Former Stanford Stars Entered 2026 MLB Postseason

Four former Stanford baseball players have competed in the MLB postseason across multiple teams.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Baseball

Dynamic baseball player in mid-swing, captured in an expressive, brush-stroke illustration style during a high-stakes playoff game.
Former Stanford standouts Tommy Edman, Kris Bubic, Nico Hoerner, and Erik Miller have each participated in the 2026 MLB postseason, highlighting the strength of their collegiate program. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Former Stanford baseball standouts Tommy Edman, Kris Bubic, Nico Hoerner, and Erik Miller have participated in the 2026 MLB postseason. These players have navigated a season defined by major trades and significant contract extensions.

Why it matters

The presence of these players in the postseason highlights the successful transition of athletes from the Stanford collegiate program to the professional ranks. Their contributions reflect the evolving rosters of teams competing for the World Series title.

Nico Hoerner signed a $141 million contract extension in March 2026, while Erik Miller holds a 3.38 ERA with the Boston Red Sox following his August trade. Kris Bubic has logged 4.66 innings of work since September.

The players

Nico Hoerner

He is a professional baseball player currently playing for the Chicago Cubs.

Tommy Edman

He is a professional baseball player who currently plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Kris Bubic

He is a professional baseball player who was acquired by the Los Angeles Dodgers in August 2026.

Erik Miller

He is a professional baseball player who was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2026.

The details

The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, featuring Hoerner and Miller respectively, faced elimination during their recent Wild Card appearances. Miller allowed a home run to Ben Rice, while the Cubs suffered an 8-0 loss to the San Diego Padres.

Timeline

  1. Nico Hoerner signed his contract extension in March 2026.

  2. Kris Bubic and Erik Miller were traded on August 3, 2026.

  3. Nico Hoerner and Erik Miller played in Wild Card games on September 30, 2026.

  4. The Los Angeles Dodgers begin the NLDS on October 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The participation of these former Stanford players illustrates how mid-season roster changes and major contract signings have altered the competitive landscape of the 2026 playoffs. Their individual performances are now critical variables in the postseason run for their respective franchises.

The Los Angeles Dodgers move into the NLDS on October 3, 2026, shifting the focus for Tommy Edman and Kris Bubic toward a deeper playoff run. Meanwhile, the elimination of the Cubs and Red Sox in the Wild Card round ends the postseason participation for Hoerner and Miller.

The takeaway

The success of these former Stanford players underscores the depth of talent currently influencing the professional baseball landscape. Following these specific players provides insight into how collegiate pipelines continue to shape the outcomes of major postseason series.

Further reading

For more on professional ballplayer movements, visit Baseball.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Stanford Daily.

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