Built on good pitching depth and an experienced roster, the Michigan Wolverines baseball team looks like not only a competitive team but one that can challenge for the Big Ten Conference title. There is plenty of work to do for head coach Tracy Smith and his staff in order to get the Wolverines to take the next step after the 2025 season saw the team complete strong development.
The 2026 Michigan Wolverines baseball season hinges on two factors: pitching and defense. Michigan has perhaps the conference’s deepest pitching staff with experience. Michigan’s defense looks to be the signature staple of the team. The outfield, which had issues last season, appears to be a group that shines. Brenden Stressler, who transferred in, will help holdovers from last season shift back to their natural positions.
There is high expectations in Ann Arbor that this year’s baseball squad will not only be in the running for a top six finish but will also challenge for both the conference title and a spot in the NCAA tournament. In order for that to happen, Smith needs to find ways to counter offensive losses from last season and find a way to get better production from the bottom half of the lineup.
The Wolverines must identify the arms that will make up the bullpen. The starters will be solid, but with many arms to choose from, a couple of guys will be converted from starters to the bullpen, which creates better depth. Heading into the season, Michigan is currently ranked #39.
This is a group that has the ability to grow together rather quickly and gel into a special group. At least the foundation is there for that to take place. Tracy Smith enters his fourth season as the Michigan bench boss and has his most talented team to date. This is a team that can make a run and should.
