In the iconic baseball movie "Field of Dreams," Terence Mann describes America as being "erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again." The same could be said of ASU baseball following the 2026 season.
Building off one of the top transfer portal classes heading into the 2026 season, the Sun Devils won the most games under head coach Willie Bloomquist, going 39-21. Bloomquist and company reconstructed their roster once again after losing 23 combined players to the MLB Draft and transfer portal this offseason.
Who's in?
Jackson Hotchkiss, OF, incoming junior from the University of Washington
The marquee addition for the Sun Devils is incoming junior outfielder Jackson Hotchkiss, who was the No. 9 transfer portal prospect according to the Arizona Republic. A first-team All-Big 10 selection, Hotchkiss hit .339 with 20 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Huskies.
James Hays, RHP, incoming senior from Stetson
Hays spent the past two seasons posting a 4.73 ERA in 2026 across 72.1 innings, striking out 77. He made 13 starts in 15 total appearances, looking to be in the mix for a weekend role in the Sun Devils' rotation.
Caden Sheridan, C, incoming junior from Morehead State
Sheridan started at least 50 games in each of his first two years with Morehead State. In 2026, the catcher hit 12 home runs with 41 RBIs.
Alex Valentin, LHP, incoming senior from University of South Carolina
The lefty will be entering his fourth school in four years when he arrives in Tempe. In 2026, he threw 52 innings, striking out 59 and led the Gamecocks in saves with four.
Marcos Rosales, INF, incoming senior from UNLV
Rosales was a key contributor for the Rebels in 2026, hitting .304 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs.
Liam Roche, LHP, incoming sophomore from Johnson County Community College
A staple of the 2026 NJCAA World Series National Champions, Roche finished the year perfect as a starter, going 16-0 in 18 starts, striking out 120 in 78.1 innings pitched.
Preston Newberry, OF, incoming redshirt senior from Incarnate Word
In his first year of Division I baseball after spending two years at the junior college level, Newberry showed out at Incarnate Word, hitting .335 with 10 home runs and 32 RBIs.
Jett Wright, RHP, incoming sophomore from Cal
As a freshman in 2026, Wright appeared in 14 games, striking out 17 in 17 innings. The 6-foot-7 righty posted a 5.82 ERA for the Golden Bears.
David Hogg II, INF, incoming junior from Grayson College
Another junior college product heading to the valley, Hogg hit .371 with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2026. In the high school class of 2024, he was ranked the No. 79 player.
Oliver Boone, RHP, incoming redshirt junior from Kentucky
Coming from the SEC, Boone posted a 6.35 ERA, striking out 14 in 11.1 innings for the Wildcats.
Joey McMannis, RHP, incoming junior from Oklahoma
Despite being a part of the 2026 College World Series National Champions, McMannis did not make an appearance for the Sooners.
Johnny Stacy, RHP, incoming redshirt junior from Angelo State
From one ASU to another, the righty from Division II Angelo State posted a 3.86 ERA in 9.1 innings pitched.
Luke Wiltrakis, RHP, incoming junior, and Dylan Wood, RHP, incoming sophomore from Georgia
Both righties come over from 2026 SEC champion and College World Series qualifier Georgia, having both tossed under five innings.
Who's out?
Among the 23 players leaving the Sun Devils were 10 players who were selected in the 2026 MLB Draft, the third-most in the nation and the most among Big 12 programs.
READ MORE: Ten Sun Devils hear their name called in 2026 MLB draft
ASU lost 13 players to the transfer portal. Although most served as reserves, their departures depleted the Sun Devils' depth and left several roster spots and potential future roles to replace.
Garrett Michel, INF, incoming redshirt senior to South Carolina
Michel played the most games of the departing cast in 2026. Spending most of his time as designated hitter, he hit .277 with three home runs, 12 doubles and 20 RBIs.
Dominic Longo, INF, incoming senior to Oregon
Although coming in as an infielder, Longo provided depth all around the field for the Sun Devils, spending a significant time in the outfield in 2026. He hit seven home runs with 18 RBIs.
Finn Edwards, RHP, incoming junior to Georgia
The biggest loss on the mound for the Sun Devils was righty Finn Edwards, who appeared in 18 games for ASU. The now SEC-bound Edwards struck out 25 hitters in 13.2 innings of work.
Beckett Zavorek, INF, incoming junior to TCU
Of the first four players named, Zavorek is the first who wasn't a previous transfer to come to ASU in 2026, having spent his freshman and sophomore years in Tempe. He hit .306 with 18 RBIs.
Ky McGary, OF, incoming junior to GCU
The Phoenix native started seven games and was one of the Sun Devils' best stolen base threats in limited action, snagging five bags in six attempts.
Coen Niclai, C, incoming junior to Oregon State
Serving as the backup catcher to Briggs, Niclai provided the backstop tandem with some power, having an OPS of .966 in 25 games with five home runs and 20 RBIs.
Brady Louck, LHP, incoming senior to Xavier
One of the few lefties in the ASU rotation, Louck saw limited action, only appearing in eight games and posting a 5.40 ERA.
Cooper Clouser, C, incoming sophomore to Michigan
Clouser was one of the top freshman signings for the Sun Devils coming into 2026. The catcher appeared in only seven games early in the season, notching two hits and three walks.
Five players who made few appearances in 2026 for ASU also transferred out
Ryan Darrah, OF, incoming sophomore to Tulane
Jaxsyn Durst, OF, incoming sophomore to Nevada
Tommy Brown, C, incoming sophomore to UC Santa Barbara
Marcelo Rodriguez, RHP, incoming sophomore to Arkansas Little Rock
Brandon Olivera, RHP, incoming redshirt junior to Florida International
Edited by Alex Swift, Senna James and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at eapache3@asu.edu and follow @EricPachecoasu on X.
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Eric Pacheco is a junior studying sports journalism. This is his second semester with The State Press. He previously served as Editor-in-Chief of the Riverside City College student newspaper Viewpoints.
