The Big West Conference is set to showcase a wealth of talent in 2026, including numerous draft-eligible players who could make a significant impact on the field (and even hear their names called in the MLB Draft). Here I spotlight ten players to watch closely as the new season unfolds.

Michael Crossland – OF, UC San Diego

As a sophomore in 2025, Michael Crossland established himself as one of the Big West’s premier power threats. The right-handed hitting center fielder earned First Team All-Big West honors by leading the conference with 15 home runs. He slashed .341/.435/.644 over 50 games, racking up 70 hits, 15 doubles, 44 RBIs, and 49 runs scored. His 1.079 OPS and .644 slugging percentage made him easily one of the top power hitters in the conference.

At 6-foot, 210 pounds, Crossland combines strength with surprising athleticism in the outfield. He consistently drove the ball to all fields last season and showed a knack for coming up with big hits in clutch moments. Not just a slugger, he also demonstrated patience at the plate – drawing 23 walks and even getting plunked 11 times. As the Tritons’ everyday center fielder, he provided reliable defense), showcasing good range and a strong arm. This well-rounded game made Crossland the centerpiece of UCSD’s lineup.

Looking ahead to 2026, Crossland will again be the focal point of the Tritons’ offense and a preseason Big West Player of the Year candidate. If he matches or exceeds last year’s production, he’ll firmly entrench himself in MLB scouts’ radars as a potential early-round pick. Expect more loud numbers from Crossland in 2026. His mix of power, on-base ability, and experience makes him one of the conference’s must-watch players. In a league loaded with talent, Crossland’s big bat and leadership will set the tone for UC San Diego.

Jackson Flora – RHP, UC Santa Barbara

UC Santa Barbara’s Jackson Flora has emerged from the shadow of former ace Tyler Bremner and now profiles as one of the conference’s top arms. The 6-foot-5 right-hander stepped into the Gauchos’ weekend rotation in 2025 and delivered several dominant outings – none more impressive than a complete-game one-hitter with 9 strikeouts against Cal Poly. Flora finished the season 6–3 with a 3.60 ERA, piling up 86 strikeouts against just 17 walks in 75 innings. That performance earned him an invitation to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team camp, highlighting his rising stock as a prospect to watch.

Flora has the arsenal of a potential first-round pick. His fastball sits in the mid-to-upper 90s and reportedly touched 99–100 mph with explosive life through the zone, making it extremely hard to square up. He pairs that heat with a sweeping slider that flashes plus and can be adjusted in shape – he’s shown the ability to back-foot it to lefties or tighten it up for righties. A changeup remains a work in progress, but his electric fastball-slider combo and improved command make Flora a formidable Friday-night ace for the Gauchos. Don’t be surprised if pro scouts flock to his starts – he has first-round potential written all over him. In 2026, Flora will be expected to lead UCSB’s staff and could be the next in a line of Gaucho pitchers to make national headlines. The hype is high, and Flora has the talent to back it up.

Elijah Ickes – 3B, Hawai‘i

The 6′0″, 175-lb right-handed hitter Elijah Ickes has been a catalyst for the Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors since he arrived on campus. As a freshman in 2024, Ickes hit .280 and drove in 32 runs, scoring 42 times out of the leadoff spot. He drew 34 walks for a .407 on-base percentage, swiped 7 bases (in 8 attempts), and cracked 12 doubles – showing a promising blend of plate discipline, speed, and gap power. In 2025 he continued to produce, batting .303 with a .387 OBP and 3 triples (a team high) in a season cut short by injury. Ickes started 31 games at shortstop and third base before missing roughly six weeks, yet still tallied 21 RBIs and remained one of the toughest outs on the team. He sprays line drives to all fields and rarely chases out of the zone, reflecting a mature approach beyond his years.

In 2026, Ickes will be counted on as a high-contact, table-setting bat atop Hawai‘i’s lineup – the spark plug who makes the offense go. His return late last season provided a huge boost: in his first game back from the injury, he smacked two doubles and drove in three runs to help Hawai‘i upset Cal State Fullerton. That kind of instant impact underscores how valuable Ickes is to the Rainbow Warriors. Defensively, he offers versatility (splitting time between short and third) and sure hands on the left side of the infield. Look for him to ignite rallies with his line-drive hitting, aggressive baserunning, and knack for extra-base hits. If Ickes can stay healthy for a full campaign, he’s a strong All-Big West candidate and the kind of veteran leader who can help Hawai‘i challenge the conference’s top teams. Don’t overlook his contributions just because he’s not a prolific home run hitter – Ickes does the little things that win games, and he could be one of the league’s most valuable players this season.

