Jake Bargery breaks down each NCAA Baseball conference prior to the 2026 season to brief you on the names to know and projections for each team in the new year - up first, the SoCon!
The first of 29 conference previews for the 2026 NCAA Baseball season is the Southern Conference, or SoCon for short. This series is meant to be a primer for the 2026 college baseball season and to keep everyone busy with something to read as we lead up to opening weekend. Each article in this series is going to consist of All-Conference projections, standings projections, draft prospects and transfers to watch, breakdowns with expectations for every team in every conference, and final thoughts about the conference as a whole.
2025 Standings
ETSU*
Samford^
Mercer
Citadel
Western Carolina
UNC Greensboro
Wofford
VMI
* Conference Tournament Champion
^ Conference Tournament Runner-Up
Staff Projected 2026 All-Conference Team
C: Dylan LaPointe - Mercer
1B: Grayson Fitzwater - VMI
2B: Jake Barbour - UNCG
SS: Trent Turner - WCU
3B: Parker McDonald - Samford
OF: Axel Melendez - ETSU
OF: Jamie Palmese - ETSU
OF: Owen Prince - VMI
P: Jace Hyde - ETSU
P: Michael Harpster - ETSU
P: Davis Wright - Western Carolina
Player of the Year: Grayson Fitzwater - VMI
Pitcher of the Year: Jace Hyde - ETSU
Freshman of the Year: Jayden Williams - The Citadel
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
Dynasty player of 10+ years. Helping you find the building blocks of your championship rosters as a co-host on the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast since mid-season 2023, joined Prospects Live at the start of 2024.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Director of Amateur Scouting, proud to lead and share the team's work. | Check out Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live and College Baseball Now everywhere! | Grateful for family, the Vols, and everyone who reads Prospects Live. | For His Glory.
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
