Just one win away from returning to Omaha, the Miami Hurricanes are coming off their best season since 2016. Miami has since turned the page onto the 2026 season, adding 25 new players (11 transfers and 13 freshmen) to join key returning players from last season. We broke down the new transfers on UM’s roster and projected where they stack up in the pecking order.
PITCHERS
Lyndon Glidewell, RHP, Austin Peay, Senior:
One of the key trends with Miami’s portal arm additions was the “it” factor with a pitch, and Austin Peay transfer Lyndon Glidewell is the prime example. The righty pitched to an 8-0 record alongside a 3.36 ERA and 1.22 WHIP last season which included a no-hitter. His calling card is his “bugs bunny change” that just wiped hitters out when paired with his fastball that was manipulated in multiple ways. At Miami, Glidewell will likely compete for the midweek or long relief role, and will look to make a smooth jump to ACC competition.
Frank Menendez, LHP, Florida, Junior:
It’s always nice when you take a key player from a rival, and that’s exactly what Miami did by landing Menendez this summer. The flame throwing lefty returns home after the ’Canes weren’t able to land the Doral product in 2023, and could be crucial to Miami’s success this season. The talent is clear, running it up to 98 on his fastball with a power curve — the question is how quickly he can return. Menendez suffered an elbow injury last year, and rehab with those injuries is always tricky. However, I’ve heard that his rehab process has gone well and he could return as early as ACC play. It’s also worth noting the lefty has the “intention to start” here at Miami, so it will be interesting to see if he will take an “opener” role or stick to the bullpen when he comes back.
TJ Coats, RHP, Nebraska, Junior:
The Hugus blueprint — that’s what I believe the staff are trying to unlock with Coats. His two-way roots are clear on the mound, with some real athleticism and energy in his movement. At Falmouth this summer he racked up 40 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched with multiple pitches in his article. Speaking of the Cape, his head coach at Falmouth was now Miami coach Jarrod Saltalamacchia who has a keen eye for developing pitching talent. With a low-to-mid 90’s fastball, Coats could be a J.D./ Salty special as he likely works into a midweek or bullpen role.
Michael Taylor, RHP, UNLV, Senior:
The first arm added in Miami’s portal class, Taylor was coming off a solid year for the Rebels, pitching to a 3.86 ERA alongside a 11.6 K/9 across 21 innings. The 6-foot-4 righty primarily utilized a fastball/cutter combo and could become a consistent reliever in Miami’s bullpen.
*****-Bradley Cooney, RHP, Alabama, Grad Student:
Although Cooney is coming off a down year with Alabama, his addition was one that intrigued me. Cooney heavily uses his slider and generates a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, something needed in this Miami bullpen. Previously at Campbell, Bradley-Cooney held opponents to a .193 AVG and racked up 53 strikeouts in his lone year with the Camels. He bounced back this summer as a key part of the Bourne bullpen in the Cape, and looks to continue the momentum as a key part of Miami’s bullpen, competing for the closer role.
Ryan Bilka, RHP, Richmond, Senior:
Arguably the biggest move for the ’Canes over the summer, Bilka’s transfer largely went under the radar in early July — as the Hurricanes had already landed two expected starters in Easton Marks and Danny Macchiarola. However both were drafted and signed, which left Bilka as the man to take the lead of this transfer class. At Richmond last year he pitched to a 2.18 ERA alongside a .90 WHIP as he held opponents to a .193 AVG in 62 innings. A first team A-10 reliever, Bilka’s WHIP was one of the best in the nation, with the biggest question being how it would translate in the ACC. And from what I’ve seen, he will be just fine — up to 96 with a nasty splitter that dives off-plane. But what I’ve liked most is his ability to miss the center of the zone and paint the corners. Bilka could compete for the Sunday starter role, but I believe he’s best suited to be your star out of the pen — keep an eye on him this season.
HITTERS
Vance Sheahan, MIF, USC Upstate, Junior:
Sheahan makes for one of the more interesting additions of Miami’s class with how split opinions are on him. Last season for a regional USC-Upstate side, Sheahan lit up the Big South — slashing .328/.399/.522 with 16 2B, 12 HR, and 57 RBI. A strong hitting profile with some speed and defense to match, many were excited to see how Sheahan took the next step in the summer. However the Upstate transfer struggled with high strikeout rates. It does look like he’s put those summer struggles behind him with a nice fall, and I think the tools are there. Expect him to slot in at second next to Ogden to start the year, but he will have to fend off some feisty youngsters if he wants to keep his spot.
