THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,576 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,576 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Rankings | 3/4/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: March 4

Nick Herfordt
The 2026 college baseball season is starting to reveal its early storylines, and across the Division II and Division III landscape a few programs have already forced their way into the spotlight. From the blistering start by the Pittsburg State Gorillas baseball that rocketed them to the top of the rankings, to the steadily rising championship ambitions of the Taylor Trojans baseball, the national picture is beginning to take shape. In Division III, heavyweight programs like the Trinity Tigers baseball and the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks baseball have already traded blows in one of the season’s first statement series, while emerging challengers such as the Keene State Owls baseball are looking to turn early momentum into a breakout year.

With many teams still just getting their seasons underway, the rankings remain fluid, but the early results are already giving us clues about which clubs are built for a run. Dominant starts, statement series, and a few intriguing rising programs are setting the stage for what should be a fascinating 2026 season. ⚾



NCAA DII

The 2026 season has exploded out of the gate for the Pittsburg State Gorillas baseball, and the result has been one of the most eye-opening early runs in Division II baseball. After entering the year ranked in the middle of the national conversation, the Gorillas have stormed all the way to the No. 1 spot with a surge that has been as convincing as it has been relentless. Pittsburg State has looked dominant in every phase of the game, overwhelming opponents with a high-octane offense while a deep and disciplined pitching staff keeps games firmly under control. The numbers tell the story: Pitt State has blasted out to a scorching start while batting nearly .400 as a team and averaging around 16 runs per game, while the pitching staff has paired that offensive fireworks show with a staff ERA around 2.00 and more than 50 strikeouts in the opening weeks of the season.

At the center of the offensive charge has been Landin Midgett, who has been one of the most dangerous bats in the region, opening the year hitting .470+ with an MIAA-leading RBI total early in the season while consistently delivering extra-base power and clutch production. He’s been far from alone. Dagen Brewer has provided thunder in the middle of the lineup with home run power and big RBI games, while Eric Bacon, Jaron Cotton, and Jadyn McNealy have kept the pressure on opposing pitchers with a steady stream of hits and run production that has turned the lineup into a relentless machine. This is an offense that doesn’t give opposing staffs a breather; one through nine the Gorillas keep attacking.

On the mound, Pittsburg State has been just as formidable. Bradyn McClure has been a key weapon out of the bullpen and in long relief, delivering scoreless outings while piling up strikeouts and wins early in the season. The staff as a whole has combined power arms with strike-throwing efficiency, allowing the Gorillas to control games from the first inning through the late frames. Add in strong defense behind them and Pittsburg State has looked every bit like a complete club.

The result of that across-the-board dominance has been a remarkable leap to the top of the national rankings, a monster jump fueled not by a lucky stretch but by a team that looks locked, loaded, and capable of beating opponents in every possible way. Simply put, the Gorillas aren’t just winning right now. They’re steamrolling. And if the opening weeks of the 2026 season are any indication, those brutes from Pittsburg have every intention of staying planted at the top of the Division II landscape. 🦍⚾

NCAA DII

Rank School State Record LastWk. Prev
1 Pittsburg State Gorillas KS 17-0 4-0 12
2 Tampa Spartans FL 14-1 3-0 2
3 North Greenville Trailblazers SC 16-2 2-1 4
4 Texas Tyler Patriots TX 14-4 2-2 1
5 Point Loma Sea Lions CA 14-3 2-0 7
6 Catawba Indians NC 13-3 2-2 3
7 Minnesota State Mavericks MN 9-3 6-2 6
8 Belmont Abbey Crusaders NC 11-5 2-2 5
9 Seton Hill Griffins PA 5-1 0-0 8
10 Grand Valley State Lakers MI 10-1 4-0 9
11 Colorado Mesa Mavericks CO 14-2 4-0 10
12 Central Missouri Mules MO 15-2 4-0 11
13 Young Harris Mountain Lions GA 14-3 3-0 14
14 Lenoir-Rhyne Bears NC 11-3 2-2 15
15 Angelo State Rams TX 13-4 4-0 16
16 East Stroudsburg Warriors PA 6-5 3-1 13
17 Francis Marion Patriots SC 15-3 2-2 17
18 Wingate Bulldogs NC 11-4 4-0 20
19 Cal State Monterey Bay Otters CA 11-3 3-0 21
20 West Alabama Tigers AL 15-2 3-1 22
21 Westmont Warriors CA 11-4 2-2 18
22 Augustana Vikings SD 8-4 0-4 19
23 North Georgia Nighthawks GA 15-4 3-1 23
24 West Florida Argos FL 12-3 2-1 NR
25 Harding Bisons AR 10-5 2-2 25
DROP Barry Bucs FL 24

NAIA

The steady rise of the Taylor Trojans baseball has been one of the most impressive storylines in NAIA baseball over the past several seasons, and the 2026 campaign has only strengthened the belief that the Trojans are ready to contend for a national championship. Taylor has steadily built this program year after year, transforming consistent improvement into a roster that now looks capable of making a deep postseason run. The early numbers reflect just how dangerous the Trojans have become. Through the opening stretch of the season, Taylor has piled up 139 runs in just 13 games while hitting .334 as a team with a .462 on-base percentage and a .544 slugging percentage, creating an offense that constantly pressures opposing pitching staffs.

