The 2026 draft could make historyβ¦ from UC Santa Barbara π
Jackson Flora (our No. 1 pitching prospect) follows Tyler Bremner, who went No. 2 in 2025.
Now @UCSB_Baseball has a shot at back to back first pitchers taken, something we havenβt seen in decades.
6 shutout from @jackflora05 on Opening Night in Hattiesburg.
Metrics on the first FBπ―
100.4 MPH
21 IVB
0 HB
2670 RPM
Final statline: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 6 K, 0 BB, and a W
IF Xavier Esquer put together a well-rounded 2025. He led the Big West with 13.4 DRS (10th for NCAA 3B), posted a .852 OPS, and struck out just 16% of the time. A blend of defense with power (8 HR in 2025), X is ready for Year 2 in Santa Barbara.
@x_esquer@UCSB_Baseball
RHP Nathan Aceves dazzled in his first collegiate season, earning a Second-Team Freshman All-American honor. He posted a 1.65 ERA in 27.1 innings, going 3-0 in four starts, while also tallying two saves. Aceves is primed to be a dominate in 2026.
@nathan_aceves24@UCSB_Baseball
OF Rowan Kelly burst onto the scene during his Freshman season, posting a .355 BA and a .842 OPS, along with a 38% HH Rate. After a productive summer in Duluth (.344/.433/.488), he looks to take another step forward in 2026.
@rowankelly25@UCSB_Baseball
C Nate Vargas was our RBI leader in 2025, and held a .306/.369/.550 slashline (.919 OPS). Behind the dish, he put together 8.12 DRS (No. 2 for Big West C). The Senior is prepared to replicate this success during the 2025-2026 campaign.
@NateVargas2021@UCSB_Baseball
Junior RHP Andrew Krodel had a strong fall impressing with his ability to miss bats. He induced above average Whiff and Chase rates, which led to a 37.5% K% and a 1.51 FIP.
Freshman Jordan Marian is ready for his first season in Santa Barbara! He posted a slashline of .293/.390/.452, good for a .842 OPS. The switch-hitting Infielder is someone to keep an eye on in 2026.
@JordanMarian23@UCSB_Baseball
RHP Jackson Flora is coming off a strong Sophomore campaign, where he posted a 3.60 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 75 innings of work. He continued his upward trajectory this fall, with a 1.40 FIP and 1.00 WHIP to go along with a gaudy strikeout rate of 42.9%.
@jackflora05@UCSB_Baseball
Freshman Cade Goldstein put together a well-rounded fall, leading the team with 7 stolen bases while posting a .430 OBP and a 16% walk rate. The Harvard-Westlake product looks to carry that success into his first collegiate season.
@cade_goldstein@UCSB_Baseball
Newcomer Kellan Montgomery had an outstanding fall, posting a 36.1% strikeout rate while limiting walks, at an 8.3% clip. He appears poised to continue that success and dominate Big West hitters.
@kellan_mont@UCSB_Baseball
INF Jonathan Mendez is poised to have another great season. In his Sophomore campaign, he posted a .951 OPS, with a team leading 30 XBHs and 11 HRs. His fall was more of the same; he finished with a .493 SLG% and a 35% HH.
@jmendezz27@UCSB_Baseball
Freshman pitcher Josh Jannicelli impressed this fall, missing bats consistently. He had a 38.5% Strikeout rate while also maintaining a 0.80 WHIP.
@Josh_Jannicelli@UCSB_Baseball
C Nico Libed got settled in nicely in his first Fall for the Gauchos! He led the team with a 30% Walk Rate, posting an OBP of .500, and finished the fall with a .885 OPS.
@UCSB_Baseball@nico_libed
RHP Calvin Proskey dominated opposing hitters this fall. He held a 46.5% Strikeout Rate and only walked one batter in his 13 innings of work.
@UCSB_Baseball