BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | Alabama State University baseball was picked to finish third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the league's 2026 preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches and sports information directors, the SWAC announced on Tuesday.
The Hornets collected 178 points in the poll and received two first-place votes, trailing only Bethune-Cookman (209 points, 12 first-place votes) and Florida A&M (185 points, two first-place votes). Alabama State finished ahead of Grambling State, Jackson State, and Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the 12-team poll.
In addition to the strong preseason projection, Alabama State placed two student-athletes on the 2026 Preseason All-SWAC Baseball Teams.
Junior right-handed pitcher Jorhan LaBoy earned First Team honors after being named one of the league's top starting pitchers entering the season. was a first All-WAC performer in 2025. Laboy went 8-2, posting a 3.90 ERA with 78 strikeouts over 92 innings pitched
Senior infielder Alex Espaillat was named to the Preseason All-SWAC Second Team at second base. Espaillat, who earned Second-Team All-SWAC honors in 2025, hit .331 with seven doubles, three doubles, a home run, and 38 RBI and was a solid middle infielder during his freshman campaign.
Trey Powea was also selected to the All-SWAC second team as a relief pitcher. Power made 22 appearances and two starts, posting a 5-4 record with a 5.33 ERA in his true freshman season.
Bethune-Cookman's Andrey Martinez was selected as the SWAC Preseason Player of the Year, while teammate Edwin Sanchez earned Preseason Pitcher of the Year honors.
Alabama State enters the 2026 campaign looking to build on last season's momentum as it pursues its first SWAC championship since 2016.
The Hornets open the 2026 season against Eastern Kentucky on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Wheeler-Watkins Baseball Complex. ASU's full schedule is available at bamastatesports.com.
2026 SWAC Baseball Preseason Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)
- Bethune-Cookman – 209 (12
- Florida A&M – 185 (2)
- Alabama State – 178 (2)
- Grambling State – 143
- Jackson State – 141
- Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 136 (2)
- Southern – 118 (2)
- Texas Southern – 78
- Prairie View A&M – 70
- Alabama A&M – 65
- Alcorn State – 38
- Mississippi Valley State – 37
2026 Preseason All-SWAC Baseball Honors
Preseason Player of the Year
Andrey Martinez, Bethune-Cookman
Preseason Pitcher of the Year
Edwin Sanchez, Bethune-Cookman
Preseason All-SWAC Baseball First Team
C – Chris Marcellus, Grambling State
1B – Wilbert Perez, Jackson State
2B – Jesus Vanegas, Bethune-Cookman
3B – Jay Campbell, Florida A&M
SS – Jeter Polledo, Bethune-Cookman
DH – Tanner Aoki, Mississippi Valley State
OF – Andrey Martinez, Bethune-Cookman
OF – Darryl Lee, Bethune-Cookman
OF – Trey Bridges, Grambling State
SP – Kenney Fabian, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
SP – Jorhan Laboy, Alabama State
RP – Jean Carlos Zambrano, Bethune-Cookman
Preseason All-SWAC Baseball Second Team
C – Vinny Saumell, Arkansas-Pine Bluff
1B – Jaylon Lucky, Southern
2B – Alex Espaillat, Alabama State
3B – KJ White, Southern
SS – Benny Bikar, Southern
DH – Armani Newton, Bethune-Cookman
OF – Justen Crews, Florida A&M
OF – Cameron Hill, Grambling State
OF – Sergio Rivera, Bethune-Cookman
SP – Edwin Sanchez, Bethune-Cookman
SP – Garrett Workman, Florida A&M
RP – Trey Power, Alabama State
