Michigan State University Athletics
Photo by: Matthew Mitchell/MSU Athletic Communications
MSU Baseball’s Deckinga Named To D1Baseball’s Preseason Top Big Ten Freshmen List
2/12/2026 12:13:00 PM | Baseball
Spartan infielder one of five first-year players in league recognized.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State baseball player CJ Deckinga was named one of the D1Baseball's Preseason Top Big Ten Freshmen list, announced by the platform ahead of the 2026 season kicking off this weekend.
Deckinga, an infielder, was joined on the five-player list by UCLA pitcher Angel Cervantes, Iowa pitcher/outfielder Brody Irlbeck, Maryland infielder Ty Kaunas and Ohio State pitcher Jude Fisher.
A native of Minooka, Illinois, Deckinga was a three-year letterwinner at Minooka High School, helping MHS to a 33-4 record in his senior season, and he was a two-time All-Southwest Prairie Conference honoree, registering a .400 batting average as a senior with 30 RBI, logging a .521 on-base percentage, .657 slugging percentage and a 1.179 OPS. Deckinga was ranked as the No. 1 3B/OF and No. 8 overall player in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report, and was selected to play in the Future Games as well as attend the Prep Baseball Report Super 60 and the PBR Illinois Preseason ProCase.
Deckinga and the Spartans open the 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 13, at No. 8 Louisville at 2 p.m. ET.
The Spartans and Cardinals open the 2026 season with a three-game series at Louisville's Jim Patterson Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13 with a 2 p.m. first pitch. Saturday's game two of the series and Sunday's series finale are both scheduled for 1 p.m.
All three games of the opening weekend will air on ACC Network Extra and also streamed on Watch ESPN.
The Spartans' schedule is subject to change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
The Michigan State baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.
Deckinga, an infielder, was joined on the five-player list by UCLA pitcher Angel Cervantes, Iowa pitcher/outfielder Brody Irlbeck, Maryland infielder Ty Kaunas and Ohio State pitcher Jude Fisher.
A native of Minooka, Illinois, Deckinga was a three-year letterwinner at Minooka High School, helping MHS to a 33-4 record in his senior season, and he was a two-time All-Southwest Prairie Conference honoree, registering a .400 batting average as a senior with 30 RBI, logging a .521 on-base percentage, .657 slugging percentage and a 1.179 OPS. Deckinga was ranked as the No. 1 3B/OF and No. 8 overall player in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report, and was selected to play in the Future Games as well as attend the Prep Baseball Report Super 60 and the PBR Illinois Preseason ProCase.
Deckinga and the Spartans open the 2026 season on Friday, Feb. 13, at No. 8 Louisville at 2 p.m. ET.
The Spartans and Cardinals open the 2026 season with a three-game series at Louisville's Jim Patterson Stadium on Friday, Feb. 13 with a 2 p.m. first pitch. Saturday's game two of the series and Sunday's series finale are both scheduled for 1 p.m.
All three games of the opening weekend will air on ACC Network Extra and also streamed on Watch ESPN.
The Spartans' schedule is subject to change, fans can stay tuned to MSUSpartans.com and @MSUBaseball on Twitter for schedule updates, along with follow action with "Watch Live," "Listen Live" and "Live Stats" links where available.
The Michigan State baseball season ticket package, which includes 24 home games at Jeff Ishbia Field at McLane Stadium are available online at msuspartans.evenue.net, by contacting the Spartan Ticket Office at 517-355-1610 or by email at tickets@msu.edu for questions or more information, or fans can visit the MSU Ticket Office in person, located in 1855 Place.
Players Mentioned
INF/OF
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