Each summer, Cape Cod becomes the epicenter of collegiate baseball as the country’s top talent travels from near-and-far to compete in the Cape Cod Baseball League. With a number of exciting returnees and notable newcomers, the 2026 season will be as dynamic as any in recent memory.
This summer’s storylines run deep, from the defending champion Bourne Braves seeking their fourth title in six seasons, to several of the league’s storied franchises seeking their own returns to glory.
Today we preview the League’s West Division, with the East Division preview set for tomorrow. Please visit CapeCodLeague.com and the league’s social media channels for the latest schedule updates.
All player stats below are college season totals as of June 5, 2026.
Bourne Braves
The Bourne Braves enter the 2026 season with high expectations of success following their 2025 Championship win. The team has established itself as one of the premier teams in the Cape Cod Baseball League under manager Scott Landers, who will be entering his fifth season, and is looking to deliver the Braves’ fourth championship in six seasons.
Key returners will headline Bourne’s 2026 campaign. LHP Rhys Bowie and outfielder Luke Costello of Wake Forest are set to return to Doran Park, along with Vanderbilt shortstop Ryker Waite. Bowie brings depth to the mound for the Braves having recorded 69 strikeouts this spring, while his collegiate teammate Costello will strengthen the offensive attack as he is hitting .302 for the Demon Deacons this season. Waite will bring experience from one of the NCAA’s top programs, where he hit 7 homers with 44 RBIs for the Commodores.
New to the Braves in 2026 is right-hander Myles Upchurch of Alabama, who will serve as a key addition to the starting rotation. He has limited opponents to a .198 average so far this season at Alabama. Upchurch also recorded 77 strikeouts in 70.2 innings for the Crimson Tide. Infielder Ethan Surowiec is set to add some offensive power to the Braves. He hit .317 with a .937 OPS this spring at Florida.
Off the field, the Braves remain connected to their community through their annual events, including their Military Appreciation Game, which features a flyover from the United States Coast Guard. The team will also host their annual Youth Baseball and Little League game nights, while also partnering with local organizations for their Stand Up to Cancer night to be announced. Additional community events will be the Team IMPACT game, partnering Braves players with local special needs children and a collaboration with the Bourne Substance Free Coalition.
Bourne will begin their 2026 campaign looking to continue its winning tradition at Doran Park. With exciting newcomers, a strong returning core and a loyal fan base, the Braves are ready to defend their championship title.
Cotuit Kettleers
The Cotuit Kettleers are set to begin their 79th season as they return to historic Lowell Park. After finishing last summer 17-20-3 and narrowly falling in the West Division finals, Cotuit is set to continue its tradition of combining high-level baseball with a family-friendly atmosphere throughout this summer under the leadership of newly hired field manager, Rob Cooper.
Several former Kettleers have gone on to have successful Major League Baseball careers, including Nick Gonzalez with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Mike Yastrzemsk with the Atlanta Braves, Ben Rice with the New York Yankees, and Chandler Simpson with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Some Kettleers returning to Lowell Park this summer include outfielder Landon Beaver of Alabama Birmingham and right-hander Ryan Buckler of Florida Atlantic, who will be returning for his third season. Beaver recorded a .400 batting average in limited at-bats for the Kettleers last season, while Buckler, who hails locally from Barnstable, Mass., recorded a 2.63 ERA for the Kettleers in 2025.
Cotuit will have several players making their Cape League debuts this summer. Newcomers to watch include Seojun Oh (High Point), Hunter Warren (Wright State), a trio from Indiana, infielder Jake Hanley, catcher/utility Hogan Denny and LHP/outfielder Caleb Koskie. Notre Dame duo of infielder Noah Coy and outfielder Jayce Lee will also be joining the Kettleers.
Cotuit’s 2026 special events and promotional schedule includes several exciting events at Lowell Park, including the Big Nick’s Ride (June 26), which honors Cape Cod Gold Star Families, the annual July 4 parade with festivities after the game at Lowell Park, Fan Appreciation Day (July 11), Big Brothers & Sisters Day (July 14), a Fireworks Night (July 17), Kids’ Day at Lowell Park (July 24), and Bark in the Park (July 26).
Falmouth Commodores
The Falmouth Commodores look to continue being competitive in the West Division after narrowly missing the playoffs in 2025 with a 16-23-1 record. Despite their last-place finish in the West Division, the Commodores were in the playoff hunt all season long and even had a midseason surge that pushed them to first place, before a stretch of difficult games thwarted their chances. The Commodores will look to return to the postseason under new leadership with the hiring of field manager Jack Dahm.
