Ranking Every 2026 NCAA Baseball Tournament Team 1-64

Image credit:
Drew Burress (Brian Westerholt/Four Seam Images)

With the 2026 NCAA Tournament bracket set, we are ranking all 64 teams in the field.

While what happened during the regular season drove both where teams are seeded and how we ranked them all year in our weekly Top 25, this is a bit of a different way to rank all 64 teams. We care less about what a team has done than what they should be over the postseason run. A less-accomplished team with a couple of dominating pitchers can rank higher than a team that is deeper, but less well-suited to regional/super regional play.

To provide a better feel for the potential for all 64 teams, we’ve included run differential per game and average fastball velocity. While fastball velocity is not a perfect substitute for team quality, it presents a better correlation than one might expect.

Each team’s offense (run production) and pitching/defense (run prevention) is graded on the 20-to-80 scale. An 80 grade means they are the best in the tournament, while a 20 grade means a team is the worst in that category in the tournament. A 50 grade means the team is average in that aspect.

1. Georgia Tech

• Record: 48-9
• Regional: Atlanta
• Run Differential: +6.0
• Fastball Velocity: 92.0

Star Power: C Vahn Lackey, OF Drew Burress, 2B Jarren Advincula

Run Production: 80. This is the best lineup in the tournament, and one of the best lineups in recent memory. The Yellow Jackets have multiple position players who will be taken in the first round, but it’s the depth of the lineup that will give opponents nightmares.

Run Prevention: 60. Tate McKee is a solid ace, and the Yellow Jackets have an array of competent pitchers. The depth is good, but Georgia Tech could be outmatched on a given day by top pitching staffs.

2. Georgia

• Record: 46-12
• Regional: Athens
• Run Differential: +4.3
• Fastball Velocity: 93.3

Star Power: C Daniel Jackson, RHP Joey Volchko, 3B Tre’ Phelps

Run Production: 80. No one hits home runs like the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs draw an absurd amount of walks, hit the most home runs in Division I and rarely strike out. How well the power-heavy approach will work in Omaha is an open question, but it will fit perfectly at Foley Field in the Regionals and Super Regionals.

Run Prevention: 55. The Bulldogs have plenty of velocity to overpower many teams and they rely heavily on a solid bullpen. But the Bulldogs walk a lot of hitters (11.6% walk rate) and can be in trouble against a patient lineup.

3. UCLA

• Record: 51-6
• Regional: Westwood
• Run Differential: +4.5
• Fastball Velocity: 92.7 mph

Star Power: SS Roch Cholowsky, OF Will Gasparino, 1B Mulivai Levu

Run Production: 60. The Bruins average a robust 8.2 runs per game. Cholowsky may be the star, but this is a team with multiple tough outs. What it doesn’t have is the same lineup depth as the best hitting teams in the tournament, as multiple regulars lack power.

Run Prevention: 70. If Logan Reddemann was healthy, this would be an 80-grade pitching staff. The Bruins have an excellent defense and a deep pitching staff. But Reddemann’s absence since mid-April has forced everyone else to take a bigger role.

4. North Carolina

• Record: 45-11-1
• Regional: Chapel Hill
• Run Differential: +4.3
• Fastball Velocity: 92.7 mph

Star Power: OF Owen Hull, RHP Ryan Lynch, RHP Jason DeCaro, SS Jake Schaffner

Run Production: 60. The Tar Heels don’t really have stars but overall this offense’s strength is in its numbers. It’s a deep lineup driven by the quintet of Jake Schaffner, Owen Hull, Cooper Nicholson, Colin Jayek and Gavin Gallaher.

Run Prevention: 70. The Tar Heels are eighth in ERA in the country, 32nd in FIP and 37th in xFIP while playing in one of the top two conferences in the country. It’s not a deep staff but Jason DeCaro and Ryan Lynch give them a pair of good starters, backed by the bullpen duo of freshman Cade Glauber and sophomore Walker McDuffie.

5. Mississippi State

• Record: 40-17
• Regional: Starkville
• Run Differential: +4.0
• Fastball Velocity: 94.0 mph

Star Power: 3B Ace Reese, LHP Tomas Valincius, RHP Ryan McPherson, RHP Duke Stone

Run Production: 65. The Bulldogs are good in nearly every metric for both hitting and pitching, but their batting rates are higher overall. Led by college superstar Ace Reese, Mississippi State ranks 11th in team wOBA, 13th in isolated slugging and 10th in runs scored.

Run Prevention: 70. The Bulldogs have both depth in their rotation and quality throughout their staff. Led by the three-headed monster of Tomas Valincius, Ryan McPherson and Duke Stone, Mississippi State is sixth in K/9, 11th in FIP and 21st in WHIP.

6. Texas

• Record: 40-13
• Regional: Austin
• Run Differential: +3.5
• Fastball Velocity: 92.9 mph

Star Power: OF Aiden Robbins, C Carson Tinney, LHP Dylan Volantis, RHP Sam Cozart

Run Production: 60. Led by the duo of Aiden Robbins and Carson Tinney, the top of the Longhorn order has produced all season. They’ve been thinner down the bottom than some of the other top offenses in the country but they still rank 20th in team wOBA.

Run Prevention: 70. The Longhorns have arguably the deepest pitching staff in the country led by Dylan Volantis, Ruger Riojas and Sam Cozart. The staff boasts top-tier stuff (3rd in team Stuff+) and good metrics ranking third in K/BB, 4th in FIP, 6th in WHIP and 18th in ERA.

7. Auburn

• Record: 38-18
• Regional: Auburn
• Run Differential: +3.1
• Fastball Velocity: 91.9 mph

Star Power: C Chase Fralick, 2B Chris Rembert, 3B Eric Guevara

Run Production: 50. The Tigers rank 90th in team wOBA though their lineup is not without star power. They boast good depth but the overall production has been subpar by most metrics throughout the season.

