UAB Baseball head coach Casey Dunn revealed this week that 22 members of the 2026 roster will be back for the upcoming season, a move that signals the program’s intent to sustain its recent momentum.
A deep returning core
Among the returnees, seven are slated to start, including all four outfielders. John Paul Head, who topped the American Conference with 22 home runs and posted a .329 average, leads a group that also features Landon Beaver, second in the conference for doubles with 16, and Kevin Hall Jr., the team’s stolen‑base leader with 21.
Additional position players include Andrew Hunt, who scored 51 runs and added 11 steals, and shortstop Baylor Roberts, who will enter his sophomore year after starting 56 games as a true freshman.
The outfield also welcomes back Alex Dupuy, who started every game and ranked tenth in the conference with ten homers, and Alex Cheeseman, now in his fourth season and a 92‑game veteran.
On the mound, the staff will bring back 13 pitchers, five of whom missed the 2026 year due to injury. Brendan Conner posted a 4.35 ERA and struck out 39 in 60 innings, while Carter Samuelson logged 60 innings with 37 strikeouts. Konner Keplinger and Riley Miller paced the team in appearances and will again anchor the relief corps.
Veteran Isaac Warrick returns for his final season, leading the staff with a 4.29 ERA, and Ryan Olson, recovering from Tommy John surgery, is slated to rejoin the rotation. Newcomers such as Josh Holley, Andrew Prejean, Caden Kok and Jacob Francis are expected to make their UAB debuts.
Coach Dunn emphasized that the blend of proven production and fresh talent positions the Blazers to contend again, aiming to translate their record‑setting offense into another winning campaign.