International Players to Watch in NCAA Regionals

NCAA Baseball Regionals are set to get underway on Friday, and as the game continues to globalize, several international players will look to make their mark this postseason.

Brendan Lawson, INF, Florida

The sophomore from Toronto followed up an impressive freshman season with an even better second year for the Gators. After posting a .939 OPS with 10 home runs and 61 RBIs as a freshman, Lawson has hit .308/.516/.680 with 16 home runs and 43 RBIs this season.

His 162 wRC+ places him among the elite hitters in college baseball. He has improved his plate discipline significantly, increasing his walk rate from 11.3% to 21.3% while lowering his strikeout rate by 3%. Lawson also has been hit by 22 pitches in 52 games.

He leads Florida in home runs, walks, slugging percentage, on-base percentage and hit-by-pitches while ranking second on the team in stolen bases. Early projections for the 2027 MLB Draft have Lawson as a strong contender to be selected No. 1 overall. No Canadian-born player has ever been selected first overall in the MLB Draft.

Angel Laya, OF, Oregon

The freshman outfielder from Caracas, Venezuela, has been one of the best freshmen in college baseball this season. Laya is hitting .296/.404/.558 with 14 home runs and 44 RBIs while posting nearly a 1-to-1 walk-to-strikeout ratio with 26 walks and 28 strikeouts.

His bat-to-ball skills combined with his power are major reasons why he is already projected as a potential first-round pick in the 2028 MLB Draft. He may also be the most talented hitter in Oregon’s lineup.

If Oregon is going to reach its first College World Series since reinstating baseball nearly 20 years ago, Laya likely will be a major reason why.

Eric Guevara, 3B, Auburn

After battling injuries during his first two seasons, the third baseman from Panama has stayed healthy in 2026 and emerged as one of Auburn’s best hitters.

Guevara ranks third on the team with a .958 OPS and 12 home runs while leading Auburn with 49 RBIs. He is currently projected as a top-three-round selection in this year’s MLB Draft and could further boost his stock with a strong postseason.

Will Baker, UTL, Georgia Tech

In a loaded lineup featuring multiple top-10 MLB Draft prospects, it is easy for the Australian utility player to fly under the radar. Still, Baker has put together a tremendous season for the No. 2 national seed.

He has posted a 1.053 OPS with nine home runs and 48 RBIs while ranking fourth on the team with 44 walks. Among Georgia Tech’s regular starters, he has the second-fewest strikeouts.

His ability to make contact and work counts near the bottom of the lineup is a major reason Georgia Tech’s offense has been so dangerous. While Drew Burress, Vahn Lackey and Jarren Advincula receive most of the attention, Baker has become a key X-factor for the Yellow Jackets and already has delivered several big moments this season.

Deiten Lachance, C, Oklahoma

The catcher from Quebec has seen his MLB Draft stock soar over the past two months.

After failing to hit a home run in his first 30 games, Lachance has homered 12 times in his past 22 games. He leads Oklahoma in home runs (12), RBIs (51), slugging percentage (.612) and OPS (1.029).

His late-season power surge has been badly needed for an Oklahoma offense that ranked 13th in the SEC in runs per game, 14th in home runs and 13th in OPS.

If the Sooners are going to advance to the super regionals, Lachance likely will need to continue carrying the offense during opening weekend.

Kenny Ishikawa, UTIL/LHP, Georgia

Born in Hawaii and raised in Japan, Ishikawa has made an immediate impact in his first season with Georgia after transferring from Seattle.

The two-way player has done most of his damage at the plate for the Bulldogs. In 39 games, he has posted a .979 OPS with one home run and 15 RBIs while walking 14 more times than he has struck out.

His results on the mound have been far less consistent, as he owns a 14.44 ERA in 14 1/3 innings. Still, many evaluators remain intrigued by his ceiling as a pitcher ahead of the MLB Draft.

Georgia likely will use Ishikawa primarily as a hitter during the postseason.

Mathis Nayral, RHP, Kansas

The first Division I pitcher born and raised in France, Nayral opened the season as Kansas’ Friday night starter and also started the Big 12 Tournament championship game that the Jayhawks won.

His season has been uneven at times, but at his best, Nayral may be Kansas’ top starter. He owns a 4.59 ERA with 69 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings and allowed just one run over his final two starts of the regular season.

Featuring a mid-90s fastball and solid secondary pitches, Nayral has put himself firmly on MLB Draft radars. He would be the second-born and raised French pitcher to ever be drafted.

He could become a major difference-maker for Kansas this postseason, and a potential run to Omaha becomes far more realistic if the French right-hander performs at his highest level.

Photo: Brendan Lawson celebrates home run. (Courtesy of the University of Florida)