As the college baseball season approaches, the Georgia Institute of Technology has made a significant mark in the D1 Baseball preseason rankings. The publication has listed the top 50 players for each position, along with rankings for the top 150 outfielders, 200 starting pitchers, and 100 relievers as teams gear up for the 2026 season. Notably, Georgia Tech stands out as the only program with six position players in the top 15 and eight players in the top 50 across various positions.
The Yellow Jackets have secured impressive positions in the D1 Baseball rankings:
– Drew Burress – No. 1 in Outfield
– Jarren Advincula – No. 2 in Second Base
– Vahn Lackey – No. 2 in Catcher
– Alex Hernandez – No. 11 in Outfield
– Kent Schmidt – No. 13 in First Base
– Carson Kerce – No. 15 in Shortstop
– Ryan Zuckerman – No. 28 in Third Base
– Caleb Daniel – No. 41 in Outfield
– Tate McKee – No. 55 in Starting Pitcher
– Mason Patel – No. 61 in Starting Pitcher
– Justin Shadek – No. 85 in Relief Pitcher
– Charlie Willcox – No. 155 in Starting Pitcher
Georgia Tech and Texas Christian University are the only teams with all three outfielders ranked in the top 50. Additionally, Georgia Tech and Louisiana State University each have representatives from all infield positions listed among the top 30. With eight players among the top 50, Georgia Tech outperforms the closest competitors, LSU and TCU, by one player, and surpasses Atlantic Coast Conference rivals North Carolina and Louisville by two.
The recognition of Georgia Tech’s player group is further validated by D1 Baseball‘s Aaron Fitt, who described the 2026 lineup as “the best position player group…and it’s not even close.” Bradley Smart, another analyst from D1 Baseball, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This position player group has a chance to be the best in the country. Full Stop.” In total, 12 players from Georgia Tech are highlighted among the best in their positions, which includes four pitchers.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming season, Georgia Tech has set a record for season ticket sales, surpassing previous years. The program has also secured a record 10 games for national broadcasts on either the ACC Network or ESPN2.
Preseason Rankings and Acclaim
Entering the 2026 season, Georgia Tech is a consensus Top-5 team and the preseason favorites in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets feature three preseason First Team All-Americans, which is the highest number for any Georgia Tech team since 2000. These players include:
– Drew Burress – Center Field
– Vahn Lackey – Catcher
– Mason Patel – Right-Handed Pitcher
In addition, Georgia Tech is tied for the most preseason All-Americans in the nation, with five players recognized, including Jarren Advincula and Alex Hernandez.
The Yellow Jackets have received the highest rankings in various national preseason polls, including:
– No. 2 by Perfect Game
– No. 4 by Baseball America
– No. 4 by the USA Today Coaches Poll
– No. 5 by D1 Baseball
The No. 2 ranking marks the fourth highest in program history and the best since 2003, 2001, and 1994 when Georgia Tech was ranked No. 1. The team achieved its highest preseason ranking from Baseball America since 2006, the last time Georgia Tech reached the College World Series.
Looking Ahead to the Season
The upcoming season will also mark the debut of new Head Coach James Ramsey, who has served as an assistant coach for seven years. Under his guidance, Georgia Tech has led the ACC in several offensive categories since he took over coaching the offense in 2019, including batting average and on-base percentage.
The first game of the highly anticipated 2026 season is scheduled for February 13, 2026, at 16:00 when the Yellow Jackets host Bowling Green for a three-game series at Mac Nease Baseball Park at Russ Chandler Stadium.
Season tickets for Georgia Tech’s 2026 regular season, which includes five ACC home series and various non-conference games, are currently available for purchase. Fans can visit ramblinwreck.com/tickets for more information. Additionally, single game and mini plans are now on sale, offering options for individual games and special promotions like the Hattie B’s ACC Saturday Pack. Fans are encouraged to secure their tickets to support the defending ACC Regular Season Champions as they aim for further success in 2026.
