Below I’ve got your first Red Raider Preview of the season as we look ahead to the State Farm College Baseball Showdown in Arlington. If you haven’t listened to the most recent episode of the Dinger Derby Podcast I suggest you do that now! Gus, George, and I talked plenty about who we may see in various positions for the Red Raiders this season.
I’m not previewing the Razorbacks, Rebels, or Bulldogs here, these are my thought about what Tech will look like in Arlington this weekend.
THE DETAILS
🏟 Globe Life Field | Arlington, Texas
📺 FloBaseball.TV (💲)
📻 TTSN
📅 vs. #8 Arkansas – Saturday, Feb. 20 ⏲ 7:00 pm
📅 @ #6 Ole Miss – Sunday, Feb. 21 ⏲ 3:00 pm
📅 vs. #7 Mississippi St. – Monday, Feb. 22 ⏲ 11:00 am
WHAT WE KNOW
To start, one thing we know for sure is this is going to be another salty team put together by Tim Tadlock, J-Bob Thomas, Matt Gardner, and company. The Red Raiders brought in the #9 recruiting class in the country and the #1 JUCO class for the second year running. Coach Tadlock has been, in his quiet way, very excited about the new guys. That should get all of you excited as the majority of new faces are pitchers and we’re seeing what could be the deepest class of arm talent since Davis Martin and Steven Gingery stepped onto campus.
We also know that Texas Tech is running behind as they walk into a tough weekend. Now, don’t sound the alarm bells, because so is the rest of the country including the field in Arlington. With the winter weather that’s effected large swaths of the US this week, that’s lost time in preparation that southern schools don’t often face. Everyone in the tournament will be on even playing field in regards to time lost in the spring so far.
Additionally, it’s an extremely interesting year for college baseball. Rosters are LOADED with talent due to an NCAA waiver giving players back their year of eligibility, add in a five round MLB Draft and things are stacked up. But despite the embarrassment of riches, college teams are facing extreme challenges. Seasons were cut short in 2020 at all levels and freshmen especially are feeling the pain of that as they lost their baseball season and did not have the built in support system to get/stay in shape. Coach Tadlock alluded to this in the live streamed First Pitch Event that we’re seeing injuries at all levels. The MLB dealt with them and college will too, in fact Texas Tech already is, particularly on the mound.
INJURIES
The Red Raiders have multiple injuries to pay attention to. Some are minor and recovery for Arlington is imminent, others are out for the season or an extended period of time. This will add more uncertainty to the lineup in a year Tech will already be looking quite different, particularly in the infield, and will definitely change the starting rotation.
Austin Becker: Becker underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2020. The right-handed fireballer transferred from Vanderbilt and tossed a easy mid-90s last season. He started four games for Tech in 2020 and looked to only improve as the season and time in the program went on. Let’s hope we see him in a Red Raider uniform again, but he won’t be pitching in Arlington.
Jakob Brustoski: An immediate fan favorite, “BRUUUUU” came in as a big red head with an easy smile and a cannon hanging off his left shoulder. The fireballer from Ohio brought a 97+mph fastball and was impressive in his 10 innings out of the bullpen. It’s disappointing he was another Red Raider to need Tommy John surgery as the bullpen threat and the experience he would have brought to the mound in Globe Life Field would have been most welcome. His surgery was in late December of 2020. It’s a toss-up if we see Brustoski throw for the Red Raiders again. He’s draft eligible and power lefties are rare enough he may take his talent to the pros, we shall see.
Dillon Carter: The Red Raiders’ starting left fielder for much of 2020, Carter came in from Argyle playing like a man possessed. He started 15 games in LF and one more in CF and flashed great promise at the plate, hitting .280 on the season with pop and reliability. He was also active on the base paths finishing second on the team going 7 of 8 swiping bags. Carter will be delayed in returning to the Red Raiders’ lineup this season as he had shoulder surgery in the early Fall, but according to Head Coach Tim Tadlock, he will be available again in early April.
Cal Conley: Close observers may have seen him in street clothes in fairly recent scrimmages but not to worry, Conley underwent a minor procedure a few weeks ago and is expected to be ready to go for Arlington.
