Preseason Rankings: A New Era Begins at the Top
The biggest news in college baseball today, Monday, January 12, 2026, is the release of the major preseason rankings, signaling the official countdown to Opening Day on February 13.
- UCLA Claims Historic No. 1 Spot: For the first time in program history, the UCLA Bruins have been named the preseason No. 1 team by major outlets. Following a massive 29-win turnaround in 2025 and a trip to Omaha, head coach John Savage returns a loaded roster headlined by National Player of the Year Roch Cholowsky.
- LSU Slotted at No. 2; Eyes Repeat: The defending National Champion LSU Tigers earned the No. 2 spot in today’s newest poll. This follows their No. 1 ranking in the Perfect Game poll released last week. Head coach Jay Johnson enters his fifth season with 19 returning players and a top-tier transfer class.
- Mississippi State Surges to No. 4: The “Brian O’Connor Era” in Starkville is off to a flying start as the Bulldogs debuted at No. 4 today. The ranking reflects a reconstructed roster and the high expectations surrounding the former Virginia coach’s arrival at Dudy Noble Field.
Roster Moves and Team News
- Texas A&M Finalizes Staff: Head coach Michael Earley has officially completed his 2026 staff with the hiring of Nate Friedman as the new Strength & Conditioning Coach. Friedman joins the Aggies from the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
- UMass Names 2026 Captains: Ahead of their move into a new conference, the Minutemen have named graduate student Jack Beverly and junior Callen Powers as team captains for the upcoming season.
- Alabama Sets Spring Practice Schedule: The Crimson Tide announced they will officially open full-team spring practices on Tuesday, Jan. 13, at Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
Upcoming Key Dates
| Date | Event |
| Jan 22, 2026 | NAIA Opening Day |
| Jan 23, 2026 | NJCAA Spring Season Starts |
| Jan 31, 2026 | NCAA Division II Opening Day |
| Feb 13, 2026 | NCAA Division I Opening Day |
Disclaimer: This information was researched and curated with the assistance of AI, but reviewed and verified by a human.
