By ECU standards, last season was a bit of a “down” year. On paper, this Pirates team is absolutely loaded going into 2026. Cliff Godwin has said this is the deepest roster he’s had, and if things break right, it looks like a 45-win team that could be hosting regionals again.
ECU was hit hard by the transfer portal after 2024, but this offseason went much differently. They managed to keep their entire lineup and top pitching out of the portal, got several key arms back healthy after missing most of last season, brought in a strong freshman class, and added some exciting pieces from the portal.
The guy I am most excited about it Carlos Jacome, transfer from USF. He is expected to be the starting SS, and there’s a lot of excitement around what he brings to the lineup.
Really excited about our pitching adds too. GVK and Ciccone are gong to be great adds too our rotation. Need Antilock and Towers to get back up to speed as well.
I’d say Miami. Not sure if it would be considered an “underrated offseason” because they have a top 10 portal class and are ranked in pre-season polls.
I just feel like I rarely see them discussed on this sub. I actually think they could be an Omaha dark horse. They started off last season rough, but by the end of the season they were a good team…
Really excited about the additions we have coming in, with Sosa (NCST C), West (FIU 1B), Copeland (MDCC DH), and Sheahan (USC Upstate 2B) supplementing a lineup that returns all but one core piece.
That, in addition with retaining 2/3 of the weekend rotation, a really promising freshmen class, and a favorable schedule, has me excited about what we could do this year.
Bullpen is probably the biggest question mark at this point in the year, but that's college baseball. Regardless, there is talent, with Bilka (Richmond RHP) looking like a potential closer and both Robert and Menendez (Florida LHP) returning mid season from injury.
FSU will likely be better than last year, but not as good as the 24 team which was just loaded with bats. The biggest most glaring weakness last year was our bullpen and too many lefty pitchers. They went into the portal and got some righty’s and more bullpen guys.
The biggest question in determining how far FSU can go, is if the new bullpen arms brought in are serviceable and if our returning starter pitchers continue their projected growth. If both those things happen, the sky is the limit for what the team could achieve. Losing Jamie Arnold would hurt any team, but we have a couple aces waiting in the wings if they pitch to their potential.
The offense will likely be very good, probably better than last year TBH. And defense has been above average to good for every team Link has had at FSU, so there’s no reason to expect anything different there.
I think South Carolina improved themselves a good bit although their fans are so down on the program/Mainieri right now, I'm not sure they're ready to accept that.
The other day I was thinking about teams in the SEC that expect to be better, worse or the same going into the 2026 season. I couldn't think of any teams that expect to be worse (at least significantly). I think all are going to be the same or better. The "Top" transfer portal class rankings are littered with SEC schools.
Especially in the portal era, I think retention has become a seriously underrated factor in judging offseasons. Everybody always wants to talk about shiny new toys but in an age where nobody is guaranteed to stay, that much continuity is absolutely massive -- especially when it's a lineup as deadly as y'all's.
Gators. Pitching staff has three guys I think could go in the first if they all play to their ceilings this season. The lineup isn’t as stacked as previous years, but will undoubtedly be better than last year. Unfortunately we lost our transfer portal CF to a terrible injury in fall ball (bone stuck out from his knee), but we really made the most of the portal this year. If Sully can put his issues behind him I could see us hosting supers
Auburn for sure, they already had that star freshman class coming back from last season and while their portal haul doesn’t have any super big names, I like the arms they brought in. I think they’ve done a great job looking for arms with starting experience. Their freshman class this year is good too
I’d throw Oregon State into the mix they quietly reloaded through the portal and kept the core pitching intact which feels huge in college baseball even if it’s not the flashiest offseason move
Hard to find a complete list. 21 in and 31 out is a pretty big swap. Guess I am assuming they improved in the offseason because they dropped 31 guys off a bad (20-33) team.
By ECU standards, last season was a bit of a “down” year. On paper, this Pirates team is absolutely loaded going into 2026. Cliff Godwin has said this is the deepest roster he’s had, and if things break right, it looks like a 45-win team that could be hosting regionals again.
ECU was hit hard by the transfer portal after 2024, but this offseason went much differently. They managed to keep their entire lineup and top pitching out of the portal, got several key arms back healthy after missing most of last season, brought in a strong freshman class, and added some exciting pieces from the portal.
The guy I am most excited about it Carlos Jacome, transfer from USF. He is expected to be the starting SS, and there’s a lot of excitement around what he brings to the lineup.
