Like @squirk posted in the OF thread, the COVID roster rules will make these previews a little more fluid than in previous years. But I'll do my best.
THE DEPARTED
- Brian Klein - One of my all time favorite players. Klein was as hard an out to get in all of college baseball. His approach to hit the ball to the opposite field was damn fun to watch. He leaves the program with a career average of .318, 49 doubles, 140 runs scored, and 124 RBI's. He was also hitting .391 before the 2020 season was cut short.
- Jared Cushing - Jared transferred to Xavier during the offseason after coming in with some seriously talented teammates. A logjam behind Conley, Jung, and Klein made it hard for Cushing to push through to an everyday spot.
- Bo Willis - The emergence of power hitting Nate Rombach, paired with the staunch veteran of Braxton Fulford behind the plate pushed Willis to transfer to Weatherford JC.
- TJ Rumfield - Rinse and repeat for the depth of the IF causing some guys to move on. Rumfield could hit for power, but found himself behind Stillwell, Rombach, and Braxton fighting for AB's. He transferred to Virginia Tech.
THE RETURNERS
- Jace Jung - Jace had a great start to his freshman year at the plate. Hitting .264 with 4 HR and 23 RBI. He slugged .604 in the short season and there is no reason to think he won't keep getting better. He did have 7 errors manning the hot corner, which makes me think that the departure of Brian Klein at 2B could be the perfect fit for Jung to slide over to an easier defensive spot. Look for Jung to be a staple in the lineup in 2020.
- Cal Conley - Cal was probably my favorite kid in the freshman class from last year. Smooth infielder, disciplined hitter that has surprising pop. Just an all around centerpiece to build a team around at SS. Very few people could come in after possibly the best TTU baseball player in history (Josh Jung) and not have a fanbase clamoring about what once was. Cal hit .371 with 24 RBI in the shortened season. A slugging number of .643 is nothing to scoff at for a switch hitter. Cal will most likely slot in the leadoff or 2 spot this season because of his low strikeout rate. Fearless prediction of Cal to be first team all Big 12 this season.
- Parker Kelly - Can Parker take the next step at the plate? That's the question that could shape the IF for 2021. If he can, the move of Jung to 2B makes much more sense as Kelly has always been stellar at 3B defensively. Kelly homered in every Red/Black game this fall and I hope that translates to the regular season. If we see more struggles, several incoming guys could push for playing time at the hot corner.
- Cole Stillwell - Played the most games of anyone at 1B last season and ended up with pretty impressive numbers. He hit .345 in 17 games with 18 RBI and only 10 strikeouts. I think that 1B could see some more rotation than the stalwart everyday guy like we've seen in past seasons in Gute, Hargrove, and Warren. I would expect Cole to get a lot of starts, but imagine Tadlock will get creative to get Rombach in the lineup as much as possible.
- Easton Murrell - Easton is my wildcard for the returning guys. He can play 2B, SS, or 3B and can hit the baseball with authority. He just hasn't had a ton of AB's to draw from. But his demeanor and of course the big dinger against Arkansas in Omaha lend to some optimism. Also could very well factor in the outfield equation.
- Nate Rombach - Welcome to the show, kid. Nate hit 5 home runs in his first 4 collegiate games. He cooled off as the season went on to only add one addition HR, but the power is undeniable. I look for him to mature as a hitter with an approach to some better pitching. Nate will rotate between DH, Catcher, and 1B and I doubt there are many games where Rombach isn't penciled into the middle of this lineup.
- Braxton Fulford - The stalwart behind the plate had a tough 2021 but the experience and numbers over a career speak for themselves. He doesn't provide the offensive firepower as Rombach, but I think he's your best defensive option behind the plate. He's been there and done that for three seasons in Lubbock. He's your opening day catcher I believe.
THE NEWCOMERS
- Dalton Beck - Dalton is listed as a pitcher and 1B. Dalton is projected as a very good hitter and I would like to keep an eye on him at the DH position and possibly playing just about anywhere. I always hate to project position changes to incoming guys, but if you can hit, Tadlock can find a place to stand in the field.
- Drew Woodcox - I see Drew pushing for an everyday spot at either 2B or 3B. He will most likely be the staunchest competition at the position with Parker Kelly to play 3B.
Texas Tech also lists three more incoming recruits that I quite frankly do not have as much info on as I would like. Keenan Spence is coming in from Australia so info is a little difficult to find. Andrew Stubbs and Jackson Cobb are both listed in the top 25 SS in Texas. The targeting of very athletic SS and then finding them a spot at TTU seems to be a Tadlock mantra.
If I can find some more info on those guys I will certainly add to the post.
As always, if anyone has some insider info on transfers or if kids didn't make it to campus, please post and I will edit.
