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Derek Curiel (6) LSU Tigers vs DBU Patriots in game 4 of the Baton Rouge Regional at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Saturday, May 30, 2025 (Photo by Eddie Kelly/ ProLook Photos)
Across college baseball, underclassmen continue to play outsized roles, and the sophomore class stands out for both its depth and the sheer number of players already producing on the national stage.
While freshmen often generate the most intrigue as newcomers, sophomores provide a clearer window into the future. They’ve had a year to adjust, a chance to prove themselves in pressure situations and in many cases, to show they belong among the best in the country. Several from this group already flashed stardom as first-years, and their next step will be sustaining that success.
This story is the second installment in a four-part series examining the players most likely to shape the 2026 college baseball season. Over the next week, this series will continue by highlighting impact juniors and seniors. Together, the four parts offer a class-by-class look at the players positioned to define the 2026 campaign.
Myles Bailey, 1B, Florida State
Few players in college baseball can match the raw thunder Bailey brings to the box. The imposing freshman slugger wasted no time proving that his power wasn’t just for show, slugging .663 with 19 home runs among 30 extra-base hits. His batted-ball data is staggering: a 96.9 mph average exit velocity, a 90th percentile mark of 112.1 and multiple balls struck north of 115 mph.
Bailey has plus bat speed, and a swing built for loft and damage to all fields. That combination makes him the clear top-of-the-scale power threat in the 2026 class.
The challenge will be refining the rest of his offensive game. Bailey posted just a 59% overall contact rate, raising questions about how consistently he’ll access his power against elite arms. Still, with a frame and tool set designed to mash, Bailey is a rare bat who can change the outcome of a game with a single swing.
Tyler Bell, SS, Kentucky
Bell turned down a second-round payday out of high school to suit up for Kentucky, and his decision quickly yielded dividends. The freshman shortstop emerged as a key piece in the Wildcats’ lineup, batting .296/.385/.522 with 17 doubles and 10 home runs while showing enough polish to earn a spot with Team USA.
His game is built on athleticism and a reliable feel for contact. Bell consistently punishes…