Run Prevention: 80. This is arguably the best staff in the country ranking fourth in ERA with the toughest strength of schedule. Auburn is fifth in xFIP, sixth in FIP and first in strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Tigers’ top six pitchers in IP all had ERAs between 2.00 and 3.30, led by the starting rotation of Jake Marciano, Alex Petrovic and Abe Alvarez.

8. Texas A&M

• Record: 39-14
• Regional: College Station
• Run Differential: +3.7
• Fastball Velocity: 91.5 mph

Star Power: 2B Chris Hacopian, OF Caden Sorrell, 1B Gavin Grahovac, LHP Shane Sdao

Run Production: 75. The mighty Aggie lineup ranks 6th in team wOBA, 6th in runs per game and 6th in home runs. The Texas A&M lineup boasts top-tier draft talent like Chris Hacopian, Caden Sorrell and Gavin Grahovac, but this offense is much more than that trio with Bear Harrison, and freshman Nico Partida and Jorian Wilson having great seasons.

Run Prevention: 50. The Aggies staff isn’t short on stuff ranking 10th in team Stuff+ in Division I. Unfortunately, that has not translated to run prevention, the Aggies rank 81st in ERA, 150th in FIP, 117th in opponent batting average and 69th in earned runs per game. They do, however, throw more strikes than almost any team in the country with the second lowest walk rate and the eighth best K/BB.

9. Florida

• Record: 39-19
• Regional: Gainesville
• Run Differential: +2.6
• Fastball Velocity: 93.8 mph

Star Power: SS Brendan Lawson, RHP Liam Peterson, RHP Aidan King, RHP Joshua Writenour

Run Production: 50. The top of the Gators order is very good, led by Brendan Lawson, Blake Cyr, Ethan Surowiec and Kyle Jones. But the depth in the lineup and overall production has not been there, as the Gators rank 93rd in runs per game, 89th in wOBA and 196th in K%.

Run Prevention: 75. Florida arguably boasts the best pitching talent in the country led by sophomore standout Aidan King, junior Liam Peterson and bullpen demons Josh Writenour and Jackson Barberi.

10. Tennessee

• Record: 38-20
• Regional: Chapel Hill
• Run Differential: +2.4
• Fastball Velocity: 91.4 mph

Star Power: RHP Landon Mack, RHP Tegan Kuhns, C Trent Grindlinger, OF Garrett Wright

Run Production: 60. Wright has been a revelation and Grindlinger is excellent as well. Henry Ford had 19 home runs. While this doesn’t compare to some other recent Vols lineups, the depth of the Vols lineup should score plenty of runs.

Run Prevention: 60. The Vols moved Kuhns to the bullpen briefly, but he’s been on a roll in most of his recent starts, and Mack is also capable. The Vols bullpen has plenty of arms, but no dominant moment-of-truth reliever.

11. Florida State

• Record: 38-17
• Regional: Tallahassee
• Run Differential: +2.8
• Fastball Velocity: 91.9 mph

Star Power: LHP Wes Mendes, LHP Trey Beard, C Hunter Carns, OF Brayden Dowd

Run Production: 50. Myles Bailey was lost halfway through the season to injury, but he remains the team’s top home run hitter with 13. Without him, this lineup lacks power, as Dowd’s 10 home runs is best among healthy players.

Run Prevention: 70. Between Mendes, Bryson Moore and Beard, the Seminoles are among the best starting rotations in college baseball. John Abraham is one of the better relievers in the field.

12. Oregon

• Record: 40-16
• Regional: Eugene
• Run Differential: +2.5
• Fastball Velocity: 92.2 mph

Star Power: 2B Ryan Cooney, RHP Cal Scolari, SS Maddox Molony, RHP Will Sanford

Run Production: 55. The Ducks can absolutely light up a mediocre pitching staff, but when they face aces in the regional or super regional, it will be questionable how well this team will mash.

Run Prevention: 65. Sanford fronts a very solid rotation, and the combination of swingman Scolari with Tanner Bradley, Devin Bell and Toby Twist gives the Ducks plenty of arms to call on.

13. Wake Forest

• Record: 38-19
• Regional: Morgantown
• Run Differential: +3.1
• Fastball Velocity: 94.4 mph

Star Power: RHP Chris Levonas, RHP Duncan Marsten, 3B/1B Kade Lewis, 3B Dalton Wentz

Run Production: 55. The Demon Deacons lineup lacks spectacular star power, but it is a very deep lineup with productive hitters up and down the lineup. Their stats are a bit favored by a very hitter-friendly ballpark, and they may suffer away from home.

Run Prevention: 60. In the regionals, there are teams who Wake Forest can overwhelm with pure velocity. This is a staff that lacks experience, but they have settled into their roles and have more talent than most staffs.

14. Arizona State

• Record: 37-19
• Regional: Lincoln
• Run Differential: +2.6
• Fastball Velocity: 93.2 mph

Star Power: OF Landon Hairston, LHP Cole Carlon, SS PJ Moutzouridis, 2B Nu’U Contrades

Run Production: 70. When you have the Golden Spikes favorite and arguably the top hitter in college baseball, you’d be expected to score a lot. The Sun Devils are more than just Landon Hairston, as they rank 9th in wOBA, 22nd in runs per game and boast the 24th lowest strikeout rate.

Run Prevention: 45. Cole Carlon is a star and a likely first-round pick in July, but his average fastball velocity was down 3-plus mph in his Big 12 tournament start. It’s not a deep staff as only Carlon and sophomore Taylor Penn have 30-plus innings and ERAs under 5.00.

15. Southern California

• Record: 43-15
• Regional: College Station
• Run Differential: +3.1
• Fastball Velocity: 91.2 mph

Star Power: LHP Mason Edwards, RHP Grant Govel, RHP Adam Troy

Run Production: 40. As good as the Trojans pitching staff is, this is a lineup that won’t scare top-notch opponents. Outfielder Jack Basseer is one of several hitters with some power, but this team does not want to get into a slugfest.

