Oregon State Baseball: Meet the New Lineup for the 2026 Season (2026)

Oregon State baseball is gearing up for a major lineup overhaul in 2026, with several key positions up for grabs. Here's a breakdown of who might step up to the plate.

The Starting Pitchers

• All-American Dax Whitney will be the Opening Day starter, a role he's been preparing for.
• Ethan Kleinschmidt will pitch on Saturday against Arizona, but after that, things get tricky.
• Eric Segura and Wyatt Queen are the next most experienced pitchers, with junior college transfers Connor Mendez and Noah Scott, and freshman Trey Morris also in the mix for starting roles.

The Bullpen

Coach Mitch Canham praises the team's bullpen depth, suggesting that everyone might get a chance to pitch on Monday.

The Lineup

• Offensively, the Beavers are saying goodbye to four of their top five home run hitters from last season.
• First baseman Jacob Krieg, second baseman AJ Singer, and right fielder Easton Talt are back, but they'll need to step up their game.
• The lineup could be more varied this year, with fewer near-everyday players.

The infield

• Tyler Inge, a transfer from Michigan, is the favorite to take over at shortstop.
• Paul Vazquez and Cooper Vance are competing for the third base spot.
• Arkansas Pine-Bluff transfer Eli Gries-Smith brings speed to the outfield, and sophomore Adam Haight could be the third outfielder.

The Catcher's Position

• Jacob Galloway, a transfer from Texas A&M, is the most experienced catcher, but Bryce Hubbard and Ryan VandenBrink also have their eyes on the prize.
• The team might experiment with a designated hitter (DH) for the less experienced catcher, and a pinch runner could come in during the game.

The Batting Order

• With significant changes to the batting order, matchups will be crucial early on.
• Despite having less power, the Beavers believe their depth of hitters with high on-base percentages and contact skills is a strength.
• Every player from 1 to 9 is expected to bring competitive at-bats.