PHILADELPHIA -- February in college baseball is about projection. Box scores haven’t accumulated yet, rotations are still forming, and roles are being defined in quiet practices. But when asked who could carry their teams this spring, area coaches didn’t hesitate. Their answers — reinforced by returning production and transfer pedigree — form this preseason list of 10 players to watch across the Philadelphia region.
Local scouts and coaches’ feedback helped guide this list — and the early consensus is clear: the Philadelphia college baseball scene enters 2026 with legitimate impact talent.
From Ivy League record-setters to Big East anchors, from high-upside transfers to frontline arms, Villanova, Penn, Saint Joseph’s and La Salle each return players capable of shaping their conference races. Some bring production. Others bring projection. All enter the season with strong internal endorsements.
Here are 10 Division I players to watch in Philadelphia as the 2026 season opens.
1. Michael Whooley, INF, Villanova
Villanova coach Kevin Mulvey didn’t hesitate when describing Whooley. “One of the best players in the conference,” he said — and a player expected to play professionally. Whooley hit nine home runs while starting all 50 games last season and remains the Wildcats’ anchor up the middle. Among the four programs, he carries the strongest pro projection.
2. Christian Coppola, RHP, Saint Joseph’s
Coppola may possess the best pure arm in the group. A transfer from Arizona who previously earned Freshman All-America honors at Rutgers (3.68 ERA, 71 strikeouts), Coppola had what Hawks coach Fritz Hamburg called a dominant fall. “His stuff is by far the best on our staff,” Hamburg said. If he settles into a Friday role, he could alter the Atlantic 10 race.
3. Jarrett Pokrovsky, INF, Penn
Pokrovsky’s résumé speaks for itself. He hit .335 with a .927 OPS last season and set Penn and Ivy League single-season records with 24 doubles. In a veteran lineup, he remains the Quakers’ most proven bat and one of the league’s most consistent hitters.
4. Carter Groen, OF, La Salle
La Salle’s return to Division I baseball features a centerpiece bat in Groen. The UConn transfer hit .440 with seven home runs during fall workouts, flashing power that coach David Miller believes carries draft potential. If that translates into the spring, Groen becomes one of the Atlantic 10’s most dangerous middle-order hitters.
5. Blake Primrose, C, Saint Joseph’s
Primrose led Saint Joseph’s with a .329 average last season and remains a stabilizing force behind the plate. Hamburg emphasized the confidence pitchers have throwing to him. With power that can grow and defensive leadership already established, he may be the Hawks’ most complete returning player.
7. Alex Kelsey, OF, Saint Joseph’s
After hitting .320 with a .910 OPS and 15 stolen bases last year, Kelsey appears poised for a breakout. Hamburg noted he hit over .500 during fall games and intersquads. His strike-zone awareness and speed give the Hawks a dynamic table-setter.
8. Ryan Taylor, OF, Penn
Taylor’s 20-for-22 mark in stolen bases makes him one of the region’s most disruptive players. His speed changes innings immediately, and his continued defensive growth in center field gives Penn strength up the middle.
9. Austin Lemon, OF, Villanova
Lemon quietly led Villanova with a .362 batting average last season. As the Wildcats attempt to replace departed slugger Jason Neff by committee, Lemon’s consistency and ability to lengthen at-bats will be essential.
10. Kross Howarth, RHP, La Salle
Projected as La Salle’s Opening Day starter, Howarth worked in the 90–93 mph range during the fall with a sharp slider and command in the zone. For a staff built on depth rather than one flamethrower, he provides early stability.
Several others — including Villanova’s Brayden Leonard, Penn’s Davis Baker and Saint Joseph’s Jason Janesko — could push their way into this conversation as the season unfolds. But entering February, these 10 stand out through production, projection and the confidence expressed by those closest to the programs.
Spring will decide the rest.
From Ivy League record-setters to Big East anchors, from high-upside transfers to frontline arms, Villanova, Penn, Saint Joseph’s and La Salle each return players capable of shaping their conference races. Some bring production. Others bring projection. All enter the season with strong internal endorsements.
Here are 10 Division I players to watch in Philadelphia as the 2026 season opens.
1. Michael Whooley, INF, Villanova
Villanova coach Kevin Mulvey didn’t hesitate when describing Whooley. “One of the best players in the conference,” he said — and a player expected to play professionally. Whooley hit nine home runs while starting all 50 games last season and remains the Wildcats’ anchor up the middle. Among the four programs, he carries the strongest pro projection.
2. Christian Coppola, RHP, Saint Joseph’s
Coppola may possess the best pure arm in the group. A transfer from Arizona who previously earned Freshman All-America honors at Rutgers (3.68 ERA, 71 strikeouts), Coppola had what Hawks coach Fritz Hamburg called a dominant fall. “His stuff is by far the best on our staff,” Hamburg said. If he settles into a Friday role, he could alter the Atlantic 10 race.
3. Jarrett Pokrovsky, INF, Penn
Pokrovsky’s résumé speaks for itself. He hit .335 with a .927 OPS last season and set Penn and Ivy League single-season records with 24 doubles. In a veteran lineup, he remains the Quakers’ most proven bat and one of the league’s most consistent hitters.
4. Carter Groen, OF, La Salle
La Salle’s return to Division I baseball features a centerpiece bat in Groen. The UConn transfer hit .440 with seven home runs during fall workouts, flashing power that coach David Miller believes carries draft potential. If that translates into the spring, Groen becomes one of the Atlantic 10’s most dangerous middle-order hitters.
5. Blake Primrose, C, Saint Joseph’s
Primrose led Saint Joseph’s with a .329 average last season and remains a stabilizing force behind the plate. Hamburg emphasized the confidence pitchers have throwing to him. With power that can grow and defensive leadership already established, he may be the Hawks’ most complete returning player.
6. Justin Szestowicki, SS, La Salle
A former North Carolina shortstop, Szestowicki brings both polish and presence. Miller called him one of the smoothest shortstops he has coached and intends to hit him in the middle of the order. Impact shortstops with power are rare; Szestowicki fits that profile.
A former North Carolina shortstop, Szestowicki brings both polish and presence. Miller called him one of the smoothest shortstops he has coached and intends to hit him in the middle of the order. Impact shortstops with power are rare; Szestowicki fits that profile.
7. Alex Kelsey, OF, Saint Joseph’s
After hitting .320 with a .910 OPS and 15 stolen bases last year, Kelsey appears poised for a breakout. Hamburg noted he hit over .500 during fall games and intersquads. His strike-zone awareness and speed give the Hawks a dynamic table-setter.
8. Ryan Taylor, OF, Penn
Taylor’s 20-for-22 mark in stolen bases makes him one of the region’s most disruptive players. His speed changes innings immediately, and his continued defensive growth in center field gives Penn strength up the middle.
9. Austin Lemon, OF, Villanova
Lemon quietly led Villanova with a .362 batting average last season. As the Wildcats attempt to replace departed slugger Jason Neff by committee, Lemon’s consistency and ability to lengthen at-bats will be essential.
10. Kross Howarth, RHP, La Salle
Projected as La Salle’s Opening Day starter, Howarth worked in the 90–93 mph range during the fall with a sharp slider and command in the zone. For a staff built on depth rather than one flamethrower, he provides early stability.
Several others — including Villanova’s Brayden Leonard, Penn’s Davis Baker and Saint Joseph’s Jason Janesko — could push their way into this conversation as the season unfolds. But entering February, these 10 stand out through production, projection and the confidence expressed by those closest to the programs.
Spring will decide the rest.
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