PHOENIX — Following the program’s first postseason victory since June 4, 2021, Arizona State baseball appeared to have the edge in the Los Angeles Regional. 

On the back of junior left-hander Ben Jacobs and an offense led by five future MLB draft picks, the Sun Devils promptly defeated UC Irvine 4-2, setting the course for a decisive matchup against host UCLA for the driver's seat in the regional. 

Yet with momentum on its side, ASU's Achilles’ heel struck.

An inconsistent pitching staff that walked the tightrope all season long allowed 22 runs across back-to-back Sun Devil defeats, sending a veteran team holding bigger aspirations home with much left to be desired. 

“I still, in my heart, think it's a little too early for us to be done, but we just didn't execute how we needed to today,” head coach Willie Bloomquist said following the Sun Devils’ elimination from the NCAA DI Baseball Tournament on June 1, 2025. “We came up short.” 

Seven months later, and Bloomquist’s squad looks to right the wrong behind a revamped roster with an identity centered around competition and an attention-to-detail approach, while new players enter the limelight from behind the scenes. 

Over the summer of 2025, Bloomquist and recruiting coordinator Sam Peraza welcomed 17 newcomers to the desert, accounting for nine draft selections, the departure of nearly the entire starting lineup and the loss of two of their three weekend starters in Jacobs and right-hander Jack Martinez.

With an entire diamond to fill, and a carousel of options, hitting coach Jason Ellison said competition makes everyone better. 

“There’s a lot of competition, which is a good thing,” Ellison said. “We have more depth than last year. Guys understand their roles, and opportunities will come if they’re prepared.”

A new look offense

In a sea of new faces, reliable veterans like transfer fifth-year outfielder and 2025 Mountain West Co-Player of the Year Dean Toigo look to acclimate to the hitter-friendly environment of Phoenix Municipal Stadium. 

“He knows who he is, he can hit, and he showed up here hitting right away,” Ellison said. 

At UNLV a season ago, Toigo led the Rebels not only behind a .337/.445/.682 slashine, but also in leadership.

“He’s also a great teammate — keeps things light,” Ellison said. “It’s been refreshing having an older guy like that.”

Yet, Toigo isn’t the only notable offensive transfer. 

Sophomore infielder Austen Roellig makes the nearly 700-mile trek from Salt Lake City and the University of Utah, immediately landing on the Big 12 Preseason All-Conference team. The Big-12 All-Freshman started all 50 games for the Utes, posting a .341 average with 18 extra-base hits. 

The now two-time transfer expressed his desire to join a historically potent offense that swept him and Utah in 2025.

“When we played them last year, they raked,” Roellig said. “They must be doing something right, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

Sticking to the West Coast, junior infielder Dominic Smaldino enters the mix to replace four-year first baseman Jacob Tobias, who graduated following the 2025 season. The California transfer hit .277 with an .862 OPS in 55 games for the Golden Bears a season ago.

Following Smaldino from Cal is junior infielder PJ Moutzouridis. Coming off a down season, a .697 OPS in 55 games — down from an .846 OPS in 2024 — the infielder still provides a strong defensive ability while making some swing adjustments over the offseason, Ellison said.  

“He’s worked hard, made some swing adjustments, had a good fall and defensively found his stride,” Ellison said. “He’s done a great job.”

Although the Sun Devils made their mark in the mid-major portal, Bloomquist and Co. expanded their reach into the SEC, inking graduate outfielder Matt Polk from Vanderbilt. After missing the entire 2025 season, Polk joins a new-look offense with immense upside. In 52 games in 2024, Polk posted a .864 OPS with 16 doubles and a .316 average.

Rounding out the offensive in the transfer portal, ASU acquired sophomore catcher Coen Niclai from Oregon. A former two-time Alaska Gatorade Player of the Year, Niclai appeared in limited action for the Ducks in 2025, yet brings flexibility for the Sun Devils behind the dish alongside sophomore Brody Briggs.

With eight open positions and a longer list of new names, Ellison had a simple message for ASU’s transfers competing for starting jobs.

“Practice hard, play hard, every day,” Ellison said.  

Rising starts 

With household names from 2025 like outfielder Brandon Compton and Tobias gone, the returning Sun Devils aim to fill a prominent void on offense.

One name to watch is sophomore infielder Beckett Zavorek. 

The Fresno, California, native missed a majority of the 2025 season due to injury, but shone in the Northwoods League with the Lakeshore Chinooks. 

In 28 NWL games, Zavorek hit .360 with 28 stolen bases and a .442 on-base percentage. 

Ellison said he expects the infielder to impact the 2026 Sun Devils. 

“Beck’s (Zavorek) a ballplayer,” Ellison said. “He’s confident, got a lot of at-bats this summer, stole bases, and his overall game continues to improve. I have no doubt he can contribute every day.”

An underrepresented part of Zavorek’s game is his defensive versatility. Under former Sun Devil Mikel Moreno, manager of the Chinooks, Zavorek played four defensive positions: second, shortstop, third and center field. 

“He’s playing at an elite level both defensively and offensively … we haven’t forgotten about (him),” Peraza said in the fall of 2025.  

