UNC Baseball: The Tar Heels are ranked highly in forecasts that are “way too early.”

Diamond Heels Eye 2026 Redemption After Super Regional Exit

After falling short of a return trip to Omaha in 2025, the North Carolina Tar Heels baseball team is already generating buzz as a top contender for the 2026 season. UNC’s 2025 campaign ended in the super regionals, where they were eliminated by Arizona, halting their hopes of reaching the College World Series. But early signs point to a team hungry to bounce back.

With the offseason underway, the annual round of “way-too-early” predictions has begun. D1Baseball.com joined the conversation this week, with 10 of their writers making early picks for the 2026 College World Series field. UNC earned votes from seven of them, putting the Diamond Heels among the most favored programs heading into next season—trailing only UCLA (10), LSU (8), and Texas (8).

Of course, these predictions come with plenty of uncertainty. The transfer portal and the 2025 MLB Draft could significantly alter rosters across the country, and UNC is no exception. The team is already set to lose several key contributors, including Jake Knapp, a potential National Pitcher of the Year, and Hunter Stokely, both of whom have exhausted their eligibility. Luke Stevenson, the team’s standout catcher, is also expected to be a high pick in the upcoming draft.

Despite these changes, head coach Scott Forbes has shown a knack for rebuilding and reloading through the portal. One of the more intriguing additions so far? Former Duke catcher Macon Winslow, whose move to Chapel Hill has sparked both interest and a few laughs given the rivalry.

Still, early hype doesn’t always translate to postseason success. Just this past season, highly touted teams like Texas A&M and Virginia failed to even make the NCAA Tournament, despite lofty preseason expectations.

That said, the confidence from national analysts is a positive sign for the Tar Heels. With strong returning talent, experienced coaching, and new additions in the mix, UNC looks poised to be a serious threat in 2026—and perhaps make a long-awaited return to Omaha.