Run Prevention: 75. Edwards can mow through a lineup multiple times and Govel would be an ace for many teams. The only knock against this pitching staff is they haven’t faced the toughest competition.

16. West Virginia

• Record: 39-14
• Regional: Morgantown
• Run Differential: +3.2
• Fastball Velocity: 91.4 mph

Star Power: 2B/C Gavin Kelly, SS Matt Ineich, LHP Maxx Yehl, RHP Dawson Montesa

Run Production: 45. Kelly is one of the best hitters in the game, but he’s being asked to do a lot every game. Outfielder Paul Schowenfeld is a fifth-year senior who is a very professional hitter. And another senior, outfielder Sean Smith also grinds out at-bats.

Run Prevention: 65. Yehl has pitched like an ace, Chansen Cole is another solid starter and Montesa is better than his numbers may indicate. Ian Korn, Carson Estridge and Reese Bassinger give them a deep bullpen.

17. Ole Miss

• Record: 36-21
• Regional: Lincoln
• Run Differential: +2.0
• Fastball Velocity: 93.4 mph

Star Power: RHP Cade Townsend, RHP Taylor Rabe, RHP Hudson Calhoun, SS Owen Paino

Run Production: 45. The Rebels lineup is filled with older bats that strike out at high rates and hit for power. They’re led by the trio of Tristan Bissetta, Judd Utermark and Collin Reuter. Ole Miss ranks 305th of 308 Division I schools in strikeout rate, but ranks 28th in isolated slugging.

Run Prevention: 65. The Rebels have one of the best pitching staffs in the country loaded with talent and experience. They rank 3rd in xFIP, 24th in FIP and 34th in ERA. They also rank 4th in strikeout rate and 20th in walk rate. They are led by Cade Townsend, Taylor Rabe and Hunter Elliott in the rotation, with Walker Hooks and Hudson Calhoun playing the role of bullpen stoppers.

18. East Carolina

• Record: 36-22-1
• Regional: Chapel Hill
• Run Differential: +2.5
• Fastball Velocity: 90.3 mph

Star Power: LHP Ethan Norby, RHP Sean Jenkins, OF Jack Herring, OF Davin Whitaker

Run Production: 50. The Pirates lack true star power in their lineup but they have one of the best approaches of any team in the tournament ranking 25th in strikeout-to-walk ratio while ranking 88th in runs per game. It’s not an outstanding lineup but one that does make opposing pitchers work for outs.

Run Prevention: 60. The Pirates staff ranks top 50 in a variety of metrics including FIP, xFIP, wOBA against and ERA. They lost Gavin Van Kempen in March but haven’t skipped a beat with as deep of a top seven as any team in the country.

19. Kansas

• Record: 42-16
• Regional: Lawrence
• Run Differential: +1.9
• Fastball Velocity: 92.5 mph

Star Power: RHP Dominic Voegele, SS Tyson LeBlanc, 1B Josh Dykhoff

Run Production: 55. The Jayhawks’ lineup is full of older players with real power. LeBlanc has 21 home runs, Augusto Mungarrieta and Dykhoff each have 15 homers as well and Tyson Owens has 14.

Run Prevention: 50. Voegele has been a bit homer-prone, but he has real stuff and Mason Cook and Mathis Nayral are also solid rotation stalwarts.

20. Miami

• Record: 38-18
• Regional: Gainesville
• Run Differential: +3.0
• Fastball Velocity: 91.4 mph

Star Power: 3B/1B Daniel Cuvet, C Alex Sosa, LHP Rob Evans, OF Derek Williams

Run Production: 55. Williams is a fifth-year senior with power, and Sosa can mash. Cuvet has 12 home runs as well. The lineup has solid depth and decent star power.

Run Prevention: 50. Rob Evans, AJ Ciscar and Lazaro Collera are going to need to work deep into games, because this is not a lockdown bullpen, although Lyndon Glidewell is solid.

21. Southern Miss

• Record: 44-15
• Regional: Hattiesburg
• Run Differential: +2.4
• Fastball Velocity: 91.1 mph

Star Power: 2B Kyle Morrison, RHP Colby Allen, LHP Grayden Harris

Run Production: 40. This is a top-heavy group. The Golden Eagles do have veterans who can hit and who make plenty of contact at the top of the lineup.

Run Prevention: 70. As is almost always the case, Southern Miss can really pitch. They throw plenty of strikes, keep the ball in the ballpark and carve through lineups. Camden Sundstrom and Harris are a pair of aces while Allen is the moment-of-truth reliever.

22. Virginia

• Record: 36-21
• Regional: Hattiesburg
• Run Differential: +2.0
• Fastball Velocity: 92.0 mph

Star Power: OF AJ Gracia, SS Eric Becker, LHP Kyle Johnson, 2B Joe Tiroly

Run Production: 60. The Cavaliers have one of the deepest top fives of any lineup in the country with AJ Gracia, Harrison Didawick, Joe Tiroly, Sam Harris and Eric Becker. They rank 50th in team wOBA, 31st in runs per game, and 23rd in isolated slugging.

Run Prevention: 45. The UVA staff ranks higher than you’d expect in Stuff+ (21st) due to all of the unusual release traits their staff features. As far as keeping runs off the board, they don’t rank as highly, as they are 45th in xFIP, 70th in FIP and 78th in ERA. They strike out their fair share of batters but their 11.1% walk rate ranked 156th this season.

23. Jacksonville State

• Record: 46-13
• Regional: Hattiesburg
• Run Differential: +3.0
• Fastball Velocity: 91.3 mph

Star Power: LHP Eli Pillsbury, LHP Beau Bryans, RHP Maddux McDougall

Run Production: 40. Jackson Pate, Brady Thomas and Grayson Ashe can hit for average and get on base, but Thomas is the only player on the team with 10 home runs.

Run Prevention: 65. Steven Cash, Pillsbury and Bryans are consistently effective starters and Chase Horst is an excellent reliever. McDougall is another relief ace. If the Gamecocks can win their opener in the regional, their starting pitching could be troublesome to a No. 1 seed.