Alongside Zavorek, sophomore infielder Landon Hairston looks to build off an All-Big 12 Freshman and First-Team season, all while becoming the program’s 38th rookie All-American, selected by the NCBWA. 

The Casteel High School product posted a .908 OPS in 54 games a season ago, earning himself a 2026 Preseason All-Conference nod. 

Despite hitting four home runs in 2025, Ellison sees his young star growing into his body. 

“He’s young and wants to hit homers — I get it. But he’s such a pure hitter,” Ellison said. “Guys who can hit usually grow into power. You saw that late last year when his power numbers started to rise. I think he’ll be in a really good spot this year.” 

With every young core comes its ups and downs; therefore, a veteran returner is crucial for success. 

Junior third baseman Nu’u Contrades fits the job description. 

“He’s dynamic and a quiet leader. The guys respect him, he works hard, he’s healthy and stronger,” Ellison said. “I’m excited for him this year.”

After posting a .929 OPS with 24 extra-base hits, Contrades injured himself before the postseason – prompting Zavorek to enter the limelight on the biggest stage against UCLA and UC Irvine in the regional. 

Rotation Revamp 

Facing elimination last June, ASU handed the ball to sophomore right-hander Derek Schaefer – a pitcher with five collegiate starts to his name. 

Instead of pitching primary Sunday starter, right-hander Jaden Alba, or swingman left-hander Easton Barrett, Bloomquist opted for Schaefer, who proceeded to allow five runs over three innings. 

Bloomquist ran into a pitching bind, having used Jacobs two days prior — throwing over 100 pitches in the process — as well as Martinez allowing seven runs in 1 ⅔ innings the day before.

It seems the Sun Devils simply ran out of reliable pitching at the worst possible time. 

Flash forward to February, and pitching coach Jeremy Accardo’s revamped pitching staff carries depth yet a less proven label, something Bloomquist said doesn’t concern him.

“Last year, we had proven Friday and Saturday guys. This year, we may not have that yet, but we have more depth top to bottom,” Bloomquist said. “There are a lot of guys with equally good stuff who will get opportunities.” 

In response to pitching shortcomings, ASU attacked the transfer portal, acquiring intriguing options with unique abilities. 

A pair of right-handers headlines the transfer class: Junior Colin Linder from North West Florida State and senior Kole Klecker from TCU, both of whom will enter the starting rotation, per Bloomquist, with Linder slotted in on Feb. 14 against Omaha and Klecker on Feb. 17 against UConn.

Bloomquist said Klecker has "arguably thrown the best” among the staff and will contribute in a meaningful way in the midweek.  

Likewise, Accardo emphasized the importance of Klecker’s role. 

“Midweek starters are just as important as weekend guys,” Accardo said. “Once conference play begins, roles will shake out more clearly. We’ve recruited well and built flexibility, and our job is to keep adding value for the players and the team.”

Although not slotted to start out of the gate, junior right-hander Alex Overbay, a UNLV transfer, looks to find his role in a very competitive pitching staff that offers flexibility to its skipper.

“We’re in a much better situation than last year,” Accardo said. “We have a lot of guys who can give us three, four or five innings.”

Rounding out the preseason starting rotation are two returners with sizeable expectations.

Junior left-hander Cole Carlon returns after posting a 3.33 ERA in 54 innings pitched, including All-American reliever honors. The southpaw enters 2026 with draft aspirations as the Sun Devils’ only preseason All-American. 

Bloomquist announced Carlon as the team’s Friday night and opening day starting pitcher set to toe the rubber on Feb. 13.  

“He’s continued to mature. He has electric stuff,” Bloomquist said. “The focus is maintaining that over multiple innings and refining the running game. He’s proven as a backend closer, but we want to give him a chance to start.” 

On the flip side, Accardo didn’t rule out using the left-hander in high-leverage relief.

“He increases his value and ours with his versatility,” Accardo said. “We’ll use him where he best fits against good teams.”

Aside from Carlon, Barrett joins the 2026 rotation after working in the midweek rotation a season ago. Bloomquist announced Barrett will start the matinee and series finale vs. Omaha on Feb. 15. 

Unlike past teams, Accardo sees a deep pitching staff in 2026, with the rotation going beyond just four or five arms.

“We’ll use a lot of starters, and everyone will get opportunities,” Accardo said. “Our job is to put guys in the best situations for them and for the team to succeed.”

Names like junior right-handed pitcher Wyatt Halvorson and junior right-handed pitcher Josh Butler are expected to take big roles in 2026 after performing well in the fall, Bloomquist said. 

Slowly but surely, the Sun Devils are assembling a pitching staff hopeful for a deep postseason run.

“It’s about piecing it together,” Bloomquist said. “We’ll play pitchers off each other and give different looks … That may end up being the identity of our staff.”

However, with so many pitchers and not enough innings to go around, Accardo said players must understand their personal goals while supporting each other.

“The biggest thing is creating buy-in so everyone understands their role and how they help the team,” Accardo said. “It’s not just about the individual. We want them to reach their goals just as much as they do, but at the same time, we’re here to win ballgames. If everyone understands they’ll get opportunities, we’re in a really good position.”