TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — With the Crimson Tide's opening day matchup against Washington State just days away, this is a best guess at who may — or may not — trot out for Alabama on Friday.

Potential Starting Catchers: Johnny Lemm (Sr./Transfer)/Will Plattner (Sr.)/Brady Neal (Sr.)

Catcher is perhaps the most intriguing spot for Alabama heading into the 2026 campaign. This year's edition of the Crimson Tide catcher room boasts the most talent and experience behind the dish that Rob Vaughn has had at his disposal during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.

Will Plattner, the captain for the 2026 squad, and Brady Neal both return for Alabama after splitting the catching duties in 2025.

Neal brings a steady glove behind the dish and an untraditional left-handed bat that provides flexibility to the Crimson Tide lineup. Neal hit three home runs and 19 RBIs with a .219 batting average for Alabama last season while posting the highest base on balls rate on the team at a 17.6% clip. Neal made the most appearances behind the dish for Alabama last season with 41.

Plattner brings a more complete hit tool to the table for Alabama. The captain hit .264 in 2025 with eight doubles, one home run, and thirteen RBIs across 26 appearances, along with a .391 slugging percentage that led Alabama catchers last season.

Vaughn and recruiting coordinator Mike Morrison also brought in Southern Illinois grad transfer Johnny Lemm. Lemm, an Australian native, mashed 19 home runs and 56 RBIs on a .255 average and an impressive .620 slugging percentage for the Salukis in 2025. Lemm also brings patience and discipline to the batter's box, drawing walks at a 25% clip.

Junior Luke Vaughn, not any relation to head coach Rob Vaughn, brings a strong depth piece to the table that could contend for playing time down the stretch.

Alabama will likely cycle between Lemm, Neal, and Plattner, along with potential spot use of Vaughn. However, expect Lemm and Plattner to split a bulk of the time behind the dish, with Neal used situationally or to relieve the two aforementioned catchers for a start or two down the stretch.

For opening day, I expect Vaughn to select the captain, Plattner, to begin the season as the Crimson Tide's catcher.

Starting First Baseman: Jason Torres (Sr.)

With the addition of former Purdue Fort-Wayne infielder Justin Osterhouse,��who will take over the hot corner in 2026, senior Jason Torres slides back over to his natural position at first base after manning third in 2025.

In his first season at The Capstone, Torres hit for a .255 average, with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs, along with a .835 OPS while appearing in all 59 of Alabama's games at third base.

Torres' 2025 numbers are a dip from his previous two years with the Miami Hurricanes, where Hialeah, Fla., native notched a .331 average and eight home runs in 39 appearances in 2024, and a .472 average with three home runs and 11 RBIs across 18 appearances and six starts during his freshman campaign in 2023.

With the addition of Osterhouse to the infield, Torres moves back over to his natural position at first, allowing his bat to return to his level of production with Miami.

Starting Second Baseman: Brennan Holt (Rs. Sr./Transfer)

An incoming redshirt senior, Holt has spent time across the country. Spending a year at LSU, then Oklahoma State, before heading to South Alabama, where the Baton Rouge, La., native broke out for the Jaguars across two seasons.

Over two campaigns in Mobile, Holt started in all but two of South Alabama's 101 contests.

In 2025, Holt slashed .303/.442/.558 over 43 starts, notching 25 extra base hits and 31 RBIs. Holt also displayed a steady glove with a solid .976 fielding percentage.

Holt will provide veteran leadership and an all-around game at second for the Crimson Tide in 2026.

Starting Third Baseman: Justin Osterhouse (Jr./Transfer)

Another infield portal addition, and a former member of the now-defunct Purdue Fort Wayne baseball program, Justin Osterhouse brought his talents to Tuscaloosa over the summer following the departures of Brennen Norton, Will Hodo, and Garrett Staton.

Osterhouse started 89 games across 90 starts over his two-year stint with the Mastadons. In 2025, the Grand Rapids, Mich., native started all 52 games for Purdue Fort-Wayne, leading them in batting average (.328), on-base percentage (.453), slugging percentage (.636), home runs (16), hits (64), RBI (46) total bases (124) runs (51) and stolen bases (13).

Osterhouse's most notable performance with the Dons came on May 15 against Wright State, going 5-for-6 with four home runs, eight RBIs, and five runs, as well as the win on the mound. He also belted the walk-off grand slam.

While Osterhouse likely won't see any pitching action for the Crimson Tide in 2026, his strong presence in the batter's box and positional flexibility across the infield will be valuable for Vaughn & Co.

