PHOENIX – Dean Toigo was the 2025 Mountain West co-player of the year after hitting 18 home runs and driving in 74 RBIs at UNLV last year to go along with a 1.127 OPS.
At times, it felt like nobody noticed.
Maybe that’s why Toigo was so excited to play in front of the raucous Sun Devil crowd at Phoenix Municipal Stadium after transferring to Arizona State.
“I haven’t really gotten that experience to play in front of a crowd with a bunch of energy,” Toigo said. “I think it’s going to be a bit of a shell shock for me.”
If Toigo was nervous to start the year, he hasn’t shown it. He has been crushing the ball all season. The fifth-year senior outfielder has 13 home runs to go along with a .715 slugging percentage, putting him in the top 50 in the country.
Toigo is part of a larger trend taking shape on the diamond at Phoenix Municipal. When ASU coach Willie Bloomquist lost nine players to the 2025 MLB Draft, he knew he had some work to do. Thanks to the transfer portal, it’s safe to say his hard work has paid off.
After adding 16 players through the portal, the Sun Devils are 24-10 and fortified by the new additions who are making a major impact.
Following the 2025 season when ASU finished with a 36-24 overall record and went 18-12 in its first year in the Big 12 conference, Bloomquist told Sun Devil Source, “We’re going to be hitting the portal extremely hard and looking for the right kind of players.
It looks like he found the right kind of players.
Austen Roellig, infielder, transfer from Utah
It was not an ideal start to the season for the former Big-12 All-Freshman Austen Roellig. He began the year 0-for-6 with four strikeouts.
Bloomquist pulled Roellig aside and said, “You can flat out hit, relax, just go up and be you.”
The next game, Roellig went 3-for-3 with a home run to kick-start his season. He hasn’t looked back and has been playing at an elite level for the Sun Devils this year. In 31 games played, he has 36 hits, a home run and 16 RBIs.
Matt Polk, outfielder, Transfer from Vanderbilt
Matt Polk transferred from Vanderbilt after he medically redshirted in 2025. In his first at-bat since getting injured, Polk hit the first home run of the season for the Devils.
He came up big again in the series against Arizona, going 5-for-6 in Tucson.
“I’m a fifth-year senior, so only God knows how long I have left,” Polk said after the game.
Polk supplies the Devils with energy and experience in the outfield. He is hitting his stride at the perfect time for the Devils. In 15 games, he has 14 hits, two home runs and nine RBIs.
Coen Niclai, catcher, transfer from Oregon
Coen Niclai has been the GCU killer this year; three of his four home runs have come against the Sun Devils’ cross-town neighbors.
He came up big with a walk-off single in a 4-3 win over GCU on March 17, then hit a grand slam to give the Sun Devils the lead when they beat the Lopes 12-8 on April 7.
“Just get up in the morning, I guess something’s different,” said Niclai about his performances against GCU.
Niclai has been splitting time with Brody Briggs in the catching role, but Bloomquist said Niclai has been a phenomenal teammate even when he isn’t the starter.
“I’ve felt great, the coaching staff has done an amazing job making me feel comfortable all season,” said Niclai, who has 13 hits, four home runs and 15 RBIs in 15 games.
Kole Klecker, pitcher, transfer from TCU
Despite his 6.17 ERA, Kole Klecker has been important for the Devils this year. The senior from Chandler began the season with quality starts against some very tough opponents, including a win against ranked Oklahoma. In seven games started, he has a 3-2 record with 34 strikeouts.
“He should have committed to us right out of the gate,” Bloomquist said. “I think he was eager to have the opportunity to come back home and finish it out here.”
Taylor Penn, pitcher, transfer from Western Kentucky
Taylor Penn is another arm that has provided quality innings for the Sun Devils this year. Bloomquist has relied on the reliever from Western Kentucky to give ASU multiple innings out of the bullpen.
Eight of his 11 appearances have been multi-inning outings for the Sun Devils, including two starts. Penn should have a crucial role during ASU’s final push before the Big 12 tournament in May.
Penn has been the jack of all trades for the Sun Devils’ pitching staff. Whether he comes in relief, starts a game or enters with runners on base needing to get an out, he thrives in the moment.
“Whenever they throw me in, I’m getting an opportunity to come in the game, so I can’t complain,” said Penn, who is 4-0 with 24 strikeouts in 11 appearances.
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