After a season of transition under first-year head coach Matt Swope, Maryland baseball enters 2025 with high expectations and a reloaded roster ready to compete. The Terps posted a 34-22 record in 2024, the most wins for a first-year head coach in program history, but ultimately fell short of a postseason berth. With a strong returning core and an influx of new talent, Maryland aims to reclaim its place among the Big Ten’s elite and make a deep postseason run.
Building on 2024’s Foundation
Last season, Maryland’s lineup featured a mix of experienced veterans and young players thrown into key roles. That experience should pay off in 2025, as the Terps return a handful of impact players who have already proven themselves in big moments.
Eddie Hacopian, a first-team All-Big Ten infielder, will anchor the offense after posting a .377 average with 16 doubles, nine home runs, and 51 RBI last season. His disciplined approach at the plate makes him a reliable presence in the heart of the lineup. Elijah Lambros, an All-Big Ten outfielder, provides a combination of speed and power that makes him one of Maryland’s most dynamic threats. Meanwhile, Chris Hacopian, a standout sophomore, will look to build on his impressive freshman campaign, where he hit .323 with 15 home runs.
One of the biggest storylines entering the season is the return of Kyle McCoy, who is slated to start the season opener after missing all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery. The left-hander was a key part of Maryland's rotation as a freshman in 2023, earning All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors while making 12 starts. Now fully recovered, McCoy is eager to reestablish himself. Omar Melendez's return also provides a boost for the pitching staff after the senior left-hander finished last season with a 5-2 record and a 3.67 ERA. Maryland will also rely on Logan Koester, a sixth-year right-hander, and a deep bullpen led by Andrew Johnson and Joey McMannis.
Key Additions and Transfers
Maryland’s offseason was defined by its ability to bring in talent through both recruiting and the transfer portal. The Terps added eight transfers, bolstering both their pitching depth and offensive firepower. Among the notable additions is Aiden Hill, a junior infielder from VCU who started every game for the Rams last season, batting .276 with six home runs and 44 RBI. Hollis Porter, a JUCO star who hit 20 home runs at Pearl River CC, brings another powerful bat to the lineup.
On the pitching side, Maryland landed Andrew Koshy (Wake Forest), Brayden Ryan (Merrimack), and James Gladden (VCU), all of whom are expected to contribute immediately. Jake Yeager, a highly regarded freshman and Maryland’s top-ranked pitcher in the 2024 recruiting class, could also make an impact early in the season. He's expected to be the midweek starter in the 2025 season.
“We knew we had to add some toughness,” Swope said. “The guys we brought in fit exactly what we want—competitors who are ready to play at this level.”
A Challenging Road Ahead
Maryland won’t have an easy path to success in 2025. The schedule features seven teams that reached the NCAA Tournament last season and multiple opponents ranked inside the top 75 of the RPI. The season kicks off in Charleston, South Carolina, at the Swig and Swine College Classic, where the Terps will face UAB, Ball State, and Mercyhurst.
Big Ten play presents even bigger challenges. Maryland will host UCLA, Oregon, and Nebraska while traveling to face Washington, Indiana, and Penn State. These matchups will test the Terps’ depth, particularly as they integrate new pieces into the lineup.
Final Outlook
Maryland has all the ingredients to be a serious contender in the Big Ten and beyond. The combination of experienced returners, impact transfers, and a tough-minded approach under Swope gives the Terps a strong foundation.
The key will be how quickly the new additions gel and whether the pitching staff can provide consistency throughout the season. If the Terps can find stability on the mound and continue their offensive production, they have the potential to make a deep postseason run.
“We talk about it all the time—it’s not about where we start, but where we finish,” Swope said. “We’re building toward something bigger, and I believe this group has what it takes to make a statement.”
With a deep, balanced roster and a competitive schedule, Maryland enters 2025 with its sights set on the postseason. The road won’t be easy, but if the pieces fall into place, this could be the year the Terps take a major step forward.
By Henry Lilienfeld
Photo: Maryland Athletics
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