Arizona baseball 2025 season preview: 3 biggest games, key players, predictions and more
The University of Arizona baseball team produced the strongest season in the Chip Hale era this year. The Wildcats won the Pac-12 regular season title for the first time since 2021, finishing with a 20-10 conference record.
The team then won the Pac-12 tournament for the first time in program history by beating the USC Trojans in the championship game in Scottsdale.
The performances earned a No. 13 national seed and a fourth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance. Excelling in the regular season, the team failed to produce that same form in the postseason, and were eliminated first from the Tucson Regional.
Despite that defeat, there were many signs of growth under Hale this year. The ex-Arizona Diamondbacks coach, who won the Pac-12 Coach of the Year, will look to continue developing the program in his third season, working hard with his staff in the offseason to strengthen the roster.
Let's preview the Wildcats ahead of the 2025 NCAA baseball season.
Three key games for Arizona baseball in the 2025 season
3. Oregon State Beavers
The Beavers finished just .5 games behind the Wildcats in the Pac-12 regular season, and also beat the Wildcats in a three game away series.
Despite losing star hitter Travis Bazzana in this year's MLB draft, Mitch Canham's side is likely to be the biggest threat to the Wildcats' ambition of defending the regular season title in 2025.
2. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks finished the Pac-12 regular season a game behind the Wildcats in third place, but beat the Wildcats in a three game home series this year. The team put in solid work during the offseason and with more recruits likely to come in the fall, the Ducks could give the Wildcats a run in 2025.
1. Arizona State Sun Devils
The rivalry between the Wildcats and the Sun Devils is well-known. Both teams have won the NCAA tournament at least four times and scored two wins over each other in the 2024 season.
The Sun Devils still lead the head-to-head matchup despite finishing fifth in the Pac-12 regular season this year. The Wildcats will be keen to bridge the gap in 2025 given that the Sun Devils will try to push for the postseason.
Key players for the Arizona Wildcats in 2025
3. Brendan Summerhill, OF
Summerhill produced a solid sophomore season at the plate for the Wildcats this year. He hit 8 home runs and 59 RBIs, with a team-leading batting average of .324 in 58 games played. Ranked 8th in Baseball America's top prospects for next year's MLB draft, he will be able raise his potential draft value with an impressive junior season.
2. Smith Bailey, RHP
Bailey was ranked 227th in the top prospects for this year's draft. He is also the top-ranked right-handed pitcher in Arizona by Perfect Game, making him one of the best recruits in the Wildcats' class for 2025.
Armed with a fastball peaking at 94 mph, Bailey could get regular game time next year given that the Wildcats lost some top arms in this year's draft.
1. Mason White, INF
White built on his impressive freshman season with a brilliant sophomore season this year. He led all Wildcats hitters with 19 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 33 walks. He also won the Pac-12 tournament MVP, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-tournament team. Ranked 18th in the top prospects for next year's draft, White will be keen on leading the Wildcats' offense next year.
Predicting the Arizona Wildcats 2025 season
The Wildcats managed to keep a majority of the roster in the offseason, although key parts of the bullpen were lost in the draft. While expected to be a top contender for the Pac-12 regular season title once again in 2025, the team will need to strengthen the bullpen further to make a run in the postseason.
Unlike this year, Arizona should win an NCAA Regional next year. However, the team is one of the potential spoilers to make the College World Series for the first time since 2021, given the threat posed by the early favorites for the NCAA tournament.