Mason Lerma – LHP, UC Davis

One bright spot for UC Davis in 2025 was the emergence of Mason Lerma as a dominant bullpen arm. Lerma, a 5’10” left-hander, put up eye-popping numbers out of the Aggies’ bullpen: a 1.01 ERA and a 3-0 record over 28 appearances. He actually led the entire Big West in pitching appearances, a testament to the trust coaches had in him to handle high-leverage situations. In 35.2 innings, Lerma allowed only 4 earned runs all year. He struck out 35 batters while issuing just 5 walks, showcasing pinpoint control to go along with some deceptive stuff. That stellar performance earned him Second Team All-Big West honors, and firmly established him as one of the conference’s toughest relievers.

Lerma isn’t a flamethrower by any means – his fastball sits in the mid-80s – but his low three-quarters delivery and natural lefty movement keep hitters off balance. He can run the fastball in on right-handers’ hands, saw them off for weak contact, and then mix in a big-breaking curveball to change speeds. Opponents hit just .256 against him, and he often entered with runners on to put out fires (hence the conference-high usage out of the ‘pen). Despite his smaller stature and modest velocity, Lerma competes with confidence and never seems rattled under pressure.

Heading into his junior year in 2026, UC Davis may consider testing Lerma as a starter, but his greatest value might remain in that fireman relief role where he can deploy his two-pitch mix with maximum effectiveness. Either way, his consistency and calm in tight spots will be crucial for the Aggies. He’s the type of veteran arm who can help UC Davis steal some wins in close games. For now, Lerma is undoubtedly one of the Big West’s most reliable relievers, and every opponent will need a solid plan to manufacture runs against him.

Steele Murdock – RHP, UC San Diego

On the pitching side for UC San Diego, Steele Murdock offers a classic case of projection and raw talent. His 2025 numbers as a redshirt freshman (5.60 ERA in 15 appearances) don’t jump off the page, but the 6-foot-2, 215-pound righty turned heads with his electric arm in summer ball. Pitching against elite competition in the Cape Cod League, Murdock routinely sat 94–96 mph with his fastball and even dialed it up to 97, showing big-time velocity. His heater also has natural arm-side run, making it tough for hitters to barrel up even when they make contact.

Murdock pairs that explosive fastball with a sharp slider in the mid-80s that has good tilt. He showed the ability to use the slider as a putaway pitch, often getting swings and misses down and away from righties. At times he can even manipulate the breaking ball to have more downward, curveball-like action, keeping hitters guessing and off-balance. While his command and consistency are still developing (not uncommon for a young power arm), the upside here is undeniable. Murdock has clear shutdown closer potential, given his arsenal and aggressive approach on the mound. In 2025, he notched one save and often worked in a swingman role, but in 2026 the Tritons could deploy him in a variety of ways. He might emerge as a high-leverage closer who can blow away hitters for an inning or two, or he could even compete for a weekend starter spot now that he’s more seasoned. If he harnesses his control, Murdock has the tools to blossom into one of the Big West’s most dominant pitchers. Keep an eye on his strikeout rates and those late-inning appearances – the fireballing righty could end up being a real game-changer for UCSD this year, and you can bet pro scouts will be watching his radar gun readings with interest.

Ricky Ojeda – LHP, UC Irvine

This undersized lefty quietly emerged as one of the conference’s best pitchers over the past two seasons. Ricky Ojeda (5′11″, 185 lbs) was a strikeout machine in 2024 as a freshman reliever, piling up 74 Ks in 52 innings with a 3.46 ERA and earning first-team All-Big West honors. In 2025, he maintained that success: he went 13–1 with a 3.55 ERA, logging 66.0 innings and recording 83 strikeouts to only 29 walks. He made 29 appearances (including a couple of spot starts) and even added a few saves to his resume. Simply put, Ojeda has been one of the Anteaters’ most dependable arms, whether coming out of the bullpen or taking the ball to start a game.

