Here’s my initial outlook of how the 2025 roster will translate into 2026 fall just on a wide scale perspective (NOT ACCOUNTING FOR INCOMING FRESHMAN OR FALL CUTS):
DRAFT LOCKS: Griffin Hugus (RHP), Brian Walters (RHP)
Hugus is going to go in the top five rounds you can book it. His RPM and stuff is just too much for teams to pass on, especially with the velocity going up in a possible relief role. Walters also has the goods for a higher-round selection, but injury history and questions over secondary stuff may see him slide later. He was already drafted last year in the 17th, and with injury history and his age it’s time to strike while he can.
DEPARTURES DUE TO ELIGIBILITY: Dorian Gonzalez Jr. (2B), Alex Giroux (RHP), Reese Lumpkin (RHP), Carson Fischer (RHP), Tanner Smith (C), Renzo Gonzalez (1B), Gaby Gutierrez (OF), Bobby Marsh (OF), Will Smith (RHP)
POSSIBLE DRAFT DEPARTURES: Jake Ogden (SS), Rob Evans (LHP)
I wish both of these guys the best in the draft process, but I cannot understate how important their returns would be. The statistics and performance speak for themselves, but from a clubhouse and culture perspective these guys are top tier, the reason why a “less talented” team on paper had the guts to win a regional on the road.
For Ogden, he has consistently risen up draft boards all year with his consistent play. This is one where I think Miami has a chance to make a significant NIL offer to get a return, but as we’ve seen all year Ogden is about the game and it wouldn’t surprise me if he elected to get his show dreams started early. (Again this is speculation, he and his family will make the best decision for them).
For Evans, pitchers are extremely difficult to predict, let alone a lefty arm. We saw a guy last year in Herick Hernandez be drafted in the fourth despite only going 3-7 with a 6.14 ERA. He has publicly told myself and CIS that he’s exploring his options and if he doesn’t like the value he will be right back in Miami to “Win that extra game and go to Omaha”. If he returns, a healthy Rob Evans will be key next year.
CONFIRMED TRANSFER PORTAL ENTRIES: Ryan Ashford (LHP), Amaury De Jesus (IF)
Personally I don’t like the loss of Ashford, a funky lefty who can keep hitters off-balance. But he never really got the opportunity despite the need at the position, so it makes sense he’s decided to look elsewhere. He will be a good pickup for another program.
In Amaury’s case, I believe he was just blocked out of a path of starting with both DeGoti and Ariezaga ahead of him. I wish him the best of luck in his career, good kid.
POSSIBLE PORTAL ENTRIES: Jake Kulikowski (OF), Todd Hudson (1B/OF), Nolan Johnson (C) or Evan Taveras © or Ethan Puig (C/IF), Alex Stanyek (RHP), Lazaro Collera (RHP)
This group is centered around playing time rather than talent, I’m not going to get into that here.
Kulikowski’s lack of play has been well-documented but ties to Cuvet could see him stick around.
Hudson was benched for Renzo even before his hamate injury and I believe he should be a PRIORITY to keeping in Coral Gables. I’ll stick to my guns on Huddy being the missing piece in this year's team, arguably the second best hitter when it's all together in my eyes.
For the catchers, its a case of too many to all stick together with possible transfer and confirmed freshman additions at the position. I expect ⅓ and at most ⅔ to stay, but they all can’t.
Stanyek didn’t get many opportunities this year and I could see him transferring closer to home to get back on his feet. A guy who has some real raw talent.
And lastly its been mentioned on this board about bringing Collera back for the right price. 98 mph his junior year to low 90’s his senior and freshman year is concerning, and add in mechanical worries it becomes a tricky one to analyze. The talent is there, and if you can bring him back for the right fee, you could have that gem you sought after with a few mechanical tweaks and the proper offseason rehabilitation program.
RETURN PENDING JUCO YEAR SETTLEMENTS: Derek Williams (OF), Jackson Cleveland (RHP)
I believe Cleveland’s was approved during the Wake series, he would be a big return. No intel on Williams so far, but his return doesn’t even need to be explained.
RETURN LIKELY: Daniel Cuvet (3B), Brandon DeGoti (SS), Adrian Ariezaga (SS), Max Galvin (OF), Tate DeRias (RHP), Michael Torres (OF), Fabio Peralta (OF), Michael Fernandez (LHP), Jake Dorn (LHP), Brixton Lofgren (LHP), AJ Ciscar (RHP), Nick Robert (RHP)
I say likely as you never know in the transfer portal era, but most of these guys should return due to starting role and/or ties to area.
So overall you’re likely losing fifteen or so players which includes: Friday starter, closer, setup man, long relief, midweek starter, starting first & second basemen, starting catcher, and possibly your starting shortstop.
You’re returning the rest which includes: starting third baseman, Saturday/Sunday starters, starting OF & DH, and a mix of relief arms.
This is just a quick mockup I made with a little free time so please let me know what you guys think and if there was anyone I missed.
