Michigan State Baseball 2026 Season Preview

Entering his 17th season at the helm, head coach Jake Boss is looking to build on a 28–27 campaign that ended in the Big Ten Tournament against top-seeded Oregon in Omaha. Michigan State finished 13–17 in conference play a year ago and now enters 2026 with a blend of experienced returners, impactful transfers, and a large freshman class.

Replacing frontline production on the mound will be the biggest storyline of the spring.

Filling the Void Left by Joseph Dzierwa

The Spartans lose their lone national headliner in left-hander Joseph Dzierwa, a Third-Team All-American who logged 91.2 innings last season. The 6-foot-8 southpaw went 8–3 with a 2.36 ERA, a 0.98 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts against 22 walks. He accounted for roughly 20 percent of Michigan State’s innings and was selected in the second round of the MLB Draft by the Baltimore Orioles. Dzierwa is expected to begin his professional career with either the FCL Orioles or Single-A Delmarva.

Replacing that level of reliability and volume will require multiple arms stepping forward.

Projected Rotation and Bullpen Outlook

Senior right-hander Nolan Higgins returns after making 15 starts last season. His year was uneven at times, but his experience makes him the natural veteran anchor of the staff.

Sophomore Aidan Donovan is expected to factor prominently into the opening-weekend rotation. The 6-foot-4 right-hander has been up to 92 mph and possesses the physical frame to take on a heavier workload. Junior Logan Pikur, who made 20 appearances last season, could transition into a starting role.

Illinois State transfer Carter Monke is a significant addition. Over the past two seasons, Monke threw 115.1 innings with a 6.1 percent walk rate and consistently filled the zone, throwing his fastball for a strike roughly 70 percent of the time last year. His strike-throwing profile gives Michigan State a stabilizing option.

The third starter role may be fluid early. Arms such as Davis Weeks, Brady Chambers, Bobby Crane, and Steve Fountain could be evaluated as Boss searches for consistency before conference play begins.

Out of the bullpen, Tommy Szczepanski returns with one of the better swing-and-miss sliders in the Big Ten. A former Kansas City Royals draftee out of high school, his ability to miss bats will be crucial in tight games.

Offensive Core Returns

While the pitching staff is reshaped, the lineup returns proven production.