In case you missed it, Part 1 of this article looked back at the program, 2022, and those players who will not be back this season for various reasons.
As I wrote about in Part 1, the Red Raiders have 20 contributors not returning in 2023 due to exhaustion of their eligibility, the MLB Draft, other paths to professional baseball, or transfer. Looking at those players solely from the standpoint of playing time and offensive production, between everyday contributors Jace Jung, Cole Stilwell, Kurt Wilson, Easton Murrell, Parker Kelly and double-digit starters Dalton Porter and Sam Hunt, there are 284 starts to replace. Those players accounted for 1,176 at-bats, yielding 365 hits, 57 home runs, 98 other extra-base hits, and 268 RBIs.
On the mound, between Brandon Birdsell, Andrew Morris, Chase Hampton, Austin Becker, Shay Hartis, Colin Clark, Jamie Hitt, and Tyler Hamilton there are 314.1 innings of pitching and 353 strikeouts across 104 appearances and 47 starts to account for.
As COVID-19 relief begins to sunset, roster limits still have some nuance. There will be the standard 35-man roster limit for 2023, but teams can still use five additional spots for those using their extra year of COVID eligibility, so functionally if Tech uses all of those, they’ll carry a 40-man roster.
According to head Coach Tim Tadlock at the National College Baseball Foundation’s First Pitch Luncheon, that number for the Red Raiders will be 39, so we’ll still see some shifting before the season gets underway.
If there’s one major point that everyone can agree on with this team is that there are going to be a lot of new faces. But that’s not necessarily a bad problem to have. In my opinion, this team is overall going to be faster, more athletic, and deeper than the 2022 squad. That’s certainly not meant to be a dig at that group, but I feel like the 2023 Red Raiders are taking a step forward in several categories. Below I’ve worked through each of the returners as they stand right now and my perception of what we may expect.
In Part 3 of the 2023 season preview, I’ll look at the new faces and try to put together some semblance of a lineup but to be honest I’ve never seen it like this. Texas Tech could field two excellent teams and play the matchup game while doing it, they’re stacked at basically every position with a lot of versatile guys as well. To paraphrase Tadlock, “this is a team of baseball players, you can put them anywhere and they’re going to go play well.”
That depth will give Texas Tech something it was lacking in 2022, which is the ability to give guys a day off. While it’s not the grind of a 162-game MLB season, it’s still a grind. Sometimes a day off can do wonders for recovery and having the option to do that and get younger guys into the game could pay off big in May and June. Additionally, the 2022 Red Raiders had to play injured with Easton Murrell, Dillon Carter, Jace Jung, and Ty Coleman all notably playing with some level of injury throughout the season. The depth of 2023 should allow more time to heal with more options on the bench to fill gaps should they come.
Perhaps the best preview of the 2023 squad came from Tadlock at the Red Raider Club’s annual Tailgate Dinner. Simple words with deeper meaning have become a hallmark of a Tadlock interview and that night the tagline emerged:
“I’d pay to watch these guys play.” – Tim Tadlock
WHO’S BACK IN THE FIELD?
#1 Dillon Carter, CF
The quick-to-smile graduate of Argyle High School missed 11 games in 2022 due to a shoulder injury, which continues to be something to keep an eye on heading into 2023. An elite defender in center field, Carter made the SportsCenter Top 10 robbing a home run from Auburn at Globe Life Field last year. He struggled to get going at the plate, however, batting .199 on the season with 21 RBIs.
There’s everything to love about DC’s defense in the outfield and his personality and toughness as well. He will simply have to find his swing this season in order to remain an everyday contributor considering the newcomers prowling for a position in the outfield. So far in scrimmages, he has shown improved plate discipline and appears to be seeing the ball better adjusting to speed and off-speed more effectively.
Carter has been putting in significant time in the cages and it appears to be paying dividends in scrimmages, he’s putting together very competitive at-bats and finding ways to get on base. He’s also been donning batting gloves for the first time, perhaps indicative of just how much time he’s spending on his swing.
#5 Hudson White, C
His freshman season got off to a slow start at the plate as White went 0-16 before booking his first hit, a 2-RBI double against Kent State on February 27. He hit .260 on the season and was second on the team in walks (35) and posted the second-fewest strikeouts (37).
Between 39 starts at catcher and 19 more at first base, he turned in a .986 fielding percentage. Despite the slow start, White slashed .344/.438/.527 in Big 12 play, good enough for Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors. Additionally, White earned Freshman All-American honors from Collegiate Baseball and First Team Freshman All-American honors from Perfect Game.
