Positional Previews: Infielders

MACON – The majority of last season's infield is no longer in Macon, however, the Bears brought in major talent to field one of the most exciting position groups in the Southern Conference.

Brant Baughcum
Senior | R/R | 6'2" 210 | Third Baseman

Baughcum manned the hot corner for all 60 games in his first season at Mercer. The Gulf Coast State transfer slashed .320/.415/.502 in 225 at-bats, the third-most on the squad and ninth-most in the SoCon. Baughcum ended his first campaign in Macon second on the team with 72 hits, third with 15 doubles, 113 total bases and 46 RBI and fourth with eight home runs. Arguably the most impressive aspect of Baughcum's junior year is his .102 strikeout percentage with the NCAA listing him as the 86th-hardest hitter to strike out across all Division I batters.

Head Coach Craig Gibson on Baughcum – "Brant gives you quality at-bats no matter where you stick him in the order. His ability over in the hot corner is his best attribute and he is one of the best defenders I have had the opportunity to coach."

Titan Kamaka
Senior | R/R | 6'0" 185 | Shortstop/Second Baseman

After beginning his career in garnet and gold, Kamaka repped the orange and black last season as the Bears' primary second baseman. A member of the 2025 SoCon All-Defensive Team, Kamaka displayed his defensive prowess all season long alongside fellow middle infielder and Gold Glove Award winner Bradley Frye. With the departure of Frye, Kamaka is expected to slide across the infield and serve as Mercer's primary shortstop this season. The Orlando, Florida, native took 203 at-bats as a junior for the Bears and maintained a .291 batting average with 94 total bases.

Coach Gibson on Kamaka – "We feel like we are in good hands with Titan Kamaka. He's a leader and a coach on the field. He plays with tremendous energy and he's a great teammate that brings it everyday. He's everything you could want in a baseball player."

Logan Shepherd
Junior | R/R | 6'2" 210 | First Baseman

Shepherd began his collegiate career at Tacoma CC with fellow Bear Drew Johnson before transferring to Mercer this past offseason. The 2025 NWAC Position Player of the Year and All-NWAC First Teamer is coming off a monstrous year for the Titans. Shepherd slashed an eye-catching .392/.498/.637 over 171 at-bats with 41 RBI, 18 doubles, six home runs and three triples. The Olympia, Washington, native was a mainstay in Tacoma's lineup, appearing in just under 100 games throughout his two seasons there. Shepherd showed tremendous bat-to-ball ability with plenty of power this offseason and is expected to take the majority of reps at first base for Mercer this year.

Coach Gibson on Shepherd – "We have played Logan primarily at first and in the corner outfield spots. He shows tremendous bat-to-ball skills and his patience at the plate results in a lot of deep counts. All-in-all he might be one of our best hitters."

Devyn McEachron
Junior | R/R | 6'1" 198 | UTIL

A grizzled veteran with an electric bat, McEachron comes to Mercer after tremendous seasons with Chattanooga State and Arkansas University Mid-South. Last year, McEachron appeared in 55 games as Chattanooga State's primary third baseman, earning All-TCCA First Team honors. The Smyrna, Tennessee, native slashed .368/.491/.649 across 174 at-bats with 70 RBI, 13 home runs and eight doubles as a sophomore last year. To begin his collegiate career, McEachron appeared in 49 games and posted a .327/.422/.600 slash line over 165 at-bats at Arkansas University Mid-South.

Coach Gibson on McEachron – "Devyn played just about everywhere throughout his time in the Tennessee junior college system. He is a big, physical athlete and can really put the ball into play."

Braydon Kersey
Sophomore | L/R | 6'1" 205 | UTIL

Kersey, one of Mercer's two-way talents, enters his second season at the collegiate level expecting a major increase in at-bats for the Bears. Although Kersey only saw 27 at-bats as a freshman, his strong offseason has propelled him into the starting DH role for the upcoming season.

Coach Gibson on Kersey – "Kersey will probably start out the year as our everyday DH, but he has the talent and ability to play a variety of other positions. He's a very talented hitter that will be very important as a two-way guy for us."

Kai Decker
Sophomore | L/R | 6'1" 210 | UTIL

A rising star on both sides of the plate, Decker prepares to begin his second year at Mercer after a strong summer with the Macon Bacon. Another one of the Bears' two-way stars, Decker has seen more success on the mound in his early career. However, Decker turned in two multi-hit performances including a 3-for-4 outing with a home run against Kent State.

Coach Gibson on Decker – "Kai is probably one of the most talented guys that I have coached. He's going to be a true two-way guy with opportunities to DH and play a corner position. He's coming off a great summer where he was named the Most Outstanding Prospect in the Coastal Plain League."

Ethan Buffone
Freshman | R/R | 6'3" 190 | UTIL

Buffone brings plenty of tools to the plate with unlimited potential as a true freshman. The Warner Robins, Georgia, native received All-Region and All-State honors in both his junior and senior years at Houston County High School. Buffone, a multi-sport athlete, also played soccer under head coach Brad Ruzzo for the Mercer Bears.

Coach Gibson on Buffone – "He's a guy that we want to build around as the foundation for this club over the next three to four years. He's big, strong, explosive. He reminds of R.J. Yeager who's currently in AAA with the Cardinals."

Parker Dastou
Freshman | R/R | 6'2" 180 | Shortstop

Dastou, ranked as a top-30 shortstop in the state of Georgia coming out of Walton High School, has been flashing the leather and ripping through gaps all camp. Before stepping foot in Macon, Dastou helped the Raiders lift a state championship his senior year and participated in the East-West All-Star Game after receiving All-Region First Team honors as a junior.

Coach Gibson on Dastou – "Parker's another guy that we want to be the foundation of this team in the near future. He has the ability to play just about any position in the infield. He's a great defender, plus worker and has great baseball instinct."

Players Mentioned

Brant Baughcum

Ethan Buffone

Parker Dastou

Kai Decker

Bradley Frye

Drew Johnson

Titan Kamaka

Braydon Kersey

Devyn McEachron

Logan Shepherd

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