A Look at the New Version of Pac-12 Baseball

The Pac-12 Conference returns for the 2027 college baseball season with seven teams. The conference did not exist for the past two seasons, in 2025 and 2026.

World Baseball Network takes a look at the seven programs in this conference for the 2027 season.

1. Oregon State Beavers

2026 record: 45-14 overall

The Oregon State Beavers, who were a part of the Pac-12 before it disbanded at the end of the 2024 season, are the headlining baseball program within the conference.

The Beavers have made the College World Series eight times and have won three national championships.

Recently, Oregon State has won 45+ games in each of the last three seasons. They have also been to a super regional three times this decade and most recently made the College World Series in 2025.

It would not be a surprise to see the Beavers as the odds-on favorite to win the Pac-12 in 2027. Oregon State has not won a conference regular season title since 2017 and has not won a conference tournament title since 1986.

2. Washington State Cougars

2026 record: 31-28 overall, 15-9 Mountain West

Much like Oregon State, the Washington State Cougars were also a member of the Pac-12 before it disbanded in 2024.

Since that time, the Cougars have been a part of the Mountain West Conference for baseball. In 2025, they finished with an 11-19 record in conference play. That drastically improved to 15-9 in 2026.

Washington State also won the Mountain West Tournament in 2026. They made the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.

The Cougars are entering a small Pac-12 Conference with lots of momentum within their program. Washington State looks to be a strong contender in the conference as they also look to get back to playing baseball in the NCAA Tournament once again.

3. Dallas Baptist Patriots

2026 record: 32-26 overall, 19-11 Conference USA

The Dallas Baptist Patriots have been ready for a new conference for quite some time.

Despite missing out on the NCAA Tournament in 2026, the Patriots made the NCAA Tournament for 11 straight years from 2014 to 2025. During that stretch, DBU also won five conference tournament titles and five conference regular-season titles.

Dallas Baptist has spent the past four seasons in Conference USA. They sat towards the top of the conference standings more often than not, with an 82-27 conference record in those four seasons.

The Patriots' move into the Pac-12 may not make geographical sense, but it is a great next step for their baseball program. They also provide the Pac-12 with a team that is routinely in the NCAA Tournament field.

4. Fresno State Bulldogs

2026 record: 14-38-1 overall, 3-20-1 Mountain West

The Fresno State Bulldogs are coming off one of the worst seasons in program history as they exit the Mountain West and move to the newly-formed Pac-12.

The Bulldogs are not that far removed from being competitive. Fresno State reached back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 2024 and 2025. The Bulldogs won back-to-back conference tournament titles during those seasons as well.

Fresno State does provide the new Pac-12 with some baseball history. The Bulldogs won the national championship in 2008. They have also been to the College World Series three other times besides that historic season: 1959, 1988, and 1991.

Fresno State is looking for a fresh start in the Pac-12 after a down season. It is a historically successful program within the newly-formed conference.

5. Texas State Bobcats

2026 record: 37-26 overall, 16-14 Sun Belt

Texas State joins the Pac-12 after making the NCAA Tournament for the second time this decade.

Prior to the two NCAA Tournament trips in 2022 and 2026, the last time the Bobcats last made the postseason in 2011. Head coach Steven Trout has coached Texas State baseball back into relevance in his seven seasons with the school.

With the new Pac-12 being small and brand new, the Bobcats have a chance to compete for more conference titles. Their only conference championship this decade was the Sun Belt regular season title in 2022.

With three NCAA Tournament wins this decade, Texas State is yet another team in the new Pac-12 that can give the conference some attention on the national stage during the postseason.

6. San Diego State Aztecs

2026 record: 36-24 overall, 16-8 Mountain West

The San Diego State Aztecs had a massively successful 2026 season under first-year head coach Kevin Vance. The Aztecs won the 2026 Mountain West regular-season title and are now moving over to the newly-formed Pac-12.

San Diego State is looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. The Aztecs do have a historic postseason pedigree. They have made the NCAA Tournament 14 times in their program's history.

With immediate success under Vance in his first season, San Diego State is a team in the new Pac-12 that can be a true contender to win conference titles quickly.

7. Gonzaga Bulldogs

2026 record: 35-19, 22-5 West Coast Conference

The Gonzaga Bulldogs were always a heavy-hitter within the West Coast Conference (WCC). They have won three regular-season conference titles this decade, including most recently in 2026.

However, Gonzaga has not been back to the NCAA Tournament since 2022. This is something they are looking to accomplish as a member of the new Pac-12 in 2027.

The Bulldogs have had three seasons this decade where they have won 20 or more conference games. Head coach Mark Machtolf's program was due for a step-up in competition, and the Pac-12 looks to be just that.

For more NCAA news: https://worldbaseball.com/news/category/ncaa