Hunter Dobbins: Personally, this one hurts. The red head with the red glove is someone I was extremely excited to see raise eyebrows in 2021. Dobbins showed excellent growth in 2020 tossing a 1.35 ERA in 20.0 IP and boasted a strikeout to walk ratio of 25:5. Dobbins made strides over the summer as well, tipping 98mph on the gun and looking to be ready to assume a role in the weekend rotation. I think he most-likely would have been the starter against Arkansas in Arlington. Unfortunately, Dobbins left a Friday practice with elbow soreness and an MRI revealed a UCL injury. He’ll undergo Tommy John surgery soon and will work into the rehab that follows. Dobbins was projected as a first rounder on some MLB draft boards so we may not see him pitch for Tech again if their interest is still high enough.
Cody Masters: The junior from Coppell has been a regular contributor for almost three seasons now and has moments of his own that many will remember. Masters has worked to overcome a shoulder injury in the past that limited his play in the outfield. His speed is an exceptional tool and his bat can be an asset as he saw regular work at DH in 2020. Masters been seen in street clothes early in 2021 and we can only surmise that he will be unavailable for Arlington as he continues to work through an injury issue.
THE LINEUP
I make no promises that this lineup is correct, in fact Randy, Gus, and George probably disagree with me and that’s completely fine. At the end of the day we’re all just guessing until lineups are released prior to first pitch. But, I think these are pretty educated guesses as to who we see to start things off. Remember, I’m projecting Arlington, not the starters the last game of the year. I’ll also guarantee that I’m going to be wrong somewhere.
C – Braxton Fulford: There is only one no-brainer on this lineup and Braxton is it for me. The junior from Lubbock Monterey has done everything the Red Raiders have asked of him over the years and this could be a breakout season for him. Fulford is a solid defender with an exceptional arm. Arlington is an opportunity for him to show that off on a very big stage and get the national attention he deserves. Nate Rombach is the definitive backup behind the dish and to avoid wearing Fulford out, may end up with a start during the weekend.
1B – Cole Stilwell: The former catcher locked down 1B in 2020 following the departure of Cameron Warren and did strong work for the Red Raiders, particularly at the plate. D1 Baseball also puts him #30 on their Preseason 1B Power Rankings after slashing .345/.500/.564 last season. However, with options abounding for shuffling the infield, there could be a shorter leash on the sophomore defensively and he’ll need to perform to hold the role. But it’s his job when the season gets rolling and the rest shakes out later.
2B – Jace Jung: The freshman from San Antonio started 16 games in 2020 at 3B, but many of us felt like a move was coming to 2B when Big 12 play began. D1 Baseball placed Jung at #12 on their Preseason 2B Power Rankings, so the secret is definitely out. Jung spent all of the fall at 2B and we expect him to hang there for some time. There’s always the potential he ends up in a move to 1B at some point as well.
3B – Parker Kelly: Defensively, PK’s strength at 3B is no secret. He started 23 games for the Red Raiders in 2019 and he recorded a .953 fielding percentage. Longtime observers may remember him having a lanky build, that is no longer true for the full grown man that Parker Kelly has become. In the fall, he hit the longest home run I’ve seen leave Rip Griffin Park. It came down on top of the scoreboard bouncing over, and that was opposite field as it went out in right center. The bat appears to have consistently come on strong and we think he’ll be your starting 3B this weekend in Arlington. I think he has a real chance to hold that spot down all season long.
SS – Cal Conley: Tech’s starting shortstop in 2020, Conley was explosive earning Freshman All-American and Third Team All-American honors hitting .371 and going 5-for-5 swiping bases. He’s also been named to the Bobby Bragan Collegiate Slugger Award watch list and as a Preseason NCBWA All-American and Preseason All-Big 12 selection in 2021. His game at short is smooth and a pleasure to watch, and the bat has driving power to all fields. D1 Baseball also placed Conley #5 on their Preseason SS Power Rankings and I’d be surprised to see him anywhere else this weekend. If the injury lingers for some reason, I think Kurt Wilson steps in here to fill the gap in Arlington.
LF – Dru Baker: The owner of the best walkup music on the team, Baker started in 16 of his 17 appearances in 2020, and reached base safely in 16 games as well. After 32 starts and 45 appearances in 2019 as an impact freshman, he transitioned to the outfield, seeing action mostly in RF. With a consistently strong bat and high OBP, Baker is an asset in the lineup and a versatile athlete in the OF. I could see him starting in either corner outfield position, or getting the nod at DH.
