As we close out our preseason baseball content, we’ve compiled a list of the top-10 players entering the 2026 season. The season officially starts this weekend, so let’s get right into it so we can enjoy some baseball!
1. Sean Yamaguchi, 3B, Nevada
Yamaguchi’s freshman campaign in 2025 was one of the most impressive debut seasons in the conference. He hit .324 with 13 home runs, 13 doubles, and 50 RBIs, tying a Mountain West freshman home run record while immediately establishing himself as a middle-of-the-order force.
Beyond the bat, Yamaguchi showed advanced defensive instincts at third base, handling the hot corner with confidence well beyond his age. Entering his sophomore season, he has star upside written all over him and could very easily push him to the top even more.
2. Carson Lane, RHP, UNLV
Lane enters 2026 as the Mountain West’s premier arm after a workhorse 2025 season for UNLV. The right-hander finished 6–4 with a 4.23 ERA, logging 78.2 innings and striking out 85 batters, consistently pitching deep into games in a Rebels rotation that leaned heavily on his durability.
Lane’s ability to hold velocity, limit damage, and compete through traffic elevated his value beyond raw numbers. With another offseason of development and a clear role as UNLV’s Friday-night starter, Lane enters 2026 as the conference’s most trusted ace and a legitimate Pitcher of the Year frontrunner.
3. Khalil Walker, OF, New Mexico
Walker was one of the most dangerous offensive players in the conference during 2025, finishing the season just under .400 at the plate while catalyzing New Mexico’s nation-leading offense. His ability to square up pitches consistently and reach base at an elite rate made him a constant problem for opposing pitchers.
Add in his speed and defensive range in the outfield, and Walker’s all-around game puts him firmly among the Mountain West’s elite. If New Mexico stays in the conference title picture again, Walker will be a major reason why.
4. Jayce Dobie, UTL, Nevada
Dobie’s versatility and production make him one of the most valuable players in the Mountain West entering 2026. At the plate in 2025, he hit .339 with 15 doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBIs, providing consistent offense regardless of where he was slotted in the lineup.
What separates Dobie from others is his two-way ability. He also contributed on the mound, finishing 2–2 with 37 strikeouts in 43 innings, giving Nevada the flexibility few teams can match. His senior season projects as another high-impact year on both sides of the ball.
5. Akili Carris, 3B, New Mexico
Carris emerged as one of the most impactful bats in the Mountain West during New Mexico’s explosive 2025 season, carving out a key role in one of the nation’s most productive offenses. The infielder finished the year hitting .341, piling up 13 doubles, consistent extra-base damage, and finishing near the top of the Lobos’ lineup in both runs scored and on-base percentage. His ability to consistently barrel the baseball made him a constant threat in conference play.
What elevates Carris into the top tier entering 2026 is how well his skill set fits New Mexico’s offensive identity. He combines plate discipline with gap power, rarely giving away at-bats, and forces pitchers to work deep counts. Defensively, he brings athleticism and range to the infield, rounding out a complete profile. With another year of experience and a lineup built to score in bunches, Carris enters 2026 as one of the most dangerous and reliable position players in the Mountain West.
6. Griffen Sotomayor, 1B, Fresno State
Sotomayor emerged as a cornerstone of Fresno State’s offense in 2025, batting .330 with 16 doubles, seven home runs and 41 RBIs while posting a slugging percentage north of .500. His ability to drive the baseball to all fields made him a true middle-order threat for the Bulldogs.
As a senior, Sotomayor enters 2026 as one of the conference’s top run producers and a stabilizing presence at first base. His power-plus-contact profile gives Fresno State one of the safest offensive bets in the league.
7. Max Hartman, OF, Washington State
Hartman quietly put together one of the most efficient offensive seasons in the Mountain West in 2025, hitting approximately .360 with a .430+ on-base percentage while consistently producing extra-base hits. His disciplined approach allowed him to impact games without forcing the issue.
Defensively sound and offensively consistent, Hartman gives Washington State a veteran bat capable of anchoring a lineup. Entering his senior season, he profiles as one of the conference’s most reliable outfielders.
8. Alex Fernandes, OF, San Jose State
Fernandes was a model of consistency in 2025, finishing the season hitting .361 with a .447 on-base percentage while serving as one of San Jose State’s most dependable offensive options. His ability to grind at-bats and drive the gaps made him a key piece of the Spartans’ lineup.
Entering 2026, Fernandes brings senior leadership, defensive stability, and a proven bat to a San Jose State team with conference aspirations. He may not be flashy, but his production speaks loudly.
9. Tyler Albanese, RHP, San Jose State
Albanese took a major step forward in 2025, emerging as one of the most reliable arms in the Mountain West. The right-hander finished the season 4–3 with a 2.97 ERA across 39.1 innings, consistently limiting damage and giving San Jose State quality outings in both starting and high-leverage relief roles. His ability to throw strikes and change speeds allowed him to neutralize some of the league’s better offenses. He’s a big, physical RHP with a low-mid 90s heater with two quality breakers.
What makes Albanese especially valuable entering 2026 is his versatility. He proved capable of handling multiple roles, whether bridging innings out of the bullpen or stepping into bigger spots when needed. With another year of development and a clear role in the Spartans’ pitching plans, Albanese enters the season as one of the conference’s most dependable arms and a key piece for a San Jose State team with postseason aspirations.
10. Karsen Waslefsky, SS, New Mexico
Waslefsky was a key part of the Lobos’ offense that hit .337 last year, as he batted .298 on the season with an .828 OPS, scoring 32 runs on 42 hits while driving in 31. He finished the season with six doubles, one triple and five homers.
Defensively, his fielding percentage was at .959 with 47 putouts and 116 assists on 170 opportunities with just seven errors. As a senior shortstop, his glove and experienced bat will be integral to a Lobo squad hoping to build on its prolific run production.
Honorable mentions: Billy Ham (DH, Nevada), Junhyuk Kwon (INF, Nevada), Jake McCoy (OF, San Jose State), Alessandro Castro( P, Nevada), Tyler Patrick (P, Fresno State)