The New Orleans Privateers baseball team is preparing for the 2026 season with a roster of 46 players, featuring a mix of returning athletes and new faces. Head Coach Andrew Gipson highlighted the team’s performance during fall practice, noting improvements in both hitting and pitching.
“We had more extra base hits than any team I’ve had in the fall. We pitched it better as the fall season went on. The talent level is good enough and offensively we have a lot of guys we can mix in,” Gipson said.
Among the newcomers are Owen Smith and Eli Tidwell, who received all-tournament honors at their junior colleges. Smith played twice in the JUCO World Series with McLennan and was named to the All-JUCO World Series Team in 2025. Tidwell made the NJCAA All-Tournament Team at Northwest Shoals.
Two players transferring from Division I programs are Kareh Valentin from FIU and Carson Hepworth from Louisiana. Valentin earned Defensive Player of the Year honors at the junior college level before moving to FIU, where he drove in 18 runs last season. Hepworth also received Defensive Player of the Year recognition at Pensacola State in 2024.
Power hitters Kaden Irving and Kruise Newman join from Mississippi Gulf Coast and Tennessee Wesleyan, respectively. Irving hit 12 home runs last year and was First Team All-Conference, while Newman totaled 28 home runs over two seasons.
Three new catchers—Carter Freeland, Jayden Adcox, and Josh Hoffmann—add depth behind the plate. Freeland posted a .321 batting average last season; Adcox hit .339 with 84 career RBI in junior college; Hoffmann was selected twice for All-Region honors at Delgado.
Eddie Castillo joins his brother Victor Castillo as part of Privateers history after earning two All-Region selections at San Jacinto. Other notable additions include Evan Rogers (16 doubles last season), Dylan Biddick (runner-up for Region MVP), Stan Wiltz (District Hitter of the Year), Miles Curley (3.86 ERA and .297 average), and Dathan Cummings (two-time Gold Glove winner).
Coach Gipson commented on team chemistry: “This is a good group that’s eager to learn. I think this is a group that cares about each other and they show up every day with a want to learn and get better and as a coach that’s all you could ask for.”
On the mound, five pitchers transfer from Division I schools: Cortland Clarke (FGCU), Riley Marcotte (Louisiana), Rex Henderson (UTRGV), Brock Hill (UAB), and Brice Deaton (Jacksonville State). Freshmen William Andrade (All-State selection) and Cole Navarro (school wins record holder) bring local talent.
Additional pitching depth comes from Bryson Goff, Lane Alack, Reid Leonard, Luke Lycette, JB Landrum, Ethan Hunt, Brycen Smith, Logan Waldschmidt, Luke Hymel, Kurt Kassner, and Jack Garvey—all recognized for achievements ranging from complete games to conference awards.
Coach Gipson expressed enthusiasm about fan engagement: “I’m just excited for fans to come out and feel the energy that’s around this program right now. We’re in the entertainment business and I think that gets lost sometimes. I want when you watch us to play to feel an energy and an excitement. And I want to represent the energy and resilience of this city.”
The final installment of this season preview will be released on Friday.
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