AJ Gracia is ranked #1 in our 2025 transfer portal player rankings and with good reason. He is tagging along with former Duke Head Coach Chris Pollard in his pilgrimage up to Charlottesville to represent the UVA baseball program for 2026, which is huge for us Virginia fans. I was there for AJ’s first few college baseball games back in 2024 when Duke opened up the season in Conway, and I genuinely couldn’t believe what I was seeing from the young man. To see anyone hit three home runs in a game is insane, however, watching a freshman do it in their second ever college game was truly something else. This past season at Duke he put together yet another unreal offensive campaign in which he hit 10 doubles and 15 home runs, while driving in 54 runs, and also stealing 8 bases for good measure. Not only does this dude mash, but he also makes really good swing decisions and has some advance feel for the strike zone, picking up 57 walks last season. All things considered he’s a super athletic outfielder who has great speed and the ability to hit three bombs at a moments notice, sign me up.
Joey Volchko, the #2 overall player in the transfer portal, is heading to Georgia for the 2026 season. The 6’4” right-hander spent the past two seasons at Stanford, where he posted a 5.89 ERA over 113.0 innings pitched. During that span, he struck out 109 batters, averaging 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings. In ACC conference play this past season Volchko made 10 starts, logging 49.0 innings with 39 strikeouts. His fastball will sit in the mid-to-upper 90’s which he tunnels with a sharp slider in the low 90’s, a power curveball in the mid 80’s and a solid change up. When this kid is on he has the potential to be one of the best arms in the nation, it’s just a matter of narrowing down the free 90’s.
UCLA already looked to be loaded in 2026 then mix in the fact that they added Texas transfer Will Gasparino and this team might be downright unfair. Will is our #3 ranked player this portal season after being in Austin the past two years. Gasparino showcased his raw power this spring, posting a .242 batting average with 14 doubles, 13 home runs, and 49 RBI. He put up similar numbers as a freshman in 2024 hitting .252 average with 13 doubles, 12 homers and 47 RBI. Personally, I’m excited to see how he will develop over there on the west coast and how well he will mesh in with this lineup that already mashes.
#4 in our transfer portal player rankings, Chris Hacopian, is heading to Texas A&M following two insane seasons at Maryland. A huge piece of the Terps’ offense, Hacopian broke out with an incredible freshman campaign in 2024 and followed it up with another strong year in 2025. This past season he hit .375 across 52 games, launching 14 home runs, driving in 61 runs, and tallying 20 multi-hit performances. This guy was as consistent as it could get for the Terps which made him a no brainer for any team looking in the portal. Baseball genes runs deep in the Hacopian family with his father being Derek Hacopian, a Maryland baseball legend who produced one of the best single seasons in Maryland history and still ranks among the program’s all-time greats. Aggie fans should be excited the next generation of Hacopian taking his talents to Olsen Field.
Matt Scott, ranked #5 in our transfer portal player rankings, is the second monster arm from Stanford heading to Georgia for 2026. The 6’7”, 245 pound righty brings a physically imposing presence to the mound and features one of the most electric power arsenals in the portal. In 2025, Scott made 13 appearances for the Cardinal, logging 52.1 innings while striking out 56 batters. He’s got a true four-pitch mix highlighted with a fastball that consistently sits in the upper 90’s, a sweeping slider in the mid 80’s a cutter in the low 90’s and a fading change up that just falls off the plate. This is a prototype we have seen have tons of success in the SEC and selfishly I’m excited to see how he will do with that extra bit of pressure that comes with pitching in this conference.
Checking in at #6 in our transfer portal rankings, Henry Ford is packing up the Model-T and departing Virginia to head to Tennessee this upcoming season. Henry was a key piece of Virginia’s offense over the past two seasons, hitting 28 home runs, 22 doubles, and 115 RBI across 104 games in Charlottesville. Ford’s offensive production has been consistent and impactful. Over the summer, he continued to elevate his stock in the Cape Cod League, finishing second on the Chatham Anglers roster in both home runs and RBI, solidifying himself as one of the top bats on the Cape in 2025. Henry’s got one of those nice easy swings that can generate a ton of raw power, which when paired with his ability to get the barrel on the ball just about anywhere in the zone, makes for a lot of loud contact. Ford is poised to be an immediate impact bat in Tennessee’s lineup at Lindsey Nelson, and even though I’m sad he is no longer a Hoo I’m stoked to watch him in 2026 for the Vols.
Georgia Tech landed a big one out of the portal in Jarren Advincula, as he checks in at #7 in our rankings. His bat would have been a welcome addition to any line up, it will be fun to see him and Drew Burress getting to mash together. Last season he hit 17 doubles, 2 triples, 6 home runs, and 33 RBI for the Bears. His athleticism and versatility at the plate will add more depth to this already stacked Georgia Tech lineup. Would not be surprised if we see Jarren as a key contributor from day one and having a big impact on the team’s offensive success in 2026.
Tomas Valincius is another Virginia guy heading to the SEC, this time following head coach Brian O’Connor to Mississippi State. Tomas is ranked #8 in our rankings and one of the top arms in the transfer portal this year. The lefty was a key piece of UVA’s rotation as a true freshman in 2025, making 13 appearances and posting a 4.59 ERA over 64.2 innings pitched. He struck out 70 batters while issuing just 17 walks, and can throw just about any pitch in any situation for a strike. I’d expect Valincius to make an immediate impact in the Bulldogs’ rotation this spring. Under the guidance of pitching coach Justin Parker, who has been known for developing high-level arms at the college level, Valincius could take a significant leap forward in the SEC and become a cornerstone of Mississippi State’s staff.
Ethan McElvain slots in at #9 on our board and he’ll be taking his talents from Vanderbilt to Arkansas. The 6’4” lefty logged 52.1 innings over two seasons in Nashville, recording 74 strikeouts along with a 5.33 ERA. He has a fastball that looks like it was shot out of a cannon, that he tunnels well with a tight slider and a true dead fish change-up. All these pitches paired with the fact that they all look identical until about ten feet out from the plate, only makes him that much harder to hit. With Arkansas consistently fielding one of the more polished and deep pitching staffs in the country, I’m excited to see Ethan’s role with the staff in 2026. Whether in a starting role or out of the bullpen, I think he’s going to have a big impact on this Arkansas ball club this spring.
One thing I love about the transfer portal is seeing guys head back home to play for a new team. Alex Sosa is doing just that as he’s transferring from NC State to Miami for 2026. The Florida Native was the top ranked catcher this year in the portal and is #10 overall on our board. Last season for the Wolfpack he hit 16 doubles, 10 home runs, and 40 RBI. He has the ability to drive the ball to all parts of the field with authority, and I would expect to see him playing pepper with the right field parking garage at Alex Rodriguez Park this spring. His combination of power and run production makes him a valuable asset in any lineup, and his consistent offensive output suggests he’ll continue to be a key contributor for the Hurricanes this spring.