Meet the New Jackals for 2026

The New Jersey Jackals have entered the 2026 Frontier League season with a roster that blends experience and fresh talent. While much of the roster features new faces, the organization also brings back four players from its 2025 club, providing valuable leadership and familiarity as the team looks to compete in a highly competitive East Division.

The roster is made up of former MLB Draft picks, players with experience in Major League Baseball organizations, standout collegiate athletes, and seasoned independent league veterans. Several newcomers arrive after successful careers at the NCAA Division I level, while others have spent years developing their game throughout affiliated and independent professional baseball.

Leading the way is first-year manager Bobby M. Jones, whose extensive playing and managerial background makes him one of the most experienced figures in the Frontier League. Jones will oversee a roster featuring a mix of proven veterans and promising young talent as the Jackals begin a new chapter in 2026.

From former prospects in MLB organizations to Frontier League Draft selections contributors, here's a closer look at the players and coaches who are new to the New Jersey Jackals roster in 2026.

Louis Almonte

Returning for his fifth year of professional baseball, Louis Almonte is playing for the first time since 2023. The Dominican Republic native enjoyed a standout season in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, posting a 1.01 ERA and a perfect 6-0 record with Indians Blue.

Jorge Benitez

Selected by the Seattle Mariners in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Jorge Benitez brings extensive affiliated baseball experience to New Jersey. The Puerto Rico native also spent time in the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers organizations before joining the Jackals.

Malik Binns

A former 18th-round selection of the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2021 MLB Draft, Malik Binns arrives in New Jersey with experience throughout the East Coast baseball scene. The Chicago native previously played for the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and Staten Island FerryHawks during his professional career.

Dylan Castaneda

Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 30th round of the 2019 MLB Draft, Dylan Castaneda enters his second stint with the New Jersey Jackals. Across six professional seasons, the right-hander has logged nearly 300 innings on the mound.

Caleb Debban

The New Jersey Jackals selected Caleb Debban with the first overall pick in the 2026 Frontier League Draft following a successful collegiate career at George Fox University. During his senior season, Debban posted a 3.71 ERA while striking out 71 batters across 68 innings pitched.

Dosie Drakeford

At just 23 years old, Dosie Drakeford brings a strong collegiate resume to the Jackals after pitching at both Tusculum University and the University of West Georgia. The Georgia native appeared with the Trenton Thunder in 2025, recording a 3.86 ERA in 21 innings of work.

Billy Duby

After collegiate stops at Western Kentucky University and Belmont University, Billy Duby began his professional career with the Ottawa Titans in 2025. The right-hander impressed during his rookie campaign, posting a 2.81 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 48 innings.

Trenton Duchscherer

Trenton Duchscherer arrives in New Jersey after spending three seasons at Cumberland University. During his collegiate career, he batted .269 while collecting seven home runs and 52 RBIs.

Luis Encarnacion

After spending five seasons with the Houston Astros organization, Luis Encarnacion has been a key contributor with the New Jersey Jackals, even winning the Frontier Player of the Week award in Week 4. He has 35 home runs and 180 RBIs through six seasons of professional baseball.

Martin Figueroa

Martin Figueroa returns to the New Jersey Jackals for his second stint with the organization after previously helping the club reach 60 wins in 2023. The University of Rhode Island product has played professionally since 2017 and most recently suited up for the High Point Rockers of the Atlantic League.

Noah Furcht

After spending two seasons at UNC Charlotte and his final collegiate season at Ohio State University, Noah Furcht arrives in New Jersey following a productive year in the Big Ten Conference. During his senior season, Furcht batted .278 with 11 home runs and 40 RBIs for the Buckeyes.

Dariel Gomez

Entering his 11th season of professional baseball, Dariel Gomez brings a wealth of experience to the New Jersey Jackals. The veteran infielder previously spent time in the St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, and New York Mets organizations and played for the Charleston Dirty Birds and Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in 2024.

Christian Hall

Christian Hall played five collegiate seasons at UT Martin, UAB, and Auburn before beginning his professional career. He made an immediate impact in the Pioneer League, combining for 18 home runs and 62 RBIs with the Ogden Raptors and Great Falls Voyagers.

