few miles per hour faster than last year.

Hansen, a New Braunfels native, transferred from DIII’s Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he started 14 games last year for the National Champion Warhawks and boasted a 12-1 record, 2.68 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and .233 batting average against; he tossed over 84 innings with an impressive 84:13 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Last but not least, Calder was an All-Big 12 reliever in 2024 but struggled to adjust to the role as Baylor’s Friday-night starter in 2025, ending the year near the back of the rotation. Calder made 15 starts, going 3-6 with a 5.18 ERA and a 64-to-18 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Whether the coaching staff slots him back into the bullpen or keeps him in the rotation is to be determined, but he’ll be a weapon wherever he goes with such a low walk rate.

Meanwhile, in the bullpen, one of the biggest questions that the Bears face this year is how they will replace their All-American closer, Gabe Craig. Craig led the nation in WHIP (0.50) and ERA (0.56) last spring and was drafted in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Phillies.

It’s going to be next to impossible to replicate those stats, but the good news is Baylor brings back a pair of senior righties that will be both be able to carry a bulk of the load in the backend of the bullpen: Grayson Murry (2.19 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 18 APP) and Caleb Bunch (3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 20 APP).

Outside of that, there’s confidence that the two other lefties on the roster — Stefan Stahl (6.75 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 15 APP) and RJ Ruais (6.35 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 14 APP) — can both have bounce-back years. 

Then, there is a litany of new faces and returning players who could contribute this spring and round out the depth in the bullpen: Charlie Atkinson (Jr., DBU), Luke DeVasher (Jr., TJC), Cade Waibel (Jr., MCC), Zack Wallace (So., Rowan-Gloucester), Brayden Bergman (RFr.) and Cayden Baker (RFr.).

Snedeker has a proven track record with over 30 years of coaching experience; I fully expect him to get the most out of this group, assuming everyone stays healthy.

Levi’s Projected Weekend Rotation

• LHP: Mason Green (Jr.); (4.91 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 18.1 IP, 7 APP)
• RHP: Cade Hansen (Sr., Wisconsin-Whitewater); (2.68 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 84 IP, 16 APP)
• RHP: Lucas Davenport (RJr.); (4.25 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 42.1 IP, 16 APP)
• LHP: Ethan Calder (Sr.); (5.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 73 IP, 15 APP)

*will be a combination of three of these players*

Projected Bullpen

• RHP Caleb Bunch (5Sr.): (3.23 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 39 IP, 20 APP)
• LHP Stefan Stahl (Sr.): (6.75 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, 18.2 IP, 15 APP)
• RHP Grayson Murry (Sr.): (2.19 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 24.2 IP, 18 APP)
• LHP RJ Ruais (Jr.): (6.75 ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 11.1 IP, 14 APP)
• RHP Cade Waibel (Jr., MCC): (2.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 28.1 IP, 21 APP)
• RHP Charlie Atkinson (Jr., DBU): (Injured in 2025)
• RHP Luke DeVasher (Jr., TJC): (Injured in 2025)
• RHP Zack Wallace (So., Rowan-Gloucester): (2.02 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 49 IP, 15 APP)
• RHP Camden Clewett (So.): (6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, 4.1 IP, 5 APP)
• RHP Cayden Baker (RFr.): (Injured in 2025)
• RHP Brayden Bergman (RFr.): (Injured in 2025)
• RHP Keegan Deihl (Fr.): (N/A)
• RHP Luke McLeod (Fr.): (N/A)

*2025 Stats: (ERA = Earned Run Average, WHIP = Walks & Hits Per Inning Pitched, IP = Innings-Pitched, APP = Appearances)*

My Expectations

I’m going to reuse a blurb from another preseason article, “Ready or Not: The Questions That Will Shape Baylor Baseball’s 2026 Campaign,” because I believe it summarizes the situation nicely.

“This spring is easily the toughest non-conference slate the Bears have had in the Thompson Era, as Baylor is set to face four preseason-ranked teams across the first month of the season.

Starting with the 2026 Round Rock Classic (Feb. 20-22), the Bears will face off against No. 15 Oregon State, Purdue and No. 23 Southern Miss, followed by the 2026 Bruce Bolt College Classic (Feb. 27-March 1) versus No. 16 Ole Miss, No. 8 Texas and UTSA, which is unranked but made the NCAA Super Regionals in 2025.

Suffice to say, it’s going to be a brutal two-week stretch, sandwiched between sweepable series, in my opinion, against New Mexico State and Air Force. The good news is Baylor isn’t going to be crushed metrics-wise by losing to really good teams, and these two showcases provide a key opportunity for resume-boosting wins. The problem, however, is whether a relatively inexperienced lineup will be completely overwhelmed, thus demoralizing the team before Big 12 play even begins.

As athletic director Doug McNamee said in his interview with Colt Barber, Thompson needs to win this year. He has a 75-89 overall record across three seasons in Waco, and a no-show in those opportunities against Omaha-caliber teams could stir even more restlessness and debate over whether this program is headed in the right direction or not.

On the bright side, if the Bears prove up to the challenge, the Big 12 slate will be tough, but it’s favorable, as Baylor hosts what are probably the two best teams in the conference: No. 9 TCU and No. 21 West Virginia. And, if the Bears have something to play for heading into May, the final month sets up really well with series at home against Texas Tech and UCF and a road series against a very beatable Utah team.”

Point being, the main thing I want to see accomplished in this first month is for this team to be competitive against Omaha-caliber programs and not beat itself. With this young of a squad, I’m not looking for perfection; I just want to see tangible things to build upon the rest of the way. If Thompson’s squad can keep its head above water after those trips to Round Rock and Houston, then I’ll be looking forward to what happens the rest of the way. 

On a closing note, many people are asking whether this is the year Thompson’s team makes the NCAA Tournament, which would be the first time the Bears have reached a Regional since 2019.

As of right now, it’s really tough for me to predict a return to postseason play with all of the questions toward the bottom of the batting order. I’m in wait-and-see mode until the unproven underclassmen can show they can hang at this level, although I do really like the top of the order and how the defense shapes up on paper. I’m also bullish on the pitching staff, and I think the Bears can have a pretty salty group if everyone stays healthy.

In my opinion, there are multiple ways this season could go. The Bears could be a young, scrappy team consistently punching above their weight, or they could be overpowered early, struggle to regain confidence and be in for a long year. And, obviously, there’s the chance that the truth is somewhere in between those two options, which is what I believe is the likeliest outcome, as of right now.

• Final Prediction: 29-25 (13-17 in Big 12)