With the 2026 college baseball season kicking off this weekend, the number of former New Britain Bees playing in Division I is as strong as ever. Over 65 players that played for the Bees over the past few seasons will be representing nearly 40 DI institutions. Here are some of the notable players to watch around the country and beyond for the opening weekend:

UConn #BeesAlumni .headline plethora of former Bees heading out to the desert!

The UConn Huskies open up their 2026 season in Scottsdale, AZ for the MLB Desert Invitational with matchups against Nebraska on Friday, Kansas State on Saturday and Air Force on Sunday. A few notable Bees from the past two seasons will look to be key contributors for a Husky squad looking to make a push to the College World Series. Cam Righi (2025 Bee, Wethersfield, CT) and Gabriel Tirado (2024 Bee, Newington, CT) each provide talented lefty bats to what’s a deep pool of offensive weapons in Storrs, while Garret Garbinski (2023 + 2025 Bee, Clinton CT) looks to build off his breakout summer last year with an increased role this year after returning from injury. Ryan Tatar (2025 Bee, Pittsburgh, PA) and Matt McDowell (2025 Bee, Brookfield, CT) were both key arms in the New Britain bullpen during its run to the 2025 Futures League Championship round and will be versatile pitchers at Jim Penders’ disposal.

Looking at the rest of the field in the MLB Desert Invitational, three other teams have former Bees suiting up. Penn State has Bryce Molinaro (2023 Bee, Drums, PA) and Jimmy Gray (2025 Bee, Aston, PA), Kansas State has both AJ Evasco (2024 Bee, Columbus, NE) and Donte Lewis (2024 Bee, Houston, TX), and Northeastern has David Pengel (2025 Bee, Avon, CT) and James Morice (2023 Bee, Southbury, CT).

Trio of #BeesAlumni .open up season down in Puerto Rico!

Three former Bees will be partaking in the 2026 Puerto Rico Challenge at Estadio Francisco Montaner in Ponce. Jimmy Keenan (2023 Bee, White Plains, NY) slugged nine homers during his summer in New Britain and is bringing that power back to Wake Forest for a second straight season as the Demon Deacons look to get back to the level of their 2023 College World Series squad. Easton Masse (2025 Bee, Manchester, CT) begins his freshman campaign for Boston College after a limited albeit successful run with the Bees last summer, while Dylan Mayer (2025 Bee, Glenview, IL) makes the trip with the Manhattan Jaspers.

Notable 2025 #BeesAlumni .rookieS set for college debuts!

In addition to the aforementioned Righi, Tatar, McDowell, Gray, Pengel and Masse, multiple other 2025 Bees are entering their freshman seasons and will officially enter the realm of college baseball this season. Those making their debuts this weekend include the following:

  • Julius Rosado (2025 Bee, South River, NJ) and Rutgers open up the year with a four-game set on the road at Charleston.
  • Tyler Stone (2025 Bee, Hamden, CT) and Virginia Tech open up the year with a three-game set at home against William & Mary.
  • Harrison Engle (2025 Bee, Avon, CT) and Fairfield open up the year with a three-game set on the road at #6 Coastal Carolina.
  • Fayz Baig (2025 Bee, Marlborough, CT) and LIU open up the year with a three-game set on the road at San Diego State.
  • Yammy Perez (2025 Bee, North Branford, CT) and Bryant open up the year with a three-game set on the road at Davidson.

And later on this month, next weekend and the weekend after, respectively:

  • Bennett Crerar (2025 Bee, Cheshire, CT) and Princeton open up the year with a three-game set on the road at #17 NC State.
  • Owen Pike (2025 Bee, Berlin, CT) and Central Connecticut open up the year with a three-game set on the road at Florida A&M.