Fresh off of an invite to USA Baseball, Texas Tech’s 11th invitee in program history, I’m not the only one expecting big things out of the sophomore White in 2023 as he was named to the Big 12 Preseason Team. I expect him to be the top option at catcher for the Red Raiders, but as usual, he will split time for rest days.
I’d anticipate seeing white also spend some rest days at third base or potentially DH depending on what the staff has cooking. His bat should be one that you simply don’t want to leave out of the lineup, and that’s true for all of your catchers.
#9 Zac Vooletich, INF/OF
A JUCO transfer from Navarro College, Vooletich made 27 appearances and 15 starts for Texas Tech in 2022, the most of anyone outside of the everyday starters. He batted in 18 runs in limited at-bats and his single home run was a big one. Homering in the ninth inning against Kansas State he set up Jace Jung’s walk-off two-run shot to complete the sweep in Lubbock.
The majority of Vooletich’s starts were in left field and he saw some time in center field as well. Primarily a catcher coming out of Brandeis High School with a Perfect Game Grade of 8, Vooletich played second base in his final season at Navarro. Voo has seen a fair amount of time back behind the dish in scrimmages and I’d expect him to be the fourth option back there this season for Tech.
A calm, cool, and collected veteran, Vooletich is another guy who brings welcome experience to what will be a very young squad. His work ethic has brought him up to Texas Tech from the JUCO ranks and I expect we will see more of what he can do in 2023. He may be one of the more versatile tools in the toolbox for Tadlock this season but as with many others, he is competing for a place to work and can play multiple positions across the infield and outfield.
#10 Ty Coleman, DH
The Midland Lee product with deep ties to Lubbock transferred to Tech from Texas A&M for the 2022 season. He made 54 starts for the Red Raiders hitting .318 and driving in 59 runs, second on the team to Kurt Wilson. Coleman struck out only 26 times last season, the lowest among everyday starters and 11 less than the next closest player. However, he also worked the fewest walks among top contributors at 17 with only 7 of those coming in conference play.
Coleman is a smart and capable baseball player, one that Tim Tadlock thinks highly of. His experience will be most welcome in this lineup and in the dugout as well, I do hope to see the OPS improve in 2023, adding to his 8 home runs in 2022 and increasing the overall on-base percentage. He has already received an All-Big 12 Preseason DH nod from the conference’s coaches as well as a First Team Preseason All-America Honor from the NCBWA (National College Baseball Writers Association).
With the level of talent, athleticism, and power that we’re seeing from the new faces on this team, experience and a step up in production will be key to keeping the DH position locked down. There are a lot of guys gunning for any chance to hit the field and DH is a prime spot to see some rotation.
There is definitely a “glue guy” element to Coleman as well, he’s always the first to have something to say from the dugout, and honestly, teams need that.
#25 Owen Washburn, OF
After supplying the opening day walk-off hit in Arlington to take down Michigan and give the Red Raiders their only win of the weekend, Washburn put together a strong 2022 season. He led the way among Tech underclassmen with 16 multi-hit games and slashed .313/.382/.545 in Big 12 play in addition to a solid season in right field where he put a cannon on display.
The 2021 Wisconsin Gatorade Player of the Year earned Big 12 Honorable Mention and Big 12 All-Freshman Team selections in 2022. Considering his performance, accolades, and his pedigree (dad Jarrod Washburn was a 2nd-round draft pick and booked 14 MLB seasons) it feels odd to say that Washburn’s freshman campaign flew a little bit under the radar with other teammates grabbing a bit more attention.
I expect Owen Washburn to become a household name in 2023 as an anchor in the heart of the tech lineup. He and White became an impressive one-two punch and we should see more of the same in 2023. Despite the deep talent on this team, I expect Washburn to hold down his place in right field.
#33 Ryan Brome, INF/OF
A sophomore out of Katy High School, Brome saw limited action for the Red Raiders in 2022 with 13 appearances and two starts, one at DH and the other in center field. In 21 at-bats he posted a slashline of .286/.423/.429 and his bat looked solid in fall scrimmages.
Brome has seen some scrimmage time at first base and in right field, places we could still see him in as needed, but I think his most likely landing spot at the moment will be finding options at DH. He brings great left-handed power to the plate with the ability to absolutely beat up right-handed pitching. He’s certainly a guy whose bat Tadlock could want in the lineup depending on matchups.
