As we conclude our 2026 Northwestern Baseball position previews, it’s time to take a look at a relatively experienced outfield group featuring two returning starters and a few interesting newcomers. What can the Wildcats outfielders offer in 2026?
Jackson Freeman, junior, RF
After a big freshman season with 11 homers and an OPS of .866, Freeman took a step back statistically in 2025, improving his batting average from .247 to .255 but dropping his OPS to .780 thanks to just six homers in 52 games. However, fans shouldn’t be fooled by this perceived lack of progress – Freeman is a true star who will be one of the Wildcats’ biggest assets in 2026.
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Over the summer, Freeman took his talents to the Cape Cod League to compete against the best summer baseball competition in the country. He more than held his own, hitting .259 in a league much less hitter-friendly than the Big Ten (for context, the worst team ERA out of 10 Cape teams was 4.92, a mark that would have been sixth-best in a 17-team B1G). In addition to his hitting prowess, Freeman showed his abilities in right and center field, starting 38 games for the Chatham Anglers and committing only one error against five assists.
Starting in 2026, Freeman is expected to return to his role as the Cats’ primary right defender. The pursuit of increased power will always have to be a priority, but in terms of efficiency, the California native plans to take a major step forward this year.
Jack Lausch, senior, FC
Welcome back, quarterback.
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Lausch returns to the Cats for his second season of baseball since abandoning his ambition to become NU’s starting QB. A highly touted baseball recruit coming out of high school, the Chicago native struggled to readjust to the plate in early 2025. However, he rebounded well toward the end of the year, finishing with a solid .268 batting average.
In 2026, Lausch is expected to return to his role as daily central defender for the ‘Cats. With a year of college baseball under his belt, fans should expect Lausch to be a reliable player who can hit in the heart of the order when necessary.
Logan de Groot, sophomore, LF
With the departure of Preston Knott, the Cats have a big hole in left field, and de Groot is one of several options that could look to fill it. The California native transferred to NU after one season with UCLA, in which he started four games as the designated hitter and hit .267 in 15 at-bats.
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Over the summer, de Groot received regular playing time in the West Coast League, hitting .236. The sophomore spent a lot of time in right field with the WCL’s Bellingham Bells, but he likely has the versatility to play left if necessary. It’s certainly possible that Wildcat coach Ben Greenspan opts to start a left returner to start the season, but de Groot is certainly a viable choice as well.
Griffin Mills, Junior
Mills made two starts in 21 appearances with the Cats last year, collecting six hits in 19 total. The New Jersey native has the ability to play all over the outfield, and he made a start at left fielder against UIC last April. His batting numbers in 2024 (.129 average over 62 at-bats) are certainly a cause for concern, but Mills has certainly developed his swing since then, so he’ll likely get a chance to compete for a while in the outfield with the loss of Knott.
Zach Carlson, sophomore
Carlson appeared in 15 games and made seven starts (all as a designated hitter) last season, hitting .276 in 29 at-bats. It was certainly encouraging to see the Utah native shine in meaningful competition as a freshman. If Carlson can continue to grow as a hitter, he could be another legitimate option to get playing time in the outfield.
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Marty Kaplan, Sr.
A career .212 hitter, Kaplan has seen his playing time slowly decline since his freshman season in 2023, although he made two starts as a DH in 2025. As a senior, Kaplan has the advantage of being a part of the Wildcat baseball program for a long time, and he has 12 career starts under his belt. If he can make a jump to the plate, he could have a chance to play as a DH or left fielder in 2026.
Masai Marshall, sophomore
Marshall did not play in 2025, but he was ranked as the No. 12 outfielder in New York State coming out of high school. He projects primarily as a depth piece for the ‘Cats, but with a year of NU experience under his belt, he’ll likely get the chance to play in his first game at some point in 2026.
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Dominic DeLoreto, freshman
Also listed as a pitcher, DeLoreto is a Florida native and should be a solid developmental piece for the Wildcats this year. He may not see action in 2026, but his versatility could allow him to become a key player for NU at some point in the future.
