On this episode of the D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons discuss the winners of the draft and go through notable college players returning to school or going undrafted.

The duo highlights top players returning to college baseball in 2027, led by Oklahoma State slugger Kollin Ritchie (31 HR) and several UNC returners, plus names like Ryan Zuckerman, Ricky Ojeda, Jarren Purify, Tyler Minick, Caden McDonald, and Ethan Mendoza.

They discuss how NIL money, extra eligibility, and changing draft economics are keeping players in college longer, and debate what that means for MLB development and today’s faster-moving minor league system.

The episode shifts to draft/recruiting “winners,” highlighting Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, Mississippi State, Kentucky, and Arkansas, as well as non-SEC programs Oregon State, Stanford, and Oklahoma State. They close by noting Mario Pesca as a gritty ninth-round pick.

2026 MLB Draft Tracker: https://d1ba.se/26draft

00:00 Welcome Back!

00:38  Big Names Returning

03:37 Why Stay in College?

04:57 MLB Pipeline Debate

09:29 Draft: Winners & Losers

12:37 Tennessee Class Breakdown

15:08 Vanderbilt and Corbin Buzz

18:06 Non-SEC Winners Wrap

18:23 Mario Pesca Shoutout

18:54 Take A Hike!

D1Baseball's MLB Draft coverage is presented by MAI Capital. If you are a player (or parent) navigating NIL, the draft, or your first contract, MAI Capital can help. MAI has spent over 50 years cultivating deep relationships with a network of successful athletes and performers — helping them simplify and manage the complex challenges they face across different stages of their careers. A quick conversation can help you gain clarity on your next financial decision, identify costly mistakes early, and understand what you should be doing now. Get real guidance from advisors who’ve worked with over 110 first-round picks. https://d1ba.se/MAI

D1Baseball is proud to partner with MAI Capital to provide college baseball players with real financial guidance.

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

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Burkie and Roons recap a rapidly changing MLB Draft landscape, focusing on how NIL, expanded college eligibility, and a shortened development path are influencing player leverage and pushing more talent toward college baseball. They discuss MLB’s apparent shift toward prioritizing contact and track record over swing-and-miss profiles and pure home-run totals, using examples such as Derek Curiel, Zion Rose, AJ Gracia, and the "slide" of toolsy but "lower-contact" hitters like Justin LeBron and Daniel Jackson.

The episode runs through notable first-round storylines, including Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey, top arm Jackson Flora, surprise pick Jake Schaffner, Ace Reese’s landing spot, and prospect promotion incentive selections Carter Beck, Carson Wiggins, and Jack Radel. They also note draft-volume leaders and caution fans against equating draft totals with team success.

2026 MLB Draft Tracker: https://d1ba.se/26draft

00:00 Welcome

00:05 Thank you, AstroTurf!

00:39 ESPN Draft Broadcast Talk

01:51 How NIL Reshaped Leverage

03:28 Age Stigma and Player Comps

05:45 Draft Expectations & Contact Trend

07:20 Top Picks and Track Record

09:40 Zion Rose Deep Dive

13:00 Contact Over Power in Round One

15:55 Jake Schaffner: Surprise Pick

17:55 Late First Round Storylines

22:35 Daniel Jackson Head Scratcher

25:28 Draft Totals & High School Decline

28:29 Wrap + Next Episode Tease

D1Baseball's MLB Draft coverage is presented by MAI Capital. If you are a player (or parent) navigating NIL, the draft, or your first contract, MAI Capital can help. MAI has spent over 50 years cultivating deep relationships with a network of successful athletes and performers — helping them simplify and manage the complex challenges they face across different stages of their careers. A quick conversation can help you gain clarity on your next financial decision, identify costly mistakes early, and understand what you should be doing now. Get real guidance from advisors who’ve worked with over 110 first-round picks. https://d1ba.se/MAI

D1Baseball is proud to partner with MAI Capital to provide college baseball players with real financial guidance.

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Rooney and D1Baseball/Prep Baseball’s David Seifert preview this weekend's MLB Draft. They discuss D1Baseball’s Top 250 Collegiate Prospect Ranking list, mock drafts and draft recaps, and how signability & team preferences could shuffle the top of the board among Grady Emerson, Roch Cholowsky, and Vahn Lackey.

Roons & Seif break down top college arms Jackson Flora and Tyler Bremner, Seifert’s preference for pitchers with feel for spin, and debates key top-10 talents Tyler Bell, Drew Burress, and Chris Hacopian. They also highlight late risers from Omaha and beyond, including Owen Hull, Cam Kozeal, Brendan Brock, Gavin Gallaher, Jackson Willits, Taylor Rabe, Joey Volchko, and LJ Mercurius. They end with highlighting some potential late-round value picks.

