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The Wharton County Junior College Pioneers are one of nine schools kicking off the 2026 season at the 2026 New Balance Future Stars Series JUCO Showdown, presented by Draftline.
Head coach Trey Porras spoke to Mike Ashmore about the event and the upcoming season.
Let’s check out some players to watch on Porras’ roster.
JUCO SHOWDOWN TICKETS
Braylon Mitchell, IF (So.)
Mitchell returns as a Region XIV All-Conference selection after a .280/.408/.400 performance in 49 games. He stole 35 bases, has good bat speed, and struck out just 6.4% of his plate appearances.
Mitchell weathered the storm of the new landscape of college baseball, finding a home at WCJC prior to last season and impressing with his approach at the plate and athleticism.
He also showed out in the JUCO series at the Main Event at Globe Life Field in October, so the Texas Rangers’ home park will be familiar to him in this event.
Sam Lee, C/OF (So.)
Lee transferred in from Sam Houston State after 35 starts for the Bearkats. He’s a left-handed hitter with a line-drive swing and good speed.
Braelon Richardson, IF (So.)
Richardson flashed contact skills, speed, and defense as a freshman and figures to play a bigger role in 2026 for the Pioneers. He drew walks in 2025 (.358 OBP) and swiped eight bases in his limited time.
Dakota Howard, OF (So.)
The Denton, Texas native transferred in from Oklahoma and showed off his speed, defense, and on-base skills in the Texas Collegiate League in 2024.
He’s a left-handed hitter with good strike zone judgment and hand-eye coordination that helps him produce high contact rates.
Gage Dorris, 1B (So.)
Dorris raked at Western Texas a year ago, hitting .357/.396/.545 with 15 extra-base hits in 45 games. He added 13 stolen bases and showed middle-of-the-lineup ability.
Harrison Wall, RHP (So.)
Wall is a 6-foot, 195-pound right-hander who is headed to Baylor next fall. He’s a three-pitch starter, regularly up to 91 mph in the fall with some carry. His low-80s slider flashes as a swing-and-miss pitch, and the 81-84 mph changeup misses bats thanks to consistent arm speed and some late diving action.
Wall made 12 starts and 15 total appearances as a freshman a year ago, leading the team in strikeouts (60) and innings (67.2).
Mason Kinchen, LHP (Fr.)
Kinchen, a transfer from Texas Tech, is a lefty up to 92 mph and could fill numerous roles this season for the Pioneers. It’s a below three-quarter slot with some deception in his arm path.
Kinchen also features a curveball with good shape and has added tighter spin since high school.
Trevor Ainsworth, RHP (So.)
Ainsworth is a strong, sturdy 6-foot-5, 240-pound right-hander with a big fastball into and beyond the mid-90s. His slider is a true weapon versus righties and lefties alike, missing bats and projecting for growth as he moves forward.
Somehow, Ainsworth finds time to mix in the changeup, and it’s effective with some sink and fade, working well off the heater, both in the zone and below it.
He’s a McLennan College transfer and hails from Pearland High School (TX). Ainsworth is headed to BYU after this season.
- 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
