There's more optimism around the Notre Dame baseball team this season than there has been in years. One of the reasons why there are some expectations of a return to the postseason is because of transfer additions like Drew Berkland.
Berkland thinks there's a chance a program that was one of the best in the country not that long ago, and that's why he's playing in South Bend this spring. He talked to Irish Sports Daily about the possibility and why he has such high hopes earlier this month.
"Going through the recruiting process, I really liked what this team was bringing back," Berkland said about his new Notre Dame teammates. "That core group that were freshmen last year showed a lot of growth. That was seen through how they played in the back half of the year.
Drew Berkland's vision for catalyzing Notre Dame baseball's 2026 postseason surge
"I want to just be the catalyst of making our team better this year and being able to advance and take a big step from 2025 to 2026 and then make a splash in the postseason. That's what I'm here to do."
A graduate transfer after three seasons at Minnesota, the centerfielder blossomed in 2025. Last year, he slashed .293/.388/.546 with 14 home runs and 12 stolen bases.
Berkland is joined by fellow former Golden Gopher, pitcher Noah Rooney. An impressive swing man, Rooney pitched in 22 games and started one, going 4-1 with a 2.94 ERA last season.
Rooney is a big pickup for an Irish bullpen that desperately needed a veteran left-handed arm. The Irish lost Justin Mayes and Tore Indomenico to the transfer portal earlier this summer; only Brady Koester remains from last year's team.
The new look Notre Dame baseball team will get a chance to start showing how good the team is tonight when they open the year against Florida Atlantic. Having last appeared in the College World Series only four years ago, it's time to get back to the Golden Years.