pitchers and – As the College World Series begins Friday, CWS Most Outstanding Player Kade Anderson’s recent spotlight is only a backdrop to a fresh field that includes a record five SEC teams. From Georgia’s Caden Aoki and Daniel Jackson to West Virginia’s Maxx Yehl and Gav
When the College World Series tips off on Friday. the question isn’t whether talent will show up—it’s which one set of stars will stay standing when the tournament tightens. Last year. LSU right-hander Kade Anderson seized the moment. earning CWS Most Outstanding Player honors after striking out 10 batters in the opening game of the finals against Coastal Carolina.
This year’s field, however, sets a different kind of stage. The series includes a record five teams from the SEC, plus North Carolina, West Virginia and Troy. One player will ultimately take the wheel and lead his team to the national championship. and the matchup between elite pitching and timely hitting is already starting to take shape.
No. 3 Georgia: RHP Caden Aoki and C Daniel Jackson
Georgia opens its CWS attention on two very specific threats. Caden Aoki spent most of the year in the bullpen and earned a finalist nomination for Stopper of the Year honors as the nation’s top reliever. But in Omaha, the role has looked different. He’s delivered 11.2 innings and 20 strikeouts in two starts in this tournament.
On the other side of the lineup. C Daniel Jackson—now a headline himself—became the first catcher in Division I history to post 25 home runs and 25 steals in the same season. His season line carries huge momentum into Omaha: he hit .396 for the year. won the triple crown in the SEC. and is up to 31 homers after hitting a pair in the super regionals against Mississippi State.
No. 5 North Carolina: RHP Jason DeCaro and CF Owen Hull
North Carolina’s opening move could come from Jason DeCaro. a veteran of this stage. DeCaro is 11-2 with a 2.28 ERA and has already shown what he can do under finals pressure at this tournament. In the Tar Heels’ win against Virginia in the 2024 CWS. he gave up one run and struck out six across four innings. In Omaha, he’ll likely draw the nod for the opener against Mississippi.
In center field, Owen Hull brings a bat that can turn a game quickly. Hull is hitting .390 with 81 RBIs and delivered big in the super regionals, collecting four doubles and the walk-off winning hit against Southern California.
No. 6 Texas: LHP Dylan Volantis and RF Aidan Robbins
Texas enters with a pitcher who looks difficult to rattle—and a hitter who keeps stacking damage. Dylan Volantis has a 2.03 ERA and has been “nearly untouchable” when things are clicking. while still producing even when they aren’t. In the super regionals. he had a season-high four wild pitches but still struck out 10 in an easy 11-3 win against Oregon.
Aidan Robbins has continued to mash since joining the Longhorns from Seton Hall. He’s posting a .342 average with 24 home runs and a 1.115 OPS.
No. 7 Alabama: RHP Myles Upchurch and SS Justin Lebron
Alabama’s pitching story comes with a bit of strain and a lot of payoff. Myles Upchurch has battled early command issues, issuing 40 walks in 70.2 innings. Even with that, he’s gone 8-3 with 77 strikeouts and a 3.57 ERA while holding batters to a .198 average.
Justin Lebron’s season hasn’t been smooth with the bat—he’s hitting .277, down from a .316 mark in his breakout sophomore season. Still, he’s one of the best base-stealers in the nation, with 41 steals in 42 attempts. In Omaha, that kind of speed can swing innings as quickly as any home run.
No. 16 West Virginia: LHP Maxx Yehl and UTL Gavin Kelly
West Virginia’s path through Omaha could run straight through its left-hander. Maxx Yehl has worked his way back from Tommy John surgery to become one of the top southpaws in the country. He’s allowed just two runs on seven hits in his past two tournament starts. a stretch that doesn’t leave much room for hitters to find rhythm.
Gavin Kelly adds a different kind of threat. He has posted at least one hit in all seven tournament games, raising his average to .384. The sophomore also brings even more value because he can man both catcher and second base at a high level. A strong CWS could vault him to the top of the list among 2027 draft prospects.
Mississippi: RHP Cade Townsend and 3B Judd Utermark
For Ole Miss. the challenge is simple: more from the arm that has struggled. Cade Townsend is still one of the top college arms in this year’s draft. but his recent stretch is a warning sign. He’s given up 14 runs over 12 innings in his past three starts. pushing his ERA to 3.94 after it was 2.42 in early May.
Judd Utermark’s role looks steadier. With 22 home runs, he went 3 for 7 with 4 RBIs to pace the Rebels’ two-game sweep of Auburn in the super regionals.
Oklahoma: LHP Cord Rager and C Deiten Lachance
Oklahoma’s decision to change Cord Rager’s role has paid off. The Sooners moved him from Sunday starter to the top of the rotation for the tournament. and in Omaha that’s looked like a calculated gamble. The freshman struck out eight in six innings in the regional opener against The Citadel. He then delivered a brilliant performance in the Lawrence super regional. holding host Kansas to just one hit in six innings.
Deiten Lachance brings production that travels across positions. A junior college transfer this past offseason, he has split time between catcher and first base. His bat has been a driver: he’s hitting .332 while leading OU in hits (73), home runs (15) and RBIs (62).
Troy: LHP Hayden Smith and INF Aaron Piasecki
Troy’s run into the College World Series has turned on pitching that can keep games close—and a lineup piece that makes it harder to escape. Hayden Smith joins a rotation that also includes Benjamin Stubbs (6-3, 4.93 ERA) and Tommy Egan (6-5, 5.38 ERA). Smith pitched four innings of one-run ball to eliminate Florida in the regionals.
At the center of Troy’s offense is Aaron Piasecki. whose elite hit tool has sparked the Trojans since joining the program from Central Michigan. Piasecki is hitting .346 with far more walks (39) than strikeouts (24). Beyond Piasecki. Troy has been boosted by a power surge from designated hitter Jabe Boroff. who is hitting .462 with six homers in the tournament.
The tournament opens Friday with teams built around different kinds of pressure: elite relief work turned into starting production. hitters who swing like they’ve already seen the ending. and pitchers trying to rebound from recent rough patches. In Omaha. that combination tends to decide more than just games—it decides which player can turn a season-long effort into a national title.
College World Series Omaha CWS SEC teams Georgia North Carolina Texas Alabama West Virginia Ole Miss Oklahoma Troy Caden Aoki Daniel Jackson Jason DeCaro Owen Hull Dylan Volantis Aidan Robbins Myles Upchurch Justin Lebron Maxx Yehl Gavin Kelly Cade Townsend Judd Utermark Cord Rager Deiten Lachance Hayden Smith Aaron Piasecki Jabe Boroff