The Ole Miss Rebels are reshaping their baseball roster as the transfer portal brings both departures and new commitments.
Roster Changes in the Offseason
The team says goodbye to several contributors from the recent seasons. Right‑hander Noah Allen made eight appearances as a freshman in 2026, posting a 2.89 ERA with 12 strikeouts and just two walks. Outfielder Blake Ilitch never took the field at the collegiate level, while versatile batters Brayden Randle and Tate Sirmans contributed in different ways. Randle drove in 23 runs during the season, including seven in the College World Series run, and even launched a two‑run homer against Troy in Omaha. Sirmans, a redshirt freshman, appeared in 25 games, batting .178 with two home runs and three RBIs.
On the incoming side, the Rebels have secured several fresh arms and bats. Right‑hander Logan Dunn saw action in 34 games as a freshman in 2025 but did not see game time in 2026, a timeline that could change with his recent commitment. Trey Hawsey arrives after a standout collegiate career at Jacksonville State, where he earned two‑time second‑team All‑Conference USA honors and hit a career‑best .335 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 2026. Left‑hander Eli Pillsbury brings a 4.07 ERA over 16 starts at Jacksonville State, striking out 89 batters, while Mavrick Rizy, who logged 44 appearances for LSU over two seasons, carries a 4.50 ERA with 57 strikeouts and 38 walks.
What This Means for the Rebels
Coach Mike Bianco and his staff are betting on depth and versatility, hoping that the new arrivals can fill the gaps left by departing talent. The blend of proven hitters like Randle and the fresh arms on the mound suggests a balanced approach, but the team will need to integrate these pieces quickly as the schedule tightens. With the transfer portal continuing to reshape college baseball, Ole Miss’s strategic moves illustrate how programs are leveraging both exits and entries to stay competitive.