Running roster: Lopes build for 2027

Last updated: July 17

As Grand Canyon's baseball roster builds for the 2027 season, follow along the latest signings under first-year head coach Steve Bieser.

In the summer portal cycle, the Lopes have officially signed 22 new players: RHP Justin Morales, RHP Ryan Geraghty, OF Andrew Ildefonso, OF Samuel Jenkins, RHP Henry Vedder, LHP Mason Russell, C Brady Francisco, RHP Bryson Treichel, INF Dawson Downs, RHP Jake Echols, LHP Ismael Quintero, OF Jake Kulikowski, 1B/OF Sam Richardson, RHP Oisin Lee, OF Ky McGary, INF Kolt Myers, LHP Freddy Beruvides Jr., INF Chris Daniels, RHP Mason Goodson, LHP LJ Drummond, RHP Dillon DeSpain and C Tagger Tyson.

Justin Morales (June 15)

Senior | Right-handed pitcher | Oranjestad, Aruba | Bethune-Cookman

Morales, a 6-foot-4 right-hander from Aruba, became the first official signing under Bieser. Morales arrives after spending the 2026 season at Bethune-Cookman, where he helped the Wildcats go 38-20 overall and 23-7 in SWAC play to claim the league's regular-season championship. Used primarily out of the bullpen, Morales posted a 2-1 record, two saves and a 3.42 ERA in 19 appearances, striking out 23 batters in 26 1/3 innings while allowing just 18 hits and no home runs. His strongest stretch came early in the season, when he lowered his ERA to 1.20 after scoreless outings against Prairie View A&M, Alcorn State and Jackson State.

Morales also brings rare international experience to GCU after being selected to represent the Netherlands in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Aruba is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, making Morales eligible to compete for the Dutch national team, a program he has represented several times on the international stage. Prior to Bethune-Cookman, Morales pitched two seasons at Tallahassee State College, totaling 62 strikeouts in 68 innings. A former triathlete from an athletic family, Morales is the son of former Olympic swimmer Yvette Thuis and gives the Lopes a 6-foot-4 right-hander with international pedigree and late-inning experience.

Ryan Geraghty (June 15)

Senior | Right-handed pitcher | Mundelein, Ill. | Jacksonville State

GCU added a familiar arm for Bieser in Geraghty, a 6-foot-1 right-hander who joins from Jacksonville State. Geraghty was part of a 2026 Gamecocks team that went 48-15, reached the championship round of the Hattiesburg Regional and featured one of the nation's top pitching staffs with the No. 9 ERA. He appeared in 19 games with four starts, going 2-2 with a 5.44 ERA while striking out 45 batters in 41 1/3 innings. His 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings highlighted his swing-and-miss ability, and he delivered several strong outings, including two scoreless innings with six strikeouts in a road win at Auburn and 5 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in another win over Auburn later in the season.

Geraghty's move to GCU continues a college career that has included stops at Wichita State and Jacksonville State. In his first season with the Gamecocks in 2025, he worked 30 2/3 innings, went 2-1 with one save and struck out 25 batters, highlighted by three scoreless innings against Auburn and a hitless save against Dallas Baptist in the Conference USA Baseball Tournament to send Jacksonville State to the championship game. He also earned 2025 CSC Academic All-District honors. A former highly regarded prep arm, Geraghty was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 4 right-handed pitcher in Illinois, earned all-state honors and participated in USA Baseball's Prospect Development Pipeline and the Area Code Games before beginning his college career.

Andrew Ildefonso (June 18)

RS Junior | Outfielder | Miami, Fla. | Florida International

The Lopes added a proven middle-of-the-order bat in Ildefonso, a 6-foot-1 outfielder who comes to GCU after two productive seasons at FIU. Ildefonso started all 54 games as a redshirt sophomore in 2026, leading the Panthers with 65 hits while batting .290 with nine home runs, 13 doubles, one triple and 44 RBIs. His hit total and 17 multi-hit games were both team highs, and his 44 RBIs ranked second on the team. Ildefonso also established himself as one of the nation's tougher hitters to strike out, ranking in the top 70 nationally by striking out once every 10.2 at bats.

