Each week, Baseball America highlights the standout performances in collegiate baseball with its National College Team of the Week. In its Week 3 selection, the publication recognizes players across various positions, including an exceptional two-way player and four pitchers. This week’s lineup is influenced not only by statistical achievements but also by the strength of competition and underlying data.
Star Players Shine in Week 3
The Week 3 roster features remarkable performances, starting with Weber Neels from the University of Minnesota. As a fourth-year starter, Neels excelled at U.S. Bank Stadium, achieving a remarkable 10 hits in 14 at-bats, which included four home runs and nine RBIs over four games against Kansas. His performance places him among the top five players in the Big Ten with five or more home runs this season.
At first base, Ryan Niedzwiedz of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) also made an impact, hitting three home runs to boost his season total to five. Over five games, the 6-foot-2 first baseman recorded eight hits and nine RBIs, solidifying his eligibility for the upcoming 2026 MLB Draft.
Jarren Advincula from Georgia Tech contributed significantly with a 7-for-17 performance, including three home runs and eight RBIs, leading his team to its third consecutive weekend series win. Advincula is currently listed as the No. 85 prospect in the 2026 draft.
Third baseman Temo Becerra of Texas delivered a standout performance as well, going 6-for-12 with three home runs and seven RBIs, reaching base safely in eight of his 13 plate appearances. His three-homer weekend marks a new career high for the season.
Dynamic Performances Across the Field
Shortstop Jake Schaffner of North Carolina achieved a personal best, hitting 11-for-17 with multiple extra-base hits and four stolen bases. His impressive start reflects a seamless transition from North Dakota State to a high-major program.
In the outfield, Cider Canon from Duke made headlines with a 9-for-14 showing that included four home runs and ten RBIs, complemented by five walks and three stolen bases. Canon split time between the outfield and catching duties, showcasing his versatility.
Drew Detlefsen of the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) continued to be a key figure in his team’s success, going 8-for-18 with three home runs and six runs scored, ranking fourth in the American Conference for slugging percentage at .708.
Will Gasparino from UCLA has captured attention for his explosive start to the season, leading the nation with ten home runs, four of which came in Week 3. His impressive .378 batting average, despite having only two singles, has prompted scouts to reassess his draft potential.
Pitching Excellence Highlights the Week
The pitching lineup includes Michael Sharman from Clemson, who delivered a remarkable complete game against South Carolina, allowing just one run on four hits while striking out four batters. His performance lowered his season ERA to an impressive 0.90.
Mason Edwards from USC has not allowed a hit in 18 innings, striking out 11 in his latest outing against Cal Poly. His dominance has established him as a top candidate among collegiate left-handers for the 2026 draft.
Meanwhile, Chris Levonas from Wake Forest dazzled with six perfect innings against Loyola Marymount, recording a career-high 14 strikeouts. He has only allowed one run over 14.2 innings this season.
Andrew Herrmann from Louisiana delivered a standout complete-game shutout against UC San Diego, striking out 13 and allowing just one hit. His performance brings his season ERA down to 1.33.
Lastly, Caylon Dygert from UT Arlington showcased his skills against No. 9 Arkansas, striking out 11 batters over 8.2 innings in a pivotal upset victory for the Mavericks.
The performances highlighted in this week’s selections underscore the depth of talent in collegiate baseball and set the stage for exciting developments as the season progresses.