Wreck em.
THE DEPARTED
- Brian Klein - One of my all time favorite players. Klein was as hard an out to get in all of college baseball. His approach to hit the ball to the opposite field was damn fun to watch. He leaves the program with a career average of .318, 49 doubles, 140 runs scored, and 124 RBI's. He was also hitting .391 before the 2020 season was cut short.
- Jared Cushing - Jared transferred to Xavier during the offseason after coming in with some seriously talented teammates. A logjam behind Conley, Jung, and Klein made it hard for Cushing to push through to an everyday spot.
- Bo Willis - The emergence of power hitting Nate Rombach, paired with the staunch veteran of Braxton Fulford behind the plate pushed Willis to transfer to Weatherford JC.
- TJ Rumfield - Rinse and repeat for the depth of the IF causing some guys to move on. Rumfield could hit for power, but found himself behind Stillwell, Rombach, and Braxton fighting for AB's. He transferred to Virginia Tech.
THE RETURNERS
- Jace Jung - Jace had a great start to his freshman year at the plate. Hitting .264 with 4 HR and 23 RBI. He slugged .604 in the short season and there is no reason to think he won't keep getting better. He did have 7 errors manning the hot corner, which makes me think that the departure of Brian Klein at 2B could be the perfect fit for Jung to slide over to an easier defensive spot. Look for Jung to be a staple in the lineup in 2020.
- Cal Conley - Cal was probably my favorite kid in the freshman class from last year. Smooth infielder, disciplined hitter that has surprising pop. Just an all around centerpiece to build a team around at SS. Very few people could come in after possibly the best TTU baseball player in history (Josh Jung) and not have a fanbase clamoring about what once was. Cal hit .371 with 24 RBI in the shortened season. A slugging number of .643 is nothing to scoff at for a switch hitter. Cal will most likely slot in the leadoff or 2 spot this season because of his low strikeout rate. Fearless prediction of Cal to be first team all Big 12 this season.
- Parker Kelly - Can Parker take the next step at the plate? That's the question that could shape the IF for 2021. If he can, the move of Jung to 2B makes much more sense as Kelly has always been stellar at 3B defensively. Kelly homered in every Red/Black game this fall and I hope that translates to the regular season. If we see more struggles, several incoming guys could push for playing time at the hot corner.
- Cole Stillwell - Played the most games of anyone at 1B last season and ended up with pretty impressive numbers. He hit .345 in 17 games with 18 RBI and only 10 strikeouts. I think that 1B could see some more rotation than the stalwart everyday guy like we've seen in past seasons in Gute, Hargrove, and Warren. I would expect Cole to get a lot of starts, but imagine Tadlock will get creative to get Rombach in the lineup as much as possible.
- Easton Murrell - Easton is my wildcard for the returning guys. He can play 2B, SS, or 3B and can hit the baseball with authority. He just hasn't had a ton of AB's to draw from. But his demeanor and of course the big dinger against Arkansas in Omaha lend to some optimism. Also could very well factor in the outfield equation.
- Nate Rombach - Welcome to the show, kid. Nate hit 5 home runs in his first 4 collegiate games. He cooled off as the season went on to only add one addition HR, but the power is undeniable. I look for him to mature as a hitter with an approach to some better pitching. Nate will rotate between DH, Catcher, and 1B and I doubt there are many games where Rombach isn't penciled into the middle of this lineup.
- Braxton Fulford - The stalwart behind the plate had a tough 2021 but the experience and numbers over a career speak for themselves. He doesn't provide the offensive firepower as Rombach, but I think he's your best defensive option behind the plate. He's been there and done that for three seasons in Lubbock. He's your opening day catcher I believe.
THE NEWCOMERS
- Dalton Beck - Dalton is listed as a pitcher and 1B. Dalton is projected as a very good hitter and I would like to keep an eye on him at the DH position and possibly playing just about anywhere. I always hate to project position changes to incoming guys, but if you can hit, Tadlock can find a place to stand in the field.
- Drew Woodcox - I see Drew pushing for an everyday spot at either 2B or 3B. He will most likely be the staunchest competition at the position with Parker Kelly to play 3B.
Texas Tech also lists three more incoming recruits that I quite frankly do not have as much info on as I would like. Keenan Spence is coming in from Australia so info is a little difficult to find. Andrew Stubbs and Jackson Cobb are both listed in the top 25 SS in Texas. The targeting of very athletic SS and then finding them a spot at TTU seems to be a Tadlock mantra.
If I can find some more info on those guys I will certainly add to the post.
As always, if anyone has some insider info on transfers or if kids didn't make it to campus, please post and I will edit.
Wreck em.