Also an exciting D2 speed guy
Much respect for Coach Godwin
Really excited about our pitching adds too. GVK and Ciccone are gong to be great adds too our rotation. Need Antilock and Towers to get back up to speed as well.
Sounds like both guys will be ready to go fairly quickly. Norby and Jenkins should be an elite Friday/Saturday duo on the mound.
I was at their preseason game against App State and Jenkins was filthy
Pirates did not play well in the fall, seems like they were just tinkering with things. Seems like some good individual performances though.
I’d say Miami. Not sure if it would be considered an “underrated offseason” because they have a top 10 portal class and are ranked in pre-season polls.
I just feel like I rarely see them discussed on this sub. I actually think they could be an Omaha dark horse. They started off last season rough, but by the end of the season they were a good team…
Really excited about the additions we have coming in, with Sosa (NCST C), West (FIU 1B), Copeland (MDCC DH), and Sheahan (USC Upstate 2B) supplementing a lineup that returns all but one core piece.
That, in addition with retaining 2/3 of the weekend rotation, a really promising freshmen class, and a favorable schedule, has me excited about what we could do this year.
Bullpen is probably the biggest question mark at this point in the year, but that's college baseball. Regardless, there is talent, with Bilka (Richmond RHP) looking like a potential closer and both Robert and Menendez (Florida LHP) returning mid season from injury.
How is Florida State's roster shaping up?
FSU will likely be better than last year, but not as good as the 24 team which was just loaded with bats. The biggest most glaring weakness last year was our bullpen and too many lefty pitchers. They went into the portal and got some righty’s and more bullpen guys.
The biggest question in determining how far FSU can go, is if the new bullpen arms brought in are serviceable and if our returning starter pitchers continue their projected growth. If both those things happen, the sky is the limit for what the team could achieve. Losing Jamie Arnold would hurt any team, but we have a couple aces waiting in the wings if they pitch to their potential.
The offense will likely be very good, probably better than last year TBH. And defense has been above average to good for every team Link has had at FSU, so there’s no reason to expect anything different there.
Who has already published preseason polls?
Maybe there aren’t any? I might just be conflating it with some “way too early” or unofficial polls I saw from D1 or something.
I think South Carolina improved themselves a good bit although their fans are so down on the program/Mainieri right now, I'm not sure they're ready to accept that.
The other day I was thinking about teams in the SEC that expect to be better, worse or the same going into the 2026 season. I couldn't think of any teams that expect to be worse (at least significantly). I think all are going to be the same or better. The "Top" transfer portal class rankings are littered with SEC schools.
GT
Not because we had a great class or portal but because we retained on full lineup
Agreed, but to add more context, our classes were pretty great, though. And we handed the reigns to Ramsey
In the portal, we landed Zuckerman to start at 3B from Pitt and a top 100 prospect in Jarren Advincula to start at 2nd.
Our lineup is an absolute murderers row
Especially in the portal era, I think retention has become a seriously underrated factor in judging offseasons. Everybody always wants to talk about shiny new toys but in an age where nobody is guaranteed to stay, that much continuity is absolutely massive -- especially when it's a lineup as deadly as y'all's.
Gators. Pitching staff has three guys I think could go in the first if they all play to their ceilings this season. The lineup isn’t as stacked as previous years, but will undoubtedly be better than last year. Unfortunately we lost our transfer portal CF to a terrible injury in fall ball (bone stuck out from his knee), but we really made the most of the portal this year. If Sully can put his issues behind him I could see us hosting supers
Auburn for sure, they already had that star freshman class coming back from last season and while their portal haul doesn’t have any super big names, I like the arms they brought in. I think they’ve done a great job looking for arms with starting experience. Their freshman class this year is good too
UC Irvine, for sure! I am hoping they go further this year!
I’d throw Oregon State into the mix they quietly reloaded through the portal and kept the core pitching intact which feels huge in college baseball even if it’s not the flashiest offseason move
I hope you're right. I think last year's frequent flyer season culminating in a trip to Omaha earned a lot of respect.
George Mason…made a run at the A10 title last year. Heavy senior/grad roster and a couple of stud freshman that should see significant playing time.
Texas Tech looks like they did a complete overhaul.
Who did they add
Whoever wanted some sweet oil money.
Hard to find a complete list. 21 in and 31 out is a pretty big swap. Guess I am assuming they improved in the offseason because they dropped 31 guys off a bad (20-33) team.