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The Oregon Ducks might have dropped the midweek game to Portland on Tuesday, but the Ducks have had an undeniably strong start to the 2026 season.
A 23-6 record to open the season, the Ducks have had a great mix of slugging in the batter's box and overpowering pitching performances on the mound. The Ducks have slowly climbed the national rankings, coming in at No. 15 at D1Baseball and No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll.
Mark Wasikowski has had to lean on some unexpected faces both in the lineup and on the slab, but the results have made some of the gambles a success. It's always a gamble to toss a true freshman into the fire right away in college baseball, but the Ducks have a pair that have excelled so far this season.
Right fielder Angel Laya and catcher Brayden Jaksa were both named to the midseason Freshman All-American teams by Perfect Game USA. Laya earned first-team honors while Jaksa cracked the second-team. Baseball America also recognized Laya on the College Freshman of the Year midseason watch list. Just a couple of Ducks who have been raking at the plate in their first season in Eugene.
Laya has a 1.063 OPS and is tied for the team-lead with nine home runs this season, and will likely set the Oregon freshman homer record (10) later this season. Jaksa has primarily served as the backup catcher for the Ducks, but he hasn't missed a beat at the plate despite limited playing time. He's launched three long home runs while playing solid defense behind the plate.
Friday starter Will Sanford is also receiving some recognition as the leader of an Oregon rotation that has been one of the best in the country this season. He earned midseason third-team All-American honors from Perfect Game USA after leading all Oregon pitchers (with at least five appearances) with a 1.24 ERA to start the season. He's racked up 48 strikeouts while leading the Ducks to victory in all seven of his starts so far.
Burke-Lee Mabeus, the Ducks' typical starter behind the dish, has turned heads with his slugging from the batter's box, but his defense is what really separates him as one of the best backstops in the nation. Mabeus was named to the midseason watch list for the Buster Posey Award, which is annually awarded to the nation's top catcher. An Oregon catcher has never won the award.
Now at the halfway point of the season, the Ducks will look to get back on track this Thursday on the road against Michigan in Big Ten play.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Laya, Sanford highlight Oregon baseball's midseason honors
Continue reading...
A 23-6 record to open the season, the Ducks have had a great mix of slugging in the batter's box and overpowering pitching performances on the mound. The Ducks have slowly climbed the national rankings, coming in at No. 15 at D1Baseball and No. 10 in the USA TODAY Sports coaches poll.
Mark Wasikowski has had to lean on some unexpected faces both in the lineup and on the slab, but the results have made some of the gambles a success. It's always a gamble to toss a true freshman into the fire right away in college baseball, but the Ducks have a pair that have excelled so far this season.
Right fielder Angel Laya and catcher Brayden Jaksa were both named to the midseason Freshman All-American teams by Perfect Game USA. Laya earned first-team honors while Jaksa cracked the second-team. Baseball America also recognized Laya on the College Freshman of the Year midseason watch list. Just a couple of Ducks who have been raking at the plate in their first season in Eugene.
Laya has a 1.063 OPS and is tied for the team-lead with nine home runs this season, and will likely set the Oregon freshman homer record (10) later this season. Jaksa has primarily served as the backup catcher for the Ducks, but he hasn't missed a beat at the plate despite limited playing time. He's launched three long home runs while playing solid defense behind the plate.
Friday starter Will Sanford is also receiving some recognition as the leader of an Oregon rotation that has been one of the best in the country this season. He earned midseason third-team All-American honors from Perfect Game USA after leading all Oregon pitchers (with at least five appearances) with a 1.24 ERA to start the season. He's racked up 48 strikeouts while leading the Ducks to victory in all seven of his starts so far.
Burke-Lee Mabeus, the Ducks' typical starter behind the dish, has turned heads with his slugging from the batter's box, but his defense is what really separates him as one of the best backstops in the nation. Mabeus was named to the midseason watch list for the Buster Posey Award, which is annually awarded to the nation's top catcher. An Oregon catcher has never won the award.
Now at the halfway point of the season, the Ducks will look to get back on track this Thursday on the road against Michigan in Big Ten play.
Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
This article originally appeared on Ducks Wire: Laya, Sanford highlight Oregon baseball's midseason honors
Continue reading...