00:00 Welcome, David Seifert!

00:20 Saturday Draft Start

01:09 Why Draft Day Matters

01:56 D1 Draft Coverage Guide

03:06 Latest Mock Draft Intel

03:31 White Sox Top Three

04:13 Lackey vs Cholowsky

06:53 Fit and Signability

07:45 How Fast Pros Move Up

08:24 Flora vs Bremner

10:42 Spin vs Changeup

12:27 Bell | Burress | Hacopian

17:58 Late Risers and Helium

19:29 Owen Hull: Draft Riser

20:21 Brendan Brock: Up & Down

21:15 Gavin Gallaher: Sleeper Value

21:53 Jaxon Willits: On The Rise

22:09 Camden Kozeal: Makeup Matters

24:13 Seif's Favorites at Pitcher

25:07 Joey Volchko: CWS Breakout

26:12 LJ Mercurius: Bullpen Hero

27:55 Cade Townsend vs Taylor Rabe

30:33 Picks 51 to 100

32:57 Late Round Values

36:29 Draft Weekend Wrap

This MLB Draft Preview podcast is presented by MAI Capital. If you are a player (or parent) navigating NIL, the draft, or your first contract, MAI Capital can help. MAI has spent over 50 years cultivating deep relationships with a network of successful athletes and performers — helping them simplify and manage the complex challenges they face across different stages of their careers. A quick conversation can help you gain clarity on your next financial decision, identify costly mistakes early, and understand what you should be doing now. Get real guidance from advisors who've worked with over 110 first-round picks. https://d1ba.se/MAI

D1Baseball is proud to partner with MAI Capital to provide college baseball players with real financial guidance.

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

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On this episode of D1 Daily, Burkie and Roons recap Super Regionals, starting with Oklahoma’s dominant performance over Kansas and the impact of Kyson Witherspoon and the Sooners’ relentless offense. They break down North Carolina’s tight, compelling series with USC, discuss Texas sweeping Oregon in Austin, and debate Oregon’s inability to “knock down the last door.”

The duo highlights Ole Miss’ clean play in a strong showing against Auburn and celebrates Little Rock, Cal Poly, and St. John’s reaching the Supers stage. They then turn their discussion to the Georgia–Mississippi State Super, in particular, an all-time two-game series filled with home runs, momentum swings, and standout performances.

Roons & Burkie close by noting booming crowds, electric home atmospheres, and college baseball’s continued growth!

00:00 Welcome Back!

00:46 Oklahoma Dominates Kansas

04:22 USC Pushes North Carolina

06:57 Oregon vs Texas Breakdown

11:12 Schloss In Omaha

14:35 Other Supers and Feel Good Stories

16:15 Mississippi State vs Georgia

21:58 College Baseball Rising

25:43 Troy and Morgantown Scenes

26:59 Wrap Up

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons open by apologizing for being off their game on the previous podcast, then refocus on 2026 “Squeeze Play” takeaways from the NCAA baseball regionals. They highlight the paradox of seven SEC teams reaching supers alongside two four-seeds (Little Rock and St. John’s) winning regionals, plus standout winner-take-all results like Oklahoma and Troy winning game sevens and UCLA’s collapse. They recall memorable atmospheres and storylines, including Kentucky vs. West Virginia, Lincoln’s extra-inning battles, Alabama State vs. Oklahoma State, and cold-weather teams surging late like Milwaukee and St. John’s. They note stats such as eight leagues represented in supers and four players hitting three homers in a game, praise the Squeeze Play crew and viewers, while discussing the ACC’s poor postseason despite believing it remains the second-best league.

0:00 Welcome Back, Apologies, And Reset

01:08 Thank you, AstroTurf!

01:51 Biggest Regional Takeaways

03:25 Troy And Oklahoma Regional Moments

05:51 Regional Atmospheres And Parity

10:51 Wild Stats From Cold-Weather Teams

12:08 Squeeze Play Crew

13:30 Alt Cast And Eric Church Quote

17:37 ACC Postseason Reality Check

21:04 Why Squeeze Play Works

22:56 Screen Time Battle And Wrap

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Burkie and Roons return to the D1 Daily Podcast after a broadcasting hiatus to recap a memorable NCAA baseball postseason and Oklahoma’s historic national championship run. They discuss how Oklahoma won on the road against Big 12 champ Kansas and ACC champ Georgia Tech. They review the unlikely offensive surges from players like Deiten LaChance and Kyle Branch, and key pitching contributions from Cord Rager, LJ Mercurius, and Gavin Jones....among many others.

Burkie and Roons then compare Oklahoma’s run to past champions like Ole Miss and Fresno State, debate whether the power display was sustainable, and note how many top teams appeared to “run out of gas” during the postseason.