Ojeda’s stuff belies his smaller frame. His fastball sits in the low 90s and has reportedly topped out around 95–96 mph, which from the left side is plenty dangerous. He complements it with an upper-60s curveball that he isn’t afraid to throw in any count – it’s a true swing-and-miss pitch when he’s hitting his spots. Ojeda lives on the edges of the plate and isn’t prone to free passes (he averaged just about 2.2 walks per nine innings in 2025), showing above-average control to go with his strikeout ability. In short, this southpaw’s combination of command and stuff has produced big strikeout totals in back-to-back years. Heading into 2026, he’s a top-of-the-league talent on the mound and gives UC Irvine a versatile weapon. The Anteaters may slot him into the weekend rotation, where his experience closing games could translate into a bulldog mentality as a starter. If not, he’s proven he can dominate in relief. Either way, expect Ojeda to continue racking up Ks and frustrating hitters all spring. He may not have the prototype size, but he’s got everything else you’d want in an ace, and that makes him one of the Big West’s most intriguing pitchers to watch (not to mention a possible draft sleeper if his dominance continues).

Matthew Peña – 1B/DH, CSUN

A thick-framed lefty slugger at 6′0″, 220 lbs, Matthew Peña was a late-blooming power bat for the CSUN Matadors who could be primed for an even bigger 2026. As a sophomore in 2025, Peña started 35 games at first base and showed flashes of his prodigious raw power. He slugged 7 home runs (second-most on the team) and drove in 30 runs, leading the Matadors in RBIs during the regular season. Those long balls and 6 doubles came despite a modest .244 batting average – an improvement from his limited action in 2024, but leaving room for growth. Peña’s approach is still developing (he had a fairly high strikeout rate last year), but when he connects, the ball can travel a long way. He delivered seven multi-RBI games in 2025, highlighting his ability to change a game with one swing and come through with runners on base.

Going into 2026, CSUN will be counting on Peña to be a middle-of-the-order run producer and source of much-needed pop. He’s shown he can provide instant offense and drive the ball with authority to his pull side and center. The next step will be improving his consistency at the plate – if he can raise his average and cut down on the strikeouts a bit, Peña has the natural strength to threaten double-digit homers and become one of the Big West’s better power hitters. He’ll likely get plenty of chances as an everyday first baseman or DH, so the opportunity is there for a breakout junior campaign. Opposing pitchers will be careful when facing Peña with men on base, because he has the kind of bat that can put up a crooked number in a hurry. Matador fans will be hoping that his 2025 power surge was just the beginning, and that Peña can evolve into the go-to RBI man in Northridge’s lineup.

Tsubasa Tomii – RHP, Hawai‘i

An exciting new face in the Big West, Tsubasa Tomii brings a truly unique pedigree and pitching style to Hawai‘i. Tomii, a 5-foot-7 right-hander from Japan, first made headlines as a 12-year-old when he was the winning pitcher in the 2017 Little League World Series championship game. After that early fame, he continued to hone his craft in Japan – even appearing at Koshien, the nation’s famed high school tournament – before coming to the U.S. for college. He dominated at the junior college level over the past two seasons, and now he’ll join the Rainbow Warriors for 2026 as a junior. In 2025 at Pima Community College, Tomii went 5–1 with a minuscule 1.48 ERA (including a 0.95 ERA in conference play), averaging over 12 strikeouts per nine innings. His road to Division I is unconventional, but he’s proven at every step that he knows how to compete and win.

Despite standing under 5’8”, Tomii is a savvy pitcher with an arsenal of six different pitches. He features a four-seam fastball that tops out around 90–91 mph, plus a cutter, slider, curveball, changeup, and splitter. In summer ball on Cape Cod in 2025, Tomii turned heads with his crafty approach against elite hitters. He effectively pitched backwards, often starting hitters off with breaking balls and off-speed stuff. His sharp slider in the upper-70s (reportedly spinning in the 3000 RPM range) was a go-to weapon, and he could drop in a big-breaking curveball to steal strikes. Meanwhile, his fastball sat in the mid-80s during the summer but played up thanks to deception and command – hitters often found themselves late on an 85 mph heater because they were gearing up for something slower. Tomii even incorporates an extended pause in his delivery (reminiscent of Daisuke Matsuzaka’s famed hesitation move), which further disrupts hitters’ timing and adds to his funk on the mound.

