Realistic look at 2027 baseball roster

I'm going to break down the current roster into three categories: Out of eligibility, draft eligible and everyone else. The NCAA will be voting on fifth year eligibility June 22nd I believe. It will not affect those already out of eligibility, so four year seniors are gone. It could effect our draft eligible guys, for example Milam and Brown would retain leverage if they return for senior year.

Out of eligibility: Stanfield, Reaves, Simpson, Yorke, Cowan, Dathe, Dardar, Fontenot and Benge.

Draft eligible: Milam, Brown, Carraway, Sheerin, Moore, Garcia, Pearson, Guidry, Noot, Curiel, Primeaux, Rizy, Yamin and Harden.

Out of that group, Pearson is the only one that I feel is likely back. Some will get offers they can't refuse, some will be encouraged to go pro or portal, possibly. Moore is already stated he will be back but you never know. He could retain leverage as well if the fifth year thing passes. Milam is interesting because there is some rumors that he could drop enough in the draft and could come back. A nice NIL deal this year and if he maintains leverage could probably sign for similar money next year. Keep in mind it only takes one team to believe in him enough to give him a big offer. I think he is likely gone but it's not a done deal at all. Brown situation is similar but is more likely to get a 2 million dollar offer, same for Curiel. So the chances of them coming back are even more slim. Sheerin and Garcia will probably be offered enough money to go pro as well.

Everyone else: Arrambide, Serna, Williams, Evans, Schmidt, Paz, Ruckert, Patrick, Zion, Aase, Braun, Lachenmayer, Ricken and Clauss.

It's possible some of them will hit the portal. I like the pitching but some of our top guys have dealt with injuries and none of them dominated this year. it's still a good group though. We should have some power in the bats returning and that is a good start.

Now the incoming freshmen. It's a big class so I won't go into detail but expect to lose 7-10 players to the draft. If we lose less we did good. Schmidt is only one that there is about no chance of getting to campus. Hirschkorn is not far behind. There is some thought that Hirschkorn could come to campus and leave a top 10 pick but a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. He is going to get a good offer and isn't likely he will turn it down, but you never know. Washington, Murphy, Sides, Adams, Nawrocki, Davis and Santerelli are all high draft risk and we will be lucky to get any of them but they are all possible. There are other draft risk as well, so we could get stung a bit but still we will have a good class when all is said and done.

I don't count on starting any freshman, so whoever emerges as an impact player out of the freshman is a bonus in my mind.

So where does that leave us in the portal. We will definitely pursue an infielder and probably two. I think we will also go after an outfielder that can hit. On top of that we will definitely kick the tires on any player that can bring offense even if they project as DH.

We definitely have a potential starting rotation currently on the roster but none of them have reached their true potential, so you have to bring in some competition. I felt like last year we were missing on guys in the portal we showed interest in at a pretty high percentage. I stated that I felt we didn't have the big bucks to throw around and I think that has since come to light. So let's hope those loge seats and a few other things give Jay a little more spending money this year. That being said, I don't think Jay will go crazy here. You are probably looking at bringing in about 4 pitchers.

I'm not sure what the roster size will be in 2027. It is set at 34 but there were exceptions made last year and not sure how many exceptions we will have in 2027. That being said, you typically carry around 20 pitchers. Between current roster and true freshmen we could easily be around 17 already. That is the main reason I don't think you will see more than 4 arms in the portal. It will be money we can spend elsewhere anyway.