2026 Softball Offseason

[JMV Just My View]

There is a ton of pitchers in the portal right now, so the Cajuns wouldn't have any problem with signing 4. Now, whether any of them can help make the Cajuns better is an iffy call. The current NIL frenzy has ruined college athletics. I saw on another site where it was posted that Isa Torres is chasing NIL dollars because her family needs the money.

I agree. The portal has Quantity, but how much of the portal is Quality?

[JMV Just My View]

Curious if anyone knows what a good, not great pitcher and hitter is going for these days in the portal?

[Redbug58]

Well, did we pick up any one yet??

[Turbine]

Curious if anyone knows what a good, not great pitcher and hitter is going for these days in the portal?

New recruit? frosh, sophomore, junior, senior, grad student?

[NewsCopy]

From Copilot AI

Short version: a “good, not great” softball pitcher or hitter in the 2026 portal is generally landing somewhere in the \$15k–\$40k NIL range, depending on position, class, and conference. But the spread is wide, and the market is chaotic.

Pitchers (Good, Not Great Tier)
These are arms who can contribute, have solid stats, but aren’t All‑American or Power‑5 aces.

Typical NIL range:
- \$20k–\$45k for mid‑major or lower‑P5 programs
- \$10k–\$25k for G5 programs without strong collectives
- \$50k+ only if they have upside (velocity, spin metrics, 2+ years eligibility)

What drives the price up:
- 2–3 years of eligibility
- Strikeout rate above ~7 K/7
- Proven durability
- Clean injury history
- Ability to start immediately

What drives the price down:
- One year of eligibility
- Mid‑major stats that don’t translate
- Walk rate issues
- History of overuse


Hitters (Good, Not Great Tier)
Think .280–.330 hitters with some pop or speed, but not elite.

Typical NIL range:
- \$10k–\$30k for everyday starters
- \$5k–\$15k for role players or utility types
- \$30k–\$50k if they bring a premium skill (elite speed, defensive versatility, or 10+ HR power)

What boosts value:
- Middle‑infield or catcher
- High OBP
- Defensive metrics
- 2+ years left

What lowers value:
- Corner-only players without power
- One-year rentals
- Below-average defense


Programs like Louisiana typically land in the \$10k–\$25k range for hitters and \$20k–\$35k for pitchers unless a collective steps in with a targeted push.

The challenge this year:
- Pitchers are the most inflated position in the entire portal.

- Even mid‑tier arms are getting P5 attention because everyone is desperate.

[JMV Just My View]

New recruit? frosh, sophomore, junior, senior, grad student?

All of the above.

[JMV Just My View]

From Copilot AI

Short version: a “good, not great” softball pitcher or hitter in the 2026 portal is generally landing somewhere in the \$15k–\$40k NIL range, depending on position, class, and conference. But the spread is wide, and the market is chaotic.

Pitchers (Good, Not Great Tier)
These are arms who can contribute, have solid stats, but aren’t All‑American or Power‑5 aces.

Typical NIL range:
- \$20k–\$45k for mid‑major or lower‑P5 programs
- \$10k–\$25k for G5 programs without strong collectives
- \$50k+ only if they have upside (velocity, spin metrics, 2+ years eligibility)

What drives the price up:
- 2–3 years of eligibility
- Strikeout rate above ~7 K/7
- Proven durability
- Clean injury history
- Ability to start immediately

What drives the price down:
- One year of eligibility
- Mid‑major stats that don’t translate
- Walk rate issues
- History of overuse


Hitters (Good, Not Great Tier)
Think .280–.330 hitters with some pop or speed, but not elite.

Typical NIL range:
- \$10k–\$30k for everyday starters
- \$5k–\$15k for role players or utility types
- \$30k–\$50k if they bring a premium skill (elite speed, defensive versatility, or 10+ HR power)

What boosts value:
- Middle‑infield or catcher
- High OBP
- Defensive metrics
- 2+ years left

What lowers value:
- Corner-only players without power
- One-year rentals
- Below-average defense


Programs like Louisiana typically land in the \$10k–\$25k range for hitters and \$20k–\$35k for pitchers unless a collective steps in with a targeted push.

The challenge this year:
- Pitchers are the most inflated position in the entire portal.

- Even mid‑tier arms are getting P5 attention because everyone is desperate.

So, if the Cajuns go after 2 hitters and 2 pitchers in the good skill level range then $200K should be enough on the high end.

[Vobserver]

Assuming that the AI article posted earlier is correct in its evaluation of the cost of talented players of the type we are accustomed to having is around $50k each; we will need to find a million a year for player payroll. [50,000 x 20 = 1,000,000]. I am by no means saying this cannot be done, but it will not be done absent a very strong fundraising effort. Now if that $50k is a one-shot deal for a quality player, as opposed to being an annual cost, the cost goes down to about $250k/year to maintain a 20 player roster of quality players. This is still much more than we have typically raised, but is an easier pill to swallow than $1mm/yr.

[JMV Just My View]

Assuming that the AI article posted earlier is correct in its evaluation of the cost of talented players of the type we are accustomed to having is around $50k each, we will need to find a million a year for player payroll. [50,000 x 20 = 1,000,000]. I am by no means saying this cannot be done, but it will not be done absent a very strong fundraising effort. Now, if that $50k is a one-shot deal for a quality player, as opposed to being an annual cost, the cost goes down to about $250k/year to maintain a 20-player roster of quality players. This is still much more than we have typically raised, but is an easier pill to swallow than $1mm/yr.

The total would be less than that. Not all players would be considered starter material.

[UL_Cajuns]

How Much Softball NIL/rev share do we have for our players overall?
Surely we should have the highest in the SBC.

[Vobserver]

The total would be less than that. Not all players would be considered starter material.

While I agree with that statement; we should not pursue players unless we project them as starter material. To do that, we have to pay starter prices.

[JMV Just My View]

While I agree with that statement, we should not pursue players unless we project them as starter material. To do that, we have to pay starter prices.

My comment was regarding the overall roster pool.

[JMV Just My View]

How Much Softball NIL/rev share do we have for our players overall?
Surely we should have the highest in the SBC.

It was said the Cajuns have the highest in the SBC.

[JMV Just My View]

Cameryn Harrison would be a huge pickup for the Cajuns.

[Redbug58]

Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda…..Do we have any recruits yet????