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In the 2026 New Balance Future Stars Series JUCO Main Event Showdown, nine schools will battle at Globe Life Field to kick off the season. Lake Land College is looking to repeat much of what transpired a year ago when the Lakers went 45-21 and reached the JUCO World Series under head coach Julio Godinez.
Here are some of Godinez’s players to keep an eye on in the Showdown Jan. 26-27.
JUCO SHOWDOWN TICKETS
Eddie Letamendi, SS (So.)
Letamendi, an Illinois State transfer before last season, brings power and speed to the table and is a high-level defender at shortstop. He hit .252/.339/.420 in 39 games last season, including five homers and nine doubles.
“He might be one of the better defenders in our league,” said Godinez.
Kyle Hartmann, C (So.)
Hartman is a transfer from Northern Illinois, bringing arm strength and defensive versatility to first base and the outfield corners. But it’s his bat that may stand out the most.
In limited time a year ago, the right-handed hitting Hartmann flashed power and the ability to use the whole field.
Nathan Steumke, C (So.)
Steumke carried the catching load in the second half of 2025 and brings excellent on-base skills (.400 OBP) to the plate. He walked more than he struck out and has gap power.
Kaiden Maurer, OF (So.)
Maurer is a plus or better runner set to play center for the Lakers in 2026. He slashed .300/.417/.378 last season. His swing is direct, and he sprays the ball around the field.
Sharif Colon, 2B (So.)
Colon hit fastballs well last season (.346 AVG, .543 SLG in tracked outcomes), but he extended that success against everything and everyone, batting .346/.412/.564 overall in 56 games.
Colon added 23 extra-base hits and 11 stolen bases, and figures into a run-producer role in 2026, but has skills to set the table, too.
Logan Winkleman, C (So.)
Winkleman has extra-base power and is adept at using the opposite field.
Jalen House, OF (So.)
House is another Northern Illinois transfer. He’s 5-foot-11, 180 pounds, can run, and uses a short, line-drive swing.
Lucas Bixby, LHP
Bixby was tremendous as a freshman, posting a 2.53 ERA in 78.1 innings over 17 starts. He yielded just 59 hits and struck out 85 batters.
Bixby’s three-pitch mix comes with command and feel, and he can miss bats with each of them. He was mostly 86-89 mph a year ago, and his go-to secondary is a 70-74 mph breaking ball with good spin and shape, which he can vary to include more sweeping action.
Bixby is a projectable 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, and has a clean delivery.
- JUCO Showdown: Furcal Jr., Lewis lead San Jac into Globe Life - January 21, 2026
- JUCO Showdown: Lake Land brings big bats, ace to Globe Life - January 20, 2026
- JUCO Showdown: Wabash Valley returns key bats, arms with upside - January 19, 2026