24. Oregon State

• Record: 43-12
• Regional: Eugene
• Run Differential: +3.0
• Fastball Velocity: 92.5 mph

Star Power: LHP Ethan Kleinschmit, RHP Eric Segura, 2B Ryan Cooney

Run Production: 30. Only one batter is hitting .300, only two players are slugging .500 and only three have .400 on-base percentages. The Beavers are looking to win low-scoring games.

Run Prevention: 75. This would have been the best pitching staff in the postseason if Dax Whitney was healthy. Even without him, this is one of the best groups in Division I. If Oregon State makes a deep run, it will be because of its pitching.

25. Alabama

• Record: 37-19
• Regional: Tuscaloosa
• Run Differential: +1.4
• Fastball Velocity: 91.4 mph

Star Power: SS Justin Lebron, OF/C Brady Neal, RHP Tyler Fay, LHP Zane Adams, RHP Myles Upchurch

Run Production: 40. This has been a disappointing season offensively for Alabama. Neal and Brady Fowler are the only two .300 hitters and Lebron is the only hitter to reach 10+ home runs. A .253/.372/.428 slash line is among the worst in the SEC for teams who advanced to the regionals.

Run Prevention: 60. Alabama’s success depends on the pitching staff. They should be able to overwhelm lesser-ranked teams with arm after arm who combine solid control and plus stuff. Fay and Adams are both capable starters while the bullpen is loaded as well.

26. Arkansas

• Record: 39-20
• Regional: Lawrence
• Run Differential: +2.4
• Fastball Velocity: 93.4 mph

Star Power: C Ryder Helfrick, LHP Hunter Dietz, RHP Gabe Gaeckle, 2B Camden Kozeal

Run Production: 45. This has been a lineup that strikes out too much, which could give them problems especially if they get to a super regional. Kozeal, Helfrick and TJ Pompey all have legitimate power, but they are very dependent on home runs.

Run Prevention: 55. Dietz can overpower opponents and the mix-and-match usage of Gabe Gaeckle, Tate McGuire and Parker Coil has been effective down the stretch.

27. Nebraska

• Record: 42-15
• Regional: Lincoln
• Run Differential: 2.5
• Fastball Velocity: 91.3 mph

Star Power: RHP Carson Jasa, RHP Ty Horn, C Jeter Worthley

Run Production: 45. The Cornhuskers get on base and hit for average. They hit .312 as a team with a .408 on-base percentage. They strike out a lot for a team with modest power (60 home runs as a team).

Run Prevention: 55. Jasa, Horn and Gavin Blachowicz give Nebraska an above-average rotation, and Cooper Katskee is a better fourth starter than most teams as well. The bullpen isn’t as impressive, but this is a rotation that should work deeper in games than most.

28. Cincinnati

• Record: 37-20
• Regional: Starkville
• Run Differential: +1.9
• Fastball Velocity: 90.9 mph

Star Power: C Jack Natili, RHP Nathan Taylor, 1B Quinton Coats

Run Production: 55. The Bearcats lineup is deep with solid offensive contributors with a nice top six led by Quinton Coats, one of the top power hitters in the nation this season. They rank 36th in team wOBA, 53rd in isolated slugging and 72nd in runs per game. They do have one of the more feast or famine approaches however with a higher rate of strikeouts.

Run Prevention: 45. Cincinnati ranks 39th in Stuff+ as a staff led by junior ace Nate Taylor who’s been excellent this season. Overall the Bearcats rank 30th in xFIP, 86th in FIP and 62nd in ERA. They have a strong K/BB but lack depth in the staff outside of Taylor with lots of options that perform at a mid-tier level.

29. Oklahoma State

• Record: 37-20
• Regional: Tuscaloosa
• Run Differential: +2.0
• Fastball Velocity: 91.8 mph

Star Power: OF Kollin Ritchie, LHP Ethan Lund, SS Brock Thompson

Run Production: 65. The Cowboys can batter teams into submission on their best days. Many teams have one or two hitters with double-digit home runs. Oklahoma State has six hitters with 10+ home runs, led by Ritchie’s 29.

Run Prevention: 35. The Cowboys rely on an excellent offense to cover up for a pitching staff that can struggle to hang on to leads. Lund has plus stuff, but this is a pitching staff prone to giving up big innings.

30. Coastal Carolina

• Record: 37-21
• Regional: Tallahassee
• Run Differential: +1.6
• Fastball Velocity: 90.1 mph

Star Power: RHP Cameron Flukey, RHP Ross Norman, OF Rex Watson

Run Production: 40. Watson leads the team with 12 home runs. Walker Mitchell and Blake Barthol are tough outs as well, but Coastal Carolina has a solid but unspectacular lineup.

Run Prevention: 60. Rating the Chanticleers pitching staff is tough to do because we don’t know whether Flukey is fully stretched out after missing much of the season. If he’s close to the form he was last year in June, he could carry this team, but he hasn’t shown that dominance yet in 2026.

31. UC Santa Barbara

• Record: 38-18
• Regional: Austin
• Run Differential: +2.4
• Fastball Velocity: 91.7 mph

Star Power: RHP Jackson Flora, LHP Cole Tryba, RHP Calvin Proskey, RHP Nathan Aceves

Run Production: 30. Rowan Kelly sets the table and Nate Vargas provides a bit of power, but the Gauchos aren’t a team that lights up the scoreboard.

Run Prevention: 70. Flora will be the D-I ERA champ unless he gets shelled in the postseason, which seems unlikely for a pitcher with a 1.05 ERA. Aceves and Kellan Montgomery give UCSB a pair of additional solid starters. Tryba, Proskey and Chase Hoover are a dominating bullpen as well.