Starting Shortstop: Justin Lebron (Jr.)

Justin Lebron needs no introduction.

"The Franchise," as Alabama fans have lovingly nicknamed the native Floridian, has been instrumental in Vaughn's first two seasons, which have seen the Crimson Tide make two straight Regionals and their first 40-win regular season since 2002.

Lebron holds a laundry list of accolades that includes multiple All-American and All-SEC honors.

In 2025, Lebron slashed .316/.636/.421 while mashing 18 doubles, 72 RBIs — a program record for a shortstop and a sophomore, — and 18 home runs.

Lebron enters his likely final season before being selected high in the 2026 MLB Draft. The continued development into a five-tool, top-end MLB draft selection is vital for the Crimson Tide's success this season.

Starting Center Fielder: Bryce Fowler (Rs. Sr.)

The only returning starting outfielder from Alabama's 2025 squad following the departure of Kade Snell and Richie Bonomolo Jr. to the MLB draft is Bryce Fowler.

While Fowler served as the Crimson Tide's everyday right fielder last season, Bonomolo Jr's selection in the MLB draft by the New York Yankees will see the Madison, Miss., native shift over to center field in 2026.

Fowler is coming off a solid campaign in 2025, where he hit for a .267 average with nine doubles, seven home runs, and 43 RBIs, along with three outfield assists from right field.

Fowler's experience and veterancy will be key in an outfield group that is young and largely untested heading into 2026.

Starting Left Fielder: Logen Devenport (Sr./Transfer)

An incoming transfer from Northern Kentucky, Devenport was one of the best players in the Horizon League during his three seasons with the Norse.

Over 119 games with Northern Kentucky, Devenport racked up a .364 average with 32 doubles, 19 home runs, and 100 RBIs. In his final season in Florence, Ky., Devenport recorded a league-high .423 average with 19 doubles, 14 home runs, and 54 RBIs. Devenport's .786 slugging percentage and .533 on-base percentage also led the Horizon.

The Franklin, Ind., native also displayed speed around the basepaths and plate discipline, swiping 19 bags on 23 attempts and drawing 32 walks to just 41 strikeouts.

Deveport also pitched — primarily as a freshman and in limited appearances as a sophomore — during his time with Northern Kentucky. He is not expected to pitch for the Crimson Tide in 2026.

Starting Right Fielder: Peyton Steele (Soph.)

The second corner outfield spot was likely going to be Sam Christiansen's to begin the year before the Oklahoma transfer suffered a broken leg during spring training, keeping him out for the start of the season. Now, the job is likely sophomore Peyton Steele's.

After showing promise in limited reps during his freshman campaign, Steele is set to man right field, becoming the Right Field Ragers' new man in front of the outfield terrace.

Steele made eight appearances with one start in 2025, hitting .333 with a double, a home run, and two RBIs across 12 at-bats.

Steele has shown off increased pop and a strong arm during the off-season, making him a strong candidate to begin the season in right. The Decatur, Ala. native has been scrimmaging in right field with the first team in the weeks leading up to opening weekend.

Starting DH: Coleman Mizell (Jr.)

One of the many Hartselle High School alumni featured on the Crimson Tide Baseball roster, Mizell returns to the designated hitter spot for Alabama on opening day.

Mizell appeared in 48 games with the Crimson Tide a year ago, primarily at DH. In 2025, he recorded a .229 average, six doubles, six home runs, and six RBIs. While Mizell's average was low a year ago, he made it up with a strong eye at the dish, working 30 walks to record a .370 on-base clip.

A lefty with a high on-base percentage and power potential, Mizell's continued development is huge for Alabama heading into 2026.

Mizell has been dealing with nagging injuries throughout the off-season, but it shouldn't keep him out of the opening day lineup. However, if Mizell can't go, freshman Eric Hines could be a contender to take over his at-bats.

Starting Pitcher: Tyler Fay (Rs. Jr)

Alabama announced their weekend rotation prior to the publication of this article; however, Fay was my prediction to open up the season

After getting plugged into the role against LSU last season, the Nebraskan consistently gave the Crimson Tide a chance to win, recording a 4.58 ERA during his final eight games as a weekend starter for Alabama.

Entering his redshirt junior campaign, Fay will be critical for the Tide's pitching staff in 2026.

Follow along with Tide 100.9 all season as the Crimson Tide search for their first Men's College World Series appearance since 1999.

For more Alabama Baseball, Basketball, and Football content from Simon Besnoy, follow him on Twitter at @SimonBesnoy and stay tuned to Tide1009.com for daily news.