Here are the items discussed affecting the B1G and it mostly concerned our newcomers:
Daniel: How concerned as a Trojan fan should I be after the Oregon sweep this weekend?
What does Georgia Tech need to do to make the top 25?
Aaron Fitt: I wouldn’t be too concerned about that weekend for USC — it was a competitive series, and Oregon is really good, feels like the Ducks are the clear-cut class of the Big Ten. This weekend probably showed that the Trojans aren’t quite in that same category, but that’s OK, they can still be a regional-caliber team. As for Georgia Tech, that was a nice road series win at VT, putting the Jackets on the Top 25 radar (their nonconference schedule was soft however so they’re still a little light for the Top 25). Another strong week could get them in, depending on how they stack up against other Top 25 contenders, and there are a bunch of good ones just outside the rankings, several of whom have higher-quality wins than GT has so far.
WestCoastAl: In the past, we’ve seen the committee extent lots of RPI grace to west coast teams. Will the former PAC-12 schools joining eastern leagues still get that leeway? Where would schools Stanford, Oregon, and ASU need their RPIs to sit to be viable hosts?
Aaron Fitt: That’s a great question! And I don’t know the answer. My guess is they probably won’t NEED that grace, because being forced outside their geographic bubble more often will probably result in better RPIs for all of them. It will definitely be interesting to see how the committee handles West Coast RPI in the realignment era.
WestCoastBestCoast: Do the 4 PAC schools entering the B1G solidify that as the 4th best conference in baseball?
Aaron Fitt: For me, yes — I know the Sun Belt fans are insistent that league is better than the Big Ten, but I just don’t think that’s the case. I think the TOP of the Sun Belt is better, but I think the depth is MUCH better in the Big Ten, as evidenced by the fact that the Big Ten is currently the No. 4 RPI conference and the Sun Belt is No. 8. And I think you’ll see other Big Ten teams emerge as Top 25 caliber clubs, joining Oregon in the rankings, before too long.
Eric Simmons: Will there be a Regional Host on the West Coast this year? I think so
Kendall Rogers: Yes, the West Coast will have a Top 16 team. UCLA, Oregon State, Stanford are all off to great starts, and also are in great shape from an RPI standpoint. Ironically, one of the higher ranked teams, UCSB, is in a precarious spot RPI-wise right now with an RPI of 91. That won’t be incredibly easy to make up in the Big West. We’ll see. But yes, I feel pretty good — as of right now — about the West getting a host site.
Shaun: who are a couple players who you think could be on the verge of a breakout? or guys you’ve seen this year who have flashed as underclassmen and could excel over the summer/in 2026?
Aaron Fitt: I’ve seen a bunch of underclassmen so far who fit the bill — I think Charlie Bates and Tatum Marsh have star potential for Stanford in 2026, and I loved what I saw from those big three UNC freshman arms in the bullpen (Ryan Lynch, Walker McDuffie and Cameron Seagraves). All those guys feel like legit dudes. Last week I decided I’m all-in on AJ Evasco at Kansas State, and certainly Donte Lewis is another stud freshman for the Wildcats. LSU’s freshmen are too famous for this category, but they sure are the real deal. For Nebraska, Devin Nunez looks like an exciting young hitter, and they have a bunch of very talented young arms as well, like Carson Jaska and Gavin Blachowicz. Some of those guys could take some time to develop, could be 2026 breakout guys.
FittsMagic: Is there steam building in Westwood? It feels like Coach Savage is stacking days with a club that will be even better come May. Can the UCLA pitching develop fast enough to host?
Kendall Rogers: If you were going by RPI, which I implore you to take as a grain of salt right now, UCLA would be in a good spot. Overall, I have been impressed with the resume the Bruins have put together so far. They’ve taken care of business with a schedule that has been a nice mix of home and away games. We are obviously high on a premier talent like Roch Cholowsky, but Mulivai Levu has been a big-time power producer and Phoenix Call had some big hits over the weekend against the Terps. Trending up for sure.