32. Liberty

• Record: 41-19
• Regional: Athens
• Run Differential: +2.4
• Fastball Velocity: 91.8 mph

Star Power: RHP Ben Blair, SS Tanner Marsh, RHP Cooper Harrington

Run Production: 40. The Flames rank 139th in team wOBA and 81st in runs per game, with the 162nd best isolated slugging. They are thin outside of their top three hitters in Nick Barone, Tanner Marsh and Josh Campos.

Run Prevention: 55. Led by Ben Blair, Liberty has one of the best pitching staffs in the tournament among mid-majors, ranking 25th in xFIP, 17th in FIP and 51st in ERA. They rank 38th in Stuff+ as a staff with Ben Blair, Josh Swink, Cooper Harrington and Jake Potts all ranking highly.

33. Missouri State

• Record: 34-19
• Regional: Lawrence
• Run Differential: +1.9
• Fastball Velocity: 90.4 mph

Star Power: OF Caden Bogenpohl, LHP/1B Max Knight, 3B Curry Sutherland

Run Production: 65. The Bears boast one of the top performing offenses in the country ranking 22nd in runs per game, 15th in wOBA. They strike out at a higher rate than most teams in the tournament but their .235 isolated slugging ranks 12th in Division I.

Run Prevention: 30. It’s hard to say a lot of positive things about a staff that posted a 6.08 ERA. They rank 132nd in FIP, 211th in opponent batting average and 246th in out rate.

34. Oklahoma

• Record: 32-21
• Regional: Atlanta
• Run Differential: +1.1
• Fastball Velocity: 93.7 mph

Star Power: 3B Camden Johnson, OF Brendan Brock, SS Jaxon Willits, C Deiten Lachance

Run Production: 40. This is a relatively uninspiring offense. They have played in the SEC, but there are only two players on the team (Lachance and Brock) in double digits in home runs and it’s not an exceptionally deep lineup.

Run Prevention: 45. The Sooners want to avoid facing teams with sluggers. They have been outhomered this season. LJ Mercurius has given up 12 homers this year. Lefthander Cameron Johnson doesn’t give up home runs, but he struggles with control problems.

35. NC State

• Record: 32-22
• Regional: Auburn
• Run Differential: +2.2
• Fastball Velocity: 91.9 mph

Star Power: OF Rett Johnson, OF Ty Head, 2B Luke Nixon

Run Production: 50. The Wolfpack lineup hasn’t always been consistent, but the combination of Nixon, Head, Rett Johnson, Sherman Johnson and Mikey Ryan gives the team a seemingly unending run of solid hitters who can wear down pitching staffs.

Run Prevention: 35. The loss of Jacob Dudan really hurt a staff that has plenty of pitchers who can light up a radar gun, but fewer who can do so while throwing strikes consistently. While there’s no true ace on the team, NC State’s ability to throw arm after arm with low to mid-90s velocity can overwhelm teams less used to seeing velocity.

36. Kentucky

• Record: 31-21
• Regional: Morgantown
• Run Differential: +1.3
• Fastball Velocity: 90.6 mph

Star Power: SS Tyler Bell, RHP Jaxon Jelkin

Run Production: 40. The return of Bell has been crucial to improving the offense. He’s second on the team in home runs despite missing significant time. Ethan Hindle is pretty much the lone power threat in the lineup.

Run Prevention: 40. Jelkin is an ace, but behind him, the rest of the team struggles to keep up. No other pitcher on the staff has thrown 50 innings.

37. Louisiana

• Record: 39-23
• Regional: Starkville
• Run Differential: +0.9
• Fastball Velocity: 90.2 mph

Star Power: 1B/2B Lee Amedee, LHP Andrew Herrmann, RHP Cody Brasch

Run Production: 30. The Ragin’ Cajuns have one of the weaker lineups in the tournament ranking 205th in runs per game, 196th in team wOBA and 177th in strikeout to walk ratio. Senior first baseman Lee Amedee is the only Ragin’ Cajuns hitter with a slugging percentage above .500 this season.

Run Prevention: 50. The Louisiana staff throws lots of strikes, and ranks in the 60s in a variety of metrics. It’s a good not great staff led by Andrew Herrmann, Ty Roman and Cody Brasch but their depth is middling. They rank 47th in Stuff+ as a staff, performing well in most metrics but not standout defining skills outside strike throwing.

38. Troy

• Record: 32-29
• Regional: Gainesville
• Run Differential: +0.8
• Fastball Velocity: 91.5 mph

Star Power: C Jimmy Janicki, OF Steven Meier, RHP Zach Crotchfelt, RHP Tommy Egan

Run Production: 40. The middle of Troy’s lineup is excellent, but it’s a bit of a top-heavy team. Janicki hit .350/.424/.663 with 17 home runs and Maier, Aaron Piasecki and Drew Nelson are all capable hitters.

Run Prevention: 40. This team has more pure stuff than many of the teams in the field. Egan’s cutter is an effective offering, and Benjamin Stubbs, Crotchfelt, Noah Thigpen, Cooper Ellingworth and Dylan Alonso can all touch 95+ mph.

39. Texas State

• Record: 36-24
• Regional: College Station
• Run Differential: +1.1
• Fastball Velocity: 90.7 mph

Star Power: C Clayton Namken, 1B Manny Salas, RHP Wade Cooper, RHP Cade Smith

Run Production: 45. This team mashes. Seven different hitters reached double digits in home runs and six had slugging percentages of .500+. Rashawn Galloway, Namken, Manny Salas, Dawson Park, Jaquae Stewart, Jackson Cotton and Chase Mora can all punish a pitcher’s mistake.

Run Prevention: 35. Cooper has a 92-95 mph fastball with riding life and a high-80s cutter that hitters hate to face. Smith walks almost no one, but unlike many college pitchers with plus-plus control, he does it with solid stuff including a low-90s fastball. Jesus Tovar battles hitters, as well.

