Texas Tech Red Raiders
Overall Rank: #2
Conference Rank: #1 Big 12
Last season Texas Tech made their third trip to the College World Series during the Coach Tim Tadlock era. In 2019 they expect to make it four. There are some key pieces gone, most notably the power at the plate provided by Grant Little, Zach Rheams and Michael Davis, but this is a Red Raiders team that still has plenty of experience and more than enough younger talent to fill the holes.
2018: 45-20, 15-9
2018 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Tim Tadlock
Key Departed Players:
Grant Little, .370 BA, 12 HR, 77 RBI
Zach Rheams, .341 BA, 17 HR, 55 RBI
Michael Davis, .281 BA, 12 HR, 53 RBI
Ryan Shetter, 2.97 ERA, 6-0 W/L, 72.2 IP, 79 SO
Davis Martin, 4.87 ERA, 7-6 W/L, 77.2 IP, 81 SO
Key Returning Players:
Josh Jung, 3B, .392 BA, 12 HR, 80 RBI
Gabe Holt, IF/OF, .348 BA, 6 HR, 29 SB
Cameron Warren, 1B, .326 BA, 10 HR, 53 RBI
Brian Klein, IF, .317 BA, 34 RBI
Caleb Kilian, P, 3.24 ERA, 9-3 W/L, 72.1 IP, 63 SO
John McMillon, P, 4.02 ERA, 5-3 W/L, 62.2 IP, 73 SO
Projection:
Josh Jung is one of the best hitters in the country. Last year he hit an impressive .392 with 12 homeruns and 77 RBIs. The Red Raiders have enough dangerous batters to protect him in the lineup as well. Cameron Warren, Brian Klein and speedster Gabe Holt all averaged over .300 in 2018 and bring enough power to the plate for Texas Tech to remain a consistent threat to leave the park. With promising freshmen like Max Marusak and TJ Rumfield and junior college transfer Dylan Neuse, the offense should be one of the most dangerous in the Big 12 and the country. The pitching staff is in great shape too with Caleb Killian and John McMillon leading the way. Killian went 9-3 last season with a 3.24 ERA, while McMillon added a 4.02 ERA in 62.2 innings of work. Those two will anchor the weekend rotation and the Red Raiders will hope to get some consistency from Arkansas transfer Bryce Bonnin, sophomore John McDonald, who missed last season with an injury, or a handful of freshmen to fill in the starting roles. The goal for this group, as usual, is to get to Omaha. And Coach Tadlock has the experience and talent at his disposal to do more than just get there.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Baseball Tournament
