The first week of Division I baseball is in the books, and a few future Brewster Whitecaps are already putting up lines that jump off the page. It’s early, but the first box scores have been loud.
Brendan Lawson, Florida, INF
Brendan Lawson plays like he’s allergic to nice and quiet innings. Lawson plays loud, fast and explosive. Brewster saw it last summer, and Florida is seeing it again early in 2026.
In the Gators’ season opener against UAB, Lawson went 3-for-4 with two runs, an RBI, a walk, a double and a stolen base. He also added an RBI single that helped keep the offense moving in a back-and-forth game that went to extras. A few days later against Stetson, he left the yard with a deep home run to deep right, his second of the season.
Next summer won’t be the first the Canadian infielder has spent on the cape. Lawson arrived in Brewster on July 1 and made his introduction with force. In his Whitecaps debut, he went 3-for-4 with a home run, a double and three RBIs. He kept stacking quality at-bats the rest of the way, finishing with a .917 OPS in 23 games, slugging .519 and getting on base at a .398 clip. He competed in the league’s Home Run Contest and earned Brewster’s Offensive Player of the Year honor.
Landon Mack, Tennessee, RHP
Landon Mack continued his growth after joining the Volunteers this year following a full season at Rutgers. Tennessee’s right-hander made his Volunteers debut and immediately looked like he belonged in a weekend role.
Against Nicholls in Game 1 of the Valentine’s Day doubleheader, Mack struck out nine and allowed one run over six innings, giving Tennessee exactly what you want from a starter: strikes early, punchouts late and a bullpen that has room to breathe. Settling into a new uniform can be challenging for some, but it clearly poses little issue for the New Jersey native.
Mack earned multiple Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors and picked up All-Big Ten honorable mention in his time with the Scarlet Knights. Tennessee picked up a talented starter, and Brewster is hopeful to host one of the most promising pitchers in college baseball.
Blaine Brown, Tennessee, OF/LHP
Blaine Brown is the kind of player who shows up and immediately makes his impact known. Tennessee’s sophomore lefty can beat you on the mound or in the box, a must-see spectacle for Stony Brook to witness this summer. Before Brown takes the field in Brewster, Knoxville gets to reap his power and strength.
During the Volunteers’ opening weekend, Brown quickly found a groove. A two-hit Friday left Brown wanting more, and in Saturday’s doubleheader sweep, the Texas native found his element. He went a combined 6-for-11 with three home runs and five RBIs, including a two-homer, four-RBI Game 1.
Brown’s hot start continued as he toed the rubber for Tennessee’s midweek game against UNC Asheville. The left-hander played a key role as an opener for the onslaught of strong arms to come out of the Volunteers’ pen. Striking out the side, Brown earned himself more innings on the bump this spring.
The Southeastern Conference showcases the best spring baseball in the country, and Brewster will get a front-row seat to that level of play once again this summer.
More updates on the players joining the Whitecaps are soon to follow.
Matt Ford-Wellman can be reached at mfordwellman.media@gmail.com and followed on X @MattFW_4
Title photo credit to Kayla McCullough.
