Let's Talk Baseball!

It's almost that time of year again, when the diamonds fill with players and the stands fill with fans. Except we'll have to wait an extra 3 weeks this year. With the new uniform start date (grow a pair, North), the NCAA baseball season has to wait until February 15th for its first scheduled game. I figure now is as good a time as any to start looking at what the Longhorns and Red Raiders have to offer.

We'll start with Texas Tech:

During the offseason, Tech decided to do some in-house cleaning. Out was volunteer Pitching Coach Lance Brown and Assistant Coach Daren Hays. Hays took over as the new Head of Baseball Operations, a job that will keep him away from coaching, thanks be to Jebus. The Raiders then went out and made, in my opinion, one of the best hires in a long time, Dan Spencer. Spencer was the pitching coach for 2-time defending National Champion Oregon State. He put together staffs that dominated the post season and helped the Beavers claim supremacy over the rest of the field. In addition to Spencer, Trent Petrie was hired from New Mexico to help mold the young Red Raiders into their former glory from the late '90s. Former Beaver Andy Jarvis was hired as the volunteer assistant coach. With legendary Head Coach Larry Hays at the helm, the Tech coaching staff appears to be back to normal (See Greg Evans and Frank Anderson).

Tech's star power this year will all be focused on Jr. Roger Kieschnick of Rockwall. Kieschnick ended last season hitting .302/.373/.621. He is a huge extra base threat after leading Tech with 43 extra base hits (25 doubles, 5 triples and 13 home runs), as well as a run producer (50 runs and 36 RBIs). He is the closest thing Tech has to a 5 tool player. He can get the power and average at the plate, steal bases, and is an above average fielder (.984 fielding %). Most of Tech's offense will be produced with his bat.

The ace of the staff is Jr. AJ Ramos. Ramos led Tech with an 8-5 record last season, but struggled with his ERA in conference play. This is where Spencer comes in to play. Ramos will hopefully drop his ERA from last season's 4.70, and improve his other totals. Jr. Miles Morgan, if healthy, should also factor in as a weekend starter. Tech's bullpen should be headed up by workhorse So. Paul Gonzalez, who was 2nd on the team with 20 appearances in 2007. Last year's 1B James Leverton has been moved to the mound, and should factor in as well.

As for the rest of the team, there is a lot of question as to the starting lineup. So. Joey Kenworthy should begin the season at 2nd base, while So. Chris Hall will take over for the departed Kyle Martin at SS. Ben Baker is looking to hold onto his position at 3rd base. TCU transfer Monk Kreder is penciled in as the starting catcher, while 1st base is up for grabs. Currently, it appears that the job will belong to either Chris Richburg, a Jr. from Wolfforth and MVP of the Texas Collegiate League, or Tanner Rindels, a transfer from Seward CC in Kansas. I've also heard the prospect of Kieschnick moving to 1st. Jason Seefeld, the projected 2nd baseman, will likely miss the majority of the year due to an injury sustained in the fall.

The outfield is wide open. Sr. Doug Thennis, Tech's leading hitter in 2007, is one of 3 returning starters. Kieschnick will most likely play LF, while CF could belong to So. Taylor Ashby or Jr. speedster Willie Rueda, a former 2nd baseman returning from injury. Chris Richburg may also see time in the outfield, depending on the situation at 1st base.

The pitching is full of newcomers and young talents. Gone are Travis Young, Collin Auten and Aaron Odom, but with a healthy Morgan and a confident Ramos, the staff should improve from last years struggles. Jr. Brian Cloud should be the #2 man behind Gonzalez in the bullpen. Other relief pitchers would be So. Sam Janca and Leverton. The starting rotation will most likely include newcomer So. Nathan Karns, and possibly Fr. Chad Bettis or Jr. Zach Stewart. The recruiting class featured Fr. Robert Kilcrease, a possible instant contributor, and Fr. Austin Quick, both from the Austin area.

It's too hard to tell what the lineup will look like, but hopefully the staff will quickly figure out the best combination and roles. I'm predicting that Tech will improve on their Big 12 performance, even with the increased talent this year for the other teams.

Texas:

I'll do it tomorrow, I'm kinda tired right now...