Daniel: How concerned as a Trojan fan should I be after the Oregon sweep this weekend?
What does Georgia Tech need to do to make the top 25?
Aaron Fitt: I wouldn’t be too concerned about that weekend for USC — it was a competitive series, and Oregon is really good, feels like the Ducks are the clear-cut class of the Big Ten. This weekend probably showed that the Trojans aren’t quite in that same category, but that’s OK, they can still be a regional-caliber team. As for Georgia Tech, that was a nice road series win at VT, putting the Jackets on the Top 25 radar (their nonconference schedule was soft however so they’re still a little light for the Top 25). Another strong week could get them in, depending on how they stack up against other Top 25 contenders, and there are a bunch of good ones just outside the rankings, several of whom have higher-quality wins than GT has so far.
WestCoastAl: In the past, we’ve seen the committee extent lots of RPI grace to west coast teams. Will the former PAC-12 schools joining eastern leagues still get that leeway? Where would schools Stanford, Oregon, and ASU need their RPIs to sit to be viable hosts?
Aaron Fitt: That’s a great question! And I don’t know the answer. My guess is they probably won’t NEED that grace, because being forced outside their geographic bubble more often will probably result in better RPIs for all of them. It will definitely be interesting to see how the committee handles West Coast RPI in the realignment era.
WestCoastBestCoast: Do the 4 PAC schools entering the B1G solidify that as the 4th best conference in baseball?
Aaron Fitt: For me, yes — I know the Sun Belt fans are insistent that league is better than the Big Ten, but I just don’t think that’s the case. I think the TOP of the Sun Belt is better, but I think the depth is MUCH better in the Big Ten, as evidenced by the fact that the Big Ten is currently the No. 4 RPI conference and the Sun Belt is No. 8. And I think you’ll see other Big Ten teams emerge as Top 25 caliber clubs, joining Oregon in the rankings, before too long.
Eric Simmons: Will there be a Regional Host on the West Coast this year? I think so
Kendall Rogers: Yes, the West Coast will have a Top 16 team. UCLA, Oregon State, Stanford are all off to great starts, and also are in great shape from an RPI standpoint. Ironically, one of the higher ranked teams, UCSB, is in a precarious spot RPI-wise right now with an RPI of 91. That won’t be incredibly easy to make up in the Big West. We’ll see. But yes, I feel pretty good — as of right now — about the West getting a host site.
Shaun: who are a couple players who you think could be on the verge of a breakout? or guys you’ve seen this year who have flashed as underclassmen and could excel over the summer/in 2026?
Aaron Fitt: I’ve seen a bunch of underclassmen so far who fit the bill — I think Charlie Bates and Tatum Marsh have star potential for Stanford in 2026, and I loved what I saw from those big three UNC freshman arms in the bullpen (Ryan Lynch, Walker McDuffie and Cameron Seagraves). All those guys feel like legit dudes. Last week I decided I’m all-in on AJ Evasco at Kansas State, and certainly Donte Lewis is another stud freshman for the Wildcats. LSU’s freshmen are too famous for this category, but they sure are the real deal. For Nebraska, Devin Nunez looks like an exciting young hitter, and they have a bunch of very talented young arms as well, like Carson Jaska and Gavin Blachowicz. Some of those guys could take some time to develop, could be 2026 breakout guys.
FittsMagic: Is there steam building in Westwood? It feels like Coach Savage is stacking days with a club that will be even better come May. Can the UCLA pitching develop fast enough to host?
Kendall Rogers: If you were going by RPI, which I implore you to take as a grain of salt right now, UCLA would be in a good spot. Overall, I have been impressed with the resume the Bruins have put together so far. They’ve taken care of business with a schedule that has been a nice mix of home and away games. We are obviously high on a premier talent like Roch Cholowsky, but Mulivai Levu has been a big-time power producer and Phoenix Call had some big hits over the weekend against the Terps. Trending up for sure.
