TAMPA, Fla. – Listed below are the Sun Conference Baseball Players to Watch for the 2026 season as submitted by each institution.
The season commences on Friday, January 23rd with the first conference series to begin on Thursday, February 19. The Sun Conference Tournament will start on Thursday, April 30 and conclude Sunday, May 3.
Check out the 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll by clicking here.
Ave Maria
Position Player to Watch
Michael Kelly
Senior | Libertyville, Ill. | Infielder
Notes: The Gyrenes are not returning many starters from last year, but they are getting a big piece back in Michael Kelly. Kelly started all 57 games last year around the infield, but mostly at second base. He had a breakout season as a junior notching a career-high 49 hits with six doubles, two triples and eight home runs. Kelly slashed .248/.376/.426. In the NAIA Opening Round, Kelly collected seven hits across the five games and had a multi-hit game in the last three games of the tournament. His best game was a four-hit game against the then reigning national champion Hope International Royals, a game Ave Maria won 15-6.
Pitcher to Watch
Jeremy Fox
Senior | Riverside, Ill. | Right-Handed Pitcher
Notes: Fox earned a bullpen role in his first season on campus at Ave Maria last year but has now made the transition to the starting rotation. In 2025, Fox appeared in 12 games with two starts. He struck out 24 hitters in 24.2 innings of work, almost averaging a strikeout per inning. He earned his first win when he threw three scoreless innings against Fisher on March 5. Fox also pitched a scoreless 10th inning against Oakland City in the NAIA Opening Round. Ave Maria finally won the game in the 14th inning to stay alive in the postseason and make it all the way to the final day of the tournament.
Florida Memorial
Player to Watch
Wilder Puertas
Senior | Miami, Fla. | Third Baseman
Notes: Puertas joins the Lions after playing for Erskine College a year ago. Head coach Wilberto Ramos says he'll be the biggest surprise for the 2026 season.
Pitcher to Watch
Marwan Khatib
Freshman | Balencia, Venezuela | Right-Handed Pitcher
Notes: Khatib is spoken very highly of by Head Coach Wilberto Ramos. Khatib is a six-foot freshman pitcher looking to make an impact for the Lions in his debut season.
Keiser
Player to Watch
Jeremy Garcia
Senior | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Infielder
Notes: Started 52 games for the Seahawks, Garcia totaled 39 runs scored, 58 hits, and 45 RBI while recording 10 doubles and one home run. He also drew 21 walks and added five stolen bases last season.
Pitcher to Watch
Kyle Keyes
Senior | Sandy, Utah | Right-Handed Pitcher
Notes: A first-team All-Conference selection in 2025, Kyle Keyes returns to the Seahawks’ lineup for his final season. Keyes led Keiser with a 2.51 ERA and a 7–2 record last year, ranking second on the squad with 47 strikeouts. Over 61.0 innings pitched, he allowed just 17 runs and ranked fifth in the SUN Conference in wins.
New College of Florida
Player to Watch
Patrick Fink
Senior | Lake Mary, Fla. | Infielder
Notes: Last season at NCF played in 45 games with 41 starts, slugging 10 home runs to rank tied for the team lead. He hit .277 on the year and posted a .916 OPS while driving in a team-high 50 RBI, providing consistent power and run production throughout the season.
Pitcher to Watch
Dalton Hill
Sophomore | Punta Gorda, Fla. | Right-Handed Pitcher
Notes: Transfer from Vernon College returning to his home state of Florida. He is expected to anchor NCF's pitching staff.
Southeastern
Player to Watch
Charlie Collins
Senior | Victoria, Australia | Outfielder
Notes: Collins made an immediate impact for Southeastern University Baseball, starting 59 games and finishing among the team’s top five hitters across every major offensive category. The First-Team All-Sun Conference outfielder batted .393 with 94 hits, 73 runs scored, 65 RBI, and eight home runs, while posting a .577 slugging percentage and a .481 on-base percentage. He also added 17 stolen bases and showcased his consistency with three four-hit performances.
Pitcher to Watch
Cole Jones
Senior | Fruita, Colo. | Right-Handed Pitcher
Notes: Jones was a key piece out of the bullpen for Southeastern, appearing in 23 games and serving as the team’s primary closer. The Second-Team All-Sun Conference selection posted a 2.51 ERA with a 3-1 record, recording 11 saves—fifth-most in a single season in program history—while striking out 28 batters over 28.2 innings and limiting opponents to a .198 average.
St. Thomas
Player to Watch
Eddie Novoa
Senior | Pembroke Pines, Fla. | Catcher
Notes: Second Team All-Sun Conference as a catcher, hitting .377 and having a .932 OPS in Sun Conference play… Was named Sun Conference Baseball Player of the Week on 2/3/25, after going 5 for 7 with 5 RBI in the NAIA Ball East West Challenge, with a walk-off home run over British Columbia… On the season, hit .344 in 33 games with 2 HR and 19 RBI… Behind the plate, threw 8 runners out over the course of the season… Went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI against Lewis-Clark State on 1/31… Was 3 for 4 with 2 RBI against Kesier on 3/29.
Pitcher to Watch
Juan Fernandez
Senior | La Habana, Cuba | Right-Handed Pitcher
Notes: A 2025 All-Conference First Team honoree, Fernandez posted eight wins with 71 strikeouts in 76 innings while throwing five complete games... sported a 3.91 ERA and a .255 opposing batting average.
Warner
Player to Watch
Gabriel Rodriguez
Sophomore | Maracaibo, Venezuela | Outfielder
Notes: Poised for a breakout season, Gabriel Rodriguez steps into an expanded role for Warner University after gaining valuable experience behind a veteran-heavy depth chart. Rodriguez plays the game at an electric tempo and is an elite runner who can change the dynamic of an inning the moment he reaches base. Adding to his speed is noticeable pop in his bat, making him a true dual threat at the plate. A highly skilled and instinctive outfielder, Rodriguez’s all-around ability and elevated opportunity position him as a name to watch this season.
Pitcher to Watch
Harper McLendon
Graduate Student | Thomasville, Ga. | Right-Handed Pitcher
Notes: A seasoned veteran with a proven pedigree, Harper McLendon arrives at Warner University ready to anchor the Royals’ pitching staff. Transferring in from a high-level program, McLendon brings invaluable experience and a savvy understanding of the game that immediately elevates the rotation. Armed with a power fastball that reaches up to 95 mph, he is now being unleashed into a prominent role with the ability to set the tone every time he takes the mound. Beyond the velocity, McLendon’s leadership and commanding presence stand out, making him a true difference-maker on and off the field. With pro-level tools, a power presence, and the makeup of a front-line arm, McLendon is primed to be one of the SUN Conference’s pitchers to watch.
Webber International
Player to Watch
Steven Nitch
Junior | Woodland Park, N.J. | Catcher
Notes: Nitch returns to a loaded Warrior lineup that went to Lewiston, Idaho, for the second time in program history in 2025. He batted .375 in 44 games. He notched17 XBH to go along with 39 RBIs and andOPS of 1.061.
Pitcher to Watch
Caleb Fones
Junior | Sugar Hill, Ga. | Left-Handed Pitcher
Notes: Fones transfers in to Webber after posting a sub 3.6 ERA at Southern Union State, where he went 5-3 with 52 strikeouts in 57 innings pitched. The lefty should slot into the weekend rotation and give a different look to batters on the mound as he looks to help lead the Warriors back to the AVISTA NAIA College World Series.