Landon Hairston, the sophomore outfielder who topped the 2025 Sun Devils with a .400 average, 28 home runs and 81 RBIs, announced that he will remain at Arizona State for his junior season. His decision comes after a breakout year that also set a school record for home runs and earned him first‑team all‑conference honors.
The Sun Devils finished the previous campaign with a 39‑21 record and placed third in the Big 12, but the squad will look considerably different next year. A total of 13 players entered the transfer portal and 10 others were selected in the draft, prompting a sweeping rebuild that includes both departures and new arrivals.
A Strategic Reinforcement
Pitching will be a particular area of change, with seven of the drafted players being pitchers and several veteran arms departing. In their place, the team has added a handful of newcomers through the portal and junior‑college transfers, headlined by Jackson Hotchkiss, who was ranked No. 9 overall in the portal by Baseball America.
Coach Willie Bloomquist and the coaching staff have emphasized that the incoming class, combined with the return of key position players such as Dominic Smaldino, Austen Roellig and Brody Briggs, should provide immediate depth. The blend of experienced returnees and high‑profile transfers aims to keep the program competitive as it prepares for the next season.