2025 Fall College Baseball Reset: Kansas State

After losing Kaelen Culpepper to the pros in 2024, one would have expected a step back for the Kansas State program in 2025. But thanks to a good overall offense, the Wildcats didn’t take a step back. K-State made it back to the NCAA Tournament. Heading into 2026, many of the players who helped the Wildcats out last year are back.

The Returnees

Kansas State struck gold with now-sophomore AJ Evasco, who hit .371 in summer ball back in 2024 before he made it to campus. His first season in Manhattan was a dominant one, as he batted .311 with 11 home runs and 24 extra-base hits.

Without many of the hitters who helped K-State make it to the tourney in 2025, Evasco becomes arguably the most notable hitter on the Wildcats’ roster. It’s also worth noting that Evasco is also a 2026 MLB Draft-eligible prospect, meaning he may not be with the program for much longer.

Dee Kennedy, one of five hitters to have a double-digit home run season for K-State in 2025, is on the roster for his junior year. It was a much better year for Kennedy, who hit .209 with 10 extra-base hits as a freshman for Texas in 2024.

Aside from Evasco and Kennedy, the Wildcats will bring back Shintaro Inoue and Bear Madliak. Both finished in the top seven on the team in home runs, as Inoue hit nine. Madliak hit eight last season.

Kyan Lodice, two-way player Donte Lewis, and Nick English are among the other notable returning hitters.

As for the pitching staff, the Wildcats get back left-hander Lincoln Sheffield. Sheffield struck out 70 over 74.1 IP for Kansas State last season. That strikeout total was good for second-most on the team.

Sheffield was fantastic for the Wildcats down the stretch. He struck out six over 6.2 IP against Houston Christian last May in the Austin Regional, in what was K-State’s only win of the tournament last year.

The Newcomers

The Wildcats lost some firepower in the summer. Maximus Martin, who hit 14 home runs and led KSU in total hits (66) in 2025, was drafted by the Red Sox this past July. It ended Martin’s turn from a notable high school recruit to Rutgers transfer, to becoming a legitimate MLB prospect.

Additionally, catcher/outfielder Keegan O’Connor, as well as staff ace Jacob Frost (Dodgers), are also gone. Meaning, there will be new opportunities for the newcomers in Manhattan.

Starting with the transfers, one of the more interesting names on the team is Louisville transfer Carson Liggett. Liggett, a grad student, was a reliable pitcher for the team in 2023. Liggett struck out 64 over 71, posted a sub-4.00 ERA, and allowed only four home runs. However, he had a down 2024 and didn’t pitch at all last season.

Aside from Liggett, other notable pitchers coming over include ex-USF reliever Adan Longoria, former Wichita State right-hander Aaron Arnold, and Matthew Flores from UC Riverside. Flores struck out 45 over 39.1 IP over nine starts.

Micah Kendrick, a sophomore catcher, comes over from TCU. Kendrick only had five plate appearances last season. He’ll be joined on the team by reliever Cohen Feser, who struck out 22 over 25.1 IP for the Horned Frogs.

As for the freshman class, it includes outfielder Jack Quetschenbach, pitcher Noah Gartner, and twins from Topeka: Max Bettis and Sam Bettis. Both are sizeable players at 6’6” and were hitting the low-90s with their fastballs at high school showcases.

Summary

In the Big 12, Kansas State will play a very competitive schedule. Thus, it’ll be incumbent on the Wildcats to make the most of what is a good roster on paper.

Last season, the Wildcats had depth in their lineup, and there’s potential for Kansas State to put up similar results in 2026. However, it won’t be easy.