40. Boston College

• Record: 36-21
• Regional: Athens
• Run Differential: +1.5
• Fastball Velocity: 89.8 mph

Star Power: SS Julio Solier, 2B Ty Mainolfi, LHP A.J. Colarusso, 1B Nick Wang

Run Production: 30. This offense is in the bottom half of Division I, ranking 155th in wOBA, 136th in runs per game and 177th in isolated slugging. They have a decent approach however ranking 85th in strikeout to walk ratio.

Run Prevention: 45. The Eagles keep runs off the board with a 4.84 ERA, but other metrics aren’t as kind to BC. They rank 110th in xFIP, 91st in FIP and 102nd in strikeout rate. The Eagles have gotten by with their own black magic throughout the season.

41. Cal Poly

• Record: 36-22
• Regional: Westwood
• Run Differential: +1.4
• Fastball Velocity: 90.7 mph

Star Power: SS Nate Castellon, C Ryan Tayman, RHP Carson Turnquist, RHP Griffin Naess

Run Production: 35. Tayman hit .355/.444/.664 and led the team with 16 home runs, while Castellon proved nearly impossible to strike out while hitting for average and getting on base. Cal Poly hit .304 as a team, and has plenty of savvy hitters.

Run Prevention: 40. Turnquist gives Cal Poly a chance to compete when he takes the mound. Back from Tommy John surgery, he’s sitting in the mid-90s and touching 97-98 with a starter’s arsenal of pitches. Reliever Nick Bonn throws even harder and flirts with triple digits.

42. Virginia Tech

• Record: 30-24
• Regional: Westwood
• Run Differential: -0.4
• Fastball Velocity: 91.9 mph

Star Power: SS Ethan Ball, 1B Sam Grube, RHP Brett Renfrow, DH Hudson Lutterman

Run Production: 45. Led by the underclass duo of Ethan Ball and Sam Grube the Hokies are a solid-performing team with the 77th best wOBA in the country but they rank in the middle of Division I in runs per game and lack depth in their lineup. It’s a three-true-outcome lineup ranking 256th in strikeouts, 75th in walks and 54th in isolated slugging.

Run Prevention: 30. Outside of ace Brett Renfrow there’s not a ton to get excited about when it comes to the Hokies. They rank 166th in FIP, 223rd in ERA and 269th in home run rate allowed. They walk a lot of batters, give up lots of home runs and have one of the worst out rates in the country.

43. Northeastern

• Record: 38-20
• Regional: Lawrence
• Run Differential: +2.0
• Fastball Velocity: 90.1 mph

Star Power: RHP Luc Rising, RHP Andrew Wertz, OF Harrison Feinberg, C Matt Brinker

Run Production: 35. Feinberg’s 16 home runs were twice as many as anyone else on the team. He strikes out a lot, but it comes with real impact. Tyler Harmony hit .371 with a team-best .488 on-base percentage. The depth of the lineup is a bit short, which could be a problem in a regional series.

Run Prevention: 40. Rising has been an excellent ace, going 5-4, 3.24 while Robbie O’Conner (9-2, 4.31) is also a capable starter. Wertz, Cooper Maher and Andrew Rogovic come out of the bullpen with plus stuff.

44. Lamar

• Record: 34-25
• Regional: College Station
• Run Differential: +6
• Fastball Velocity: 89.6 mph

Star Power: C Jake Wagoner, OF Tab Tracy, RHP Chris Olivier, RHP Travis Lutz

Run Production: 30. Lamar has to put together long rallies, as the team has very little power. A.J. Taylor leads the team with seven home runs. Tracy is 20-for-22 as a basestealer.

Run Prevention: 45. Lamar’s pitching staff could give teams fits in a regional. Olivier throws his low-80s slider more than his fastball, but those offerings and his changeup are all quality pitches. Travis Lutz and Jarret Williams have also had success starting. When Lamar goes to the bullpen, Julius Carpio’s slider and Cooper Calgren’s fastball are both above-average offerings.

45. Central Florida

• Record: 31-21
• Regional: Auburn
• Run Differential: +2.2
• Fastball Velocity: 90.9 mph

Star Power: OF Andrew Williamson, OF John Smith, RHP Evan Jones, RHP Camden Wicker, RHP Mateo Gray

Run Production: 30. Williamson and Smith are tied for the team lead with 12 home runs. Zak Skinner is the only other hitter slugging .500 and the team has a number of regulars who are strikeout prone without the power to compensate for the whiffs.

Run Prevention: 45. Wicker and Gray are an excellent 1-2 punch as starters, while Jones, Matt Sauser and Kris Sosnowski have given UCF solid bullpen depth.

46. VCU

• Record: 37-23
• Regional: Chapel Hill
• Run Differential: +2.0
• Fastball Velocity: 89.4 mph

Star Power: RHP Zach Peters, RHP Patrick Steitz, C Jacob Lee, OF Michael Petite

Run Production: 35. Lee has been excellent. He’s hit .342/.470/.640 this year and leads the team with 17 home runs although quality pitchers can get him out if they’re careful. Petite is a slugger (14 home runs) who gets on base because he’s a human piñata (23 hit-by-pitches).

Run Prevention: 40. If VCU can win its first game, the top of the pitching staff could make this a troublesome pest in a regional. But the depth drops off quickly. Peters is an excellent, experienced fastball-slider reliever who has gone 8-1, 1.60 in 50.2 relief innings. Steitz and Elias Holbert are a quality pair of starters and Dawson Newman and Cooper Campbell can dominate as well. When those five pitchers get the ball, VCU can match up with higher-ranked teams. After that, it can get ugly.

47. Saint Mary’s

• Record: 34-25
• Regional: Westwood
• Run Differential: +1.5
• Fastball Velocity: 89.6 mph

Star Power: RHP John Damozonio, 1B Makoa Sniffen, C Ian Armstrong

Run Production: 45. It’s a sneaky strong lineup for the Gaels with a trio of hitters with 30+ extra base hits. They slug as well as any mid-major in the tournament with a top 75 runs per game mark.

