Kevin Vance got most of the credit, and understandably so, for Arizona’s strong pitching the past two seasons. But he had plenty of help from right hand man John DeRouin as well as a “strategist” who was pitching in college just over a year ago.
With Vance gone to San Diego State and DeRouin elevated to pitching coach, the natural progression was to elevate Owen Cuffe to a bigger role. For the 2026 season the 24-year-old Cuffe will be Arizona’s Director of Pitching Development and recruiting, aiding both DeRouin and recruiting coordinator Tripp Couch.
Cuffe on the come
Congratulations to @owencuffe5 on his promotion to Director of Pitching Development and Recruiting! pic.twitter.com/EVx8480JiK
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) August 1, 2025
In his first season with the program Cuffe worked alongside DeRouin and Vance as a pitching strategist to mold a pitching staff that was integral to Arizona returning to the College World Series. The UA finished the season ranked in the top 15 nationally in walks allowed per nine innings (3.27) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (2.83).
Five of Arizona’s arms were taken in last month’s MLB Draft, four of whom were almost exclusively relievers, and that doesn’t include NCBWA Stopper of the Year Tony Pluta, who returns for his senior year after setting the single-season school record with 14 saves.
Cuffe was also key to the development of starting pitchers Smith Bailey and Owen Kramkowski, both of whom made 18 starts including ones in the Big 12 Tournament, NCAA regionals, Super Regionals and CWS.
Prior to coming to Arizona, Cuffe pitched for Abilene Christian in 2020-21 and Saint Mary’s from 2022-24. He 52 career appearances, 48 out of the bullpen.
Another arm from the portal
Following the MLB Draft, which saw Arizona have its most players selected (nine) since 2008, there was room to add to the roster. The Wildcats responded by pitching up another pitcher, former Elon right-hander Nolan Straniero.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Straniero appeared in 16 games with 14 starts last season for the Phoenix, going 4-4 with a 7.10 ERA. He struck out 69 batters in 71 innings, his best outing coming against North Carolina A&T when he struck out seven and allowed one run in a complete game victory.
Straniero is the eighth transfer portal pickup for the UA this summer, the fifth pitcher.
Latest prep commitments
The UA is up to nine high school players committed in the 2026 recruiting class, which can sign in November. The latest to join the class are a pair of right-handed pitchers, one from within the state and another from the East Coast.
On Thursday the Wildcats got a commitment from North Carolina RHP/SS Quinn O’Rourke and earlier in the week landed Glendale RHP/SS Abram Sherrin.
Arizona’s 2026 prep class, which would begin playing college baseball in 2027, includes four pitchers, four infielders and one outfielder. Three commits are from California, two each from Arizona and Texas and one apiece from Illinois and North Carolina.