Bloomquist wraps up fall as transfers drive competition for roles

Fall at Arizona State has flown by, and for head coach Willie Bloomquist, it’s been a whirlwind of new faces, major transfers, and heightened expectations following the program’s first tournament appearance since 2021. With scrimmages behind and the Maroon and Gold World Series underway, Bloomquist noted that with a roster heavy on new faces and big-time transfers, the Sun Devils are still trying to figure themselves out.

“Everything’s gone by fast. It is probably the quickest fall—you blink and it’s over,” Bloomquist noted. “At the same time, it’s been a grind. But when it’s complete, you look back and think, man, that went by real quick.”

And that has been an adjustment moving to a roster so heavily influenced by the transfer portal. Having always appreciated the traditional, slower process of recruiting year in and year out, Bloomquist noted his focus now is on maximizing each player’s potential, whether that be a senior or freshman, individually and as a team, as they learn his system.

“They’re learning my style,” Bloomquist explained. “A lot of these guys come from different programs, and that’s what the transfer portal poses as a challenge. On the flip side, players are getting to know us, learning what’s expected, new techniques, and how we do things here.”

The Sun Devils lost nine players last year to the MLB draft, leaving their roster in need of nearly complete retooling. Bloomquist noted he and recruiting coordinator Sam Peraza prioritized bringing in older, battle-tested players who can contribute right away, emphasizing that when the dust settles in tournament play, it is usually the veteran teams that prevail. At the same time, they remain committed to developing promising freshmen.

“College baseball is getting older,” Bloomquist emphasized. “Guys who have experience at the highest levels are the ones who tend to win or at least be in the mix at the end. It was imperative to bring in guys who want to be Sun Devils.”

That mixture of transfers and talent returning has created a good deal of competition within the roster, as no player has yet been guaranteed a starting role in the weekend rotation. Junior left-handed pitcher Cole Carlon, who was ASU’s top option in relief last year with a 3.83 ERA in 54 innings, striking out 86 batters, may be the next man up to take over as a Friday night starter this season, though Bloomquist clarified that no role is guaranteed and he’ll have to earn that spot himself.

“Nobody has earned a starting role on the weekend yet in my opinion,” Bloomquist noted. “And I think Jeremy (Accardo) would echo that, and I think you ask anybody in that clubhouse, including the pitchers, and they would all echo the same sentiment.”

Several transfers have already left a huge impression. Dean Toigo, a fifth-year outfielder who transferred in from UNLV and is the 2025 Mountain West Co-Player of the Year, is now a player who is ‘loved’ in the clubhouse in a fairly short amount of time due to talent and leadership.

Bloomquist explained that Toigo’s accomplishments, including All-MW First Team, ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team, MW Player of the Week, and Academic All-MW, represent the kind of experience the Sun Devils were targeting.

Sophomore catcher Cohen Niclai, a transfer from Oregon, has already shown power with three home runs this fall. Cal transfer and junior infielder Dominic Smaldino, who hit 11 home runs last season, has lived up to the hype, consistently making loud contact every time he swings.

The Maroon and Gold World Series, the main event in the fall, serves as both a talent showcase and a look into chemistry. The latest game went 14-13 and ended on a walk-off to even the score of the series, but it also showed that the game’s tensions are rising as well. While aggressive bat flips and retaliatory pitches have at times flared tempers, Bloomquist recognized it all as part of the competitive nature but noted it should be handled in the right manner.

“Competition’s part of it,” Bloomquist emphasized. “These kids are competing, but we’ve got to handle ourselves the right way.”

Bloomquist also spoke about the changing landscape in college baseball, including the impact of NIL deals and the transfer portal.

“The first year we pulled the No. 2 class in the country at the transfer portal, and then the NIL world got involved,” Bloomquist explained. “It was challenging, but with support from the administration, we were able to provide scholarships that helped bridge some of that gap.”

He emphasized, as ASU football head coach Kenny Dillingham has repeatedly, that while NIL support is critical, institutional backing has been just as important in building a competitive roster.

Bloomquist also reflected on former players who pursued professional opportunities: four-year Sun Devil and recent graduate Jacob Tobias, currently playing in Australia, has taken on multiple positions, including catcher and third base, in an effort to expand his versatility beyond first.

“The kid can do it,” Bloomquist noted. “He’s continued to work, and I really hope he continues to excel in Australia and gets the opportunity to come back and play here.”

Bloomquist also pointed to the program’s success in developing professional talent, with nine draft selections last year alone.

“It’s a tribute to our coaches, but ultimately to the players,” Bloomquist emphasized. “They dedicate themselves day in and day out. Hard work pays off when you do it right.”

The combination of transfers, returning players, and freshmen has created a roster built on both experience and potential, with plenty of internal competition to keep everyone sharp.

Looking ahead, Bloomquist keyed in on cohesion and preparation. As fun as the Maroon and Gold series has been, it’s also an opportunity to assess how new players fit and how competitive dynamics shake out on the field. Players like Toigo, Niclai, and Smaldino will look to lead offensively, while the likes of Carlon and PJ Merritis fine-tune their craft and fight for rotation spots.

This fall also underscored several other challenges facing college baseball in the present day. These range from managing a transfer-heavy roster to guiding young players through NIL opportunities to preparing them for professional advancement. Bloomquist noted the key lies in balancing experience with youth, fostering competition, and ensuring players are committed to the Sun Devil program.

“We want guys that want to be part of Arizona State,” Bloomquist emphasized. “If this isn’t for you, we don’t need you. But if you want to be here, it’s a great place to develop and succeed.”

As the Sun Devils head into the offseason, the foundation built this fall will guide the team into the spring and beyond. With a No. 11-ranked transfer portal class, a roster in flux and a growing sense of camaraderie despite some fiery moments in the Maroon and Gold series, Bloomquist noted the trajectory is promising.

“It’s exciting to see the team come together,” Bloomquist explained. “We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the competition, and now it’s about jelling, getting better, and getting ready for what’s ahead.”