Isaac Cadena, a utility infielder who spent a single year on the USC Trojans roster in 2026, has now filed his name into the transfer portal, marking the fourth stop of his collegiate journey. His departure comes after a season in which he batted .307, collected 55 hits, scored 44 runs and drove in 32 RBIs, numbers that helped the Trojans reach the Chapel Hill Super Regional.
A turbulent offseason for USC baseball
The Trojans’ 2026 campaign was a story of near‑misses. USC finished the year with a 48‑18 overall record and a 20‑10 mark in Big Ten play, but a one‑run loss to the North Carolina Tar Heels in the Chapel Hill Super Regional denied them a spot in the College World Series.
Adding to the upheaval, Augie Lopez, the team’s leading home‑run hitter with 19 round‑trippers, also entered the portal. Lopez was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player of the College Station Regional, underscoring his impact on the squad.
Despite the losses, the program retains several key pieces. Pitchers Grant Govel and Andrew Johnson are expected to return, and sophomore Kevin Takeuchi will be back after appearing in all 64 games last season, where he posted a .325 average, 77 hits, 65 runs, 60 RBIs and 10 home runs.
Coach Andy Stankiewicz, now in his second year at the helm, remains confident that the returning talent combined with strong pitching prospects will keep USC a top contender in the Big Ten.
The coming months will be crucial as the Trojans reshape their roster and aim to translate early‑season promise into deeper postseason runs. Fans will be watching closely as new faces emerge and the team seeks to rebuild on the momentum of a 2026 campaign that came within a game of the national stage.