Easton Breyfogle’s No. 1 individual goal in 2026 isn’t to hit a certain number of home runs or steal a specific amount of bases — although if he reached double figures in both, no one would complain.
Breyfogle’s main goal, quite simply, is to play in every game for the Arizona Wildcats.
Michael Lev is a senior writer/columnist for the Arizona Daily Star, Tucson.com and The Wildcaster.
Breyfogle is a supremely gifted outfielder whose first two seasons in a UA uniform have been marred by injuries. None were of the season-ending variety. But they were nagging and disruptive and made it difficult for Breyfogle to get into and stay in a groove.
Hamstring, quadriceps, shoulder ... it was one battle after another for Breyfogle to stay on the field. He appeared in 93 of a possible 124 games, and his numbers don’t reflect his talent.
Breyfogle carries a .248 career batting average into a pivotal junior season. Pro scouts will be watching. Arizona needs him more than ever.
Arizona's Easton Breyfogle (12) connects during the second inning in Game 5 of the Men’s College World Series on June 15, 2025, at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
“When you miss games, it's impossible to stay in a rhythm, and he's missed too many games,” said UA coach Chip Hale, whose team opens the '26 season Friday vs. Stanford in the College Baseball Series in Surprise. “So his big thing is availability. Let's just get him in there every night and see what he can do.
“The power is tremendous. The speed is tremendous. He's shown that this preseason. I don't want to say he has to do this for us to be good. But it’s gonna be fun, I think, to watch him play this year.”
The Wildcats were able to make the NCAA Tournament each of the past two seasons — including a trip to the College World Series a year ago — without Breyfogle being fully healthy. That might not be the case this season.
Arizona lost two-thirds of its starting lineup, including four MLB Draft picks. Returning starters Breyfogle, Maddox Mihalakis and Andrew Cain are being counted on to anchor the offense while newcomers are integrated and roles are determined.
Breyfogle understands the stakes.
Arizona runner Easton Breyfogle gestures to the dugout after legging out a triple against Oklahoma State in the seventh inning of the second game of their Big 12 series April 12, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
“Obviously, it's a big year,” said Breyfogle, a native of Edina, Minnesota, whom Perfect Game dubbed the No. 1 prospect in the state in the class of 2023. “I know that. People around me know that.
“But at the end of the day, baseball is a team sport. You gotta do what you can for your team to win. I'm just trying not to put too much pressure on myself and go out there and do what I can to win games. I think results will follow.”
Breyfogle was smart enough to realize he couldn’t prepare for this season the same way he had the previous two. He had to do something different to gird his body for a long college baseball season.
That something was Pilates.
Investing in his body
It had to be quite a sight when the large wooden crate was delivered to the Tucson home Breyfogle shares with Cain and catcher Roman Meyers.
Inside was a Pilates reformer. That’s the contraption that looks like a cross between a bedframe and a torture device. It features a sliding carriage, pulleys, springs and straps.
Arizona left fielder Easton Breyfogle (12) tracks down a shot to the wall from San Diego batter Logan Reddemann in the fourth inning of their game, Feb. 21, 2025, at Hi Corbett Field.
It just might be the key to Breyfogle reaching his potential.
Breyfogle had spoken to some professional baseball players about Pilates, as well as some football players. He got in touch with Denise Strenger, a Pilates instructor who works with Minnesota Vikings players and other elite athletes.
“When I was back home, I did a couple sessions with her,” Breyfogle said. “I loved it.”
Breyfogle decided to buy a reformer. It cost $1,000. Money well spent, he hopes.
“I think it’s totally worth it,” said Breyfogle, whose senior season in high school was cut short because of a torn hamstring. “It’s an investment in your body.”
Breyfogle aspires to be drafted and to play pro ball, so it makes sense. He hops on Zoom calls with Strenger a couple of times a week and uses the reformer at least four times weekly.
Pilates strengthens and lengthens muscles and improves flexibility and core strength. To reduce inflammation, Breyfogle lies on a red-light therapy mat every night before bed. He also utilizes leg compression boots to promote blood flow.
Arizona center fielder Eason Breyfogle went 2 for 3 with three RBIs in the Wildcats' 12-1 run-rule victory over No. 20 Indiana on March 3, 2024, at the Frisco College Baseball Classic in Frisco, Texas.
So far, so good. Breyfogle said his body has never felt better. Hale said the only health issue Breyfogle has encountered was missing a day after getting hit by pitches three times during a scrimmage.
“Other than that, he's had no issues with his legs,” Hale said. “Knock on wood.”
Trusting the process
The first thing I ever noticed about Breyfogle was how he’d fly out of the batter’s box after putting the ball in play. A left-handed hitter, Breyfogle would burst out of the box like a sprinter — low and hard.
As a left fielder and center fielder, Breyfogle has a ton of ground to cover at spacious Hi Corbett Field. He goes after flyballs aggressively, never hesitating to dive or leap to make a play.
As much as he wants to stay healthy and play every game, Breyfogle knows he can’t change who he is. He can’t play scared.
“You can't have the thought of getting hurt in the back of your head, because that's when your mechanics start to break down and you start putting yourself at a greater risk of injury,” Breyfogle said. “You just have to trust the work that you've done off the field. And once you get on the field, you gotta go all out, play as hard as you can and pray for the best.”
Arizona’s Easton Breyfogle celebrates his two-run homer in the second inning against Cal Poly in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament’s Eugene Regional on May 30, 2025, at PK Park in Eugene, Oregon.
In the best-case scenario, Breyfogle will be a consistent impact player in 2026. He has shown plenty of flashes.
As a freshman, Breyfogle stole seven bases without being caught. As a sophomore, he hit five home runs. In a nine-game span from May 11-31, he had five multi-hit games.
Breyfogle participated in the Cape Cod Baseball League’s home run derby last summer. He reached the final round and took Arkansas’ Kuhio Aloy to extra time. Aloy, a second-team All-American last season, beat Breyfogle by one home run.
“It's definitely in there,” Breyfogle said of his power.
To better tap into it, Breyfogle has worked on adjustments to hit the ball in the air more. Per D1Baseball, Breyfogle had a 56.1% groundball rate last season, highest among UA regulars. His flyball rate of 32.2% was the lowest.
If Breyfogle wants to help his team without hurting himself in the process, there’s no better way than hitting the ball over the wall and leisurely trotting around the bases.