Ildefonso's 2026 season included several high-end offensive performances, beginning with a 13-game hitting streak to open the year. He delivered one of FIU's biggest swings of the season with a walk-off three-run homer in a 10-9 win over Stony Brook, then later turned in a career performance with five hits, two home runs and nine RBIs in a 30-21 win at New Mexico State. He also produced against high-level competition with two hits, a double and two RBIs at No. 10 Florida. Ildefonso was a 2026 Conference USA Preseason All-Conference selection after earning 2025 CUSA All-Freshman Team honors, when he hit .304 with 49 hits, 11 doubles, six home runs and 37 RBIs as FIU's primary designated hitter.

Samuel Jenkins (June 19)

RS Sophomore | Outfielder | Dallas, Texas | Baylor/McLennan CC

GCU signed a power-speed outfielder in Jenkins, a 6-foot-2 right-handed hitter from Dallas who comes to GCU after spending the 2026 season at McLennan Community College. Jenkins made an immediate impact after redshirting at Baylor in 2025, appearing in 57 games for McLennan and hitting .331 with a .485 on-base percentage and .686 slugging percentage. He totaled 58 hits, 57 runs, 51 RBIs, nine doubles, four triples and 15 home runs while drawing 40 walks and being hit by 15 pitches. Jenkins also added 18 stolen bases in 19 attempts.

Jenkins' offensive profile stood out across several categories, highlighted by 28 extra-base hits and 120 total bases in his first full college season. He opened the year with a pair of early multi-homer performances, including a four-hit, two-homer, five-RBI game against Iowa Western. Jenkins also drove in three runs in wins over Seminole State, Ranger, Tyler Junior College and Cisco. Before McLennan, Jenkins was a redshirt at Baylor and a standout at Trinity Christian Academy, where he hit .348 with 48 RBIs and 31 stolen bases, earned first-team all-district and all-tournament honors and helped his team win a 2023 state championship.

Henry Vedder (June 23)

Freshman | Right-handed pitcher | Washington, Mo. | Washington HS

GCU added a high-upside prep arm in Vedder, a 6-foot-6 right-hander from Washington, Missouri, who brings a projectable frame and power arsenal to the Lopes' pitching staff. Vedder was named to the GAC Central First Team All-Conference as a junior at Washington High School before taking another step forward as a senior, posting a 1.60 ERA with 83 strikeouts and 19 walks in 50 1/3 innings while holding opposing hitters to a .152 batting average. His fastball has reached 95 mph.

Vedder gained additional attention through the travel and showcase circuit, including his time with the Inevitable A's and as a member of Team Missouri at the 2024 Prep Baseball Future Games. He originally committed to Jacksonville State, creating a connection through Bieser's previous recruiting efforts. With his size, velocity, breaking ball and developing splitter, Vedder gives the Lopes an impact freshman right-hander.

Mason Russell (June 24)

Junior | Left-handed pitcher | Queen Creek, Ariz. | Arizona

The Lopes added another high-upside local left-hander in Russell, a 6-foot sophomore from Queen Creek who comes to GCU after two seasons at Arizona. Russell was one of the state's most decorated prep pitchers before beginning his college career, ranking as the No. 3 overall prospect and No. 2 left-handed pitcher in Arizona by Perfect Game while also being tabbed as the No. 40 overall prospect and No. 6 left-handed pitcher nationally. He was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB Draft but elected to begin his college career at Arizona, where he was named Baseball America's Big 12 Preseason Freshman of the Year entering the 2025 season.

Russell made 10 appearances over two seasons with the Wildcats, totaling 11 1/3 innings with 15 strikeouts. After working through seven appearances as a freshman in 2025, he showed improvement in limited action in 2026, posting a 2.25 ERA with six strikeouts and two hits allowed in four innings. His best outing came against Omaha, when he struck out five of the six batters he retired in 1 2/3 scoreless, hitless innings. Russell's long-term upside is backed by an impressive high school résumé at Casteel, where he helped win back-to-back Arizona 5A state championships, threw no-hitters in both the Arizona 5A semifinals and the USA Baseball National High School Invitational, and finished his prep career with a 2.52 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 155 2/3 innings.

Brady Francisco (June 27)

RS Junior | Catcher | Simi Valley, Calif. | Oklahoma State

GCU added a familiar catcher in Francisco, who returns to the Lopes after beginning his college career at GCU in 2024. Francisco redshirted his first season with the program after being billed by Perfect Game as the No. 13 freshman in the WAC, then continued his development at Yavapai College in 2025. He earned All-ACCAC Second Team honors at Yavapai after hitting .280 with four home runs, seven doubles, five triples and 32 RBIs.

