Keeping the momentum

 

Liberty wrapped up the 2026 season with a 6-1 loss to # 3 Georgia in Athens, GA on Sunday night.  The Flames beat the 4 seed from the ACC Boston College twice in the Athens regional while falling twice to Georgia 6-2 and 6-1.  Liberty tied a program record with 43 total wins, 11 Quad 1 wins, 19 true road wins, 2nd place in both the regular season and CUSA tournament as well as featuring the CUSA pitcher of the year in Ben Blair and the defensive player of the year as well as well the CUSA player of the year in Tanner Marsh.  Liberty will finish at #29 in the RPI and likely just outside the Top 25 as they also cracked the BA top 25 for the first time in 5 years.  All that to say Liberty Baseball bounced back in a big way from what had been a tough 3 year stretch for the program.  Some other highlights of the season included taken 1 game off WVU at home in what proved to be a Super Regional win.  The Flames would go 5-6 against the ACC on the year highlighted by the 2 BC wins and road wins over regional teams VT & NC State. Liberty took 2 of 3 against 48 win Jax State at home while handing them their first 2 conference losses of the season.  Liberty won 2/3 on the road vs Dallas Baptist which had been a house of horrors for the Flames in the past.  The Flames swept WKU on the road highlighted by the big 5 run comeback on Sunday.  Previously, WKU had been 6-0 against the Flames.  

The end of the season hits you abruptly like a ton of bricks.  One minute the team is in a raucous SEC environment going head to head with the top team from the SEC and 1 of the best offenses of the last decade less than 12 hours later the Flames are back home cleaning our lockers and saying goodbyes.  For some, it's summer break and heading off to play summer ball.  For a few, it's hitting the transfer portal to find their next home.  For other's it's a very intense few days of unsolicited overtures coming through from other schools that could tempt the most loyal of student athletes.  Lastly, for a select few they will prepare the for the draft and see who, when & how much they are offered from the draft.  With that, let's take a look at where things stand as of tonight.  

Portal 

As of now there are only 2 Flames entering the portal in OF Braden Weaver and C Charlie Brinkman.  You would expect that both are just looking for more opportunity. 

MLB Draft

Ben Blair will certainly hear his name called.  I've seen as high as 2nd round and MLB Pipelines most recent update has him at #54.  I think the BC outing may really bump his stock up to that 2nd round range.  I'd be very surprised if he falls below the 3rd round.

Tanner Marsh will be drafted as well and it sounds like the most likely outcome is rounds 5-8.  Marsh's ability to stick at SS at the next level is a huge plus and he made big strides with the bat this year.  What a 3 year starter he was.

Tyler August is most certainly on the draft board as well.  The range of outcomes for here are a little harder to come by when talking with scouts.  You hear everything from rounds 6-10 to a day 3 pick.  It does sound like he will be taken, it's just how high.  He's been an excellent reliever for the Flames but ceiling could be limited (in draft terms) if MLB views him as a reliever only.  It's hard to predict the outcome here but if he doesn't get the type of deal he's looking for I could see him back with the Flames. 

Josh Swink is perhaps the most difficult to nail down.  Scouts opinions are varied on Swink but you saw the reason he was in the Cape Cod league last year and the reason he's on draft radar with his last outing against Georgia.  I would say this will just come down to what's on the table as well.  

Nick Barone - Barone had an incredible 2nd half of the season to even get on the draft radar.  He will be playing in the Draft league this summer so perhaps he can continue to boost his value.  

HS Signess - Both Mississipi signees are receiving some draft interest in SS Devin Miller and RHP Reid Garrett.  It's hard to get a handle on exactly what will happen here as well but both are at least on the radar.  

JUCO Signees 

Ryan Kaitz - Hit .289 with 3 HR's and 19 RBI's while playing all 3 OF positions at State College of Florida. 

Huston Trobaugh - JUCO LHP from Chipolla CC had a 5.17 ERA in 47 1/3 IP to go along with 58 K's and a paltry .191 Opp BA.

That means guys like Ryan Drumm, Riley Decandido, Landon Scilley, Josh Campos, Bradley Zayac, Jackson Evans, Jaxon Lucas, Cooper Harrington & Dylan Grabowski are all expected to return as of now.  Harrington will undoubtedly receive overtures but he's obviously a priority for the Flames.   If they can bring him back the front of the rotation looks to be dynamite with Harrington and Zayac back.  If August and Swink come back that's 4 dynamite arms that would return.  Offensively, the Flames will have some work ahead of them with Marsh, Sorenson, Swofford, Jaffee, Hvidsten and Barone all graduating or being drafted.  Decandido could slide in at first and Scilley at 2B/3B.  Campos has CF locked down and the Flames think Drumm can return to his Butler form.  Ethan Barnes could factor in at 3B/C as he had a great freshman season behind the scenes.  Sounds like the Flames could add as many as 10 from the transfer portal.  

Note: Tucker Moore had 1 year of eligibility left per the roster but will be moving on.  

Keep an eye out for portal additions and 2027 Scheduling later in the week.