One thing to love about the young man is that there’s no question about his dedication and determination.
WHO’S BACK ON THE MOUND?
In looking at the list below, make sure you also check out our most recent Analyzing the Game article from Dr. Alan Reifman. He goes beyond simply looking at saves and utilizes Nate Silver’s Goose Egg metric to assess how clutch Texas Tech’s relief pitchers were last season. Of all of Texas Tech’s Goose Egg contributors, only Austin Becker doesn’t return in 2023.
#11 Andrew Devine, RHP
A 4th year junior out of Simi Valley, California, Devine showed flashes of brilliance at Florida State in the 2020 campaign. Devine entered in the ninth and tossed a perfect two-strikeout inning to earn the save and secure the two-game sweep for Tech. He’s had his ups and downs since then and comes off of a 2022 season that saw him post a 4.30 ERA and 26 strikeouts to 15 walks over 4 starts and 16 total appearances.
His scrimmage appearances have come often in the offseason and I expect this coaching staff is looking for him to be a big contributor out of the bullpen for the Red Raiders, with the potential of some midweek starts as they work through their options and he settles in.
#21 Mason Molina, LHP
In his freshman season, Molina turned in a performance that earned him a spot on the Big 12 All-Freshman team. With 20 appearances and 9 starts, he put together a 3.90 ERA across 57.2 innings of work. He tallied 71 strikeouts to 29 walks and of Tech’s top four inning-eaters, he had the lowest opponent batting average at .215. Molina earned his only save of the season in the Statesboro Regional, needing only 9 pitches to secure the final three outs to eliminate host Georgia Southern.
With the departure of Morris, Hampton, and Birdsell, Molina is Texas Tech’s only returner to the weekend rotation. There are different schools of thought about who to throw Friday vs. Saturday in a series, but Molina’s most recent scrimmage outing was a really strong four-inning showing on a Friday, so I’d expect the sophomore to get the nod in that slot in the rotation to start things off.
#30 Bo Blessie, RHP
The righty out of Midland has taken a circuitous route through college baseball but he appears poised to make this a season to remember. Playing for former Red Raider catcher Brian Roper at Midland Lee High School, Blessie came back from injury as a senior, turned down the Washington Nationals (36th round), and headed to Nebraska as the #3 ranked player in the state. After 9 appearances over two combined seasons (2019-2020), he returned to Midland College in 2021 and joined the Red Raiders last season.
Blessie turned in 7.2 innings of work across 7 appearances tallying 9 strikeouts for Tech in 2022. Over the offseason, he has reportedly achieved a velocity uptick now bumping 99mph with an offspeed pitch ability to compliment it. He has plenty to prove to earn his innings for the Red Raiders this season, but the opportunity to carve out a major role lies before him. His most recent outing in scrimmages was excellent and his pitch mix was very effective against some serious Tech bats.
#32 Trendan Parish, RHP
A fiery freshman in 2022, Parish walked into opening weekend showing his emotion and confidence on the mound 7 pitches into his college career. He led the Red Raiders finishing 13 games and quickly carved out a role as Tech’s closer with 3 saves over his first 4 appearances. He finished his freshman campaign with 6 saves but his season was cut short due to injury. His official timeline for return is unclear and he didn’t throw publicly in the fall.
He has thrown in January scrimmages and the stuff, highlighted by a wicked slider, appears to be fully intact. As with many pitchers, confidence and the ability to wash the last pitch and move to the next one can be one of the biggest challenges.
I’d expect Parish to make great strides this season and be a major bullpen option for Texas Tech, whether that’s once again as a closer or in longer relief appearances.
#35 Garrett Crowley, LHP
Garrett Crowley transferred to the Red Raiders last season from Fordham University and also played in the nation’s top collegiate summer league in Cape Cod for the Chatham Anglers. The 6-4, 215lb lefty didn’t see much action throughout the season but came up big for the Red Raiders late getting three strikeouts and leaving two stranded in the opening game of the Oklahoma series. He also entered in the 8th against Notre Dame in the final game of the Statesboro Regional. He struck out his only batter and left two men stranded to preserve Tech’s chances heading into the bottom of the inning.
Crowley has struggled at times to find the strike zone and will need to find that consistency to carve out a bigger role out of the bullpen this season.
#39 Jase Lopez, RHP
Lopez spread 7.0 innings pitched across 8 appearances for the Red Raiders in 2022 tallying 6 strikeouts. He logged his first appearance on opening weekend working a three-pitch strikeout in late innings against Arizona and earned his sole win against Kent State with 2 innings of work.