Francisco spent the 2026 season at Oklahoma State, appearing in 20 games with 10 starts and hitting .241 with one home run, two RBIs, 10 runs scored, three walks and a .333 on-base percentage. He brings GCU a catcher that has familiarity with both the program and members of the Lopes' staff. Before college, Francisco was an All-Marmonte League and All-Ventura County selection at Thousand Oaks High School, where he helped lead the Lancers to a CIF championship and played for GCU assistant coach Jack Wilson. He also played club baseball for the So Cal Giants team that won the 17U Perfect Game World Series.

Bryson Treichel (June 29)

Junior | Right-handed pitcher | DeLand, Fla. | Kentucky

The Lopes signed a righty with D-I starting experience in Treichel, a 6-foot-4 junior-to-be from DeLand, Florida. Treichel made his biggest impact as a freshman at North Florida in 2025, earning Atlantic Sun All-Freshman Team honors after making 15 appearances with 14 starts. He went 4-5 with a 5.25 ERA in 61 2/3 innings, striking out 74 batters against 24 walks while starting every weekend during conference play. His strikeout ability stood out immediately, beginning with three scoreless innings and five strikeouts in his collegiate debut against Notre Dame. He later posted a career-high 10 strikeouts against Jacksonville.

Treichel spent the 2026 season at Kentucky, appearing in three games before transferring to GCU. At DeLand High School, Treichel was a Top 500 prospect by Perfect Game, a three-time preseason All-American and ranked by Prep Baseball Report as the No. 384 overall player and No. 53 player in Florida for the 2024 class. A former two-way player who also played third base and outfield, Treichel gives GCU another projectable right-hander with swing-and-miss ability.

Dawson Downs (June 30)

RS Sophomore | Infielder | Ripon, Calif. | UC Santa Barbara

GCU added an emerging bat in Downs, who comes to GCU after spending the 2026 season at UC Santa Barbara, where he redshirted. Downs previously played the 2025 season at Modesto Junior College, appearing in 32 games. Downs brings a strong prep résumé from Ripon High School, where he set the school record for career hits and was a two-time Trans Valley League MVP, three-time All-Area Offensive MVP and four-time All-Trans Valley League selection.

Downs' offensive profile took a major step forward in summer ball. He played for Ridgefield in the West Coast League in 2025 and hit .266 with a .367 on-base percentage, 14 doubles, two home runs and 23 RBIs in 39 games. He is following with an even stronger 2026 summer for the Kenosha Kingfish in the Northwoods League, hitting .314 with a .439 on-base percentage, .784 slugging percentage, six doubles, six home runs and 25 RBIs through 15 games. His biggest performance came June 22 against Kalamazoo, when he drove in 10 runs and hit two home runs in a 24-3 win.

Jake Echols (June 30)

Senior | Right-handed pitcher | Orlando, Fla. | Florida State

The Lopes added an experienced right-hander in Echols, who comes to GCU after spending the 2026 season at Florida State. Echols appeared in nine games out of the Seminoles' bullpen, posting a 1.93 ERA with 10 strikeouts, three walks and seven hits allowed in 9 1/3 innings. He logged several effective relief outings, including two hitless, scoreless innings with three strikeouts against Duke, two innings of one-hit ball against Nebraska and a scoreless appearance against Florida.

Before Florida State, Echols put together a strong two-year run at Polk State College, where he totaled 93 strikeouts in 84 1/3 innings. His sophomore season was his best, earning First Team All-Citrus Conference honors after going 4-3 with a 3.44 ERA in 68 innings while striking out 61 batters and holding opponents to a .257 batting average. He highlighted that season with a complete-game, three-hit shutout in a 1-0 win over Seminole State College. Echols is currently in the Cape Cod League with the Orleans Firebirds, where he is teammates with GCU lefty Chase Frey and continued an Orleans connection that includes former Lopes-turned-big leaguers Jake Wong and Jacob Wilson.

