Baylor Baseball Opens 2026 Season at Home, Loaded with Youth and Potential
Opening Day is finally here, and for Baylor Baseball, it marks more than just the start of a new season - it’s the beginning of a new era. The Bears will break in the newly christened Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark with a four-game homestand, starting with a three-game series against New Mexico State this weekend, followed by a midweek clash with Texas State on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
There’s no easing into the schedule, either. After this opening stretch in Waco, Baylor hits the road for consecutive weekend tournaments in Round Rock and Houston, setting the tone early with a gauntlet of high-level competition.
Youth Movement in Full Swing
This year’s roster is young - and that’s putting it mildly. Of the 37 players on the 2026 squad, 30 are in their first or second year with the program. That includes 19 underclassmen, a group that will be asked to grow up quickly under the lights of Big 12 play.
Still, there’s a solid returning core to build around. Baylor brings back 20 players from the 2025 roster, including three position player starters: outfielder Kolby Johnson, shortstop Travis Sanders, and infielder Pearson Riebock. That trio will be leaned on heavily as the Bears look to blend experience with emerging talent.
Star Power Up the Middle
Leading the charge is Travis Sanders, who enters the season as one of the top shortstops in the country. After slashing .335 with eight home runs and 25 RBIs last season, Sanders was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 Team by league coaches and was also recognized as the conference’s top shortstop by multiple national outlets. His glove, bat, and leadership make him the centerpiece of this Baylor team.
Joining him in the preseason spotlight is Riebock, who earned a second-team All-Big 12 nod from The Diamond Report. Freshman outfielder Brady Janusek also picked up preseason honors, landing on the Freshman All-Big 12 Team from the same outlet - a sign that the future may be arriving sooner than expected.
On the mound, two more Bears earned national recognition: right-hander Grayson Murry (ranked No. 49 among relievers by D1Baseball) and right-handed starter Mason Green (No. 184 among starting pitchers). Sanders was also ranked No. 43 among shortstops nationally, reinforcing his status as one of the premier players in college baseball.
High Hopes, Tough Road
Expectations are modest in the preseason polls, with Baylor picked to finish 8th (The Diamond Report), 10th (D1Baseball), and 11th (Big 12 Coaches) in the conference. But those projections don’t tell the whole story - especially with head coach Mitch Thompson earning Preseason Coach of the Year honors from The Diamond Report. It’s a nod to the belief that this program is trending upward, even if the climb is steep.
And make no mistake: the 2026 schedule is no cakewalk. Baylor will face 22 games against teams that made last year’s NCAA Tournament, including three conference champions. Fourteen opponents won 30 or more games in 2025, with six topping the 40-win mark.
More than half the schedule (52%) is against teams that finished last season with a top-75 RPI, and six opponents are ranked in preseason Top 25 polls - Oregon State, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Texas, West Virginia, and TCU. Another six received votes, including UTSA, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, Arizona State, and Texas Tech.
According to College Splits, Baylor’s schedule ranks as the 23rd-toughest in the nation - and 10th within the Big 12 alone. That’s a trial by fire for such a young roster, but also a golden opportunity to grow.
Opening Weekend Matchup: Baylor vs. New Mexico State
The Bears and Aggies have a short but balanced history, splitting their four all-time meetings. Their last clash came in 2016, when New Mexico State took two games during a weekend tournament in Waco.
Baylor got the better of the series back in 2012, sweeping then-No. 25 NMSU in midweek action.
This weekend’s pitching matchups offer a glimpse into Baylor’s new-look rotation. On Friday, right-hander Lucas Davenport (4-2, 4.25 ERA in 2025) gets the nod against NMSU’s Colton Sneddon (0-0, 7.07 ERA). Saturday’s starter for Baylor will be lefty Ethan Calder (3-6, 5.18 ERA), while Sunday features a potentially intriguing debut: Cade Hansen, who posted a 12-1 record with a 2.68 ERA last season at Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, takes the mound for his first Division I appearance.
History on Opening Day
Under Mitch Thompson, Baylor is 4-5 on Opening Weekend, but the Bears made a statement last year by sweeping Youngstown State and scoring double-digit runs in all three games. All-time, Baylor is 66-37 on Opening Day, with wins in six of its last 10 season openers. Since 2016, the Bears have won five of their last 10 Opening Weekend series - and they’ll look to tip that balance back in their favor starting Friday.
How to Watch and Listen
All three games this weekend will be streamed live on ESPN+. Fans can also catch the action on ESPN Central Texas (1660 AM/92.3 FM) for Friday and Sunday’s games. Saturday’s game will air on Kicker Country (99.3 FM/1590 AM), with all broadcasts featuring the voice of Derek Smith and analyst Tom Barfield.
Making his broadcast debut this weekend is former Baylor catcher Cortlan Castle, who earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors during his playing days. He’ll join the booth for Saturday and Sunday’s games, offering a fresh perspective from behind the plate.
The stage is set. A new home field, a young roster brimming with potential, and a schedule that promises to test every inch of this team’s resolve. It’s Opening Day in Waco - and that means anything is possible.