Intriguing Data Points from NCAA Opening Weekend 2026

Photo Credit Miranda Flores, UC Santa Barbara Athletics

Jackson Flora 's fastball

There was a consensus top 3 college pitching group going into Opening Weekend (Flora, Cameron Flukey, Liam Peterson) and there were arguments for all three to be at the top of that list. In their first outings of the season on Friday, Flora was the one to impress the most.

The junior right-hander was a hot topic coming into the season, with reported arsenal and grip changes. The fastball was up to 100 MPH and flashed elite cut-ride action at 0 HB and 21 iVB with 2670 RPMs. The word 'elite' gets thrown around a lot when it comes to draft prospects, but this could truly be an elite fastball at the next level.

The rest of his arsenal is impressive as well, mixing in a low 80s sweeper, a high 80s slider/cutter that has a chance to be a double-plus pitch if he throws it for strikes. He made a big adjustment with a changeup moving to a “kick-change.” It has worked wonders for him through the preseason and this outing, occasionally obtaining negative iVB’s and getting separation of 20 inches and 10 mph from the fastball.

If anyone is going to challenge our #1 prospect, Roch Cholowsky, it may be UCSB’s Jackson Flora.

This post is for subscribers only

Become a member to get access to all content

Subscribe now