00:00 Welcome Back!

03:16 This Tournament Gave Us A Lot

06:50 Comparisons to Past Runs

08:24 How It Clicked Late For OU

12:30 Defense, Power, and Pitching

14:29 Teams Running Out of Gas

20:04 Georgia Tech Regional Collapse

22:00 Jaxon Willits Spotlight

24:15 "Hey Nows" of The Tournament

24:35 Hope Beyond the SEC

27:08 Omaha Moments

30:23 Final Thanks & Wrap

For athletes and sports programs of all levels, AstroTurf has managed the entirety of the synthetic turf manufacturing process for decades. By focusing on quality, safety, and performance, AstroTurf continues to provide customized surfacing solutions for baseball and softball programs across the professional and collegiate ranks, including being the Official Synthetic Turf of MLB®. For more information, please visit https://astroturf.com/

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at https://kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

SUBSCRIBE

Apple: https://d1ba.se/Pod-Apple

Spotify: https://d1ba.se/40Ne9Dq

YouTube: https://d1ba.se/yt-sub

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kendall Rogers, Aaron Fitt, Bradley Smart, and Joe Healy are LIVE at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to preview the 2026 Men's College World Series field. They go team by team, discussing how each team got to Omaha, players to watch, and how each could take the title. The guys also make their picks for each side of the bracket and then the 2026 champ!

00:00 WELCOME TO OMAHA!

01:26 BRACKET ONE

02:03 WEST VIRGINIA

08:13 TROY

13:09 NORTH CAROLINA

20:14 OLE MISS

31:42 BRACKET ONE PICKS

35:50 BRACKET TWO

36:22 OKLAHOMA

45:41 ALABAMA

53:22 TEXAS

01:01:30 GEORGIA

01:11:53 BRACKET TWO PICKS

01:15:05 PARTING THOUGHTS AND CHAMPIONSHIP PICKS

01:21:06 WRAP UP

Today's MCWS Preview Show was presented by Soldier Sports. This week, Soldier Sports is launching its TANK 3 bat. Soldier Sports is calling it the most significant improvement to a BBCOR in the history of BBCOR. We've seen every bat in the game. They're not wrong.

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Even hotter than before! Infused Power Alloy Technology, a new carbon fiber speed end cap, and 2.5 years of R&D behind the perfect combination of speed and power. Built for power hitters and contact hitters alike. Learn more and order [on Friday at noon] at https://soldiersports.us/

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On this episode of the D1Baseball Podcast, Mike Rooney, Aaron Fitt, Kendall Rogers, and Bradley Smart recap an upset-filled regional weekend and look ahead to the eight super regional contests.

07:02 Pressure and Clutch Debate

11:38 Regional Weekend Highlights

13:08 ACC Fallout and Little Rock Buzz

14:51 West Virginia Song Moment

16:37 USC Upsets Texas A&M

21:03 Super Regional: Cal Poly vs. WVU

27:38 Little Rock at Troy Preview

35:34 USC Pitching and Table Setters

38:20 UNC vs USC Matchup Keys

43:15 Auburn vs Ole Miss Preview

44:52 Ole Miss Pitching Depth

49:14 Oklahoma Momentum and Stars

52:27 Kansas Power and Bullpen

54:58 Bar Fight Meter

55:58 Kansas bullpen roles

57:44 St John's at Alabama

58:38 Alabama steady formula

01:01:22 St John's grit factor

01:04:40 Oregon headed to Austin

01:04:49 Oregon lineup and arms

01:07:30 Texas regional surge

01:10:39 Mississippi State overview

01:11:51 Georgia power and pitching

01:18:39 Wrap and Omaha plans

Kerriston Coffee is proud to be the official coffee of D1Baseball. With over 30 years in the business, this family-owned roastery delivers fresh, small-batch coffee made for college baseball fans, coaches, and everyone in between. Kerriston Coffee ships nationwide, and as a listener to The D1Baseball Podcast, you can use code D1 at kerristoncoffee.com to receive 15% off your first order!

Is your favorite team in the SEC? Make sure to check out our Highway To Hoover podcast with Joe Healy and Mark Etheridge on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/h2h-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/41nyqSv

Or maybe you're a fan of ACC baseball? Then you need to check out the ACC Baseball Etc. podcast with Daron Vaught and Bradley Smart on Apple Podcasts: https://d1ba.se/etc-apple or Spotify: https://d1ba.se/4tBUuF9

D1Baseball is the #1 source for college baseball. Subscribe to our show to get the best college baseball podcast straight to your Apple Podcasts or Spotify feed all year round. Reviews and 5-star ratings are greatly appreciated!

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.