Texas Longhorns
Overall Rank: #12
Conference Rank: #2 Big 12
Coach David Pierce took Texas to the College World Series in just his second season leading the program. The Longhorns cruised through the Austin Regional with ease and then held off Tennessee Tech in the Super Regionals. The Longhorns went 0-2 in Omaha, losing to Arkansas and Florida, but the Big 12 is on notice that Texas is back and ready to compete for a conference title.
2018: 42-23, 17-7
2018 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: David Pierce
Key Departed Players:
Kody Clemens, IF, .351 BA, 24 HR, 72 RBI
Nolan Kingham, P, 4.57 ERA, 8-5 W/L, 100.1 IP, 81 SO
Chase Shugart, P, 4.64 ERA, 6-3 W/L, 95.0 IP, 69 SO
Key Returning Players:
David Hamilton, IF, .291 BA, 5 HR, 37 RBI, 31 SB
Duke Ellis, OF, .289 BA, 27 RBI, 16 SB
Zach Zubia, IF, .275 BA, 11 HR, 45 RBI
Masen Hibbeler, IF, .261 BA, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 13 SB
DJ Petrinsky, C, .257 BA, 9 HR, 29 RBI
Ryan Reynolds, IF, .247 BA, 4 HR, 37 RBI
Blair Henley, P, 3.32 ERA, 6-7 W/L, 86.2 IP, 64 SO
Projection:
Texas will be without top hitter Kody Clemens and weekend starters Nolan Kingham and Chase Shugart, Blair Henley will have to anchor the staff for now. He started 16 games in 2018 and went 6-7 with a 3.32 ERA. The other spots in the weekend rotation remain a question mark, but there are some talented pieces, including sophomore Nico O’Donnell who started seven games in 2018 and incoming freshman Coy Cobb. At the plate Zach Zubia and company will look to replace the massive production of the departed Clemens. Zubia hit .275 as a freshman with 11 homeruns and 45 RBIs. DJ Petrinsky and David Hamilton have some pop in their bats as well. Hamilton is also a nuisance on the base paths and swiped 31 bases last season. Clemens will be missed, but the Longhorns could have an even more productive offense. If the inexperienced pitching staff can find some consistency, the Longhorns will get another shot at the College World Series. Go to betting.com to learn how to bet on baseball.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
