A New Era for Georgia Baseball
Coach Wes Johnson enters his second season after guiding the Bulldogs to their first SEC championship in 18 years, a milestone that has set high expectations for the 2027 campaign.
The roster features a highly recruited transfer class that ranks No. 1 by 64Analytics and No. 5 by Baseball America, underscoring the program’s aggressive push to bolster both offense and pitching.
Power‑hitting position players such as Jake Hanley, Mikey Bell and Hunter Carns headline the incoming talent, while pitchers Marcus Paz and Jason Flores add depth to a mound staff that already includes standout relievers like Joey Volchko and Caden Aoki, who logged 121 and 116 pitches in postseason outings.
Strengthening the Pitching Staff
Johnson has emphasized the need to raise the floor of the pitching rotation, noting that additions like Marcus Paz, ranked No. 30 nationally, and Jason Flores, who posted a 6.85 ERA last season, will complement returning arms such as Zach Brown, Paul Farley and Joe Nottingham.
The coaching staff also benefits from the return of versatile players like Riley Goodman, the No. 74 recruit, and infielder Graham Mastros, who can fill multiple positions, while health updates suggest that injured pitcher Henry Allen should be ready for the second week of the season.
Johnson stresses that starting roles will be earned through performance, stating that the team will let players tell them who can start, a philosophy that applies to both newcomers and returnees alike.
Offensively, first baseman Jake Hanley posted a .338 average with 14 homers and 48 RBIs last season and is projected to be a superstar, while outfielder Naulivou Lauaki, ranked No. 86, is expected to launch balls over 470 feet, a power surge that Johnson describes as the most he has ever coached in college baseball.
The Bulldogs also avoided losing freshmen pitchers Matthew Sharman and Landon Schutte to the MLB Draft, preserving a core group that should provide stability as the season progresses.
With a blend of elite transfers, seasoned returnees and a coaching staff focused on competition over predetermined roles, Georgia’s 2027 baseball team looks poised to contend for another SEC title and make a deep run in the NCAA tournament.