Penn State Baseball Stars Shine in 2026 MLB Season

From Justin Hagenman's historic debut to rising prospects like Bailey Dees, Nittany Lions make their mark in the majors and minors.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:41am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting various baseball actions and movements, rendered in a bold color palette of navy, green, and orange, capturing the multifaceted success of Penn State's baseball alumni in the 2026 MLB season.The diverse talents of Penn State's baseball alumni shine through in the 2026 MLB season, with their individual journeys captured in a cubist-inspired illustration.Biloxi Today

The 2026 MLB season is an exciting time for Penn State alumni in professional baseball. While Justin Hagenman remains the sole Nittany Lion in the majors, several others are making waves in both the major and minor leagues, including Bailey Dees, Conor Larkin, Matt Wood, and Paxton Kling. The article provides an update on the journeys and performances of these talented athletes as they strive to reach the top of the sport.

Why it matters

Penn State's baseball program has a long history of producing talented players, and the success of these alumni in the MLB and minor leagues showcases the university's ability to develop exceptional athletes. The stories of these players inspire Penn State fans and baseball enthusiasts, demonstrating the power of hard work and dedication in the sport.

The details

Justin Hagenman, a right-handed pitcher, made history as the first Penn State draft product to reach the MLB since 2005. Bailey Dees, a 6'8 right-handed pitcher, has been a rising star in the Yankees organization, transitioning from a starter to a reliever in 2025. Conor Larkin, a 27-year-old right-handed pitcher, spent the 2025 season in Double-A with the Blue Jays, proving himself as a reliable arm. Matt Wood, a catcher drafted in the fourth round in 2022, had an impressive 2025 season in Double-A Biloxi, earning an invitation to big league spring training. Paxton Kling, a 22-year-old outfielder, was one of five Nittany Lions drafted in 2025 and is a promising prospect for the Rangers.

  • Justin Hagenman made his MLB debut on April 16.
  • Bailey Dees spent the 2025 season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
  • Conor Larkin spent the 2025 season in Double-A with the Blue Jays.
  • Matt Wood had an impressive 2025 season in Double-A Biloxi.
  • Paxton Kling was drafted by the Rangers in 2025 and will begin the 2026 season in High-A.

The players

Justin Hagenman

A right-handed pitcher who made history as the first Penn State draft product to reach the MLB since 2005. He was drafted in the 23rd round by the Dodgers in 2018 and spent seven years in the minor leagues before signing a major league contract with the Mets after the 2024 season.

Bailey Dees

A 6'8 right-handed pitcher who has been a rising star in the Yankees organization. He was drafted in the 18th round in 2021 and transitioned from a starter to a reliever in 2025, posting a 2.55 ERA in 35.1 innings with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Conor Larkin

A 27-year-old right-handed pitcher who spent the 2025 season in Double-A with the Blue Jays. While not a top prospect, he was a reliable arm, posting a 4.14 ERA in 50 innings with 50 strikeouts.

Matt Wood

A catcher drafted in the fourth round in 2022 who had an impressive 2025 season in Double-A Biloxi, slashing .271/.371/.415 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 59 games. He earned an invitation to big league spring training.

Paxton Kling

A 22-year-old outfielder who was one of five Nittany Lions drafted in 2025, picked in the 7th round by the Rangers. He played 21 games across Single-A and High-A, slashing .301/.355/.446 with one home run and seven RBIs, and was named to the Rangers' Spring Breakout roster.

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What they’re saying

“We're excited to see the continued success of our Penn State alumni in the professional ranks. These players are not only talented athletes, but they also embody the values and work ethic that make our program so special.”

— James Franklin, Head Coach, Penn State Baseball

What’s next

As the 2026 MLB season progresses, fans and scouts will be closely monitoring the performances of these Penn State alumni. With Hagenman's return from injury and the continued development of prospects like Dees, Larkin, Wood, and Kling, the future looks bright for Nittany Lions in the major leagues.

The takeaway

The success of Penn State alumni in the 2026 MLB season showcases the university's ability to develop exceptional baseball talent. These players' journeys inspire Penn State fans and baseball enthusiasts, demonstrating the power of hard work, dedication, and the Nittany Lion program's commitment to producing well-rounded student-athletes.