The monthlong window for college baseball players to enter the transfer portal closed on Tuesday, and for the most part Arizona once again avoided major losses.
All told, 12 members of the 2026 team opted to transfer according to 64Analytics, which tracks and ranks players in the portal. For comparison, ASU had 16 players enter the portal while elsewhere in the Big 12 the losses ranged from three (UCF) to 22 (Houston).
The Wildcats lost 10 players following the 2025 run to the College World Series, seven after the 2024 season and 12 after the 2023 campaign, per 64Analytics.
The most notable departures were right-handed pitchers Corey Kling and Collin McKinney—though McKinney is likely to be drafted later this month—and utilityman Jackson Forbes. Kling ended up at Auburn, the only UA transfer to move to another power-conference team, while Forbes transferred to San Diego.
A couple UA players moved to schools that could be on the 2027 schedule, with lefty Mason Russell transferring to GCU and outfielder Gunner Geile going to New Mexico State. A few others remain uncommitted including righty Andrew Jacobs.
Arizona was able to retain the bulk of its young corps that got thrown into the fire during this spring’s 19-34 season. First baseman Tony Lira, who was named a Second Team Preseason All-American by D1Baseball, as well as infielders Cash Brennan and Nate Novitske, catcher Joe Forbes and outfielder Caleb Danzeisen are all set to return.
That group is currently participating in various summer leagues, with Danzeisen faring particularly well in the Northwoods League.
Arizona also held onto its top returning starting pitcher in Smith Bailey, who likely would have been a hot commodity on the transfer market, and young arms Benton Hickman and Jack Lafflam.
To this point, Arizona has only added four players from the portal: pitchers Garrett Ahern (GCU), Trever Baumler (TCU) and McCarty English (Southern Miss) and infielder Ariel Antigua (Tennessee). More additions are expected, as coach Chip Hale said he expects the 2027 roster to have 40 and the current count is 38, though that includes at least one player who figures to be drafted (righty Owen Kramkowski) and sign.
Prior to hiring Jack Meggs, Hale said his new hitting coach would have a big say in what the offense looked like next season. It’s likely that remaining transfer additions will focus on improving that area.