The lineup features multiple bats capable of taking over a game. Jimmy Janicki has been a major spark at the plate, opening the season hitting around .380 with three home runs and 13 RBI, while Aaron Piasecki has been a steady on-base machine with an average north of .360 and an OPS above 1.100. Drew Nelson has added extra-base power and run production in the middle of the order, helping turn the Trojans lineup into one of the most productive offenses in the country.

On the mound, Taylor has matched that offensive firepower with a pitching staff capable of controlling games. Jake Boyer has anchored the rotation with a 2.65 ERA and 40 strikeouts while holding opponents near a .200 average, while Brody Fine has been nearly untouchable out of the bullpen, posting an ERA around 1.00 while locking down late innings.

Put it all together and the Trojans look like a team built to win in multiple ways. The offense can explode, the pitching staff can dominate, and the depth across the roster reflects a program that has spent years building toward this moment. Taylor’s rise has been steady and deliberate, and in 2026 the Trojans no longer look like a program simply on the rise. They look like a legitimate national title contender. ⚾🔥
Rank School State Record LastWk. Prev
1 LSU Shreveport Pilots LA 18-2 4-0 2
2 Taylor Trojans IN 16-1 4-0 3
3 Georgia Gwinnett Grizzlies GA 17-1 4-0 6
4 Tennessee Wesleyan Bulldogs TN 16-4 3-1 1
5 Southeastern Fire FL 12-4 0-0 4
6 Cumberlands Patriots KY 13-3 3-0 5
7 Johnson Royals TN 16-1 4-0 7
8 Hope International Royals CA 13-6 4-0 9
9 Missouri Baptist Spartans MO 9-2 2-1 8
10 Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes KS 15-2 4-0 11
11 Loyola Wolf Pack LA 14-6 2-1 10
12 Doane Tigers NE 11-2 4-0 13
13 Webber International Warriors FL 11-6 3-1 12
14 William Carey Crusaders MS 14-6 3-1 14
15 St. Thomas Bobcats FL 11-7 0-0 15
16 Keiser Seahawks FL 13-5 3-1 16
17 Ottawa Braves KS 16-3 3-1 21
18 Faulkner Eagles AL 11-5 2-1 20
19 Concordia Bulldogs NE 11-3 4-0 23
20 Bellevue Bruins NE 12-2 5-0 NR
21 Louisiana Christian Wildcats LA 19-4 1-2 19
22 Oklahoma Wesleyan Eagles OK 13-8 1-3 17
23 A&M Victoria Jaguars TX 13-8 2-1 25
24 Texas Wesleyan Rams TX 16-4 0-3 18
25 Abraham Baldwin Stallions GA 14-7 2-2 24
DROP Southwestern Christian Eagles OK 22

NCAA DIII

Early in the 2026 Division III season, one of the first true measuring-stick series arrived when the Trinity Tigers baseball squared off against the defending national champion Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks baseball in San Antonio. Entering the weekend, the Warhawks held the higher spot in these rankings at No. 4 while Trinity sat just behind them at No. 7. The matchup quickly turned into exactly what early-season rankings need most: two elite programs testing each other in a series that actually tells us something.

Whitewater opened the set with a 6–2 win, but Trinity responded with authority, taking the next three games to secure the series and make a loud early statement. The Tigers exploded for a 12–1 victory in game two, followed it with a tight 5–4 win, and then capped the weekend with a dramatic 6–5 walk-off victory in the finale. The series showcased the type of depth and resilience that has become synonymous with both programs, but Trinity’s ability to respond after the opening loss and close out the series ultimately made the difference.

With most Division III teams still just getting their seasons underway, there simply haven’t been many results significant enough to justify major movement in the rankings. This series, however, was the exception. As a result, Trinity and Whitewater trade places this week, with the Tigers moving up to No. 4 and the Warhawks sliding to No. 7. Beyond that flip-flop, the rest of the rankings remain largely stable while the early-season picture across Division III continues to come into focus. ⚾

In the 2026 Perfect Game Division III preview, the Keene State Owls baseball were identified as a team with the pieces to make noise this spring. They’ve opened the season by sweeping Methodist, so that prediction is looking good right out of the gate. Still, the real measuring stick is coming quickly.

