2026 College World Series: Daniel Jackson, Dylan Volantis headline NCAA baseball's biggest stars in Omaha
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- Daniel Jackson became the first catcher in college baseball history to compile 25 home runs and 25 stolen bases in a single season, and entered the CWS with 31 home runs and a .396 batting average, leading the nation in home runs.
- Dylan Volantis posted a 2.03 ERA over 15 starts with 126 strikeouts, ranking ninth nationally in strikeouts, and is projected as an early first‑round pick in the 2027 MLB Draft.
- Gavin Kelly split time as catcher and second base for West Virginia, batting .384 and recording a hit in each of the seven NCAA Tournament games, with five doubles and four home runs.
- Jason DeCaro threw a complete‑game, two‑hit shutout against USC, becoming the first Tar Heel in seven years to reach 200 career strikeouts.
- Cade Townsend reached 98 mph on his fastball and became a Golden Spikes Award semifinalist after taking a no‑hitter into the sixth inning against Tennessee.
- Aiden Robbins hit four home runs in the Austin Regional and one in the super regional, raising his season total to 24 home runs, ranking 10th nationally.
- Maxx Yehl posted a 2.10 ERA, the fifth‑best in the sport, after returning from Tommy John surgery and delivering five outings of seven innings or more, with a fastball touching 95 mph.
Why it matters: College programs and MLB scouts gain as the CWS spotlights record‑breaking catchers and high‑upside pitchers, boosting players’ draft stock and reinforcing the tournament’s role as a talent pipeline. The focus on elite backstops also reshapes recruiting priorities across the sport.
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