Arkansas State Returns Core of 2026 Team, Adds 10 Newcomers as Silva Builds for Year Three
Continuity may be the biggest reason for optimism surrounding Arkansas State baseball entering the 2027 season.
Head coach Mike Silva and his staff retained all 13 players with remaining eligibility who made at least one start during the 2026 campaign while adding 10 newcomers through the transfer portal and high school recruiting as the Red Wolves prepare for Silva’s third season at the helm.
The incoming class includes seven players announced this summer, joining earlier additions Harrison Engskov, Clayton Kline and Keaton Mathis.
The combination gives Arkansas State a veteran nucleus supplemented by experienced transfers and promising freshmen as the program looks to continue its upward trajectory under Silva.
Perhaps the most impressive accomplishment of the offseason came before any newcomers arrived.
Silva and his staff successfully retained every eligible starter from last season, giving the Red Wolves one of the most experienced returning rosters in the Sun Belt Conference.
Those returning starters accounted for 225 of Arkansas State’s 530 starts in 2026, representing approximately 42 percent of the team’s total starts.
Leading the returning position players are Ashton Quiller and Lane Walton, both of whom are expected to anchor the offense after productive 2026 campaigns.
Sophomore infielder Derek Martinez also returns after earning Second Team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and a spot on the Sun Belt All-Freshman Team during an impressive rookie season.
Joey McLaughlin, Aidan Houseworth and Cole Manuel also return after making significant contributions both offensively and defensively last season.
On the mound, Arkansas State welcomes back much of its pitching staff, including Tyler Weimer, Andrew Allen, Collin Maloney and Ryan Ashford, while Ckyler Tengler and Houston Tomlinson are also expected to play larger roles in 2027.
The Red Wolves will also receive a boost from the return of two players sidelined by injuries.
Pitcher Jack Hibbard returns after an impressive freshman season in which he made 12 starts, threw 56 1/3 innings and struck out 45 batters.
Outfielder Jalen Foxx, who opened the 2026 season as Arkansas State’s starting left fielder, is also back after missing significant time.
While the returning roster provides stability, Silva also addressed several needs through the transfer portal.
One of the most experienced additions is junior infielder Tyler Herb, who arrives from Florida Gulf Coast.
Primarily a shortstop during his two seasons with the Eagles, Herb started 59 games while compiling a .276 career batting average, a .351 on-base percentage and 30 RBIs. Defensively, he posted a .975 fielding percentage while turning 25 double plays.
Arkansas State also added Austin Haley, a versatile two-way player from Kansas State.
Before joining the Wildcats, Haley earned NJCAA Division II First Team All-America honors at Murray State College after leading his team in nearly every offensive category. Last season at Kansas State, Haley posted a 3.80 ERA over 21 1/3 innings while also seeing limited action at the plate.
The pitching staff received another experienced arm with the addition of Cole Simoneaux from Nicholls.
The right-hander appeared in 39 games over two seasons with the Colonels, striking out 74 batters in 55 innings while holding opponents to a .239 batting average.
Noah Redmon also joins the Red Wolves after two seasons at Indiana Tech.
The right-hander compiled a 12-4 career record with 152 strikeouts in 119 1/3 innings and twice recorded 10-strikeout performances during the 2025 season.
Silva also continued to invest in the program’s future through high school recruiting.
Among the incoming freshmen is Alabama middle infielder Marcus Lawler, who was ranked the No. 40 overall player and No. 2 second baseman in the state’s 2026 recruiting class by Prep Baseball. Lawler also earned MaxPreps Alabama Preseason All-State recognition.
Outfielder Eric Flores arrives from Wellington Sports Academy in Florida after batting .352 while leading his team with 14 extra-base hits during the program’s inaugural season.
Pitcher Tyler Kenast gives Arkansas State another highly regarded prospect.
The Winter Springs, Florida, native carries a Perfect Game rating of 9.0 and helped lead his high school to the FHSAA Class 5A state championship game.
Overall, Silva signed five transfers and five high school recruits, creating a balanced recruiting class that addresses immediate needs while also strengthening the program’s future.
The offseason retention may prove just as important as the additions.
In an era where roster turnover has become commonplace throughout college baseball, Arkansas State enters the 2027 season with continuity, experience and a veteran core that has already played together.
For Silva, that combination could provide the foundation necessary for the Red Wolves to take another step forward as they pursue a return to postseason play during his third season leading the program.