Alex Sosa, C, NC State, Junior:
One of the biggest transfers in the entire college baseball world this summer, Sosa returns home to South Florida after two years at NC state. Last season for the Wolfpack Sosa hit .291/.401/.534 with 16 doubles and 10 homers. A left-handed hitter who provides real protection for Daniel Cuvet in the lineup, Sosa elevates the floor of this team significantly just by himself. Watching him so far, I was impressed by his swing decisions, but also his defense. Yes Sosa is an “offense-first” catcher, but I was pleasantly surprised by his command and arm behind the plate. J.D. and the staff are serious when they say Omaha is the standard — moves like bringing Sosa home take them one step closer to that return.
Cian Copeland, 1B/DH, Miami-Dade College, Sophomore:
Miami’s lone JUCO addition, Copeland brings a really intriguing power profile for the ‘’Canes. A stout 6-foot-3 lefty bat, Copeland hit .361 with 15 homers and a .654 slugging percentage at MDC last season — a very pitcher-friendly ballpark. And while those numbers are exciting, he did have some swing and miss in his game, striking out at a 21.7 percent rate. Now making the jump to ACC competition, that rate will likely go up, which means he’s going to have to capitalize with more power to make up for it. Throughout the fall and spring both have been evident, with some chase but also some absolutely crushed baseballs. There’s real upside for Miami’s projected designated hitter.
Jackson Hugus, C, Presbyterian, Grad Student:
When you find a family of ballplayers, you often try to squeeze as much as you can out of the lineage, and that’s exactly what Miami did with Jackson Hugus. Brother of last season's Friday night starter Griffin, Jackson comes over to UM as a veteran from Presbyterian who slashed .277/.442 /.427 in his two years starting behind the plate. And while Hugus likely won’t start over Sosa, the veteran will be able to handle his own whenever called upon and elevate the pitching room with his experience. It might not seem like a needle-moving move, but these are the guys that rally a team and help maximize a room.
Brylan West, 1B, Florida International University, Grad Student:
West was Miami’s first addition of the portal period, committing to the ‘Canes just before the Hattiesburg Regional in May. When either myself or @DMoney mention how the team has become more physical over the offseason, West is the prime example at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds holding down the first base position. Despite his stature however, West is a pretty complete hitter — averaging over .330 his past two years at FIU en route to becoming a First-team All-USA bat with 12 homers as well. He gets behind the ball well, spraying it to all parts of the field and projects to be an impressive middle of the order bat for Miami.
PITCHERS
Lyndon Glidewell, RHP, Austin Peay, Senior:
One of the key trends with Miami’s portal arm additions was the “it” factor with a pitch, and Austin Peay transfer Lyndon Glidewell is the prime example. The righty pitched to an 8-0 record alongside a 3.36 ERA and 1.22 WHIP last season which included a no-hitter. His calling card is his “bugs bunny change” that just wiped hitters out when paired with his fastball that was manipulated in multiple ways. At Miami, Glidewell will likely compete for the midweek or long relief role, and will look to make a smooth jump to ACC competition.
Frank Menendez, LHP, Florida, Junior:
It’s always nice when you take a key player from a rival, and that’s exactly what Miami did by landing Menendez this summer. The flame throwing lefty returns home after the ’Canes weren’t able to land the Doral product in 2023, and could be crucial to Miami’s success this season. The talent is clear, running it up to 98 on his fastball with a power curve — the question is how quickly he can return. Menendez suffered an elbow injury last year, and rehab with those injuries is always tricky. However, I’ve heard that his rehab process has gone well and he could return as early as ACC play. It’s also worth noting the lefty has the “intention to start” here at Miami, so it will be interesting to see if he will take an “opener” role or stick to the bullpen when he comes back.
TJ Coats, RHP, Nebraska, Junior:
The Hugus blueprint — that’s what I believe the staff are trying to unlock with Coats. His two-way roots are clear on the mound, with some real athleticism and energy in his movement. At Falmouth this summer he racked up 40 strikeouts in 32.2 innings pitched with multiple pitches in his article. Speaking of the Cape, his head coach at Falmouth was now Miami coach Jarrod Saltalamacchia who has a keen eye for developing pitching talent. With a low-to-mid 90’s fastball, Coats could be a J.D./ Salty special as he likely works into a midweek or bullpen role.
Michael Taylor, RHP, UNLV, Senior:
The first arm added in Miami’s portal class, Taylor was coming off a solid year for the Rebels, pitching to a 3.86 ERA alongside a 11.6 K/9 across 21 innings. The 6-foot-4 righty primarily utilized a fastball/cutter combo and could become a consistent reliever in Miami’s bullpen.