Jedier Hernandez

Born in Puerto Rico and raised in New Jersey, Jedier Hernandez starred at Trenton Catholic before continuing his collegiate career at Seton Hall and later the University of Missouri. He gained his first professional experience with the Great Falls Voyagers of the Pioneer League.

Nyan Hernandez

Nyan Hernandez began his professional career in the Texas Rangers organization, signing at just 17 years old and spending three seasons in affiliated baseball. The versatile veteran later played in the American Association, Colombian Winter League, and Pioneer League before joining the New Jersey Jackals.

Breyln Jones

A New Jersey native, Breyln Jones was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 29th round of the 2019 MLB Draft. Jones returns for his second stint with the New Jersey Jackals and enters his third season of Frontier League competition.

Aldalay Kolokie

At 21 years old, Aldalay Kolokie is one of the youngest players on the Jackals' roster. The Cuban native spent three seasons in the Colorado Rockies organization, batting .281 while stealing 33 bases during his professional career.

Jordy Luciano

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Jordy Luciano brings affiliated and Frontier League experience to the New Jersey Jackals. The pitcher spent three seasons in the New York Yankees organization before appearing with the New York Boulders during the 2025 Frontier League season.

Connor Maryniak

Connor Maryniak earned NCAA Division III Player of the Year honors during his standout junior season at Misericordia University before transferring to UNC Charlotte. The Pennsylvania native spent the 2025 season with the Trenton Thunder, contributing both as a shortstop and relief pitcher.

Agnel Miranda

Puerto Rico native Agnel Miranda played two collegiate seasons at Southeastern University before beginning his professional career. He enters his second Frontier League season after appearing with the Florence Y'alls in 2025.

Andrew Peters

Selected third overall by the New Jersey Jackals in the 2026 Frontier League Draft, Andrew Peters brings an impressive baseball resume to the organization. Peters was previously drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2021.

Leandro Rodriguez

At just 20 years old, Leandro Rodriguez arrives in New Jersey after spending time in the San Francisco Giants organization. The Venezuelan right-hander posted a 2.90 ERA with 72 strikeouts across 62 innings during his affiliated baseball career.

Elio Serrano

Elio Serrano enters his 10th professional season after beginning his career in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Most recently, he recorded 29 strikeouts in 25.1 innings with the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League in 2024.

Gustavo Sosa

A Bronx native who played collegiately at Rutgers University, Gustavo Sosa brings both local ties and professional experience to the Jackals. The former Philadelphia Phillies prospect owns a .257 career batting average with 21 home runs and 118 RBIs.

Ryan Steinhauer

The New Jersey Jackals selected Ryan Steinhauer with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 Frontier League Draft. During three seasons at the University of Dayton, the left-hander logged 127.2 innings while recording 124 strikeouts.

Felix Stevens

Felix Stevens enters his seventh professional season after spending six years in the Chicago Cubs organization. The Cuban slugger has compiled 92 home runs and 324 RBIs while posting a .255 batting average during his professional career.

Daunte Stuart

Before turning professional, Daunte Stuart spent four seasons at Northwestern State before finishing his collegiate career at the University of Memphis. The Texas native played for the Lake Country DockHounds in 2025 before joining the New Jersey Jackals.

Bobby M. Jones

Bobby M. Jones begins his first season as manager of the New Jersey Jackals in 2026. A former Major League pitcher with the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets, Jones previously managed the Sussex County Miners from 2016 to 2022.

Carlos Guzman

Carlos Guzman returns to the organization as a coach after previously playing for the New Jersey Jackals in 2012, when he hit 11 home runs and drove in 51 runs. The former New York Mets prospect also served as head coach at Hudson Catholic High School.

Vlad Fontalvo Jr.

Vlad Fontalvo Jr. brings extensive coaching experience to the Jackals staff as a former bench coach for the Sussex County Miners and longtime hitting and fielding instructor. He previously served on New Jersey's coaching staff during the 2023 season.

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Author: Matt Goldman