Get ready for some serious baseball action as we dive into the incredible performances that made the cut for Baseball America's 2026 Week 3 College Team of the Week! This season, Baseball America is on a mission to spotlight the absolute best players and teams across the nation, and they've got their eyes on some serious talent.
Now, you might be wondering, what exactly does it take to make this elite team? Well, it's not just about raw stats, although they play a big part. The selection process also considers the strength of the competition and delves into underlying data to ensure a well-rounded evaluation.
But here's where it gets controversial... or at least a little more complex. The honor roll isn't just about one position. It recognizes players from every position, including the top-performing two-way player and an impressive quartet of pitchers. And get this, there's even a designated hitter spot, which acts as a wild card, allowing Baseball America to highlight an exceptional performer, regardless of their position or role that week.
So, without further ado, let's meet the stars of Week 3!
Catcher: Weber Neels, Minnesota
A fourth-year starter, Neels absolutely crushed it against Kansas at U.S. Bank Stadium. Over four games, he went 10-for-14 with an impressive four home runs, two doubles, and a perfect 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts. He also drew three walks and drove in nine RBIs. Neels is one of the Big Ten's top sluggers this season, with five or more home runs to his name.
First Base: Ryan Niedzwiedz, SIUE
Niedzwiedz added three more home runs to his season total in Week 3, bringing his count to five. The 6-foot-2 first baseman went 8-for-19 with a double, seven runs, and nine RBIs in a five-game stretch. Keep an eye on this guy, as he's eligible for the 2026 draft.
Second Base: Jarren Advincula, Georgia Tech
Advincula went 7-for-17 with three home runs, 16 total bases, and eight RBIs, helping Georgia Tech secure their third straight weekend series win. His performance was a key factor in the team's three consecutive double-digit run outputs. Advincula is also a highly-rated prospect, ranked as Baseball America's No. 85 pick in the 2026 draft.
Third Base: Temo Becerra, Texas
Becerra had an incredible weekend, going 6-for-12 with eight runs scored, two doubles, and three home runs. He reached base safely in eight of his 13 plate appearances, setting a new single-season career high with those three homers.
Shortstop: Jake Schaffner, North Carolina
Schaffner had his best week yet as a high-major player, going 11-for-17 with four doubles, a triple, a home run, and four stolen bases. The North Dakota State transfer has only struck out once in his first 13 games with the Tar Heels.
Outfield: Cider Canon, Duke
Canon went 9-for-14 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. He showed great plate discipline, drawing five walks against just three strikeouts, and added three stolen bases to his impressive stat line. Canon has made most of his starts behind the plate but also saw action in the outfield.
Outfield: Drew Detlefsen, UTSA
Detlefsen has been a key player in UTSA's fast start this season, and he continued his impact in Week 3. He went 8-for-18 with 18 total bases, three home runs, a double, six RBIs, and six runs scored. Detlefsen ranks fourth in the American Conference in slugging percentage at .708.
Outfield: Will Gasparino, UCLA
Now, here's a player who's on fire! Gasparino, UCLA's center fielder and eight-hole hitter, has been on an absolute tear. He's launched a nation-leading 10 home runs, including four in Week 3, with three multi-homer games. With just two singles on the season, he's still batting an impressive .378. His performance has prompted evaluators to reconsider his draft ceiling. After two years at Texas, where he was known for his power-hitting profile, Gasparino is showcasing a more measured approach this spring, paired with above-average athleticism.
Designated Hitter: Daniel Jackson, Georgia
Jackson, dubbed the Bulldogs' top breakout candidate by coach Wes Johnson in the preseason, continued to live up to that label in Week 3. He went 8-for-21 with five home runs, nine RBIs, and a stolen base. Coach Johnson predicted that Jackson could reach 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases as a junior, and he's well on his way, entering Week 4 with nine home runs and five stolen bases.
Pitcher: Michael Sharman, Clemson
Sharman had one of the most impressive outings of the week, tossing a complete game against South Carolina on just 78 pitches. He allowed only one run on four hits, didn't issue a single walk, and struck out four batters. His start lowered his season ERA to 0.90, and he now has 18 strikeouts against just one walk over 20 innings. It was also the first complete game by a Clemson pitcher since 2024.
Pitcher: Mason Edwards, USC
Edwards is having one of the hottest starts in the country, rivaling even Gasparino's performance. The USC left-hander has not allowed a hit in 18 innings, dating back to the second batter he faced this season. In Week 3, he struck out 11 over seven innings at Cal Poly. He's quickly establishing himself as a top candidate to be the best college left-hander in the 2026 class, and his dominance will be put to the test in Week 4 when the Trojans face Illinois in Big Ten play.
Pitcher: Chris Levonas, Wake Forest
Levonas dominated Loyola Marymount on Saturday, firing six perfect innings with a career-high 14 strikeouts. The 2027 draft prospect has allowed just one run over 14.2 innings to start his sophomore season, striking out 33 against four walks.
Pitcher: Andrew Herrmann, Louisiana
Herrmann put on a career-best performance against a strong UC San Diego lineup, spinning a complete-game shutout while allowing just one hit and three walks. He struck out 13 batters, and the Tritons' lone hit didn't come until the sixth inning. His outing lowered his season ERA to 1.33 through 20.1 innings.
Two-Way Player: Caylon Dygert, UT Arlington
Dygert had an incredible performance against No. 9 Arkansas, striking out 11 over 8.2 innings without allowing an earned run. He threw 130 pitches in the process, carrying the Mavericks to an upset victory over the Razorbacks, their second ranked win of the season. Although he went 0-for-4 at the plate against Arkansas, his dominant pitching performance earned him a spot on the Team of the Week.
There you have it, folks! An incredible lineup of talent, each with their own unique story and impressive stats. Who do you think will continue to shine and make a run for the top spots in the draft? And this is the part most people miss... the draft is just the beginning of their journey. It's the hard work, dedication, and passion for the game that truly sets these players apart. So, what do you think? Are there any players you'd like to see make a comeback or take their game to the next level? Let's discuss in the comments!
