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Arizona State baseball lives with expectations that most programs never experience. Twenty two College World Series appearances. Five national championships. Generations of big leaguers. The history is loud, permanent, and demanding.

For Willie Bloomquist, that history is personal.

Bloomquist is one of Arizona State’s greats, and in his fifth season leading his alma mater, the direction of the program finally feels settled. After three consecutive years without an NCAA Tournament appearance, the Sun Devils broke through in 2025 by reaching the Los Angeles Regional. It was not a destination, but it was an important confirmation. The foundation is in place.

That foundation is backed by real investment. Athletic director Graham Rossini has made baseball a priority, and the result is a roster built with intent rather than hope. There is experience throughout the lineup, depth on the mound, and competition across the field. Arizona State enters 2026 without needing to reinvent itself. It simply needs to execute. Mainly on the mound.

The identity of this team starts with its offense, and Landon Hairston sets the tone. Hairston is not just a talented hitter. He is a professional at the plate. His ability to control counts, spoil pitches, and consistently find the barrel makes him one of the toughest outs in the Big 12. There is a calm confidence to his game, and his presence at the top of the lineup stabilizes everything that follows. When Hairston is on base, the offense clicks.

The lineup around him is deeper and more athletic than it has been in recent seasons. Transfer additions bring proven production, and the middle of the order has real damage potential. Phoenix Municipal Stadium rewards hitters who are comfortable driving the ball to all fields, and this roster was built with that reality in mind.

On the mound, Arizona State’s path will not be conventional. There is no clear cut ace entering the season, and the weekend rotation will take time to define. What the Sun Devils do have is volume and stuff. Few teams in the conference can match the number of arms capable of missing bats late in games.

Cole Carlon is the anchor. The six foot five lefthander was dominant in 2025, overwhelming hitters with velocity and a cutter that forced uncomfortable swings. Carlon changes the leverage of a game the moment he enters it. Whether Arizona State chooses to stretch him out or deploy him at the back end, he gives Bloomquist a weapon that shortens contests and flips pressure onto the opponent. Those arms are rare, and Arizona State has one of the best. If Carlon can stretch it to 5-6 innings and handle a Friday night role, the Sun Devils are in a really good spot every weekend.

Depth behind him is the strength of the staff. Arizona State can play matchup baseball in the middle innings, and that matters in a league where ballparks punish mistakes. The challenge will be finding the right mix to navigate the first half of games. The ability to finish games already exists.

The transfer portal also played a major role in shaping this roster, and Dean Toigo stands out as an impact addition. Toigo arrives from UNLV with confidence, production, and a style that fits Tempe perfectly. He plays with visible joy and aggression, and his power plays in any park. Toigo lengthens the lineup and gives Arizona State another hitter who can change the game with one swing. His presence also adds edge, something this program has leaned into more intentionally.

There are still questions. Defensive roles will evolve. The rotation will take shape over time. That is normal. What feels different is the margin Arizona State now carries. This roster does not rely on everything breaking perfectly. It has enough experience, talent, and internal competition to absorb early season turbulence.

Arizona State has not reached a super regional since 2011, and skepticism is understandable. But this is no longer a program searching for identity. The leadership is aligned. The resources are real. The roster is built to compete now.

The Sun Devils are not chasing relevance. They expect it.

And with players like Landon Hairston setting the tone, Cole Carlon eating up a lot of innings, and portal additions ready to contribute immediately, Arizona State looks equipped to back that expectation up.

Written by Colby Woodmansee