Notre Dame Lands Top 2026 RHP Callaghan O’Connor

Notre Dame baseball is just 20 days away and the Irish program received huge news on the recruiting trail this weekend as 2026 Bishop McNamara (Ill.) RHP Callaghan O’Connor gave his verbal pledge to Shawn Stiffler. 

“I’m extremely excited and blessed to announce that I am furthering my academic and athletic career at the University of Notre Dame,” O’Connor said in a statement. “I would like to thank all of my family, friends, coaches, the Top Tier and Braves organizations, and my school Bishop McNamara for helping me through this incredible journey. Go Irish.” 

The 6-foot-5, 190-pounder is ranked as a top 50 talent by some services as he has a fastball that sits in the upper 80s with plenty of movement. O’Connor also will bring a changeup (1664 spin rate) and a curveball (1856 spin rate) to the mound. 

O’Connor’s father and sister attended Notre Dame, but it probably wasn’t as easy of a decision as most would think as the Irish beat out national powerhouses Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Virginia for his commitment. 

The Illinois native is the second commitment in 2026 for Notre Dame as O’Connor joins Martinsville (Ind.) RHP Rhys Wolf in the class. 

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