There are plenty of questions for Arizona still to answer about its team as the 2026 season approaches in a few weeks, but there’s not as much uncertainty on the pitching side. And there’s no dispute as to who the Wildcats will turn to to close things out, as they return the best closer in college baseball.
Right-hander Tony Pluta has been named a preseason All-American by D1Baseball.com, which had him as a Second Team selection on its postseason team.
Pluta, a senior, is coming off a stellar 2025
season in which he was named NCBWA Stopper of the Year, going 3-0 with a 1.46 ERA in 37 innings over 30 appearances. He recorded a school-record 14 saves, helping Arizona go unbeaten in games it led after eight innings.
For his career, Pluta is 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 16 saves, 3rd-most in school history and 13 behind career leader Jason Stoffel.
He is one of several key arms returning from the UA team that went 44-21, won the Big 12 Tournament title and reached the College World Series for the 19th time. Also back are starting righties Owen Kramkowski and Smith Bailey and righty relievers Garrett Hicks and Matthew Martinez.
Arizona, which has a Meet the Team event set for Saturday at 3 p.m. MT at Hi Corbett Field, opens the 2026 season Feb. 13 in Surprise, Ariz., against Stanford. The home opener is Feb. 17 against Omaha.
