The Most Dominant Trio of Returning Third Basemen in College Baseball
As the 2026 NCAA baseball season approaches, the hot corner is loaded with elite talent. Three third basemen stand out as the nation’s best returning players at the position, each bringing unique talents and impressive resumes. These power hitters have proven themselves in college baseball’s most critical matchups and will anchor their teams' championship aspirations. From the Atlantic Coast Conference to the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference, fans can expect these stars to dominate as the season kicks off on February 13th.
Leading the way is Miami’s Daniel Cuvet, the nation’s top-ranked third baseman according to D1Baseball.com. The six-foot-three star from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earned Perfect Game Preseason First Team All-American honors, as well as NCBWA Preseason First Team All-American recognition. Cuvet also sits on both the Golden Spikes Award Preseason Watch List and Baseball America’s Preseason National Player of the Year Award Watch List. His intimidating physical presence, combined with elite offensive skills, makes him a threat to opposing pitchers. The Hurricanes have a balanced lineup for the upcoming college baseball season, and with Cuvet’s help, they have a true power program to watch.
UCLA’s Roman Martin claims the second spot after an impressive sophomore campaign that showcased his complete skill set. The junior from Whittier, California, slashed .316/.450/.502 with nine home runs, 15 doubles, and 61 runs batted in during the 2025 season. Martin earned Second Team All-Big Ten recognition and truly elevated his game when the stakes were the highest. He was named the Los Angeles Regional Most Outstanding Player after hitting .400 in regional play and continued his torrid pace throughout the NCAA Tournament, batting .375 with a team-best 14 runs batted in. Martin broke UCLA’s hit-by-pitch record with 21, showcasing his ability to reach the bases consistently. The Bruins will compete for a national championship with Martin’s precision, and the star player, Roch Cholowsky, leading the way.
Rounding out the top three is Georgia’s newest addition, Michael O’Shaughnessy, who transferred from Davidson after a breakout junior season with the Wildcats. The left-handed hitter from Delmar, New York, posted a .369 batting average with 17 home runs and a team-leading 70 runs batted in for Davidson in 2025. O’Shaughnessy also led the Wildcats with 19 doubles and recorded an impressive 23-game hitting streak while tallying 23 multi-hit contests. His remarkable five-hit, three-home run, nine-RBI performance against Dayton earned him Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Week honors and showcased his explosive offensive potential. With Cuvet’s power, Martin’s consistency, and O’Shaughnessy’s offensive versatility, these three dominant third basemen will shape the landscape of the 2026 NCAA baseball season.