Run Prevention: 35. Saint Mary’s ranks outside the top 100 in ERA and xFIP and didn’t face the strongest competition among tournament teams. This is a well below-average pitching staff that will need to overperform to advance beyond their regional.

48. Tarleton State

• Record: 37-19
• Regional: Austin
• Run Differential: +1.2
• Fastball Velocity: 90.0 mph

Star Power: OF Rayner Heinrich, RHP Anthony Treto

Run Production: 35. Heinrich hits for average and power and can steal a base. He’s the team’s star, but Slade McCloud is a useful wingman as a .356 hitter who has swiped 22 bags in 27 tries.

Run Prevention: 35. There is no one pitcher to focus on beating with Tarleton State, as they go “Johnny Wholestaff.” Treto is the reliever no hitter wants to see, thanks to his low-to-mid-90s fastball and excellent control. Ethan Wendel is the most consistent starter, and one of only two pitchers on the team to post 10+ starts.

49. Binghamton

• Record: 31-20
• Regional: Morgantown
• Run Differential: +0.7
• Fastball Velocity: 90.2 mph

Star Power: RHP Conner Griffin, OF Matt Bolton

Run Production: 25. Teams should pitch around Bolton, even if he is also 15-for-15 on steals. He’s the only .300 hitter on the team and he’s the team’s best power threat (16 doubles and six home runs) as well.

Run Prevention: 40. Griffin is going to surprise some hitters. He has top-flight stuff with a mid-90s fastball and a hard upper-80s slider, although he can struggle to find the strike zone. As a team, Binghamton has a nice mix of solid power stuff from pitchers who are around the zone. Jackson Mitchell’s slider will also carve through lineups. If everything matches up, Binghamton could steal a game in a regional, even if they don’t have the depth to likely advance.

50. Northern Illinois

• Record: 35-17
• Regional: Tallahassee
• Run Differential: +1.2
• Fastball Velocity: 87.7 mph

Star Power: LHP Max Vaisvila, RHP Blake Gaskey, OF Wyatt Wawro, SS Nolan Sandee

Run Production: 40. Wawro had just 11 extra-base hits this year, but he also hit .374. Sandee, Cole Smith and Marcus Romeo are all capable hitters, while Caden Robertson (14 home runs) and Gavin Baldwin (15 homers) provide the thump.

Run Prevention: 25. Vaisvila misses bats and is always around the strike zone while Gaskey is a competent reliever, but the Huskies don’t have the pitching depth to hold up well through a regional schedule.

51. Little Rock

• Record: 36-26
• Regional: Hattiesburg
• Run Differential: +0.4
• Fastball Velocity: 90.1 mph

Star Power: RHP Brannon Westmoreland, LHP Nic Bronzini, RHP Tag Andrews, OF Kade Smith

Run Production: 25. Smith and Angel Cano can be tough outs, but this is a team without much power, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them struggle to score many runs against solid pitching staffs.

Run Prevention: 40. Where the Trojans can trip up higher-seeded teams is with a deep pitching staff. Westmoreland, Bronzini and Andrews all have quality stuff, while Brigden Parker is a reliable workhorse.

52. The Citadel

• Record: 35-24
• Regional: Atlanta
• Run Differential: +1.4
• Fastball Velocity: 89.2 mph

Star Power: LHP Will Holmes, RHP/DH Michael Gibson, RHP Trip Brown

Run Production: 25. Gibson hit .394 this year as a two-way player. Outfielder Christian Stratis has gap power and the team’s best bat control. Zach Hunt is the team’s best power threat, although he also struggles with contact issues.

Run Prevention: 40. Like many teams in this range, the Citadel is a pretty one-sided team. If they are going to win games in the regional, it will likely be on the mound. Holmes struck out 112 batters in 88.1 innings. Gibson also has excellent stuff while RHP Andrew Buffkin works around traffic on the bases.

53. Washington State

• Record: 30-25
• Regional: Eugene
• Run Differential: -0.3
• Fastball Velocity: 88.2 mph

Star Power: OF Max Hartman, SS Gavin Roy, LHP Nick Lewis

Run Production: 30. The Cougars hit 37 home runs as a team, so opposing pitching staffs can challenge this lineup. But Hartman, Roy, Matt Priest and Ryan Skjonsby can get on-base and try to string together rallies.

Run Prevention: 30. Lewis is extremely crafty, but hitters will quickly figure out he doesn’t have a pitch they have to fear. Griffin Smith does throw plenty of strikes, while Scott Rienguette has the best stuff on the team, but with below-average consistency.

54. SC Upstate

• Record: 33-28
• Regional: Tuscaloosa
• Run Differential: +1.3
• Fastball Velocity: 90.2 mph

Star Power: RHP Brent Stukes, LHP Chris Torres, SS Maloy Heaghney

Run Production: 35. Between Heaghney, Johnny Sweeney, Tyler Lang and Henry Zenor, this is a better than you might think lineup that succeeds because there are plenty of polished hitters up and down the lineup.

Run Prevention: 25. The Spartans pitching staff has some relievers that are not consistent, but can dominate on their best days. It’s the starting pitching of Stukes and Torres they rely on to work deep in games.

55. St. John’s

• Record: 33-24
• Regional: Tallahassee
• Run Differential: +0.3
• Fastball Velocity: 89.0 mph

Star Power: C Adam Agresti, 1B Shaun McMilan, RHP Liam O’Leary

Run Production: 30. Agresti is a player to be respected, as he is tough to strike out and he hit 17 home runs. McMilan also is a polished hitter with some pop.

Run Prevention: 30. O’Leary doesn’t miss bats, but his 89-90 mph fastball and slider play because he’s deceptive and throws strikes. He was a workhorse who had three complete games. Jack Nestler is a reliever to watch with a low-90s fastball and a changeup that generates lots of whiffs.

