Stanford Baseball Looks to Bounce Back in 2026 Season

Five key storylines to watch as the Cardinal aim to return to the NCAA tournament

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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The Stanford baseball team is gearing up for the 2026 season, looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 campaign. With a talented roster led by sophomore slugger Rintaro Sasaki and senior infielder Jimmy Nati, the Cardinal have high hopes of making a run at the NCAA tournament. Key storylines to watch include Sasaki's offensive production, Nati's power surge, the development of Friday night starter Nick Dugan, the reliability of the bullpen, and the transition of sophomore Charlie Bates to shortstop.

Why it matters

Stanford baseball is a perennial powerhouse, but the team struggled last season and missed the NCAA tournament. A strong 2026 campaign could help the Cardinal regain their status as one of the top programs in the country and put them back in contention for a College World Series berth.

The details

Sophomore outfielder Rintaro Sasaki, a first-round draft pick of the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, is expected to take a big leap forward offensively after hitting 7 home runs and driving in 41 runs as a freshman. Senior infielder Jimmy Nati is also poised for a big season, coming off a 2025 campaign in which he hit 16 home runs and drove in 50 runs. On the mound, senior right-hander Nick Dugan will look to solidify the Friday night starter role after going 6-0 with a 4.80 ERA last season. The Cardinal bullpen, which struggled mightily in 2025, will need to improve its reliability. Sophomore Charlie Bates, who played in the outfield last year, will now take over at shortstop, his natural position.

  • The 2026 Stanford baseball season begins on Friday, February 13th in Surprise, Arizona.
  • The Cardinal will open the season against No. 24 Arizona at 5:00 PM PT on Flo College.

The players

Rintaro Sasaki

A sophomore outfielder who was drafted in the first round by the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in the 2025 NPB Draft. Sasaki hit 7 home runs and drove in 41 runs as a freshman and is expected to take a big step forward offensively this season.

Jimmy Nati

A senior infielder who hit 16 home runs and drove in 50 runs in 2025. Nati and Sasaki are expected to form a dangerous one-two punch in the Cardinal lineup.

Nick Dugan

A senior right-handed pitcher who went 6-0 with a 4.80 ERA in 2025. Dugan is expected to lock down the Friday night starter role for the Cardinal this season.

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What they’re saying

“If Nati can have a 20+ home run season along with Sasaki stepping up his game to the levels that I mentioned, this Cardinal lineup should be dangerous assuming everyone else will elevate their game.”

— Ben Parker, Writer (on3.com)

What’s next

The Cardinal will look to build momentum in their season-opening series against Arizona before diving into the rest of their 2026 schedule.

The takeaway

After missing the NCAA tournament in 2025, the Stanford baseball team is poised to bounce back in 2026 behind the leadership of veteran hitters Rintaro Sasaki and Jimmy Nati, as well as the development of their pitching staff. If the Cardinal can get consistent production from their lineup and solidify their rotation and bullpen, they could be back in contention for a deep postseason run.