The Mountain West Conference announced its 2026 All-Conference baseball squads and individual accolades, capping a season that saw several programs vie for supremacy.
Player of the Year: Jake Jackson
Jake Jackson, a junior from San Diego State, earned the Tony Gwynn Player of the Year award after posting a .347 average, 35 hits, eight home runs and 28 RBIs in conference play. His performance marks the second time an Aztec has received the honor, underscoring the program’s recent rise.
Washington State sophomore Nick Lewis was celebrated as the MW Pitcher of the Year after compiling a 7‑1 record and a 2.83 ERA across eight starts. He struck out 37 batters while limiting opponents to just 17 earned runs, a testament to his dominance on the mound.
Air Force’s freshman Wyatt Hanoian captured the Freshman of the Year award, batting .429 in 24 league games and driving in 30 runs while delivering 15 extra‑base hits. His rapid impact helped the Falcons stay competitive throughout the schedule.
First‑year SDSU head coach Kevin Vance was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Aztecs to a 16‑8 conference mark and securing the No. 1 seed for the 2026 Credit Union 1 MW Baseball Championship. Vance’s leadership contributed to the team’s fourth regular‑season title.
The recognitions reflect a competitive landscape across the Mountain West, with standout talent emerging from Arizona, California and beyond. As the conference looks ahead, these honorees set a high bar for the next season’s slate of games.