Sooner baseball eyes SEC title with a revamped roster and significant transfer portal additions, ready to battle in elite venues
The Oklahoma Sooners are set to embark on their second season in the Southeastern Conference with renewed energy, a bolstered roster, and high expectations for 2026.
Head coach Skip Johnson has masterfully reloaded through the transfer portal and recruiting, positioning the team to compete in one of the nation's toughest conferences while showcasing their talent in big-league settings and a revamped home stadium.
Johnson's squad returns key veterans and adds impact transfers amid pitching turnover and stadium upgrades. The Sooners return 13 letterwinners from the 2025 squad, providing a solid foundation of experience in the SEC. Standouts include ABCA All-Region selection and SEC All-Tournament honoree Jaxon Willits at shortstop, who hit .302 with 9 home runs and has started 96 games over two seasons. SEC All-Freshman pick Kyle Branch returns at second base after starting all 60 games as a rookie, while first baseman Dayton Tockey, outfielders Trey Gambill and Jason Walk, infielder Dasan Harris, and catcher/utility options like Drew Dickerson bring starting experience.
On the mound, juniors Jason Bodin and Cameron Johnson anchor the staff, joined by sophomores Jaden Barfield and Michael Catalano, plus senior Reid Hensley.The biggest offseason storyline was the complete overhaul of the weekend rotation following the MLB Draft departures of All-American Kyson Witherspoon (15th overall to Boston), his twin Malachi, and Cade Crossland—marking the third time in six years OU's entire weekend trio was drafted. Johnson countered aggressively, bringing in 23 newcomers, including several high-impact transfers.
Leading the pitching charge is junior RHP LJ Mercurius, a 2025 All-Mountain West selection from UNLV who struck out 58 in 11 starts last year and represented Team USA. He'll join Cameron Johnson—who earned the Opening Weekend Friday start after a 2-0 record with 24 strikeouts in limited action—and freshman LHP Cord Rager, ranked as the No. 34 prospect in Texas. Additional arms like Texas transfer Drew Rerick and TCU's Mason Bixby add depth.
Offensively, the lineup looks potent with experienced upperclassmen leading the way. Willits, Walk, and Gambill combined for strong production last year, with Walk and Gambill each notching 15-plus extra-base hits and over 100 starts. Branch and Tockey provide stability on the right side of the infield, with Branch's consistency and Tockey's power (7 HRs in 2025).
Replacing All-American catcher Easton Carmichael (third-round MLB pick, top-10 program RBIs) falls to JUCO transfers Deiten Lachance (McLennan) and Brendan Brock (SW Illinois), who combined for over 40 home runs and 175+ RBIs last season. They should bring immediate pop. Key additions include Wichita State transfer Camden Johnson, who hit .325 and paced the Shockers in average, projected as a starter at third; Nebraska utility player and Edmond native Cayden Brumbaugh; Mississippi State two-way Nolan Stevens; and others ready to contribute.
The Sooners enter 2026 ranked No. 19 in Baseball America's preseason Top 25, receiving votes in the NCBWA and USA TODAY Coaches polls, though unranked in D1Baseball and Perfect Game. In the SEC preseason coaches poll, they landed 14th out of 16, suggesting room to surprise in the "best baseball conference in America."
The schedule is brutal, featuring eight SEC foes from the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including four Super Regionals and reigning champion LSU. Non-conference highlights include the season-opening Shriners Children's College Showdown at Globe Life Field against former Big 12 rivals Texas Tech, Oklahoma State, and TCU—continuing OU's tradition of MLB ballpark games (19-14 since 2019). Additional tests come against Arizona State, Dallas Baptist, Oral Roberts, and Southeastern Louisiana.
At home, Kimrey Family Stadium (formerly L. Dale Mitchell Baseball Park) debuts with significant upgrades thanks to the Kimrey family's transformational gift. Project 1—outfield wall updates, batter's eye, bullpens, and spectator areas—is set for completion by 2026, with further expansions to team facilities, seating, concessions, and fan plaza advancing. These enhancements promise a better experience and recruiting edge.
Under Johnson, OU continues its MLB pipeline legacy: 22 first-round picks since 1967, four in the last eight drafts (including Kyson Witherspoon in 2025), and 48 picks since 2018. Six alums reached the majors in 2025, led by Cade Horton's strong rookie campaign.
With a mix of proven returners, high-upside transfers, and a challenging slate, the Sooners aim to build on their solid 2025 SEC debut (5 series wins, NCAA appearance) and push toward Omaha. In a loaded conference, Oklahoma's depth, power, and home-field improvements could make them a team to watch in 2026.