Ole Miss Rebels: 2026 Season Preview
Mike Bianco has been here before. The Rebels have the bats to compete with anyone and pitch well enough to stay in games. Swayze Field is one of the best atmospheres in college baseball — and the 2026 Rebels intend to give it something to cheer about.
The Program
2025 Season Results
Season Highlights
42 wins showed the Rebels remain competitive in the SEC upper half
Jackson Kimbrell: .312, 9 HR, elite defense in center field
Jack Dougherty: 7-4, 3.15 ERA as the Friday starter
Kemp Alderman powered 15 HR from the first base spot
Swayze Field continued to be one of the toughest venues in college baseball
2026 Roster Breakdown
Key returnees and transfer portal additions
Key Returnees
Jackson Kimbrell
OF · Jr.Five-tool center fielder. Elite range, plus arm, and a bat that has developed real pop. Does everything well and impacts games in every phase.
Kemp Alderman
1B · Jr.Raw power that jumps off the bat. 15 home runs with the kind of exit velocity that projects to 20+. Needs to improve his contact rate.
Jack Dougherty
RHP · Jr.The ace. Commands three pitches and competes on Friday nights against elite lineups. Has the poise of a veteran despite being a junior.
Cael Baker
OF · Sr.Veteran outfielder with a contact-first approach. Provides lineup balance and defensive stability in left field.
Aaron Sabato
DH · R-Sr.Pure power from the DH spot. Walks at a high rate and punishes mistakes. The kind of bat that changes innings.
Transfer Portal Additions
Blake Rambusch
INF · R-Sr.ACC-tested infielder with a professional approach. Fills the middle infield void with production and versatility.
Trey Dombroski
LHP · Jr.Left-handed starter who slots into the weekend rotation. Adds pitching depth the Rebels needed.
Mitch Jebb
OF · R-Sr.Veteran outfielder with Big Ten experience. Adds another experienced bat and defensive depth.
Pitching Staff Analysis
The Headline
Jack Dougherty (7-4, 3.15 ERA, 88 K) is a proven Friday arm. He commands three pitches, competes against elite lineups, and has the poise to pitch deep into games. When Dougherty is on, Ole Miss can beat anyone in the SEC.
The Rotation
Trey Dombroski (from Virginia Tech, 3.32 ERA) fills the Saturday spot with a left-handed presence. The Sunday starter is the biggest question — Bianco needs a young arm to step up. The rotation has a strong front two with a question mark behind them.
The Depth
The bullpen needs development. Ole Miss lost key relief arms and is rebuilding the back end. If the late-inning pieces come together, this is a Regional host. If they do not, the Rebels will be fighting for an at-large bid.
Lineup Analysis
The Engine
Jackson Kimbrell (.312, 9 HR) is the catalyst. A five-tool center fielder who does everything well — hits, runs, fields, throws, and makes adjustments. He sets the tone at the top of the lineup and provides the consistency the Rebels need.
The Middle
Kemp Alderman (.268, 15 HR) is the power bat. If he improves his contact rate, 20+ home runs are within reach. Aaron Sabato (.255, 12 HR) adds DH power. Blake Rambusch (from Clemson, .302, 8 HR) fills the middle infield. The lineup has thump.
The Supporting Cast
Cael Baker (.278, 6 HR) and Mitch Jebb (from Michigan State, .295, 7 HR) give the outfield depth. The bottom of the order has veteran bats who can grind at-bats and keep innings alive. Swayze Field helps — the atmosphere lifts this lineup.
2026 Schedule Highlights
Scouting Verdict
20–80 scouting scale
BSI Projection
Ole Miss has the bats and the atmosphere to win series at home. Dougherty anchors the pitching. Kimbrell and Alderman give the lineup top-end talent. The question is depth — both on the mound and in the bullpen. Bianco has navigated tighter margins than this before, and Swayze Field remains one of college baseball's great advantages. The Rebels are a bubble team with a ceiling higher than their ranking suggests.