Lopez is another arm in the bullpen looking to carve out a bigger role for himself. The ability to consistently fill the strike zone while missing barrels will be the differentiator for him in the early season as he looks to earn more innings on the mound.
#40 Brendan Girton, RHP
The big righthander from Shattuck HS was expected to have a big role for the Red Raiders in 2022, but his season was cut short due to injury. He made it through 9 appearances tallying 17 strikeouts to 9 walks over 17.2 innings, with a team-leading WHIP of .96.
He appears to be on the mend and has been seen throwing gas in scrimmages. With experience, stamina, and a fastball bumping 97mph or better paired with wipeout offspeed stuff, Girton could look to figure into conversations for the rotation in 2023 depending on his post-injury availability and rehab timeline. Currently, I have him penciled in my mind as a weekend starter.
#42 Kyle Robinson, RHP
Coming into his freshman season out of Falls Church, Virginia, the Texas Tech coaching staff had high expectations for Kyle Robinson. He turned in 12 appearances in relief for the Red Raiders, earning his only win at Rice on March 13. His season-long outing of 2.0 IP came against Abilene Christian on April 26 and also logged a season-high three strikeouts. He ultimately turned in an ERA of 4.63 with 9 strikeouts to 5 walks.
Robinson’s stuff can be electric and the 6-6, 210lb sophomore posted a head-turning fall. If his upward trend continues through January he’s a guy that could be in the conversation for potentially getting the nod for midweek starts.
#43 Brendan Lysik, LHP
A 6-5, 225lb left-hander from Waldwick, New Jersey can be a problem for opposing hitters if he’s ready to own some time on the mound in 2023. His angle and physicality make him a great candidate for a guy who can be a matchup nightmare or work his way into eating up innings for the Red Raiders.
He only saw one appearance in 2022, coming against West Virginia on April 24 and it did not go well for the then-freshman. Time will tell what kind of role Lysik can carve out for himself in a loaded bullpen.
#44 Brandon Beckel, RHP
A 6-4, 225lb right-hander out of San Antonio, Beckel turned in a solid sophomore season with 23.2 innings pitches spread over 18 relief appearances. His longest outing came against Oklahoma on May 20 where he tossed three scoreless innings with 1 hit and 2 strikeouts.
Beckel brings a big arm to the mound for the Red Raiders and appears ready to take another step forward in his level of contribution out of the bullpen. He walked a dozen batters in 2022 while striking out 29 and was the only Red Raider pitcher to throw more than 20 innings and give up only one home run. While he posted a 5.32 ERA, his opponent’s batting average of .239 was among the best on the team.
Beckel has continued to show elite velocity and a sharp slider, I expect he’ll have an expanded role out of the bullpen in 2023 as well. It’s no secret that locating the fastball is where everything starts for these guys, particularly those with bigger arms, so consistent fastball command will be the name of the game for him to grab that expanded role.
#45 Derek Bridges, LHP
A significant contributor out of the bullpen in 2022, Bridges, a Big 12 Honorable Mention selection, turned in a 3.27 ERA over 22.0 innings pitched with 24 strikeouts to 9 walks. Bridges’ 27 appearances led all Red Raider pitchers and placed him at 6th in the Big 12 Conference.
The big Duncan, Oklahoma left-hander will bring much-needed experience and consistency to a young crop of arms, however, he has been working through an offseason injury and we have not seen him throw in scrimmages thus far. His timeline to return has not been announced but I do expect to see him this season, probably somewhere closer to Big 12 play than the early non-conference slate.
#52 Josh Sanders, RHP
Sanders earned the win against the University of Texas in the game that saw Kurt Wilson famously steal home for the walk-off victory. The sidearmer out of Yukon, Oklahoma had the lowest ERA (2.89) of returners from the 2021 squad and he turned in 25.0 innings pitched over 18 appearances in 2022. The ERA wasn’t indicative of his effectiveness as he averaged better than a strikeout per inning (26) with only 9 walks allowed. He also turned in 2.2 scoreless innings against Notre Dame in the Statesboro Regional.
Sanders has improved his velocity with his fastball bumping 93mph, if that’s setting up his already solid off-speed and using the non-traditional arm slot, he can be a very effective weapon for Texas Tech this season.
Stay tuned for our final installment of the 2023 preview. I’ll look at the newcomers to the Red Raiders and try to piece together a lineup as we prepare for opening weekend.
