Ximi Baftiri is giving Evansville a real middle-of-the-order spark
In the 2026 season, Evansville infielder Ximi Baftiri flashed real upside as a contact-plus-power bat, with multiple extra-base hits, including his first career home run and a two-run homer against Xavier, while also producing RBI in key spots. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound freshman looks like a tough out who can impact the game with gap power and timely swing decisions, and the early returns suggest he’s comfortable in pressure moments. For a team, he profiles as a high-upside, infield bat worth buying into if you want run production and upside rather than a finished product.
