In men’s college sports, baseball remains a distant third behind football and basketball when it comes to money.
With the introduction of NCAA revenue sharing, however, a significant new pool of funding has entered the system. Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, an estimated $1.8 billion will be distributed among Division I athletes (men and women). Only about 13% of that total is expected to go to baseball players.
As a result, baseball athletes generally aren’t landing seven-figure deals like their football and basketball counterparts. Still, elite players can earn up to $300,000 annually on top of their scholarships—and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) opportunities continue to push earning potential higher.
Programs with deep-pocketed collectives—such as LSU, Florida, Texas, Miami, Florida State, and Alabama—offer the greatest upside. That said, non-star players at major programs and standout players at smaller schools are also finding NIL success, often through local and regional partnerships. Many athletes wonder: can D2 athletes get NIL deals? The answer is yes—while D1 programs dominate headlines, do D2 schools give NIL money? They do, though typically at lower levels than Division I institutions. Does D2 have NIL? Absolutely, and opportunities continue to grow across all divisions.
Beyond on-field performance, the biggest driver of NIL value in college baseball is brand-building, particularly through a strong, authentic social media presence.
In recent years, NIL money has:
- Kept some players in college rather than entering the MLB Draft
- Convinced elite recruits to choose college over signing professionally
While pitchers generally command the highest NIL value, the player with the greatest earning potential in 2026 is a position player.
Below is a look at the college baseball players with the highest estimated NIL earning potential in 2026.
Top College Baseball NIL Earners to Watch (2026)
Roch Cholowsky — UCLA
A prototype shortstop in the mold of Cal Ripken Jr. and Derek Jeter, Cholowsky is 6’2″, 210 pounds, and excels in every facet of the game.
- 2025 stats: .353 AVG, 23 HR
- Awards: ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove, National Player of the Year (four outlets)
- NIL: Major trading card deals
- Outlook: Potential No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft
Cameron Flukey — Coastal Carolina
A power right-hander Cameron Flukey who led Coastal Carolina to the College World Series.
- 2025 stats: 118 K in 101.2 IP
- Velocity: Touches 100 mph (sits ~96)
- NIL: Already exceeds $100,000, with growth expected during the season
Liam Peterson — Florida
The ace of one of the nation’s deepest pitching staffs.
- 2025 stats: 8–4 record, 96 K in 69.1 IP
- NIL: ~$100,000 in trading card deals
- Merch: One of the top-selling baseball jerseys on The NIL Store
Derek Curiel — LSU
A can’t-miss talent who lived up to elite recruiting expectations.
- 2025 stats: .345 AVG
- Awards: D1 Baseball National Freshman of the Year, CWS All-Tournament Team
- NIL: Six-figure range, highlighted by a Nike deal with LSU’s top athletes
Jason DeCaro — North Carolina
A physical right-hander for a perennial ACC power.
- Size: 6’5″, 230 lbs
- 2025 stats: 9–3 record, ACC-best 3.78 ERA
Drew Burress — Georgia Tech
One of the most dynamic players in college baseball.
- 2025 stats: 25 HR, 67 RBI, 77 runs (11th nationally), 10 SB
- Awards: First-team All-American
- NIL: Major deal with Associated Credit Union
Gabe Gaeckle — Arkansas
A dominant arm primarily used out of the bullpen.
- 2025 stats: 92 K in 71.1 IP
- Profile: Undersized but explosive velocity
Tegan Kuhns — Tennessee
Limited action as a freshman but immense upside.
- 2025 stats: 36.2 IP
- Projection: Expected to take on a major role as a sophomore
Gavin Grahovac — Texas A&M
A proven power bat returning healthy.
- 2024 stats: 23 HR, 66 RBI
- 2025: Injury-limited season
- 2026 outlook: Bounce-back candidate after staying at A&M
Tyler Bell — Kentucky
An elite all-around freshman performer.
- 2025 stats: Reached base in 54 of 56 games
- Defense: .972 fielding percentage (6 errors)
- Awards: Freshman All-American
Learn More About the NIL Landscape
Name, Image, and Likeness plays an increasing role in college sports, and understanding how it works often requires more than individual articles or news updates.
RallyFuel is a platform focused on NIL-related topics across college athletics. It brings together information about athletes, NIL activity, and the broader structure behind modern college sports, helping readers explore the topic in more depth.
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