56. UIC

• Record: 27-27-1
• Regional: Atlanta
• Run Differential: 0.0
• Fastball Velocity: 88.4 mph

Star Power: 1B Ashton Kampa, C Thomas Curry, RHP Mason Lei

Run Production: 30. Kampa hit 16 home runs, Curry added 13 more and Jake Busson led the team with 18. If pitchers make mistakes, the Flames can make them pay, although Busson’s approach is very much boom or bust.

Run Prevention: 30. Lei gives the team an excellent option for the regional opener. After that, it will get dicier. Brandon Bak throws strikes but with modest stuff. Kendall Lyons has better stuff but much worse control.

57. Rider

• Record: 33-18
• Regional: Gainesville
• Run Differential: +2.2
• Fastball Velocity: 87.1 mph

Star Power: RHP PJ Craig, LHP Christian Aiello, OF Kyle Neri

Run Production: 30. Rider has a deep lineup, but the team’s best hitters can be beaten in the strike zone by quality stuff, while the top and bottom of the lineup makes solid contact, but doesn’t scare pitchers at all.

Run Prevention: 30. Craig is going to have to carry this staff, because there isn’t a lot of stuff among the rest of the rotation and bullpen, which means patient teams can just wait out Rider’s nibbling approach.

58. Yale

• Record: 30-13-1
• Regional: Eugene
• Run Differential: +2.6
• Fastball Velocity: 88.7 mph

Star Power: RHP Jack Ohman, OF Garrett Larsen, OF Kaiden Dossa

Run Production: 20. Yale hit 23 home runs as a team. Larsen, Chris Diprima and Dossa all have bat-to-ball skills, but in any matchup against a team that can clear the fences, Yale is going to have trouble keeping up.

Run Prevention: 35. Yale’s ranking this high is almost entirely because of the presence of Ohman. He’s not been as consistent this year as expected, but on the right day, he can dominate. Ben Winslow and Teo Spadaccini have the stuff to beat hitters as well.

59. Milwaukee

• Record: 25-31
• Regional: Auburn
• Run Differential: -1.2
• Fastball Velocity: 88.2 mph

Star Power: DH Dominic Kibler, OF Charlie Marion, OF Dylan O’Connell, C Joey Spence

Run Production: 30. Kibler, O’Connell and outfielder Charlie Marion are all capable bats. Kibler hits for power while making plenty of contact.

Run Prevention: 20. The Panthers are likely to struggle on the mound. They do have the velocity to compete, but righthanders Aric Ehmke and Gavin Theis are the only consistent strike-throwers among Milwaukee’s best arms. As a team, Milwaukee has a 7.01 ERA.

60. Lipscomb

• Record: 29-24
• Regional: Starkville
• Run Differential: -0.8
• Fastball Velocity: 89.7 mph

Star Power: OF Jordan Thomas, 3B Cam Pruitt, LHP Alexander Llinas

Run Production: 25. Thomas is the lone power threat in the lineup. He hit 10 home runs, the rest of the team hit 22 collectively. Pruitt and Hutson Miles have solid bat control and can steal a base, but this is not a team built for big innings.

Run Prevention: 25. Llinas is the only full-time starter, as Lipscomb uses bullpen games to fill all other starts. Lipscomb’s 6.19 ERA was more than a run worse than their opponents.

61. Alabama State

• Record: 34-21
• Regional: Tuscaloosa
• Run Differential: 0.0
• Fastball Velocity: 84.7 mph

Star Power: OF Miguel Oropeza, OF Niguel Jenkins, RHP James Peterson

Run Production: 30. Alabama State’s lineup could surprise some opponents. Jenkins, switch-hitting catcher Trey Callaway and first baseman Jackson Williams all have solid power, while Oropeza makes plenty of contact.

Run Prevention: 20. Peterson is the team ace, and he gives hitters a funky look, but this pitching staff is going to be massively overtaxed by solid lineups.

62. LIU

• Record: 30-20
• Regional: Athens
• Run Differential: +2.2
• Fastball Velocity: 84.8 mph

Star Power: SS Ryan Rivera, OF Nick Matson, RHP Nicholas Finarelli

Run Production: 30. Long Island has a deep lineup of polished hitters. Six regulars have on-base percentages of .430 or better and the team hit .301 as a group. Six starters stole 10+ bases, with Matson, Elijah Fairchild and Noah Sorenson all stealing 20+ with solid success rates.

Run Prevention: 20. LIU lacks velocity. No pitcher on the team sits above 90 mph with their fastball, and most can’t scrape 90 on their best day. Finarelli was the team’s ace, and he and Justin CeCastro both carried heavy workloads, but the team has three pitchers on staff who posted ERAs under 5.00.

63. Holy Cross

• Record: 25-28
• Regional: Austin
• Run Differential: -0.7
• Fastball Velocity: 86.8 mph

Star Power: OF CJ Egrie, RHP Jaden Wywoda, RHP Jake Lenahan

Run Production: 20. Holy Cross has one hitter hitting over .300 (Egrie), one batter slugging over .500 (Royer) and no one with more than six home runs. Egrie is 46-for-48 as a basestealer, so he will try to create havoc.

Run Prevention: 30. Wywoda is extremely crafty, but he also won’t break 90 mph during an outing. Lenahan throws a bit harder, but Pedro Leon is the only pitcher Holy Cross uses regularly with average D-I velocity.

64. South Dakota State

• Record: 20-31
• Regional: Lincoln
• Run Differential: -0.3
• Fastball Velocity: 87.7 mph

Star Power: 3B Nolan Grawe, DH Luke Luskey, RHP Ty Madison

Run Production: 30. Grawe makes plenty of contact and Luskey has real power. Outfielder Carter Taylor is pesky, but he like most of the rest of the lineup lacks power. The Jackrabbits will rely heavily on the top of their lineup to score, as the bottom of the lineup is all slugging below .400.

Run Prevention: 20. The Jackrabbits’ team ERA was 7.17. RHPs Sam Schlecht, Sam Novotny and Ty Madison are all reasonably capable, but they don’t miss a ton of bats. South Dakota State will be at a pitching mismatch throughout the regional.