Ismael Quintero (July 1)

Junior | Right-handed pitcher | Lancaster, Calif. | Cal State LA

GCU signed a productive and versatile arm in Quintero, who comes to GCU after two seasons at Cal State LA. Quintero appeared in 30 games with nine starts for the Golden Eagles, going 8-5 with six saves and 87 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings. He was one of Cal State LA's top pitchers in 2026, leading the team with 64 strikeouts and tying for second in innings pitched while making 14 appearances and nine starts. His top outing of the season came April 9, when he earned All-West Region Pitcher of the Week and CCAA Pitcher of the Week honors after throwing seven shutout innings with a career-high seven strikeouts in a 2-0 win over Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Quintero's college career began with an impressive 2025 season, when he was named CCAA Freshman of the Year after establishing himself as one of the league's top relievers. He went 5-1 with five saves and a 1.80 ERA in 16 appearances, holding opponents to a .231 batting average and allowing one run or fewer in 14 of his 16 outings. Before college, Quintero was the Golden League Pitcher of the Year at Quartz Hill High School, where he went 9-1 with a 1.02 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings as a senior.

Jake Kulikowski (July 2)

Senior | Outfielder | Trinity, Fla. | South Florida

An experienced corner outfielder comes to Phoenix in Kulikowski, a right-handed bat from Trinity, Florida, who comes to GCU after spending the 2026 season at South Florida. Kulikowski was one of the Bulls' most productive outfielders, appearing in 46 games with 37 starts while hitting .272 with a .368 on-base percentage and .449 slugging percentage. He totaled 37 hits, 28 runs, 29 RBIs, 10 doubles, one triple and four home runs, finishing fifth on the team in slugging percentage. Kulikowski also showed plate discipline with 21 walks, ranking fourth on the team, and recorded 12 multi-hit games and nine multi-RBI games.

Before South Florida, Kulikowski spent two seasons at Miami, where he appeared in 61 games and gained ACC and postseason experience. He hit .276 with a .447 on-base percentage as a sophomore in 2025, including a double against Southern Miss at the NCAA Hattiesburg Regional, after playing in 37 games as a freshman in 2024. His first college season included two home runs, highlighted by a two-run shot against North Carolina and a pinch-hit solo homer in a win over Clemson. A former standout at Tampa Jesuit, Kulikowski was a two-time All-813Preps first-team selection, captained the team for two seasons and helped lead the program to a state championship in 2022.

Sam Richardson (July 2)

RS Sophomore | 1B/OF | Olive Branch, Miss. | Jacksonville State

GCU added a powerful right-handed bat in Richardson, who comes to GCU after a breakout 2026 season at Jacksonville State. Richardson made 20 starts in 33 appearances and made the most of his opportunities, collecting 20 hits with 12 going for extra bases. He hit nine home runs, drove in 26 runs, scored 16 times and slugged .625. His power showed up in the biggest moments of the season, highlighted by a multi-homer performance against Liberty in the Conference USA Championship game.

Richardson was named the 2026 Conference USA Championship MVP after helping lead Jacksonville State to the tournament title. His final swing of the championship game was one of the defining moments of the tournament, as he homered to apply the run rule and end the game in seven innings to clinch an NCAA Tournament automatic bid. Before Jacksonville State, Richardson redshirted at Texas in 2025 after a standout prep career at Lewisburg High School in Mississippi. He helped lead Lewisburg to a 6A state championship in 2023 and hit .301 with six home runs and 23 RBIs during his junior season.

Oisin Lee (July 2)

Junior | Right-handed pitcher | Newton, Mass. | Notre Dame

GCU added an experienced ACC bullpen arm in Lee, who comes to GCU after two seasons at Notre Dame. Lee appeared in 37 games for the Fighting Irish, all in relief, going 3-0 with one save while striking out 45 batters in 39 1/3 innings. He made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2025, working 19 innings over 16 appearances with 26 strikeouts against only six walks. That season included nine scoreless outings, three appearances in which he struck out the side in one inning and a six-game stretch with at least one strikeout. His freshman performance helped earn him a spot on the 2026 NCBWA Stopper of the Year Preseason Watch List.

Lee followed with 21 relief appearances as a sophomore in 2026, going 3-0 with one save and 19 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings. He recorded scoreless outings against Michigan State, Virginia, Valparaiso, Florida State, Michigan State again, Central Michigan, Stanford and Oakland, earning his lone save with a scoreless inning against Central Michigan. Before Notre Dame, Lee was one of the top players in Massachusetts, ranked the No. 5 overall player and No. 3 right-handed pitcher in the state.

