Arizona State’s Hairston Etches His Name Among the Greats
Landon Hairston of Arizona State University has been crowned the 2026 National Player of the Year by Baseball America, capping a season that saw him smash a school record with 28 home runs while batting .400. The honor comes as he also remains a finalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, to be presented on June 29.
Hairston’s feat is more than a personal milestone; it adds to a storied lineage at ASU where 15 players have previously earned the National Player of the Year distinction. From Reggie Jackson in 1966 to Mike Kelly in the early 1990s, each predecessor has left an indelible mark on the program’s baseball pedigree.
A Rare Return to the Desert
What makes Hairston’s story unique is his decision to remain in Tempe for a fifth year, a path only Mike Kelly has previously taken after winning the award in back‑to‑back seasons. His choice to return underscores a commitment to building on the foundation he helped create and hints at another potential run at the title.
The upcoming award ceremony will spotlight not only Hairston’s individual excellence but also the broader narrative of Sun Devil baseball, a program that has consistently produced talent capable of competing at the highest levels of the sport.