All signs point to Tomii slotting into Hawai‘i’s rotation immediately in 2026. Between his international experience, deep pitch mix, and feel for sequencing, he could quickly become a fan favorite in Honolulu – not to mention an All-Big West caliber starter. He’s not the type of pitcher who will light up the radar gun, but Tomii knows how to get outs against high-level competition, and he brings an intensity and savvy that’s infectious to his team. He’ll be a fascinating player to watch this season, as fans will get to see a very different style of pitching than the flame-throwers who typically grab headlines. If he lives up to the hype and adapts quickly to Division I hitters, Tsubasa Tomii could end up as one of the best stories in the Big West in 2026.

Cole Tryba – LHP, UC Santa Barbara

If Jackson Flora is the headliner of UCSB’s pitching staff, fellow Gaucho Cole Tryba might be the unsung hero who holds it all together. Tryba was lights-out in relief last season, emerging as one of the most effective bullpen arms in the conference. The 6’0”, 185-pound left-hander posted a 3.48 ERA and struck out 46 batters to only 12 walks over 31 innings. He even notched six saves as the closer down the stretch. Tryba isn’t physically imposing, but he brings an explosive, high-effort delivery and big-time stuff that plays up in short stints. His fastball operates in the low 90s with plenty of arm-side run, and he isn’t afraid to challenge hitters inside. But his best weapon is a sweeping slider in the upper-70s to low-80s that has plus bite and depth – hitters had a hard time squaring it up when he was on his game. He also mixes in a changeup that can tumble away from righties, giving him a viable third pitch even though he primarily worked out of the bullpen.

UC Santa Barbara relied on Tryba in numerous high-leverage situations, and he delivered time after time. With a reputation as a strike-thrower and the ability to miss bats, he provided a crucial bridge to the later innings alongside Flora’s dominance in the rotation. For 2026, Tryba could take on an even larger role – perhaps continuing as a bullpen ace or even getting a look in the rotation if needed. He was arguably the most underrated arm on a loaded UCSB staff last year, but expect him to get more recognition this spring as people realize his value. His combination of experience, swing-and-miss stuff, and poise under pressure makes Tryba a name to know. Plus, as a lefty who can touch the low 90s and spin a nasty slider, he’s on pro scouts’ radar as well. Don’t be surprised if he’s racking up saves again or stepping into any role the Gauchos need. Tryba is the kind of versatile, high-quality arm that championship-caliber teams lean on.

Andrew Wright – LHP, Cal State Fullerton

Cal State Fullerton’s rich pitching tradition has another rising star in Andrew Wright. The 6′1″ sophomore took on closing duties in 2025 and thrived, and now he’ll be a junior poised for even bigger things. Wright recorded 10 saves (the most for a Titans pitcher since 2018) while striking out 49 batters in 41.1 innings and posting a 2.40 ERA. He became Fullerton’s go-to arm in late-game situations, converting 13 of 15 save opportunities, and along the way he earned a Big West Pitcher of the Week honor and First Team All-Big West recognition. In short, Wright proved he could handle pressure and anchor the bullpen for a team with championship aspirations.

Wright attacks hitters with a lethal fastball-curveball combination. His fastball sits in the mid-90s from the left side, which alone makes him a tough matchup for opponents, and he complements it with a tight, biting curve that he uses as an out-pitch. That one-two punch helped him dominate both righties and lefties last year – he was equally confident throwing inside to right-handed bats or snapping off a curve to lefties for a swinging strike. What sets Wright apart, too, is his composure and command; he pounds the strike zone (just 2.6 BB/9 in 2025) and doesn’t shy away from attacking hitters even in high-pressure spots. The Titans trusted him with the ball in one-run games, and he rewarded that trust time and again.

Looking to 2026, Fullerton has the luxury of deciding how to deploy Wright’s talents. Will he remain the shut-down closer at the back end of the bullpen, or transition into a weekend starter role? His repertoire and poise suggest he could excel in either capacity. As a closer, he’s a proven finisher who gives the Titans a huge advantage in any game they’re leading after the 7th inning. As a starter, his stuff and control could translate into ace-like performance over longer outings. Either way, Wright will be a linchpin for Fullerton’s pitching staff. With the Titans eyeing a return to regional and Omaha contention, having a lefty of Wright’s caliber is a big asset. He’s also now on the radar of MLB scouts – mid-90s velocity from the left side with a hammer curve is the kind of profile that garners serious pro interest. Expect Wright to continue building on his breakout season; whether it’s closing the door on Fridays and Saturdays or setting the tone as a starter, he’s one of the Big West’s elite arms and absolutely a player to watch in 2026.