Ky McGary (July 2)

Junior | Outfielder | Phoenix, Ariz. | Arizona State

The Lopes added a former MLB Draft selection in McGary, an outfielder who comes to GCU after two seasons at Arizona State. McGary appeared in 42 games for the Sun Devils, including 25 games and seven starts in 2026, when he hit .297 with a .458 on-base percentage and .459 slugging percentage. He scored 15 runs, collected 11 hits in 37 at bats, added a double, triple, home run and five RBIs, and went 5 for 6 on stolen-base attempts. His best stretch included a three-hit game against St. John's, a triple at BYU, his first college home run against Oklahoma State and a multi-hit game against Ole Miss.

McGary brings GCU one of Arizona's top recent prep talents after starring at Sandra Day O'Connor High School. He was selected in the 20th round of the 2024 MLB Draft but chose to begin his college career. A career .392 high school hitter, McGary posted a .503 on-base percentage with 19 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 66 RBIs and 47 stolen bases across three varsity seasons. He also helped lead O'Connor to the 2024 AIA 6A championship game after a semifinal run in 2023. He was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 99 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 4 player in Arizona.

Kolt Myers (July 7)

RS Sophomore | Infielder | St. Augustine, Fla. | Florida

GCU added a versatile SEC-tested infielder in Myers, who comes to GCU after two seasons at Florida. Myers played in 32 games with 22 starts for the Gators in 2026, splitting time across the infield with 10 starts at third base, 10 at shortstop and two at second base. He totaled 12 runs, three doubles, one triple, three RBIs and six stolen bases in six attempts while gaining experience against one of the nation's top conference schedules. Myers also continued to get at bats during the summer, playing for State College in the MLB Draft League.

Myers arrived at Florida as one of the top infield prospects in the 2024 class after a standout prep career in Florida. Perfect Game ranked him as the No. 149 overall recruit and No. 39 shortstop nationally, as well as the No. 21 player in Florida. As a senior at St. John's Country Day, Myers hit .305 with a .455 on-base percentage and .475 slugging percentage while helping lead the program to its first state championship. The son of 12-year MLB veteran Brett Myers, he gives the Lopes a athletic, multi-position infielder with high-level pedigree, defensive flexibility and baserunning ability.

Freddy Beruvides Jr. (July 8)

Senior | Left-handed pitcher | Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. | Pittsburgh

The Lopes signed an experienced left-handed arm in Beruvides Jr., who comes to GCU after spending the 2026 season at Pitt. Beruvides appeared in 19 games with one start for the Panthers, going 1-0 with one save while striking out 27 batters in 27 2/3 innings. His college career also includes time at Virginia, where he made nine appearances with three starts as a freshman in 2024, and Chipola, where he worked 47 1/3 innings across 14 appearances as a sophomore and earned six wins in 10 starts while striking out 57 batters.

Beruvides' strongest recent stretch came in summer ball, when he was named the 2025 Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year with Greeneville. He posted a 0.83 ERA over seven appearances and four starts, allowing only 13 hits and two earned runs in 21 2/3 innings while striking out 29 batters. He also continued to show swing-and-miss ability in 2026 summer action with Kingsport, striking out 32 batters in 18 1/3 innings. A Florida native, Beruvides was a highly regarded high school lefty at The Benjamin School, ranking as the No. 8 left-handed pitcher in Florida and No. 36 nationally by Perfect Game while helping lead the program to a District 3A-11 championship.

Chris Daniels (July 13)

Junior | Infielder | Richland, Wash. | New Mexico State

GCU added a productive right-handed bat in Daniels, a 6-foot-2 infielder who comes to GCU after two seasons at New Mexico State. Daniels took a major step forward in 2026, starting 39 games and hitting .285 with a .391 on-base percentage and .486 slugging percentage. He totaled 41 hits, 34 runs, six doubles, one triple, seven home runs and 39 RBIs while drawing 23 walks. His season included several standout run-producing games, including four hits against Towson, five-RBI performances against Prairie View A&M and Dallas Baptist, and home runs against Towson, Prairie View A&M, DBU, Delaware, New Mexico, Jacksonville State and New Mexico.

Daniels began his college career as a two-way player in 2025, pitching 16 2/3 innings as a freshman. Before college, Daniels was a decorated three-sport athlete at Richland High School, playing baseball, football and basketball. He was named Washington's 4A state player of the year, earned all-state honors three times and helped lead Richland to a perfect 27-0 record and a state championship. He also was named to the 2024 Prep Baseball Washington 4A/3A All-State first team as a two-way player.

