SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Two former Cal Poly Baseball players, catcher Ryan Tayman and infielder Alejandro Garza, were recognized by MLB Pipeline as top performers from the 2026 Major League Draft based on their minor league play. Cal Poly is one of three schools nationwide with multiple players honored, alongside Georgia Tech and Texas A&M.
Tayman, drafted in the ninth round, played 21 games for the Single-A St. Lucie Mets, batting .316 with five home runs. During his time at Cal Poly, he set or tied school records with 18 home runs, including three grand slams, and 546 putouts. He earned NCBWA third-team All-America honors, ABCA All-West Region first team recognition, and was named Big West Co-Field Player of the Year in 2026.
Tayman also excelled in postseason play, batting .394 and helping Cal Poly secure their second straight Big West regular-season and tournament titles, as well as the program’s first NCAA regional championship. He was named most outstanding player of the Big West tournament.
Garza, drafted in the 15th round by the Cleveland Guardians, played 18 games for the Single-A Hill City Crawdads, hitting .347 with a 14 percent strikeout rate. At Cal Poly, he earned first-team All-Big West honors for three consecutive years, led the conference with 21 doubles, and set the school record with 254 career hits. Garza struck out just 19 times in 306 plate appearances over three seasons.
The Cal Poly baseball program is supported by Project Omaha, an initiative that funds scholarships and comprehensive student-athlete development to maintain competitive excellence.
CSB Take
The recognition of Ryan Tayman and Alejandro Garza by MLB Pipeline highlights Cal Poly Baseball’s effective player development strategy and the program’s strong impact on professional baseball. Their collegiate achievements combined with early minor league success demonstrate Cal Poly’s ability to prepare athletes for advancement to the professional level. This distinction can enhance the program’s recruiting efforts and solidify its status within the Big West Conference and beyond.
Source: Original report
