Kolby Branch, a senior shortstop for the University of Georgia, has earned a place in the 2026 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team Training Camp after a standout defensive season that garnered him a 2026 Gold Glove.
The Bulldogs concluded the season with a 53‑14 record, capturing both the Southeastern Conference regular‑season and tournament titles and advancing to the College World Series for the first time since 2008. Branch started every game, batting .291 with 19 doubles, 20 home runs and 60 RBI while posting a .975 fielding percentage across 277 chances.
Road to Taiwan
He will now join 55 other collegiate players vying for a spot on the final roster that will travel to Taiwan for the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship from July 11‑15. The path to that tournament includes exhibition games from June 27‑29 and a Stars versus Stripes series from June 30‑July 4 in North Carolina.
Branch’s selection follows a tradition of Georgia talent in the national program; former teammates Tre Phelps, Matt Scott and Joey Volchko were members of the 2024 USA Baseball College National Team, underscoring the program’s ongoing pipeline to international competition.