Bolstered by a massive transfer portal haul and elite recruits, Coach J.D. Arteaga’s revamped roster aims to end a decade-long Omaha drought and restore championship glory.
MIAMI, Fla. – Despite falling short of the Super Regional, the Miami Hurricanes baseball program is trending in the right direction. Coming off a 39-20 season – the most wins since 2023 – coach J.D. Arteaga understands the goal is to contend for a College World Series title. It’s been 10 years since the last trip to Omaha, Nebraska, and 25 years since the last National Championship was claimed.
The Hurricanes have added 13 players – currently – through the transfer portal, plus the commitment of infielder and Faith Lutheran High School graduate Rookie Shepard, who withdrew from the MLB Draft. Ahead of the 2027 season, several voids need filling. Nearly the whole infield staff – outside of shortstop Vance Sheahan – has departed for the MLB Draft or has no extra NCAA eligibility.
All-American third baseman and Fort Lauderdale native Daniel Cuvet appears set on going to the pros over returning to college for a senior season. He hit 54 total home runs, which ranks among the top in Hurricanes history. Despite missing the final portion of last season, including Regionals, with a stress back fracture, Cuvet has shown no indication of returning to the Coral Gables campus as a member of the Hurricanes.
Catcher Alex Sosa and left-handed pitcher Rob Evans are other prospects who could potentially return for the 2027 college baseball season. They will have until Monday, July 27, before making a final decision.
Regardless of who returns or doesn’t, the Hurricanes could finally break through and emerge as College World Series contenders. According to Micah Beutell, the program is mentioned in his way-too-early 2027 Omaha eight, along with Georgia Tech, Auburn, Texas A&M, Arizona State, Arkansas, Louisiana Ragin Cajuns, and Mississippi State. He doesn’t repeat teams that made it the previous year.
Despite the great compliment, the Hurricanes have to earn College World Series contention status on the field. Although the program knocked on the door in 2025, it’s up to the newly constructed roster to get over the hump.
Even with the fresh faces, there are a few established returners, including catcher Alonzo Alvarez, outfielder Dylan Dubovik, and third baseman Gabriel Milano. The pitching staff will be the primary focus ahead of the 2027 season, given the struggles it showed this past year.
Evans – the first pitcher in program history to record 10 wins in a single season since 2016 – was the only one who showed stability on the mound. The Hurricanes landed nine pitchers through the transfer portal, including Blake Morningstar.
Although Omaha is the goal, it will take another mountain to climb for coach Arteaga and the team to get there.
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Anthony Aguirre is the Miami Hurricanes beat writer for Roundtable Sports. Contact info: [email protected] | 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports
