TOP 10 NEWCOMER CLASSES

TOP NEW TALENT ON CAMPUS

- by PETER FLAHERTY

With school starting back up in the fall, players and coaches return to campus. Fall ball is on the horizon. Every program has its fair share of newcomers—players who were added via the transfer portal, or high school players who made it to campus—so we will be taking a closer look at the top 10 newcomer classes heading into the 2026 season.

#1 GEORGIA

Georgia has proven it can navigate the portal as well as any team. Things were no different in 2025—and it may have been the Bulldogs' best transfer class yet. While Georgia hasn't made the College World Series since 2008, this year's portal class certainly gives coach Wes Johnson's squad Omaha upside in 2026.

The Bulldogs top newcomer is RHP Joey Volchko, who might have the best pure stuff in the 2026 draft class. He has a live arm, but command has been a bugaboo in each of his first two seasons at Stanford. Fellow former Cardinal RHP Matt Scott opted to head to Georgia for his senior season instead of turning pro, while RHP Caden Aoki—one of the best strike-throwers in the country—also will compete for a spot in the weekend rotation.

Georgia also added a number of big-time bats. Bryce Calloway and Kenny Ishikawa are in line to make an impact as two-way players, while C Jack Arcamone—who drew plenty of draft interest—and SS Ryan Wynn give the Bulldogs two quality up-the-middle pieces.

In addition to its premier portal class, Georgia also welcomes a pair of high-level freshmen in RHP Joe Nottingham (No. 159) and OF Ty Peeples (192). Nottingham has been up to 95 mph, while Peeples has flashed solid thump from the left side.

#2 MISSISSIPPI STATE