Next up is a major early test when the Owls travel west to face the Cal Lutheran Kingsmen baseball. The Kingsmen represent a bit of the Division III old guard, a program that captured a national championship not that long ago and continues to field strong, disciplined teams year after year. The upcoming series should be an excellent barometer for both sides. For Keene State, it’s a chance to prove the early buzz is real. For Cal Lutheran, it’s an opportunity to remind everyone that the established powers of Division III baseball are still very much in the mix. ⚾

Rank School State Record LastWk. Prev
1 Lynchburg Hornets VA 6-2 3-1 1
2 Endicott Gulls MA 1-2 0-0 2
3 Denison Big Red OH 4-1 3-0 3
4 Trinity Tigers TX 5-2 2-1 4
5 Salve Regina Seahawks RI 4-1 2-0 5
6 Salisbury Seagulls MD 5-1 2-0 6
7 UW-Whitewater Warhawks WI 1-3 0-0 7
8 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Stags CA 6-3 2-1 8
9 Cortland State Red Dragons NY 2-2-1 1-1-0 11
10 Kean Cougars NJ 4-2-1 0-1-1 9
11 Johns Hopkins Blue Jays MD 6-1 4-0 12
12 Centre Colonels KY 7-2 2-1 14
13 Case Western Reserve Spartans OH 4-2 1-2 13
14 Messiah Falcons PA 2-5 2-3 10
15 Rowan Profs NJ 0-0 0-0 15
16 Pomona-Pitzer Sagehens CA 10-5 3-1 16
17 Keene Owls NH 3-0 3-0 17
18 Belhaven Blazers MS 7-0 3-0 18
19 Penn State Harrisburg Lions PA 5-1 3-0 19
20 Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets OH 4-2 2-1 20
21 Alvernia Golden Wolves PA 2-0 1-0 21
22 Gettysburg Bullets PA 5-0 2-0 22
24 Coast Guard Bears CT 0-0 0-0 24
25 Cal Lutheran Kingsmen CA 8-3 0-2 23
25 Adrian Bulldogs MI 5-0 3-0
DROP East Texas Baptist Tigers TX 7-5 25
 
Give us your feedback
College | Story | 7/21/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 21 Summer Edition
John Coppolella
Article Image
The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it.    Player of the Week: Coen Niclai – Wareham Gatemen  The Internet tells me that 12 MLB players have come from Alaska, 10 of whom were from Anchorage, and the best of which is Curt Schilling. Niclai, who is also...
Read More
PG Select Baseball Festival | General | 7/21/2026

13u Select Festival Roster Reveal

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
With the completion of the 2026 13u National Showcase, an event that featured some of the best talent the age group has to offer, 42 players came out with the label of "Festivaler" as they received a phone call shortly after the event concluded. Moving back to the University of Tennessee after a two year stay at the University of Virginia, Ole Rocky Top will see a mixed bag of returners; three-timers, new faces and a couple who bridged the gap from the 11u game into the 13u iteration.  Of the 42 players, 9 players call Florida their home base which is the most of any state while Texas (8), California (7) and Georgia (5) are all close behind nearly three-quarters of the players selected. In total 17 different states are represented, from Hawaii to Arkansas, Washington to Maryland and everywhere in between.  Quick roster breakdown: Three-time Select Festival: 13 players ...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/21/2026

16U BCS Rolls into Fort Myers

Alyssa Golden
Article Image
The 21st annual 16U BCS National Championship returns to Fort Myers, Florida from July 23-27, bringing together many of the nation’s top 2028 graduates. The tournament features 44 teams, including six nationally ranked clubs, competing for a national title across five days of high-level competition. Year after year, the event has served as a proving ground for elite talent. Defending champion Showtime Select National 16U returns after capturing last year’s championship, while a talented field from across the country will look to add its name to the event’s prestigious history. One of the premier prospects in the field, shortstop Gabriel Coupet enters as the highest-ranked player in attendance, checking in at No. 49 overall in the Class of 2028 and No. 8 player in Florida. The Boynton Beach, Fla., native has established himself as one of the country’s most talented...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 7/20/2026

FTB National Completes Elite Run

Kinley Kitchens
Article Image
Championships are never won in a single game. For FTB National 2027, this one has been in the making for years. An 8-0 victory over Team Elite 17U Scout capped off an unforgettable week at the 2026 Perfect Game 17U National Elite Championship, but according to those inside the dugout, the championship was a product of friendships formed long before the tournament ever began. FTB took their first national elite win in team history, giving one of the nation’s top 2027 teams an elite ending to their 17U summer. “This is a homegrown group,” head coach Will Haynie said. “This team has been together for the last four or five years, and I think a lot of them have been together since the Little League World Series when they were 12. It’s been fun, and a nice little cap off to their 17U summer, especially after winning a big event like this.” That chemistry...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/20/2026

