Amid the addition of several other players from the transfer portal, the Michigan baseball team hasn’t quelled its recruitment just yet. With another crop of rising sophomores and juniors now joining the ranks, the Wolverines are on their way to entering the 2026 season much more youthful than the season prior.
Both Texas infielder Carson Luna and North Carolina left-hander John Hughes join the team without any collegiate appearances, marking the third transfer alongside Tennessee infielder Dane Morrow to do so. While unproven on the college stage, both players add depth that Michigan desperately needs.
Luna, a top-40 shortstop in the country coming out of high school according to Perfect Game, comes in just as graduate shortstop Benny Casillas and believed-to-be replacement freshman Tyler Inge exited the program. Especially with Indiana infielder Jasen Oliver now decommitting, Luna will be a necessary piece of the Wolverines middle infield.
As a left-hander, Hughes joins a program that is in need of a competent southpaw. With graduate left-hander Cade Connoly graduating out, Michigan is left with three left-handed pitchers, one of which didn’t see any playing time in 2025, while the other two posted ERAs above 10 throughout their combined 8.2 innings pitched.
Hughes, a two-time state championship winner in Illinois had a standout senior year, earning an 0.41 ERA throughout 34 innings, while racking up 42 strikeouts with just 10 walks. If Hughes is able to command the zone effectively, he will become an integral part of the Wolverines’ bullpen.
North Carolina State utility player Matt Ossenfort also joins Michigan as announced on X. As a sophomore, Ossenfort swung a respectable .240 on the season, while making 24 appearances with 16 starts. Playing throughout the field, and ending up as a designated hitter, Ossenfort can add dimension to all parts of the field, as well as being a capable hitter at the plate.
To add a bit more experience into the Wolverines’ dugout, Saint Louis outfielder Brenden Stressler has joined their ranks per Pro Baseball Radar. A certified hitter, Stressler hit .292 last season while peppering in a team-leading 12 home runs.
While he’s a bit error prone, recording four on the season, Stressler’s familiarity with right field comes at a perfect time. As an outfielder through and through, Stressler gives Michigan a more cemented outfield. This allows more infield-centric players like freshmen Brayden Jefferis and sophomore Colby Turner to move back to where they’re more comfortable, instead of pushing them off bases toward the warning track.
As Michigan transitions into the 2026 season, it enters a bit less experienced than it was a year ago. While they may not be a conference contender this season, they have all the pieces to develop one right at home.
