2026 Softball Offseason

[JMV Just My View]

My comments in my previous post are not intended as a slight to the players we did sign from the portal; both are good prospects to contribute here, but neither is proven in any way to be the kind of players we need at this point. Had we signed one of the SLU girls [or similar] and a proven position player [preferably a catcher or corner infielder], this portal class would be very solid. Without the proven players, our portal class is an unknown and unknowable quantity; at least until it is too late to rectify any shortcomings.

The staff knew in fall ball that Delbrey and Noble were done. They also knew that Mackles was a project pitcher. They let Tipton go (which is looking like a bad choice right about now). Offseason pitching should have been a priority. They haven't done much to address those issues. Hopefully Emily Adams is good as a true freshman. Last time they banked on something good to happen with the pitching staff, it just didn't. All eyes will be on Kyle Brady this season. He has a tough assignment.

[CajunSID]

An additional thought has occurred to me. With the change in NCAA regs allowing 5 for 5, it is possible that Bethany Noble returns for next season. If she does return, it gives us another experienced pitcher who would definitely help.

I thought the 5 for 5 kicks off with the 2027 HS class and is not retroactive?

Either way, someone will sue and the courts will continue to be the true governing body.

[JMV Just My View]

I thought the 5 for 5 kicks off with the 2027 HS class and is not retroactive?

Either way, someone will sue, and the courts will continue to be the true governing body.

Do you care to answer post 423?

[CajunSID]

I have no idea how to recruit major caliber D1 HS or transfer players these days. I imagine connections, reputation (both HC and assts), organization, diligence and (nowadays) a checkbook helps.

And a coach’s ability to evaluate talent, fit and character.

[JMV Just My View]

I have no idea how to recruit major-caliber D1 HS or transfer players these days. I imagine connections, reputation (both HC and assts), organization, diligence, and (nowadays) a checkbook help.

And a coach’s ability to evaluate talent, fit, and character.

What is the going price to get the four players needed for the 2027 season?

[Vobserver]

The price for a pitcher with career ERA in a top 8 conference under 2.25 is $400K +, Between 2.5 and 3 is likely $75k - $100K.

Really good position players from a top 8 conference who are strong on both sides of the ball are $50K - $75k.

To get the four we needed would likely run about $300k - $400K; closer to $400k if we fish in the high end of the hitters portal, and the middle of the pitchers portal. If we are really lucky, the two we have so far might actually be worth $150k total. [Not suggesting that we paid them that, simply that if Favors gets an ERA of less than 3, and Conde hits .300 with 40 RBI, then their market value at the end of next season might be $150K.]

Other sources suggest that the number might be much lower than what I suggested, especially if we look for outstanding experienced players from lower level conferences. Those players are still a gamble, but probably less of a gamble than transfers from top 8 conferences with little experience.

[JMV Just My View]

The price for a pitcher with career ERA in a top 8 conference under 2.25 is $400K +, Between 2.5 and 3 is likely $75k - $100K.

Really good position players from a top 8 conference who are strong on both sides of the ball are $50K - $75k.

To get the four we needed would likely run about $300k - $400K; closer to $400k if we fish in the high end of the hitters portal, and the middle of the pitchers portal. If we are really lucky, the two we have so far might actually be worth $150k total. [Not suggesting that we paid them that, simply that if Favors gets an ERA of less than 3, and Conde hits .300 with 40 RBI, then their market value at the end of next season might be $150K.]

Other sources suggest that the number might be much lower than what I suggested, especially if we look for outstanding experienced players from lower level conferences. Those players are still a gamble, but probably less of a gamble than transfers from top 8 conferences with little experience.

I don't think the Cajuns can pay off "IF" and that is what we have with these two portal players. At the end of the day in my opinion, the roster is weaker than at the end of the season. They have a local kid who would play for free with some proven stats, still waiting on the call.

[Vobserver]

My big issue is that our staff was well aware of what very good pitchers and position players would cost, simply because they know what Sam Landry and Brooke Ellestad got before the 2025 season; yet they have made no overt and aggressive drive to raise the money necessary to recruit players at that level. [See the $150K match drive by baseball for Revenue Sharing funds]. I know Revenue Sharing is not the same as NIL, but if nothing else, $300k in Revenue Sharing is 12K for every girl on a 25 person roster. That will attract solid contributing players that could start or heavily contribute to our offense and defense, though not so much with pitching. With that in place, we could essentially offer the passive NIL program we already have to most players, and use larger NIL deals [which the staff would have to locate] for pitchers.

[Suave]

I can only assume that we had to pay up to keep this thing together and what was left over was not enough to attract good players out of the portal. Either way. I agree with JMV, we are not as good as last year. We will have to win games 12-10 and many players have to have great years for that to happen. And to say the least, we have to stay healthy. Only time will tell if we will have anyone that we could plug in the line up as a pinch hitter. In big situation like Glasco had. I’m just going to expect another long year and hope that I am wrong.

[JMV Just My View]

I can only assume that we had to pay up to keep this thing together and what was left over was not enough to attract good players out of the portal. Either way. I agree with JMV, we are not as good as last year. We will have to win games 12-10 and many players have to have great years for that to happen. And to say the least, we have to stay healthy. Only time will tell if we will have anyone that we could plug in the line up as a pinch hitter. In big situation like Glasco had. I’m just going to expect another long year and hope that I am wrong.

Do you have the list of players that visited campus and the Cajuns couldn't land?

[Suave]

Do you have the list of players that visited campus and the Cajuns couldn't land?

Don’t need the list because they didn’t land anybody. Are you saying they didn’t even call anyone ?

[Suave]

It doesn’t matter if they visited or not, they didnt sign anyone proven. Very disappointing

[JMV Just My View]

Don’t need the list because they didn’t land anybody. Are you saying they didn’t even call anyone ?

I'm simply asking you who visited the campus and didn't commit to UL?

[Suave]

I have no inside info when it comes to visitors . I’m just giving the staff the benefit of the doubt and assuming they actually recruited this off season. Let’s hope this freshman class knocks our socks off. I know they love the Catcher from NV which will allow Kennedy to move to another position which I’m hearing may be center.

[JMV Just My View]

I have no inside info when it comes to visitors . I’m just giving the staff the benefit of the doubt and assuming they actually recruited this off season. Let’s hope this freshman class knocks our socks off. I know they love the Catcher from NV which will allow Kennedy to move to another position which I’m hearing may be center.

I also know and like Harrington personally. I also know it's the hardest position to play as a true freshman. You never know what you will get from a freshman. Center? Where will Williams play? Keep an eye on Danika Spinogatti and/or Mary Peyton Hodge. Kids that went to bigger schools but didn't do anything. One or both could become Cajuns.