The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball to Return 22 Players from 2026 Team
7/29/2026 12:00:00β―PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM β UAB Baseball Head Coach Casey Dunn has announced the return of 22 players from the 2026 team. Last year's squad set three program records and ranked in the top 10 in several other categories. Among the 22 returnees, the Green and Gold are set to return seven probable starters from a lineup that scored 7+ runs in 35 games, resulting in a 30-5 record.
UAB returns all four outfielders from the 2026 team, all of which exceeded the 55 hits threshold and combined for 219 starts in the outfield or designated hitter positions. John Paul Head led the American Conference with 22 home runs and also led the team in batting average (.329), OPS (1.167), runs batted in (56), and runs scored (55). Landon Beaver ranked second among all American Conference returners in doubles with 16. He also finished the season ranked 10th in runs scored (52). Kevin Hall Jr. led the Blazers and ranked fourth in The American with 21 stolen bases. Andrew Hunt ranked 11th in the league in runs scored (51), 13th in doubles (14), 14th in OPS (.953) and 15th in stolen bases (11).
The Blazers also return three primary infielders in Alex Dupuy, Baylor Roberts, and Alex Cheeseman. Dupuy started all 58 games for UAB in 2026 and ranked 10th in The American in home runs (10), 21st in runs batted in (41), 18th in total bases (101), 22nd in stolen bases (10), and 25th in doubles (12). Baylor Roberts returns for his sophomore season after making 56 starts at shortstop as a true freshman. Roberts was named to the All-Freshman team in 2026. Roberts was one of four returners to make at least 56 starts and one of six Blazers to steal at least 10 bases. Alex Cheeseman is the seasoned veteran heading into 2027 as one of four players going into at least their fourth season at UAB. Cheeseman has appeared in 92 games in his first three seasons with the Green and Gold and has made 55 starts.
Behind the plate, UAB returns both backstops for the 2027 season. Max Price was named First Team All-Conference as a Utilityman while Austin Pierzynski was named to the All-Freshman team. Price played in 34 games and had an OPS of .921 this past season. His .526 slugging percentage ranked second on the team. Pierzynski appeared in 39 games while starting in 36. He tied for fourth on the team with seven home runs and also threw out seven runners on the bases.
On the mound, the Blazers return 13 pitchers, including five who missed the entirety of the 2026 season due to injury. Brendan Conner was the ERA leader of the season among qualified arms with a 4.35 ERA. Conner made 24 appearances and struck out 39 in 60.0 innings. True freshman Carter Samuelson also threw an even 60 innings pitched and struck out 37 in that span. Konner Keplinger (26) and Riley Miller (25) led the team in appearances and will return for the 2027 season. Despite missing the final month of the season due to injury, Isaac Warrick will return for his final season with the Blazers and led the team with a 4.29 ERA (min. 20 IP). Justin Hicks and Christian Helmers also return after garnering multiple starts on the mound this season. Brooks House rounds out the returners after appearing in 12 games in 2026.
The Blazers welcome back a familiar face to the pitching staff in Ryan Olson, who missed 2026 due to Tommy John Surgery. In 2025, Olson had a 4.38 ERA in 15 appearances and picked up five saves. Olson struck out 25 across 24.2 innings pitched and will have one season remaining with UAB. Josh Holley, Andrew Prejean, Caden Kok, and Jacob Francis will look to make their UAB debuts in 2027 after sitting out due to injury in 2026.
RETURNING PRODUCTION
- 74% of hits
- 79.8% of runs scored
- 80.2% of extra base hit production
- 86% of stolen bases
- 61.2% of innings pitched
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