Two years ago, the Arizona Wildcats won 44 games, pushed past UNC in the Super Regionals, and earned a trip to Omaha. But things couldn’t have been different in 2026. Tony Pluta, an ace reliever who’s back for 2027, missed all of 2026 with injury. Arizona had a hard time with the pitching staff, which played a role in their 19-34 campaign. For 2027, the Wildcats will obviously look for better.
The Returnees
Amidst what was a dicey 2026 for now-Rays pitcher Owen Kramkowski, Arizona’s best pitcher last season was, arguably, junior Smith Bailey. Bailey now enters the 2027 season as a junior.
Bailey started 12 games for the Wildcats last spring before he missed the final two weekends of the 2026 campaign. What he showed last year should have impressed MLB teams: a fastball that jumped into the mid-90s, a mid-90s changeup, a sharp slider, and a curveball that works as another complementary, secondary offering. Bailey struck out 65 over 61.2 IP in 2026.
Benton Hickman, Jack Lafflam, Maclain Roberts, and Garrett Hicks are among the other pitchers back for Arizona in 2027 for a pitching staff that’ll look different.
As for the offense, 2026 hits leader Tony Lira is back. Lira slashed .343/.420/.509 with five home runs and 25 extra-base hits, as well as a team-high 110 total bases. He did strike out a good number (52 in 53 games) last season, and posted a Whiff% of 34.6% in the Cape Cod League this past summer.
Nate Noviske had a bit of a different run in the Cape Cod League this past summer. He hit .260 for Wareham and posted one of the 10 lowest Whiff% (15.9%) in the circuit this past summer. That came after Novitske hit .303/.349/.422 for the Wildcats in 2026.
Arizona also retained Andrew Cain, who finished third on the team in hits last year, plus 2026 home run leader Carson McEntire. McEntire, once an Oregon State transfer, hit a team-best 10 home runs for Arizona last year.
Other notables back include sophomore catcher Caleb Danzeisen, plus outfielders Cash Brennan and TJ Aams.
The Newcomers
McLennan CC was the home for two new pitchers for Arizona, Hank Bowers and Charlie Kinkaid. Kinkaid struck out 40 over 38 innings out of the bullpen, while Bowers had 18, plus 12 walks, in 21 innings.
Dylan Weekly struck out 28 over 34 innings for New Mexico State last spring. He also led the school with three saves.
Ariel Antigua played in 39 games for Tennessee last year but started just 14. The senior infielder batted .200 with five extra-base hits.
Randy Guzman started 13 games and pitched 17 overall for Winthrop in 2026, although he worked mostly in three-to-four-inning outings. The senior struck out 43 over 49 innings last year for the Eagles. He had his walk problems for Winthrop, as he allowed 33 free passes.
Trevor Baumler pitched a lot in two seasons with TCU, both as a reliever and starter. His strikeout numbers took a step back in 2025 after he punched out 34 in 38 innings as a freshman. During the 2026 campaign, Baumler walked 17 and struck out 33 in 46 innings.
Arizona’s roster also has 10 freshmen on it.
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