The Santa Clara University baseball program was well represented in professional baseball once again in 2026. The Broncos had 15 alumni play at the highest levels of the sport, from the Major Leagues, Triple-A postseason appearances, and Independent League championships.

Tommy Nance spent the 2026 season with two Major League clubs – the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins. The right-handed relief pitcher totaled 68 strikeouts across 59 innings pitched in 57 combined appearances for both teams. Nance carried a sub-4.00 ERA for the year (3.92) and a 1.39 WHIP. Nance was traded from the defending American League champion Blue Jays in July to the Wild Card-chasing Twins and would rack up 34 Ks for Minnesota in 26 innings before season's end.

Steven Wilson started his year on the MLB roster for the eventual AL East Division champion Tampa Bay Rays, though he was on the 60-day IL to start. Wilson would eventually join Triple-A Durham, where he closed out his 2026 campaign with 18 appearances for the Bulls across 19 1/3 innings, logging 17 strikeouts.

Skylar Hales helped power St. Louis' Triple-A team, the Memphis Redbirds, all the way to the International League Championship Series. The right-hander racked up 47 strikeouts across 44 innings pitched in 39 appearances for the Redbirds, picking up four holds and a save along the way.

Nick Sando logged a 1.69 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 26 2/3 innings for the Cincinnati Reds' Double-A team, despite suffering two separate injury stints that sidelined him for over half the season. In seven games with the Chattanooga Lookouts, the left-hander was nearly untouchable. Sando got the chance to start a game for Triple A Louisville in April, earning a victory with six scoreless innings against the Toledo Mudhens. He logged six strikeouts against only two hits allowed.

Blake Hammond proved to be a high strikeout arm for the Oakland Athletics' Single-A affiliate Stockton Ports despite missing nearly two months to a midseason injury. Hammond made the most of his mound time, punching out 33 batters across 27 innings pitched in 17 appearances.

Caden Wooster held opposing batters to a .278 average against while logging 33 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings for the New York Mets' Single-A St. Lucie Mets. The steady reliever averaged over a strikeout per inning and went 1-0 out of the bullpen during his 2026 campaign.

Robert Hipwell brought major power to the San Francisco Giants' High-A affiliate in Eugene, Ore., posting a .352 on-base percentage and driving in 36 runs to lead the Emeralds to the Northwest League Championship Series. Hipwell slugged 12 doubles and eight home runs, including a multi-homer performance on August 29 to finish with an impressive .747 OPS.

Max Bayles was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the seventh round of the 2026 MLB Draft after a dominant junior season at Santa Clara. Bayles was a National Pitcher of the Year semifinalist who struck out 104 batters over 71 innings. The right-hander started his pro career with his first Single-A appearance on Sept. 3, putting up a scoreless inning with a strikeout and no hits allowed for the Mussels.

Ben Clearly hit .282 with a .391 OBP across 11 games to make an immediate impact for the Single-A Hill City Howlers after being drafted in the 12th round by the Cleveland Indians during the 2026 MLB Draft. The rookie drove in seven runs and went a perfect 3-for-3 on stolen base attempts to kick off his professional career.

Thomas Ferroggiaro played a key role during the Ottawa Titans' Frontier League Championship run. Over 81 regular-season games, the infielder posted a .400 OBP, while successfully stealing 15 bases in 18 attempts. In the postseason, Ferroggiaro elevated his game with a .389 OBP across nine playoff games to help secure the championship title.

Josh Johnson picked up three wins and a save out of the bullpen to help lead the Missoula Paddleheads into the Pioneer League postseason. The right hander proved himself as a reliable arm over 29 appearances, striking out 30 batters across 27 innings of work.

Johnny Luetzow made his professional debut this year in the Pioneer League with the Glacier Range Riders. Across 13 games, the catcher scored nine runs with a .326 OBP while showing strong plate discipline, striking out only four times on the season. Behind the plate, Luetzow recorded 92 putouts on 102 total chances (roughly 8 per game) while maintaining a .971 fielding percentage range with only three errors. 

Hunter Hargett logged 11 saves and racked up 33 strikeouts over 29 1/3 innings as a dominant reliever for the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Pioneer League. The right-hander went 1-0 while serving as the team's closer across 28 appearances.

Michael O'Hara put up an impressive offensive performance for the Boise Hawks in the Pioneer League with plate discipline and speed. The outfielder recorded a .500 OBP and 1.077 OPS, drawing 59 walks against just 38 strikeouts while going 26 for 28 on stolen base attempts.

Efrain Manzo drove in 51 RBIs and launched eight home runs as a key run producer for the RedPocket Mobiles during their 2026 Pioneer League campaign. Manzo posted a .307 average and .372 OBP, proving to be an anchor in the middle of the order throughout the season.