16u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
16u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lucas Sullivan (2027, Winder, GA) absolutely shoved in the first round of the playoffs. He racked up a total of 13 strikeouts across his seven inning, complete game shutout performance. Sullivan worked three pitches for strikes with lots of comfort and only allowed two hits. Ran the fastball up to 86 and he got lots of swing and miss on the 11-5 curveball. Mixes speeds well and was electric to watch. Landon King (2028, San Mateo, CA) was just one of the best players on the field the first two rounds of the playoffs. Totaled four hits, two of those were for extra bases and scored three times. Has lightning quick hands in the left-handed batter's box and produced loud contact constantly. Top of the class barrel skills with twitch in the turn.  Jacob Piles (2028, Cape Coral, FL) is hitting an astounding .615 with a pair of doubles in the...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/20/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 ‘29 RHP Bryson Auten (NJ) comes out throwing absolute flames to get out of a jam. Sitting 92-94 & does it with ease. Comes out of the hand well & challenging hitters with the FB. #WWBA @PGMidAtlantic pic.twitter.com/Tf18Rdk4mx — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 19, 2026 Bryson Auten (2029, Flemington, N.J.) came in out of the bullpen in a brutal spot and recorded back-to-back strikeouts to get out of it. He would then register another pair of strikeouts in his second inning of work, ending the game going 1 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. The fastball was electric, working at 92-94 and does it super easy, coming out of the hand great. Command was excellent in this outing as well, throwing 70% strikes. It’s a power type arm with advanced arm talent for the age and any time you see 92-94 at a 15u event, it’s notable...
Read More
Tournaments | Championship | 7/20/2026

Legion Captures 16u WWBA West

Emily Hicks
Article Image
After five days of competitive baseball, Legion Baseball emerged as champions at the Perfect Game WWBA Championship, completing an impressive tournament run with a victory over ‘28 San DIego Ghost 10-3 in the championship game at Surprise Stadium.  The tournament brought together talented programs from across the West and beyond, with teams competing in the 15U and 16U divisions. Throughout the week, players showcased their skills in front of coaches, teammates, and families while battling through pool play and the championship bracket for the opportunity to hoist the trophy.  From the opening day of competition, Legion established itself as one of the tournament's top contenders. The club relied on hitting, quality pitching, and consistent defense to navigate a challenging field and earn its place in the championship game.  In the title matchup, Legion received key...
Read More
Draft | Story | 7/20/2026

2026 MLB Draft: Roster Challenge

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
With the 2026 MLB Draft complete, our own draft team put together a fun exercise. Using a snake style draft format, we each had to build a roster using players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. There was one catch. Each team could select only one player from each of the first 10 rounds, plus one player from Rounds 11-20. You did not have to go in order of each round, meaning you could jump between rounds and pick which players you thought had the most value. Each team installed a different strategy, balancing between star power, positional value, and depth. You tell us, which team do you think has the most talent? Team Albee C: Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech (1st rd) 1B: Will Adams, Hoover HS (11th rd) MIF: Cole Prosek, Magnolia Heights HS (2nd rd) MIF: Eric Guevara, Auburn (7th rd) 3B: Robert Omidi, Fieldhouse Pirates (8th rd) OF: Kevin Roberts Jr, Jackson Prep HS (4th rd) OF: Alex...
Read More
Press Release | Press Release | 7/20/2026

LGND Becomes Official Glove of PG

Article Image
  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME PARTNERS WITH MLB SUPERSTAR MOOKIE BETTS, NAMING LGND OFFICIAL GLOVE OF PERFECT GAME   Partnership Officially Kicks Off with LGND Block Party on July 27 in Fullerton, California   Los Angeles, California (Monday, July 20, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a landmark partnership with Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star and 6-time Gold Glove Award winner Mookie Betts, naming recently-announced LGND Glove the Official Glove of Perfect Game. The collaboration establishes a first-of-its-kind relationship between baseball’s most influential amateur ecosystem and an active MLB superstar at the height of his career. The...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/19/2026

17u WWBA North Champ. Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Ty Teske (2027, Merrill, WI) worked a complete-game seven-inning shutout while striking out 12 and never allowed the game to speed up on him. The fastball sat 79-81 and touched 83, consistently working to both sides of the plate and getting him into favorable counts. Repeats the delivery exceptionally well and maintained command throughout all seven innings. Mixed in a 69-71 curveball with depth that he showed confidence landing for strikes early or using to finish at-bats. Did an excellent job changing eye levels and preventing hitters from sitting on one pitch.   Landon Sanderson (2027, Lake Crystal, MN) attacked hitters with an 85-87 fastball that reached 89 and showed quality arm-side movement through the zone. The ball comes out with some jump and continued to play throughout the outing. Stayed on the attack from the first inning, consistently getting ahead and forcing...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.