CF – Dylan Neuse: A transfer from McLennan Community College, Neuse has started every game as a Red Raider and been a lockdown center fielder as well. He’s spent most of his time at or near the top of the lineup and led off for a time as well. D1 baseball placed him #4 on their Preseason Outfield Power Rankings after slashing .355/.438/.487 in 2020. he’s been named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year and a Preseason All-American by several outlets. The only way we don’t see Neuse in CF is if he finds his way into the infield.
RF – Drew Woodcox: This is the most difficult call to make and I’m torn. Woodcox is potentially the most “lake ready” freshman we’ve seen in the field, but he’s also a freshman and to start things off in Arlington we may see more experience there. Murrell would be another strong choice here and of course there’s Max Marusak. He’s seen significant opportunities in the outfied and his defense and speed tool are not a concern. If Max is putting together strong at-bats then I’m not surprised at all to see him starting in Arlington.
DH – Easton Murrell: A junior from Prosper, Murrell transferred to Tech from Arkansas following the 2018 season. He started multiple postseason games for the Red Raiders in 2019 and led the team hitting .400 in Omaha, including his only home run of the season, a two-run shot against his former team. He did not play at all in 2020, something Coach Tadlock pointed out during the First Pitch Event. Murrell is transitioning to the outfield and has more work to do out there. I think he’ll be heavily in the mix for a corner outfield spot as 2021 plays out but I think his bat can earn him a DH start as things begin.
THE ROTATION
Four Red Raiders went on to play professional baseball, and three of them combined for 45 IP in the shortened season for the Red Raiders in Clayton Beeter, Bryce Bonnin, and John McMillon. As with almost any season, Tech will need to find reliable answers for those weekend slots and they’ll be working to replace a 1st and 3rd round draft pick in Beeter and Bonnin respectively, along with the talents of John McMillon.
Patrick Monteverde, LHP: Monteverde started his collegiate career at Division III Virginia Wesleyan University and came to the Red Raiders by way of Seton Hill University, a Division II school in Pennsylvania. He came to Tech over offers from Miami, Alabama, Auburn, Indiana, and UCF, among many others. The redshirt senior also has Tommy John in his rearview after undergoing the surgery following a UCL injury in his junior season. He has impressed in every appearance in intrasquad scrimmages and I think you’ll see him with a start in Arlington. Monteverde is running it up to the mid-90s, but the hard-throwing lefty has a deep bag of tricks to draw from as he mixes pitches well and throws strikes.
Brandon Birdsell, RHP: A JUCO transfer out of San Jacinto College, Birdsell started his collegiate career at Texas A&M University. He’s a hard-throwing righthander that would already be playing professional baseball in a longer draft year. Birdsell brings a four-pitch mix to the zone and it’s the wipeout slider to watch out for as that payoff pitch. Birdsell led the Red Raiders’ #1 JUCO class and I expect to see him in a starting role in Arlington.
Mason Montgomery, LHP: The sophomore from Leander, TX is in his third season as a Red Raider and in the shortened 2020 showed marked improvement. He’s a lefty that came to campus with a lot to offer and I believe his time has come to take up a weekend rotation slot. He tossed 18IP in 4 starts last season, allowing opposing batters a .185 BA and with a 20:7 strikeout-to-walk ratio. I expect Monty to start this weekend.
WRAPPING UP
It’s nothing new for Tech to experiment in the early season. What is new is to see that experimentation play out against multiple top 10 opponents on opening weekend. Remember to maintain perspective, the quality competition the Red Raiders will be facing this weekend are in the same boat as they look to improve quickly and find their own formulas for success in an early season already full of difficulty. Additionally, no one has much to lose. The RPI won’t take big hits win or lose, it’s early season, and the hope is that everyone can play good baseball and escape without injuries as they get their legs under them.
One thing I do know, whoever Tim Tadlock and company trot out in each of these games this weekend, we’ll all be glad to see them there. The skipper has earned our trust and more importantly, we’re all ready to see some baseball after 11 very long months.
#BaseballisComing