Mason Goodson (July 13)

Senior | Right-handed pitcher | Stanwood, Wash. | Lewis-Clark State

GCU added a proven starter in Goodson, a 6-foot-3 righty who comes to GCU after a standout 2026 season at Lewis-Clark State. Goodson ranked third among NAIA starters with a 1.78 ERA while going 8-1 in 13 appearances with 10 starts. He struck out 58 batters in 65 2/3 innings, posted a 0.97 WHIP and held opposing hitters to a .180 batting average. Goodson tied for the team lead in wins, led the staff with two complete games and also recorded one save, earning First-Team All-Cascade Conference honors.

Goodson was at his best in the postseason, earning NAIA World Series All-Tournament Team recognition after throwing a pair of seven-inning complete games in run-rule victories. He tossed a two-hit shutout with five strikeouts against Hope International, then allowed one run with six strikeouts against Georgia Gwinnett in the NAIA World Series. Before Lewis-Clark State, Goodson pitched one season at Bellevue College after beginning his college career at Oregon as a freshman in 2024. A former standout at Stanwood High School, Goodson was ranked as the No. 10 right-handed pitcher in Washington, struck out 86 batters in 42 innings as a senior and threw a no-hitter in the district tournament.

LJ Drummond (July 14)

Sophomore | Left-handed pitcher | Glen Burnie, Md. | Miami

The Lopes signed a talented left-handed arm in Drummond, a 6-foot-2 pitcher who comes to GCU after beginning his college career at Miami. Drummond saw limited action as a freshman with the Hurricanes, making four appearances, but quickly showed his upside during the 2026 summer in the Northwoods League with the Wausau Woodchucks. Through five starts, he went 3-0 with a 3.63 ERA, striking out 28 batters in 22 1/3 innings while allowing only 15 hits. Wausau won all five games he started, and his swing-and-miss ability stood out with nine strikeouts against Fond du Lac on June 26 and seven strikeouts in five innings against the Dock Spiders one week earlier.

Drummond's best summer outing came June 3 against Lakeshore, when he threw six no-hit, scoreless innings with four strikeouts in a 10-2 win. He followed with several strong starts, including five innings of one-run ball against Fond du Lac and five innings with nine strikeouts in another win over the Dock Spiders. Before college, Drummond attended TNXL Academy and was selected as a Rawlings-Perfect Game All-American while helping his team win an NAA Academy championship.

Dillon DeSpain (July 14)

RS Junior | Right-handed pitcher | Hawthorne, Calif. | Golden West College

The Lopes signed a power right-handed arm in DeSpain, a 6-foot-4 pitcher who comes to GCU after two seasons at Golden West College. DeSpain began his college career at Houston, where he redshirted in 2024 due to injury, before returning to the mound in junior college. Over two seasons at Golden West, he appeared in 23 games out of the bullpen and struck out 52 batters in 30 1/3 innings, good for 15.4 strikeouts per nine innings. His 2026 season included 32 strikeouts in 18 innings, continuing to show the swing-and-miss profile that made him one of Prep Baseball JUCO's preseason top-100 players entering the year.

DeSpain's fastball has reached into the high 90s. Before college, DeSpain attended Mira Costa High School and was ranked by Perfect Game as the No. 57 right-handed pitcher in California while earning 2023 Perfect Game Preseason All-American California Region honorable mention recognition. He previously signed with eventual 2026 national champion Oklahoma in November 2025, before committing to GCU.

Tagger Tyson (July 17)

RS Junior | Catcher | Mount Pleasant, S.C. | Kentucky

GCU added an experienced and versatile catcher in Tyson, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior who comes to GCU after spending the 2026 season at Kentucky. Tyson played in 28 games with 21 starts for the Wildcats, batting .264 with a .375 on-base percentage. He totaled 19 hits, three doubles, 13 runs, nine RBIs, seven walks and seven hit by pitches while stealing eight bases in nine attempts. He also had as many walks as strikeouts.

Before Kentucky, Tyson spent two seasons at Louisville, redshirting in 2024 and earning Academic All-ACC honors in 2025. He played in 33 games with 19 starts for the Cardinals, primarily at catcher, and hit .296 with 10 doubles, one triple, one home run, 14 RBIs and a .851 OPS. Tyson also brings defensive flexibility, having played catcher, first base, left field and designated hitter during his time in the Cape Cod League with Cotuit. A former South Carolina 2A Co-Player of the Year at Oceanside Collegiate Academy, Tyson hit .474 with 19 extra-base hits, 40 RBIs and 12 stolen bases as a senior while helping lead his team to a state championship.

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