The team will feature a strong returning core, including the Cape League 2025 All-Star trio of California infielder Carl Schmidt, Rhode Island right-hander Joe Sabbath and TCU right hander Trevor Baumler. Schmidt looks to build off his strong 2025 summer, where he hit .284, while Sabbath returns as a reliable late-inning presence for the Commodores after posting an impressive 2.87 ERA and five saves last season. Baumler will continue to be the ace for the Commodores after earning West Division All-Star starting pitcher honors with his 0.92 ERA last season.
Newcomers to Guv Fuller Field include the rising sophomore duo of infielder Ty Kaunas of Maryland and left-hander Jack Bauer of Mississippi State. Kaunas brings a strong combination of power and plate discipline, while Bauer will energize the pitching staff with his triple-digit fastball.
Off the field, the Commodores will continue their community traditions with various events, such as their fundraiser night for Katie’s Cure on June 16, Military Appreciation Night on July 3 and their pregame ceremony honoring the four recipients of the George Creighton Scholarship and Chuck Sturtevant Outstanding Service Award. Additionally, you can find Commodores players at local community events, including field days at Falmouth elementary schools, Baseball Sunday at the Waquoit Congregational Church and a Cops and Cars show to benefit Tommy’s Place.
Hyannis Harbor Hawks
The Hyannis Harbor Hawks will look to rebound in their 2026 campaign after a disappointing 2025 season. Despite their last-place finish in the West Division, Hyannis managed a playoff berth through a tiebreaker, where they came within one strike and nearly upset the eventual 2025 Cape League champion, the Bourne Braves.
Hyannis fought through adversity last summer, with injuries and dropping 10 one-run games, a tough stat that ultimately defined the season, but the group continued to compete and fight into the postseason.
Key returners to Hyannis include infielder Charlie Bates of Stanford and right-hander Tsubasa Tomii of Hawaii. Bates appeared in 32 games last summer on the Cape, where he recorded 20 hits and a .311 OBP, while Tomii made eight appearances and recorded 20 strikeouts.
Newcomers to Hyannis include infielders Caden Miller (UTSA), Matt Ineich (West Virginia) and catcher Jon Embury (FGCU). Miller brings depth to the infield after a strong season at UTSA, where he recorded a .369 batting average, while Ineich brings offensive consistency with his .295 batting average and .431 OBP at West Virginia this spring. Behind the plate, Embury recorded a .993 fielding percentage at FGCU during the spring season.
The Harbor Hawks will host a variety of community events throughout the summer. June 30 will be the annual Kids Night at McKeon Park, while July 4 will be the Celebrate America event, with a drone show following the game. July will have a plethora of events, including Bark in the Park on July 8, Veterans Night on July 21 and Christmas in July on July 24.
The Harbor Hawks are set to compete in 2026 in a turnaround campaign, supported by their mix of consistent returners and strong newcomers. After proving they could compete just a season ago, Hyannis will be ready to turn the page this season.
Wareham Gateman
The Wareham Gatemen enter the upcoming Cape Cod Baseball League season with momentum after finishing 20-20 last summer, earning the No. 2 seed in the West Division and winning the 2025 Commissioner’s Cup. With a mix of proven returners and exciting newcomers, Wareham once again appears poised to compete at the top of the league.
Leading the way is returning two-way standout Caden McDonald. A 2025 Cape All-Star, McDonald had success on both sides of the ball last summer, posting a 3-1 record on the mound while hitting .250 with six home runs. While at Florida he has boosted his profile, emerging as a high-leverage reliever and a dangerous designated hitter.
Another key returner is versatile hitter Levi Clark from Tennessee. Clark’s versatility shined last season, playing first base, catcher and patrolling the outfield. Wareham will also return middle infield duo Chris Ramirez and Shamaar McDuffie, giving the Gatemen valuable experience up the middle.
Wareham’s incoming class will be very strong with University of Miami freshmen Alonzo Alvarez and Dylan Dubovik arriving after earning regular roles in the Hurricanes' lineup this spring. Freshman infielder Kade Elam also impressed this spring, hitting .297 with 7 home runs at Louisville, while Texas Tech shortstop Linkin Garcia will add more athleticism to the infield.
At first base, redshirt freshman Tony Lira (Arizona) enters the summer after hitting near .343 this spring, while Mercer two-way standout Braydon Kersey will bring power to the lineup after slugging 21 home runs so far this spring, while also reaching 99 mph as a relief pitcher.
The Wareham Gatemen are bringing back some fan favorite event nights at Spillane Field in '26, including First Responder Night (6/28), Literacy Night (7/25), and Shark Night (7/31). The Gatemen are also introducing Barks at the Park (7/15).
With proven returners, elite freshmen, and a roster loaded with two-way talent, the Gatemen appear built to compete for another postseason run in Wareham.
