Though injuries and inexperience played a huge role in Arizona recording one of its worst seasons in program history, overall it just didn’t have a good enough roster to be competitive. All signs point to significant overhaul this summer, and some of that has already begun.
Three members of the 2026 team—catcher Roman Meyers and outfielders Sean Barta and Chaz McNelis—have publicly announced their intention to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it opens on June 1. Several more are expected to enter the portal,
as since the regular season ended last weekend coach Chip Hale has held exit interviews.
Meyers is the only one of the trio who played for the UA this spring. He appeared in 25 games, making 20 starts, and hit .214 with three home runs and 17 RBI, while Barta and McNelis were inactive due to preseason injuries. All three were junior college transfers, with Barta playing for Pima College.
The opening night starter behind the plate, Meyers split starts with Beau Sylvester for the first half of the season before serving mostly as Smith Bailey’s personal catcher while Sylvester would start the bulk of the games. An injury sidelined Meyers for the final 10 games.
Barta and McNelis were expected to compete for playing time in the outfield, where Arizona also lost starting left fielder Easton Breyfogle to a season-ending shoulder injury in February which led to true freshman Caleb Danzeisen (recruited to be a first baseman or catcher) to make 36 starts in right field.
Arizona has already made a change to its coaching staff for 2027, with hitting/catching coach Toby DeMello not retained.