*****-Bradley Cooney, RHP, Alabama, Grad Student:
Although Cooney is coming off a down year with Alabama, his addition was one that intrigued me. Cooney heavily uses his slider and generates a lot of swing-and-miss in his game, something needed in this Miami bullpen. Previously at Campbell, Bradley-Cooney held opponents to a .193 AVG and racked up 53 strikeouts in his lone year with the Camels. He bounced back this summer as a key part of the Bourne bullpen in the Cape, and looks to continue the momentum as a key part of Miami’s bullpen, competing for the closer role.
Ryan Bilka, RHP, Richmond, Senior:
Arguably the biggest move for the ’Canes over the summer, Bilka’s transfer largely went under the radar in early July — as the Hurricanes had already landed two expected starters in Easton Marks and Danny Macchiarola. However both were drafted and signed, which left Bilka as the man to take the lead of this transfer class. At Richmond last year he pitched to a 2.18 ERA alongside a .90 WHIP as he held opponents to a .193 AVG in 62 innings. A first team A-10 reliever, Bilka’s WHIP was one of the best in the nation, with the biggest question being how it would translate in the ACC. And from what I’ve seen, he will be just fine — up to 96 with a nasty splitter that dives off-plane. But what I’ve liked most is his ability to miss the center of the zone and paint the corners. Bilka could compete for the Sunday starter role, but I believe he’s best suited to be your star out of the pen — keep an eye on him this season.
HITTERS
Vance Sheahan, MIF, USC Upstate, Junior:
Sheahan makes for one of the more interesting additions of Miami’s class with how split opinions are on him. Last season for a regional USC-Upstate side, Sheahan lit up the Big South — slashing .328/.399/.522 with 16 2B, 12 HR, and 57 RBI. A strong hitting profile with some speed and defense to match, many were excited to see how Sheahan took the next step in the summer. However the Upstate transfer struggled with high strikeout rates. It does look like he’s put those summer struggles behind him with a nice fall, and I think the tools are there. Expect him to slot in at second next to Ogden to start the year, but he will have to fend off some feisty youngsters if he wants to keep his spot.
Alex Sosa, C, NC State, Junior:
One of the biggest transfers in the entire college baseball world this summer, Sosa returns home to South Florida after two years at NC state. Last season for the Wolfpack Sosa hit .291/.401/.534 with 16 doubles and 10 homers. A left-handed hitter who provides real protection for Daniel Cuvet in the lineup, Sosa elevates the floor of this team significantly just by himself. Watching him so far, I was impressed by his swing decisions, but also his defense. Yes Sosa is an “offense-first” catcher, but I was pleasantly surprised by his command and arm behind the plate. J.D. and the staff are serious when they say Omaha is the standard — moves like bringing Sosa home take them one step closer to that return.
Cian Copeland, 1B/DH, Miami-Dade College, Sophomore:
Miami’s lone JUCO addition, Copeland brings a really intriguing power profile for the ‘’Canes. A stout 6-foot-3 lefty bat, Copeland hit .361 with 15 homers and a .654 slugging percentage at MDC last season — a very pitcher-friendly ballpark. And while those numbers are exciting, he did have some swing and miss in his game, striking out at a 21.7 percent rate. Now making the jump to ACC competition, that rate will likely go up, which means he’s going to have to capitalize with more power to make up for it. Throughout the fall and spring both have been evident, with some chase but also some absolutely crushed baseballs. There’s real upside for Miami’s projected designated hitter.
Jackson Hugus, C, Presbyterian, Grad Student:
When you find a family of ballplayers, you often try to squeeze as much as you can out of the lineage, and that’s exactly what Miami did with Jackson Hugus. Brother of last season's Friday night starter Griffin, Jackson comes over to UM as a veteran from Presbyterian who slashed .277/.442 /.427 in his two years starting behind the plate. And while Hugus likely won’t start over Sosa, the veteran will be able to handle his own whenever called upon and elevate the pitching room with his experience. It might not seem like a needle-moving move, but these are the guys that rally a team and help maximize a room.
Brylan West, 1B, Florida International University, Grad Student:
West was Miami’s first addition of the portal period, committing to the ‘Canes just before the Hattiesburg Regional in May. When either myself or @DMoney mention how the team has become more physical over the offseason, West is the prime example at 6-foot-4 and 270 pounds holding down the first base position. Despite his stature however, West is a pretty complete hitter — averaging over .330 his past two years at FIU en route to becoming a First-team All-USA bat with 12 homers as well. He gets behind the ball well, spraying it to all parts of the field and projects to be an impressive middle of the order bat for Miami.
