CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW)- Coach Chris Pollard, after three months on the job, trotted out an immensely different looking Virginia baseball team than the one he inherited at the beginning of June.
Under a beaming, warm, September sun, the Cavaliers took each other on in an intrasquad scrimmage Thursday, the opening of fall ball.
There were a few familiar faces.
Veteran hitters Harrison Didawick and Eric Becker, two of the stars of last year’s team balanced balance with the scene, making idle chatter with the young fans who turned out to see them play.
From a technical standpoint, Didawick has worked extensively shortening his swing in order to raise his contact rates. Becker is silky smooth as ever at shortstop, sound fundamentals, strong mechanics, and nice report building between himself and his scrimmage middle infielder partner, Jayden Stroman.
The lauded two-way prospect from Patchogue-Medford High in New York, and young brother of major league veteran Marcus Stroman, appears to be focused on manning an infield spot for the upcoming season.
Thursday marked the Disharoon Park debut for much of the roster, including Ryder transfer Joe Tiroly, who opens fall atop the depth chart at second base. Tiroly showed the ability to barrel up pitches in his Virginia debut.
Also impressive among a bevy of new faces was the most talked about transfer of Virginia offseason, their new Center Fielder AJ Gracia. Projected to be taken in the first round of the 2026 first year player draft, one of Pollard’s strongest hitters at Duke looks ready to do the same for UVA. He worked a lengthy at bat in his final appearance of the day, showing excellent plate discipline, and an unquantifiable poise in the batter’s box.
Another Duke transfer, infielder Noah Murray, stood out Thursday for his energy and his speed.
Finally, two veteran catchers who will be joining a crowded position battle behind the plate were distinct for two different reasons. Junior college transfer Jake Weatherspoon displayed an effortlessly powerful swing, and a good ability to hit deep into counts.
Graduate transfer Noah Jouras meanwhile, who came from Pollard’s alma mater, Davidson, made his vocal presence known.
Baseball is an unpredictable game, and there is much preparation that remains before the Hoos open their season in February. Expectations can be a both a blessing and a curse, as last year’s club proved, and it remains to be seen how they’ll play out for the 2026 version of the Cavaliers.
