Full Breakdown
USA Baseball Announces 2026 Collegiate National Team Training Camp Roster
6/25/2026, 7:42:14 AM
Camp Overview and Competition Timeline
USA Baseball released a 56-player roster for the 2026 Collegiate National Team Training Camp. The camp opens June 27-29 with double-header exhibition games in Burlington, NC; Cary, NC; and Danville, VA. The Stars vs Stripes intrasquad series runs June 30 at Segra Stadium in Fayetteville, NC, continues July 1-3 at the National Training Complex in Cary, and ends July 4 back at Segra Stadium.
Player Representation and Coaching Staff
The roster features players from 29 colleges in seven conferences; the SEC supplies 24 athletes, the ACC and Big Ten eight each. Mississippi State leads with four selections, while Auburn, Florida, Oregon, Southern Miss, UCLA, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt each contribute three. Nine former USA Baseball alumni return, including 2024 U-18 gold-medalists Ethin Bingaman, Trent Grindlinger, Brayden Jaksa, Nico Partida and Aiden Stillman. Coaching is headed by Stars manager Dan Hartleb and Stripes manager Rick Eckstein, with assistants and a bullpen staff; former MLB manager Mike Scioscia serves as advisor.
Highlighted Invitees
Texas left-hander Luke Harrison joins fellow Longhorns Sam Cozart, Anthony Pack Jr. and Dylan Volantis at camp. In 2026 he logged a 4.10 ERA, 100 strikeouts and a 6-4 record, ranking second on the team in strikeouts. Georgia shortstop Kolby Branch, a 5-11, 202-pound senior, earned a Gold Glove with a .975 fielding percentage in 277 chances and hit .291 with 20 home runs. Branch, a three-year transfer from Baylor, is the first Bulldog invited since 2024 and is nicknamed “the ‘captain’ by his teammates.”
Official Statements
General Manager Eric Campbell praised the roster’s depth and said the camp delivers elite, high-level baseball while preparing athletes for international competition.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The collection of talent on this year’s Training Camp roster is incredible,” — Eric Campbell, USA Baseball GM
- “The Collegiate National Team Training Camp consistently delivers elite, high-level baseball with a chance to represent our country on the line. We are excited to watch these athletes compete with one another this week in Cary as we prepare to participate in the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship next month.” — Eric Campbell
- “I'll never get to wear this uniform again but I'll be a Longhorn for the rest of my life” — Luke Harrison, Texas Pitcher
Future Steps
The exhibition games and Stars vs Stripes series conclude July 4; the final 26-player Collegiate National Team will be announced July 5 and will travel to Taiwan for the inaugural World Collegiate Baseball Championship.
